I am not cut out to be a contractor!

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

When I went permie I worked out that I was about 20% down in take home terms. That was based on my previous gig, with a long commute, and contentiously being IR35 caught, which I wasn't, but that seemed a more accurate comparison than one derived via tax avoidance (otherwise it would have been 30%+). But I was probably at the lower to middle end of rates compared to a lot of you, whereas I seemed to be quite in demand as a permie.

Half the reason was having go through all the pain of looking for jobs, interviews, and most of all dealing with agents, and then thinking I might well be doing it all over again in 6 months time.

That's half the reason I do contracting. I like applying, speaking/negotiating with agents (genuine ones not the fishing type), going for interviews and then choosing between multiple roles. If you find that bit a pain then you are right: you ain't cut out for contracting.

[VectraMan]

That's half the reason I do contracting. I like applying, speaking/negotiating with agents (genuine ones not the fishing type), going for interviews and then choosing between multiple roles. If you find that bit a pain then you are right: you ain't cut out for contracting.

You're weird.

[Gibbon]

It happens to us all. If at the end of the day you can negotiate a deal what compares to what you got as a contractor even better.

No it doesn't and won't. I will be packing it in though in 2 -3 years and then hopefully off to do a research degree.

[Hireonomy]

Good luck with it... whatever you decide to do. - Im sure it will work out for the best.

[ChimpMaster]

Good luck with it... whatever you decide to do. - Im sure it will work out for the best.

MUN, you have a legally binding confirmation from Hireonomy there. Now you can't lose!

[doodab]

You're weird.

+1. I much prefer a steady income from repeat business. That's the advantage of developing relationships with consultancies and vendors.

[socialworker]

Funny Im in the same position. Liked the challenge and variety at first but now I'm in a gig 5 minutes walk from home, in a congenial team, lovely managers, no open plan office and there is talk of permanent jobs coming up through internal promotion. Especially since HMRC has just sent me a demand for £2k, even though Im inside IR35 and have paid my tax religiously like a good girl it looks as though some of my PAYE payments have gone astray. Accountant says she can fix it and it' not uncommon but it has taken up a fair chunk of a very much looked forward to day off this week. Plus I have stupidly miscalculated by VAT and will have to claim a refund. Obviously I'm not really cut out for it either.

Whatever suits you is best.

[TykeMerc]

If it looks like the right move for you, do it.

There's nothing stopping you from going back contracting at a later date if the situation changes.

Oh and please remember to hand in your badge on the way out of course

[speling bee]

MUN, you have a legally binding confirmation from Hireonomy there. Now you can't lose!

I don't think it can be legally binding if the poster's company website lacks company details, even if that poster cannot correctly use apostrophes.

[BlasterBates]

For exactly the same reasons I went permie last year. The last 10 years have been a permanent long distance commute, and it's clear that would have continued but on a lower rate than the past.

I agree with the hassle of going for interviews and fighting through technical tests, what a pain. Nothing worse than being told at 5pm to write a test program by tomorrow morning please.

I think if you can find a company you feel comfortable, round the corner on 50K that sounds gr8.

Go for it...