Contractor turned permie

[Rantor]

I'd put that right at the top of the reasons some of you may want to think about it (together with a good package, prospects and continuous work - nice if you can get all of them). Not ashamed to admit that I jumped ship at the end of last year having done over 10 years solid contracting and 10 years prior to that working as a permie in a bank. If one wishes to climb whatever ladder or is fed up with propping other people - usually permies - why not? I find myself doing pretty OK, working with a nice bunch of people and having a say as to how things are done, as opposed to giving advice, someone else taking the credit and treated as a temp no matter how good you are. I know some of you will say take the money and don't bother, I think it might be different as you get older (over 40 that is). What do you think?

That is a very good point. I generally work in fairly senior roles on large projects and I know exactly how things can go wrong or, indeed, be done well. On each large project I have gone through the same process - 'If you continue to do a, b & c then the following bad things will happen.' On every project this is ignored by people who hired me specifically to provide this type of input. On one hand it makes for more revenue as they usually need someone to sort things out in the end if the project ain't canned.....but it is a pretty soul-destroying process in the end to wade through all this crap.

Would it be different as a permie? I honestly don't know but there are subtle differences as Z pointed out.

Biggest problem for me is that I don't think I am capapble of becoming a permy any more after 10 yrs under my own steam.

[TinTin]

Lack of Respect for Contractors

I'd put that right at the top of the reasons some of you may want to think about it (together with a good package, prospects and continuous work - nice if you can get all of them). Not ashamed to admit that I jumped ship at the end of last year having done over 10 years solid contracting and 10 years prior to that working as a permie in a bank. If one wishes to climb whatever ladder or is fed up with propping other people - usually permies - why not? I find myself doing pretty OK, working with a nice bunch of people and having a say as to how things are done, as opposed to giving advice, someone else taking the credit and treated as a temp no matter how good you are. I know some of you will say take the money and don't bother, I think it might be different as you get older (over 40 that is). What do you think?

[zamzummim]

No you just have to deal with w**kers (HR) instead

naah HR w**kers are never as bad, easily charmed. At least they don't take %% of my hard work.

[Ardesco]

Right, also just thought the biggest perk, not having to deal with scum bags, AKA recruitment agents

No you just have to deal with w**kers (HR) instead

[zamzummim]

You've done well to get a permie package for the same as contractor rates. eg. my daily rate x about 225 is a lot more than I'd get as a permie.

Right, also just thought the biggest perk, not having to deal with scum bags, AKA recruitment agents

[oraclesmith]

You've done well to get a permie package for the same as contractor rates. eg. my daily rate x about 225 is a lot more than I'd get as a permie.

[zamzummim]

yeh, as someone here previously said, Canary Wharf is like a babe feast. Its all so artificial though, I got to know a few ladies there, OMG you wont believe the amount of money they spend on themselves if it was the hair and designer clothes I'd understand, but they all seem to be obsessed with plastic suregeries, visiting far eastern spas (the ones that starve to lose weight, but provide you massages aned yoga all day long)

I am taking time to go to the gym as often as possible (during working hours) to take my mind off and really really feel the perks of being a pemie (i.e. try not to be so efficient ) I tried to book a personal trainer the other day, would you believe it, no one is free, they've all been booked up for the next few months (am talking about at least 10-15 trainers).

[zathras]

How many people here turned permie -

Wash your mouth out with soap and water - Turned Permie! Turned Permit - should be banned, such disgusting behaviour.

You have not turned permy, you are just in a long term contract with a tulipe rate!

[kramer]

start bonin the recpetionist.... that'll take your mind off it!

[zamzummim]

You have to buy in when you become a permie... thats why you (I) do it..

I wouldn't have taken this permie role if I didn't think it was something i could really make a difference and get behind 100%..

I think you chose unwisely or just plain word ready for it yet!

I actually worked for this company previously as a contractor, I really liked the culture and the people, great perks too,free gym , fantastic canteen, lots of flexi work, my prev PM is great, I really did want to work for them. However the project I worked on previously got relegated, and I took a new role on a different project and its totally different role and people around me are not as motivated as the previous team - its not all that bad, but I think its the devil within me drives me to the grass is greener mentality

However, I still have a very good relationship with my previous PM who was just given a really great new project, he really wants me to go and work with him again, however the politics of it all makes it almost impossible .... hence the grass is greener mentality

I don't believe I chose badly, I worked for many many orgs who I'd never think of joining as a permie ever, but this company is the first one that I thought it could work out, and I still believe it would, I just need to silence the devil within me, any ideas?

[kramer]

You have to buy in when you become a permie... thats why you (I) do it..

I wouldn't have taken this permie role if I didn't think it was something i could really make a difference and get behind 100%..

I think you chose unwisely or just plain word ready for it yet!

[Vito]

Nope...you're fecked!

[zamzummim]

How many people here turned permie -

Just noticed my attitude changes when moving from contract to permie - thought the overall package for my permies is very close to my contract (i.e. basic + bonus = contractor pay) and this is not counting all the extra benefits e.g. training/paid holidays/sickies etc etc.. mind you the tax situation is not as great !!

Any ho, when I was a contractor I didn't give a flying monkey about what I was doing or who I was working with, as long as I got paid am as happy as can be.

Now as a permie, though from a money point of view am getting paid well and very close to my contractor income, things do bug me, i.e. I actually care about work, and (gasp) I actually care about the team, I want to have interesting tasks to do, I want to have a good team round me blah blah blah (needless to say at the moment am doing crap low level data mapping analysis, and team members are lazy political fawkers)

I tried talking myself into just treat this job as an ongoing contract - but arrrrrrgh the devil within needs feeding day dreaming of becoming to be a contractor again ...


What does this mean ?? any success stories out there of becoming a permie and having a contractor 'don't give a $hit mentality?