What do to...permie or crappy contract...?

[deckster]

A quandary. I have been benched for coming up 6 months. The warchest is OK for now but obviously not getting any bigger. I have had a steady stream of interviews, both contract and perm, but nothing seems to ever convert to an offer. Now, two calls today -

One from an agent I spoke to last week, pushing me hard to take an immediate (ie starting this week) 3-month contract, on barely half my previous rate, a 2 hour drive away.

One from a big IT services firm who have been recommended by an old colleague, for a fantastic job albeit permie. Good salary - more than the crappy contract rate above - step up from previous roles, close to home etc. etc.

In neither case have I had any interviews yet. The first agent is looking for a commitment from me to take the role before he will even put me forward. Normally I'd tell him sod off, particularly as it's a crappy job on a crappy rate in a crappy location. However - I've been benched for far too long and whilst I'm not going to add to the warchest at least it would keep me on an even keel.

I really want this permie job though and all the signs are that I have a very good chance of getting it. If I take the contract and then get offered the permie job - well, I'm a man of my word and going back on a commitment, or leaving halfway through a contract, just isn't something I do.

So - commit to a contract I don't want, in a place I don't want to go to - or hold out for what could turn out to be a perfect job...?

[NotAllThere]

Sounds to me like you want to take the permie job. So, I'd recommend, you take the permie job.

[Mich the Tester]

Erm, think 360 degree appraisals, office politics, ‘employee of the month’ awards, ‘Personal Development Plans’ and so on.

Just think for a moment, then ask yourself how crap a crap role as a self employed contractor really needs to be.

[Drewster]

I do sympathise with your quandry.......

However only you can decide!

I would at this point "progress" with both lines (as you said neither are actually "real" at this stage).... until you get a real "bird in the hand"....

You are not really commiting to anyting until you get the paperwork to sign - so telling either pimp you are interested and want to proceed with thier role DOES NOT actually commit you. Despite your "man of my word" thoughts

[Turion]

I do sympathise with your quandry.......

However only you can decide!

I would at this point "progress" with both lines (as you said neither are actually "real" at this stage).... until you get a real "bird in the hand"....

You are not really commiting to anyting until you get the paperwork to sign - so telling either pimp you are interested and want to proceed with thier role DOES NOT actually commit you. Despite your "man of my word" thoughts

WHS. Tell them what they want to hear.

[weemster]

?

What skill area are you in ?

[deckster]

Cheers for the replies

I guess the answer is obvious really and as you say progress with them both. The permie people seem to want to move quickly which makes a refreshing change (I had a 2nd interview lined up tomorrow which has just been put back 2 weeks - 1st interview was in January!) and have lined up interview for Friday - they say they can make the decision next week. That gives me a bit of bargaining power with the contract role so I'll push back a bit there. These things never turn out to be as urgent as the pimps make out anyway

My field is technical architecture, specializing in J2EE, Unix & Oracle infrastructure design, with a smattering of project management on the side. All very saleable skills I'm sure but no bugger seems to want them at the moment...

[weemster]

Really just trying to ascertain if the permy roll will give a chance to
move into other areas - but by your current skill can't really think
of anything much more desirable. perhaps a smattering
of Microsoft technology.