Reply to: Help me make a choice!

[jmo21]

you've chosen now, so good luck.

What I was thinking reading your post, is ignore any talk of "possible" extensions and "raise in April".

These promises are worth nothing.

[RichardCranium]

I have decided on Option 1. Got the contract, signed and scanned back. So starting on Monday, looking forward to it.

[kaiser78]

Just go with your gut feel - this is always the right decision...

[Sundial]

Thanks, yes it wasn't very pleasant. Life goes on.

Thanks all for the other answers too, putting things into perspective and I have decided on Option 1. Got the contract, signed and scanned back. Already made the IR35 changes

So starting on Monday, looking forward to it.

P

It's so nice to have the choice, especially after a bad experience!

Congrats on moving so fast, and if they hand you ANYTHING remind them of their own responsibilities and whip out your contract so fast it causes whiplash to their noses ;-) Well not really I wouldn't want to induce a skin disorder.

[Peter Loew]

My non-expert self would say that you presented Option 1 in a more positive light, meaning that you are more excited by it and would like to take it.

I did read about the horrid desk palaver and congrats at moving on and getting something very good! :-)

Thanks, yes it wasn't very pleasant. Life goes on.

Thanks all for the other answers too, putting things into perspective and I have decided on Option 1. Got the contract, signed and scanned back. Already made the IR35 changes

So starting on Monday, looking forward to it.

P

[JoJoGabor]

My 2c - Never work Public Sector, your mind will turn to mush

[NotAllThere]

Option 1 every time due to money...

Always take the higher rate.

Forget about working with a younger team. You can learn more from older people who've been there, done it, seen the film, bought the t-shirt, seen the sequel, and the prequel...

The first team I worked in, I was 21. The other team members were in their 30s (i.e. ancient). Best team I've worked in.

[Sundial]

My non-expert self would say that you presented Option 1 in a more positive light, meaning that you are more excited by it and would like to take it.

I did read about the horrid desk palaver and congrats at moving on and getting something very good! :-)

[FiveTimes]

I really dunno, option 2 appeals because the working environment is quite young and dynamic and projects COULD be interesting, but duration and rate are not ideal. Option 1 has longevity, better rate and I can really learn from the people I will be working with.

Advice / tips?

P

Option 1 every time due to money, length, commute and money. Forget about the work environment being young and dynamic. Its a place to earn not make friends.

[Mr.Whippy]

Can't people make their own minds up these days?

[Peter Loew]

If option 2 is Transport for London, then their "quite young and dynamic" team is mainly Indian. Couldn't understand a word that they were saying when I was interviewed by them....

Anyway, I'd say option 1, no contest. Option 2 sounds "c-r-a-p" in comparison. Remember the golden rule of contracting: You are only as good as your next contract. I think option 1 would look far better on your cv. And it's a 3 times longer contract - might even be enough to see you through the recession.

Cheers,

Nomadd

Thanks. Can't wait to unsubscribe from those mostly useless **** instant job alerts.

[nomadd]

Won two contracts today after 7 weeks of bench time, both London based:

1) Client: large organisation through a niche consultancy
Role: PM role working with Oracle technologies
Duration: 12 months with likely renewal
Location: 15 mins or so on the tube
Rate: 420p/d with a rise in April 2010
Advantages: potentially huge public exposure if successful, internationally recognised, working through consultancy into Public Sector rather than direct, strong likelihood of working with other clients through the consultancy, working with MD of consultancy and CIO so good mentorship possibilities (I'm 30).

2) Client: large public sector organisation that deals with 'transport' :-)
Role: PM role but smaller projects in differing technologies / basic office moves, IS based projects etc.
Duration: 4 months with possible renewal
Location: 45 mins - 1hr or so on the tube
Rate: 390p/d
Advantages: team is younger, more diverse, project variety, will work with others also from consultancy background, may work with previous colleagues too.

I really dunno, option 2 appeals because the working environment is quite young and dynamic and projects COULD be interesting, but duration and rate are not ideal. Option 1 has longevity, better rate and I can really learn from the people I will be working with.

Advice / tips?

P

If option 2 is Transport for London, then their "quite young and dynamic" team is mainly Indian. Couldn't understand a word that they were saying when I was interviewed by them....

Anyway, I'd say option 1, no contest. Option 2 sounds "c-r-a-p" in comparison. Remember the golden rule of contracting: You are only as good as your next contract. I think option 1 would look far better on your cv. And it's a 3 times longer contract - might even be enough to see you through the recession.

Cheers,

Nomadd

[Peter Loew]

They're so similar.

Option 1. Less commuting time= more time for yourself.

7.5 hours work
7.5 hours sleep
9 hours for yourself minus commuting.

Option 1 = 8:45 for you, 0:15 commute
Option 2 = 8:00 for you, 1:00 commute

Option 1 gives over 10% more personal time on Mon-Fri.

Good breakdown, thanks.

[RichardCranium]

They're so similar.

Option 1. Less commuting time= more time for yourself.

7.5 hours work
7.5 hours sleep
9 hours for yourself minus commuting.

Option 1 = 8:45 for you, 0:15 commute
Option 2 = 8:00 for you, 1:00 commute

Option 1 gives over 10% more personal time on Mon-Fri.

[Peter Loew]

Not a good PM if not a good decision maker
Flip a coin

personally I would probably go with the first option.
PAConsulting by any chance?

Nope, not PA, you would not have heard of them I don't think..