Reply to: First Perm Role

[back2back]

When going back to permie roles, is anyone ever asked why there going back to being a permie.

I've heard form other contractors that sometimes the client thinks you are only in it to get some free training and the leave shortly after.

I think you make a good point here, i have been for 2 PERMIE job interviews recently, and on both occassions i have had very confrontational interviewers whom have taken a very different approach to interviewing me - the most recent actually adopting the technique of trying to ridicule me as a 'job hopper' and at one point looked at me with disdain whilst questioning one of my roles at an investment bank....

I think its a tough time out there, not just on the topic of recession but of the fact that there are many people who think we are scum who are now crawling back into full-time work, now the cards are against us.

[Slumdog]

Times are tough at the moment. A lot of applicants for the one role. I would hold out for a few months at least. You can judge even better how the economy is going to fare.

When going back to permie roles, is anyone ever asked why there going back to being a permie.

What should your replies be?

I've heard form other contractors that sometimes the client thinks you are only in it to get some free training and the leave shortly after.

What are the reponses the client wants to hear to these types of questions so that you can secure the role?

[fckvwls]

The contractor in me finds this thread extremely depressing. On the other hand it has also reinforced my gratitude for my 100k basic permie job

[kaiser78]

Thanks OPC.

The figures are correct, the permanent salary on offer is less than I was on 2 years ago when I went back into contracting and the same as my boss is on now.

The question though is whether to play 'safe' and take the permie role or stay on contract / bench, me prefering the latter at the moment.

[opc]

This was aimed at Kaiser78, not the original poster.

[d000hg]

The other thing is - if you are on £500 a day, surely it's a joke that they're offering you £40-odd k (especially for London)? It has to be at the very least £60k plus to be anywhere near worth it and even then you have to ask yourself how big the risk of a lengthy period on the bench is....?

Where did £500 come from, it's a huge assumption his contract rate was anywhere near that level (unless he mentioned it and I didn't see)?

[d000hg]

Actually notice is 4 weeks on probation and 3 months in full-time employment!!

I know - i was even shocked.

Get out while you're still on probation!

[opc]

The other thing is - if you are on £500 a day, surely it's a joke that they're offering you £40-odd k (especially for London)? It has to be at the very least £60k plus to be anywhere near worth it and even then you have to ask yourself how big the risk of a lengthy period on the bench is....?

[opc]

I'm in the same position - currently 12 months into a PM contract (£500/day) and am in until July on contract. I have been offered to take the same role permie, paying £late 40s + blue chip bens (central London).

Am very tempted to go permie given today's conditions but something is telling me to stay on contract, partly because I think I will secure a next contract as a when and also my boss is a k*ob who I would not want to work for permanent (he told me this week that I am not doing enough hours (9.00-20.00) today and yesterday for example).

Go permie or stay contract ?

I will possibly be in the same position in two or three months time. Avoid permie if at all possible under the above conditions is my advice. Once you're "theirs" they will want to own your soul.

[back2back]

Might depend on how much you have saved.

If oodles, chances are you're not going to be that fussed about £40k. So leave and go contracting as and when you find something.

Also, as above, if still on probation, the notice must be very short. A week?

Actually notice is 4 weeks on probation and 3 months in full-time employment!!

I know - i was even shocked.

As for savings there always a years pay in the bank, its just how long to expect on the bench. Ive never really been without a contract/job for anything longer than 4 weeks.

[simes]

Might depend on how much you have saved.

If oodles, chances are you're not going to be that fussed about £40k. So leave and go contracting as and when you find something.

Also, as above, if still on probation, the notice must be very short. A week?

[swamp]

1st. contract £250 p/day - i turned down cause i couldnt get out of notice.

Slavery has been abolished. You can walk out of any* job.






* apart from the Army etc.

[Turion]

I'm in the same position - currently 12 months into a PM contract. My boss is a k*ob who I would not want to work for permanent (he told me this week that I am not doing enough hours (9.00-20.00) today and yesterday for example).

Go permie or stay contract ?

None of the above. This is preferable

[kaiser78]

I'm in the same position - currently 12 months into a PM contract (£500/day) and am in until July on contract. I have been offered to take the same role permie, paying £late 40s + blue chip bens (central London).

Am very tempted to go permie given today's conditions but something is telling me to stay on contract, partly because I think I will secure a next contract as a when and also my boss is a k*ob who I would not want to work for permanent (he told me this week that I am not doing enough hours (9.00-20.00) today and yesterday for example).

Go permie or stay contract ?

[MPwannadecentincome]

How long was the notice period stated during your "probation" period, I've not had a perm role in almost 2 decades, but it typically used to be rather short? If the supposed probation is still running (according to your employer) then you could exercise that short notice clause.

To be honest there's precious little stopping you from just packing your desk the day your next pay clears and not setting foot back in the place. Alternatively you can talk to the doctor, describe the working conditions and get signed off with "stress" for the next 3 months, that's a very easy scam to pull I believe.

Probation period notice periods are often just 1 or 2 weeks.

Re getting signed off for stress, if you do this and you suffer from stress later for real and need to make an insurance claim for a related condition then the insurance company probably won't pay out - eg. overseas travel insurance!