Reply to: Advice - going back perm after years of contracting

[AlonsoHarris]

Thanks for all reply's everybody. I decided to continue contracting.

[jconway]

This might be the most succinct description of why I started contracting (and continue to contract).

Yep, that paragraph nails it for me too.

All I ever wanted out of my working life was:

• As much pay as possible
• Minimal politics
• Minimal responsibility/obligations
• Freedom and ability to leave

Contracting has 100% delivered on that lifestyle.

[jmo21]

It's amazing when you're being paid a decent amount and are financially comfortable AND you have the freedom to walk away whenever you like, how much more tolerable minor irritations are. The moment that financial freedom goes away and you're suckered into the payroll system, personally, I would find a lot of those minor inconveniences would then turn into problems.

This might be the most succinct description of why I started contracting (and continue to contract).

[mattfx]

I've had 3 gigs since I started contracting mid 2017 (currently on gig 3). Current gig and the one before both approached me and asked me to go perm! The questions you have to ask yourself are:

1) Why did you go contracting in the first place? (for many, the answer will be "Money, duh!")
2) Can you handle Helen from HR and her bi-yearly performance reviews?
3) Do you see yourself growing within the business / is promotion within 12-18 months likely?
4) Bonuses? Pensions? Worth it?
5) Would your new boss be someone you'd enjoy working for?

I asked myself those 5 questions and came up with:

1) Financial and workplace freedom; I wanted to earn more and chose how and when I worked. I couldn't do that as a perm.
2) Absolutely not.
3) Yes, in the previous gig.
4) Both were on offer but neither made up the financial shortfall.
5) Not particularly

It's amazing when you're being paid a decent amount and are financially comfortable AND you have the freedom to walk away whenever you like, how much more tolerable minor irritations are. The moment that financial freedom goes away and you're suckered into the payroll system, personally, I would find a lot of those minor inconveniences would then turn into problems.

I am prepared to work through the 2020 reforms and if needs must, with new reforms come new opportunities, you just have to keep your positive pants on.

[northernladuk]

No one can answer that for you. We've no idea what's going to happen in 2020.

The only thing I'd say is that if you are fretting that much about the changes then go perm.

[n123]

Soon as I did everything changed and I didn't enjoy the "walls" of employment. Little things really bugged me as well like asking for holidays rather than just letting the client know when I won't be available. Having to do things like appraisals and other box ticking exercises etc.

I am in similar situation and am scared I would be in similar mindset of walls - being offered a perm role which is in next gen tech, and got a contract offer in not-so-exciting, yesterday's tech.

Should I consider going perm and work on cloud, etc. - assuming anyway contracting might change sooner or later (2020) OR

stick to a 6 mnth contract, which would keep me in embedded tech?

I would be grateful for any suggestion/word of advice please!

Thanks!

[MyUserName]

Flipping heck MUN - that’s gone quick!

Yeah, it is scary.

[cojak]

Almost 5 years

Flipping heck MUN - that’s gone quick!

[MyUserName]

Can I ask for how long you have left?

Almost 5 years.

Why do you still peruse the Contractor boards if there is no regret leaving?

Sometimes people ask about whether anyone has left contracting for the permie world and I get to look important for a bit.

More seriously, there is occasionally interesting discussions about topics which I am interested in so I pop in every so often and have a look around.

[simes]

IR35 Friendly CV

One item defence? What you talking about?
You should know that an assessment looks at the full picture and the CV is just one element

Having just read this piece, and combined with when speaking to agents about gigs and always asking for feedback on CV trends and my specific content, the sequential and standard approach to CVs has tended to be what they require.... For better or worse.

Not that for a moment I would think their (the article author's) CV style would sway anyone in an IR35 debate. Even if you include two or three other current contracts on the CV to demonstrate not being dependent on the one source of income, this would still have to be proved with contracts and a Q&A with your clients. And so to my mind, should just be left off the CV in case they think you don't have any time left for them...

Anyway, going back to Perm. Not a chance.

[simes]

I did. Contracting no longer suited my life style, I needed regularity due to young children.

I do not regret leaving.

Can I ask for how long you have left?

And the answer to that will determine whether the next question is at all interesting...

Why do you still peruse the Contractor boards if there is no regret leaving?

[Hobosapien]

Errm, what?

Given most CVs are works of fiction, how on earth would they have any legal standing? "Your contracts aren't overlapping are they Mr Sapien. Oh hang on, you've a word document you wrote. Ok, we take that back".

Your contracts would be the evidence you provide because those legal documents show the overlapping.

If you're going to lie on it then yes no point using it.

it is a recognised timeline of relevant activities that further more substantial evidence can be gathered to support.

The use would be as a recognised timeline of relevant activities that more substantial evidence (e.g. the actual signed contracts) can be gathered to support.

In contracts where there may have been many extensions it's an easy starting point to use the CV timeline as a basis rather than checking the dates on all the paperwork whenever the bigger picture is required. Maybe a summary of the start and end dates could be created, if you like duplicating work.

[dx4100]

I had a similar situation - love the place so went permie - also had a young family so I thought reliable regular income would be good....

Soon as I did everything changed and I didn't enjoy the "walls" of employment. Little things really bugged me as well like asking for holidays rather than just letting the client know when I won't be available. Having to do things like appraisals and other box ticking exercises etc. All of a sudden just working the hours wasn't enough - expectations of working from home etc. The job role promises didn't materialise either and it felt like I was just contracting on the cheap for them.

In the end I think it was more a mindset thing than anything - very much a me problem - but I just couldn't adjust and went back contracting. Simpler life I find.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[MyUserName]

I wondered if anybody has gone back to perm from years of contracting and why?

Inversely if you're a contractor and have been in this situation, why have you stayed contracting?

Alonso

I did. Contracting no longer suited my life style, I needed regularity due to young children.

I do not regret leaving.

[perplexed]

If the CV as a formal document can provide evidence of multiple overlapping contracts, or other business activities alongside a contract it may help win a case, subject to whatever bod at HMRC and subsequent judge it gets put in front of. I wouldn't tailor the CV for any purpose other than gaining work but at the same time it is a recognised timeline of relevant activities that further more substantial evidence can be gathered to support.

Errm, what?

Given most CVs are works of fiction, how on earth would they have any legal standing? "Your contracts aren't overlapping are they Mr Sapien. Oh hang on, you've a word document you wrote. Ok, we take that back".

Your contracts would be the evidence you provide because those legal documents show the overlapping.