Bad practice or simply looking after no1?

[Muttley08]

Hi
I've just turned contractor from permie. Finished permie job on friday, supposed to start 1st contract tomorrow morning. I've had this offer on the table for about 2 weeks now but what with contract negotiations etc with Bauer and Cottrell, nothing's actually been signed yet. Am expecting to get the final version this afternoon.
Trouble is, I've just been contacted about another role closer to home and there are 2 positions going, and I'm in the top 2 of their preferred contractors to interview. I initially said no because of offer already in hand and starting tomorrow, but they've been very persistent and persuaded me to talk to the manager and he wants to see me later this afternoon and will let me know either way today.

The offer I already have is in Sheffield, I'm in Leicester. The potential contract is in Birmingham, so about 30 miles less each way, plus at least half an hour less each way. Sheffield is 6 months, Brum is 3 with high potential for extension. Brum is £20 less per day (not a lot to worry about really).

I know I'm going to annoy both the agency and the client of the first offer if I were to call them tomorrow morning and tell them I've changed my mind because of a better offer, but is it really classed as very poor form to do this? Or should I simply look after number one on this one because agencies will probably do something similar to me at some point in the future?!

The sheffield contract is a HUGE company in the world of IT. The Brum one not quite so big but still big enough - but I wouldn't be jeopardising future work by turning them down. I'd only be doing that with the Sheffield guys if I turn them down at such a late stage.

What would you do? This is my first contract, but I was already not looking forward to the commute to Sheffield and would rather do the commute to Brum, but I don't want to burn any bridges before my contracting career has even taken off?!

Thanks
Ruth

I agree with the bird in the hand approach....gigs can always go south right up until the last moment...

Personally though I'd say Brum is a lot nicer than Sheffield...more to do if ur stuck there during the week esp...Worked in Sheffield for a while, for a small city, the traffic going in and out is a nightmare...

[fridge]

Wisely have you chosen young Paduan.

The force is strong in you.

tl

pp Yoda

Ditto

[thunderlizard]

Wisely have you chosen young Paduan.

The force is strong in you.

tl

pp Yoda

[lukemg]

Well, if you pick Sheffield, may I be the first to welcome you. Only me currently working there (I am staying during the week, not commuting though), that I know of, so you are joining an exclusive club (that doesn't mean anyone else wants to join !)
Good luck.

[ruth11]

Thanks for your thoughts chaps. I'm here on my own and it's really good to get others' opinions on such a dilemma! Plus I hadn't thought of the cop out you mentioned, so thanks The Lone Gunman!

Believe it or not, this agency seems very genuine and it really IS the client that's pushing. After I said my initial "No", the client requested I call him directly for a quick chat, which I did, and he still wants me to go in this afternoon. I had an appointment at 2.30pm that I couldn't get out of so he said he'd wait in for me if I get there as soon as I can afterwards.

But, I think I agree with Ardesco on this one. 6 months is not forever, it is a good company to have on my CV and I think in the long run, it's best not to burn my bridges with them. The 2nd company may well appreciate my honesty and may want to employ me in 6 months' time! I wouldn't be able to say that about company 1 if I bail on them now!

Thanks again!
Ruth

[ChimpMaster]

Bird in hand ... 2 in bush yada yada yada....

Don't trust the agent who's offering you the world on a plate. He just wants to get his commission.

Do your 6 months penance, get yourself into the contracting world true and proper, and then look around closer to home. Doesn't sound like you're in a niche so you should be able to find something closer after this contract. By then you'll also have some savings to back you up to allow you to take time finding the next contract.

[The Lone Gunman]

If you realy want the Brum one then you have an obvious cop out on the other.

Tell the first lot that you are concerned at the lack of progress on the contract negotiations and have decided not to continue. You may even tell them that you have another offer which has terms which require no negotiation.

[chicane]

There tend to be two schools of thought on this board with respect to this issue:

1) Don't burn your bridges - it's a small world and you never know when you might come into contact with the agent or the client in the future; and
2) Agents are driven by money and will quickly forget the hardship you caused them if they get another opportunity to cash in on your skills in the future.

If you're in a niche market, it may be wise to stick with 1), whereas if you're skilled in a more general area (e.g.) web development, you can probably get away with 2).

One other thing, the agent will always tell you things like "you're in the shortlist of candidates" and "the client wants to speak with you later today" because they know that's what you want to hear. Don't be surprised if nothing more comes of the Birmingham opportunity - for this reason alone you should assume that you'll be doing the Sheffield contract until you have paperwork indicating otherwise.

[Ardesco]

The sheffield one pays more and lasts longer, from a purely business point of view it is worth more so it makes business sense to take the sheffiled one.

From a professional point of view you have verbally accepted the Sheffield one and I suspect you ahve agreed to accept it via e-mail too so you have commited to do it in writing, turning round and changing your mind now would be extremely unprofessional.

Finally as somebody just stepping into the market do you really want to tar your reputation already? If you didn't want to really do the Sheffield on why did you accept it in the first place?
In all cases you are looking after number 1 by sticking with the sheffield job.

[ruth11]

Hi
I've just turned contractor from permie. Finished permie job on friday, supposed to start 1st contract tomorrow morning. I've had this offer on the table for about 2 weeks now but what with contract negotiations etc with Bauer and Cottrell, nothing's actually been signed yet. Am expecting to get the final version this afternoon.
Trouble is, I've just been contacted about another role closer to home and there are 2 positions going, and I'm in the top 2 of their preferred contractors to interview. I initially said no because of offer already in hand and starting tomorrow, but they've been very persistent and persuaded me to talk to the manager and he wants to see me later this afternoon and will let me know either way today.

The offer I already have is in Sheffield, I'm in Leicester. The potential contract is in Birmingham, so about 30 miles less each way, plus at least half an hour less each way. Sheffield is 6 months, Brum is 3 with high potential for extension. Brum is £20 less per day (not a lot to worry about really).

I know I'm going to annoy both the agency and the client of the first offer if I were to call them tomorrow morning and tell them I've changed my mind because of a better offer, but is it really classed as very poor form to do this? Or should I simply look after number one on this one because agencies will probably do something similar to me at some point in the future?!

The sheffield contract is a HUGE company in the world of IT. The Brum one not quite so big but still big enough - but I wouldn't be jeopardising future work by turning them down. I'd only be doing that with the Sheffield guys if I turn them down at such a late stage.

What would you do? This is my first contract, but I was already not looking forward to the commute to Sheffield and would rather do the commute to Brum, but I don't want to burn any bridges before my contracting career has even taken off?!

Thanks
Ruth