As a generalist PM, I know exactly how it’ll pan out if I take on a perm role. The reward for doing well is just more projects! Conscientious permie PMs that are good at what they do get saddled with twice the projects handled by their less capable peers in the same team, while being paid the same. I’ve seen that time and again at the clients I’ve worked at.
As a contractor (or on a fixed term contract), there’s always an expiry date on my time so there’s more of a barrier to getting ‘rewarded’ with more work. Plus there’s a better balance of power so I can (and do) shrug and say sorry can’t take on anything more as I’ve got too much on my plate already.
Having said that, it’s all about what choices are available so if it gets to a stage where decent well-paid contracts are extremely hard to come by, I don’t have an ideological opposition to going perm. Mind you, the situation would have to be pretty bad!
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Reply to: State of the Market
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Previously on "State of the Market"
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Originally posted by mookiemoo View PostI've just read through the posts from Feb to now....... I took a perm job 2 years ago when the client I was at offered me one. For various reasons it suited at the time despite the paycut.
However, what has become increasingly clear is:
1. I can't handle 25 days holiday plus bank holidays - used to going away 3-4 times a year
2. There is a definite personality clash becoming apparent - maybe its 20 years as a contractor meaning I don't take jumping through hoops very well not sure but it ended up being told I was so awful at my job that I didn't deserve any pay rise (everyone else got 10%) and I was not getting my bonus even though they admitted I was severely underpaid for my role. Despite hardly being out of work in 20 years and had numerous repeat engagements - I don't think one goes from being good to awful overnight!
3. The work is drying up for consultancy I work for so not sure what will happen in a few months time
I'm thinking of looking for a contract and then just walking and telling them to stuff the job. the last few pages have been sobering. the only good thing is we are mortgage free and him indoors has a very good pension income which would pay the bills. I actually only really work for the holidays which I can't enjoy anymore as not enough time!
Many of these perm leaders got there from outstaying everyone else not ability. If you are seen to better than them or dont toe the company line youre in trouble.
I tried to do the 'fractional' route with a perm role. They wanted 9am to 6pm - but didnt tell me the hours until after the offer. Fractional is a difficult thing to actually get any company to agree on.
https://www.ft.com/content/e3cfa50b-...8-c1dd6e457dba
"Now companies from Accenture to EY and McKinsey are slashing thousands of jobs. The valuations of consultancy businesses are falling — one reason EY pulled its Project Everest plan to separate its accounting and consultancy arms — while the industry’s reputation is under attack following scandals such as firms’ misconduct in South Africa.
Korn Ferry’s latest survey of North American consultancy partners showed the extent of the anxiety among staff. Nearly 60 per cent expected less demand and more pressure on fees in the coming year. More than 80 per cent were worried about having enough work and almost half expected further lay-offs."
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Originally posted by mookiemoo View Post1. I can't handle 25 days holiday plus bank holidays - used to going away 3-4 times a year
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Originally posted by mookiemoo View Post
1. I can't handle 25 days holiday plus bank holidays - used to going away 3-4 times a year
2. There is a definite personality clash becoming apparent - maybe its 20 years as a contractor meaning I don't take jumping through hoops very well not sure but it ended up being told I was so awful at my job that I didn't deserve any pay rise (everyone else got 10%) and I was not getting my bonus even though they admitted I was severely underpaid for my role. Despite hardly being out of work in 20 years and had numerous repeat engagements - I don't think one goes from being good to awful overnight!
3. The work is drying up for consultancy I work for so not sure what will happen in a few months time
If holidays were that important to you then you should have negotiated more holiday when you went perm, eg an extra 10 or 15 days of unpaid holidays.
Might have improved your mood on the job as well, maybe you would have jumped through a few more of those hoops..
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I've just read through the posts from Feb to now....... I took a perm job 2 years ago when the client I was at offered me one. For various reasons it suited at the time despite the paycut.
However, what has become increasingly clear is:
1. I can't handle 25 days holiday plus bank holidays - used to going away 3-4 times a year
2. There is a definite personality clash becoming apparent - maybe its 20 years as a contractor meaning I don't take jumping through hoops very well not sure but it ended up being told I was so awful at my job that I didn't deserve any pay rise (everyone else got 10%) and I was not getting my bonus even though they admitted I was severely underpaid for my role. Despite hardly being out of work in 20 years and had numerous repeat engagements - I don't think one goes from being good to awful overnight!
3. The work is drying up for consultancy I work for so not sure what will happen in a few months time
I'm thinking of looking for a contract and then just walking and telling them to stuff the job. the last few pages have been sobering. the only good thing is we are mortgage free and him indoors has a very good pension income which would pay the bills. I actually only really work for the holidays which I can't enjoy anymore as not enough time!
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Originally posted by Peoplesoft bloke View Post
Unusual to hear anything at all for me - about 90% of applications result in tumbleweed.
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Originally posted by dsc View Post
That's the issue, half the applications didn't even get an auto rejection which is kind of unusual, but then again, maybe not so much anymore.
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Originally posted by Fraidycat View PostThe inflation data in the US killed any chance of multiple interest rate cuts this year everywhere, including the EU and UK. That seemed to have caused a major change of sentiment, a turn for the even worse.
My current contract runs out end of June. So I am being ultra positive and helpful between now and then. Tired of this gig, but I know that if I am out then it is going to be tough to find another, and this may well be the last outside IR35 gig I ever get too!
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Originally posted by SchumiStars View PostAgent phone me, 2 days onsite, central London, sc cleared, £400 inside.
I turned him down. I got the impression he was taking the Michael.
Is this ever going to end?
A couple of months ago you said you went to an interview for a junior role for something around £14per hour. But yesterday you turned away an agent phone call regarding a £50 per hour role?
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Originally posted by edison View Post
I wouldn't hold your breath if you haven't heard anything by now after a month.
I'm finding that I don't even get a rejection notification for over half my perm applications.
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Agent phone me, 2 days onsite, central London, sc cleared, £400 inside.
I turned him down. I got the impression he was taking the Michael.
Is this ever going to end?
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Originally posted by dsc View Post
It's practically May now...
Still waiting for some feedback on the 10+ permie applications I've sent back at the end of March...Also turns out my current client had a change of heart and might actually be able to offer me a perm position [fingers crossed x 10]
I'm finding that I don't even get a rejection notification for over half my perm applications.
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Originally posted by dsc View PostIt's practically May now...
The inflation data in the US killed any chance of multiple interest rate cuts this year everywhere, including the EU and UK. That seemed to have caused a major change of sentiment, a turn for the even worse.Last edited by Fraidycat; 29 April 2024, 11:32.
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Originally posted by Fraidycat View Post
It looks like the market is back to the level last seen in December but its now April , which is supposed to be one the best months of the year..
Still waiting for some feedback on the 10+ permie applications I've sent back at the end of March...Also turns out my current client had a change of heart and might actually be able to offer me a perm position [fingers crossed x 10]
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Originally posted by ladymuck View PostWell, having spent much of the day scratching about looking for a new gig, I can safely say there's sweet FA out there
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