Reply to: Under what conditions would you go permanent?

[CoolCat]

So I'm in an interesting predicament.

My current contract in London pays very well indeed. However, being an Australian citizen and on a temporary youth visa, I'll have to end my contract leave the country in a couple of months' time.

The only other way for me to continue to work in the UK is through a sponsorship. This rules out contracting, as you are required to have a sponsor and be employed for that sponsor directly as an employee (so no "management companies" or anything like that either).

And as it happens, a permanent opportunity has come up, with one of the big banks, and it's pretty decently paid. When I factor out taxes, and compare it to the amount I would earn as a contractor practically anywhere else in the world (also taking into account the strength of the GBP), it works out to be almost as good as contracting. I mean, we're talking a difference of maybe £3-4k per year, which isn't a tonne compared to the rate as a whole.

So I guess my choices are:

• Keep contracting
• Go overseas
• Get paid slightly higher
• Probably work for lesser-known brands

vs:

• Accept the offer, get sponsorship and go permanent in the UK
• Earn slightly less money
• Work for a large international brand
• Chance of more stability and maybe promotions

So it made me wonder what others on this forum would consider sufficient reasons for taking permanent employment.

Would money would sway you and how much?
Are you ever tempted by the opportunity to work for big/prominent brands?
Does career progression / promotion factor in to this?

Or are you a "contractor for life" and would never consider becoming shackled to an employer?

Marry a Brit, or find a long lost grandparent entitled to a EU passport, seems to be the way most Australians get to stay here

[Klodge]

I went permie because it suited my family situation better. Regular job, regular location, regular money - not as much but it will do.

Exactly what I'm considering as well. I haven't been contracting for long but it's made me realise that the stability of permie land means more to me at present that the flexibility, perks etc. of being a contractor.

[WordIsBond]

List the pros and then the cons and make a decision based on what suits you.

Chances are he doesn't have a very good list of pros and cons and this is, admittedly, an imprecise way of getting help compiling such a list.

Probably nobody thinks of everything in putting together such a list, so it's not a bad idea to get the input of a broad range of people, many of whom will have thought about the decision, and will no doubt drop into their comments some of their pros/cons. And that's probably what he was hoping for.

Not everyone is always as razor-sharp as you always are in formulating what they write here.

[WordIsBond]

I thought I was a contractor for life but there is an opportunity at my current client to go perm and I'm considering it.

What about the perks? Will they allow you to post on CUK during business hours or will they actually expect you to work?

[MyUserName]

I went permie because it suited my family situation better. Regular job, regular location, regular money - not as much but it will do.

[ladymuck]

It's not just about money for me at the moment. The only way I could consider it is if they pay me enough to pay the bills and provide for my family.

Other than that it would be about future proofing myself, I'm a new contractor and PM so if I have the opportunity to get experience and or promotion so that I'd be more in demand in a couple of years then I would consider perm. And am considering it as that's the exact scenario I'm in currently.

That's a really sensible approach. A permie role is good for getting essential training and experience in a particular field, where entry as a contractor could be more challenging. When you add it to your CV, it's just another client.

[Slinky]

It's not just about money for me at the moment. The only way I could consider it is if they pay me enough to pay the bills and provide for my family.

Other than that it would be about future proofing myself, I'm a new contractor and PM so if I have the opportunity to get experience and or promotion so that I'd be more in demand in a couple of years then I would consider perm. And am considering it as that's the exact scenario I'm in currently.

[BrilloPad]

What's so 'permanent' about a 'permanent' position?

you can get canned in a redundancy wave with a month's notice any time.

A very good point.

Some say there is more security in contracting.

[simes]

What's so 'permanent' about a 'permanent' position?

you can get canned in a redundancy wave with a month's notice any time.

Or more likely, be made aware of an upcoming optimisation wave and have to sit under its dark cloud of miserable unknowing for six months while the consultation period progresses.

For me, one of the reasons why I will likely be a contractor for life.

Good luck.

[BR14]

What's so 'permanent' about a 'permanent' position?

you can get canned in a redundancy wave with a month's notice any time.

[ladymuck]

I fell into contracting by accident and found it suited me well. Not sure I could go back to permanent but, as I've said on other similar threads on this topic, it's not something I would ever entirely rule out.

My decision to change would be made based on my circumstances at the time. For the foreseeable future there is nothing that would make me go permanent.

[greenlake]

Under what conditions would you go permanent?

Contractor for life!

... but if I did go perm, that doesn’t mean never going back to contracting

Indeed.

One is either permanently temporary, or temporarily permanent....

[NotAllThere]

Loads of money, not having to work too hard. That's what did it for me.

[WTFH]

Under the right conditions for me at the time.

... but if I did go perm, that doesn’t mean never going back to contracting

[northernladuk]

I'd do whatever suits my personal circumstances which is why we cannot answer this type of question.

I thought I was a contractor for life but there is an opportunity at my current client to go perm and I'm considering it. I enjoy the work and environment and the last three years have been working away from home but this one is on my doorstep. I'm comfortable enough to not run up and down the country chasing the rate and even if I went perm I could leave later and go back to contracting. I'd just treat it as a not so well paid gig for awhile.

So as I say it's a decision based on my personal situation so really don't understand how the opinions of some random people on the Internet can help you with a decision like this. List the pros and then the cons and make a decision based on what suits you.