Reply to: 2 jobs, one person dilemma

[Bod]

Welcome to Bod's boat !

My situation was a little different in that I ended up with two physical contracts on my desk and just had to decide which one to sign. That's after having no firm offers for 6 months (I don't count Pimp Promises, of which I had plenty)

I'm usually quite 'devil may care' seat-of-the-pants etc but I've just turned 37 and may be maturing slightly - and the shock of a long bench stint for the first time in 15 years brought me to my senses. In the end I took the longer term contract (6 months rolling, 18 months very likely) at a slightly lower rate with a slightly longer commute. I think I made the wise (if not very exciting) choice in these turbulent times. I hope the market will have settled down by the time this contract is completed, for now it's any safe port in a storm.

Best of luck with your 2/3 opportunities, I hope one of your prospects becomes firm (turgid?) soon !

[Turion]

Fair play gents, reason I am carrying on looking is that the first role, although told is mine, is delayed by need for SC and some general agency incompetence. I stop looking when I get a desk on the first day, been let down before.
Second role - interviewer finished with 'you are just what we are looking for, I will contact the agency to proceed', which is likely to be a good sign but see above for why I am proceeding with caution.
So I have a breathing space to see how it pans out and consider the options which wont impact anyone at the moment.
3rd interview I still intend to attend, I have had a paltry 3 interviews (1 phone, 2 face) and failed to get any of them since New Year. I would have hoped to land one of these and although I have some ideas why I was edged out, it is partly that I can be a bit full-on when in interview mode and need to present a confident but calmer image for the roles I am pitching for. In short, I need the practice + I love the rush when they want you for the role !

A mirage in the Desert of Bench? Good to be optimistic, but doesn't actually sound like you have anything here, apart from hope that one might turn into a firm offer (SC can take months!), and a nice polite interviewer, who is probably nice and polite to everyone. Your first post gave the wrong impression you had 2 firm offers. Actually you have 2 possibles and a 3rd interview. Keep applying like hell and take whatever produces a signed contract and desk first!

First part of the year is always slack, but improves from April, so there will be more chances if these come to nothing. Good luck

[Bagpuss]

Good luck with it from a fellow bench sitter!

[lukemg]

Fair play gents, reason I am carrying on looking is that the first role, although told is mine, is delayed by need for SC and some general agency incompetence. I stop looking when I get a desk on the first day, been let down before.
Second role - interviewer finished with 'you are just what we are looking for, I will contact the agency to proceed', which is likely to be a good sign but see above for why I am proceeding with caution.
So I have a breathing space to see how it pans out and consider the options which wont impact anyone at the moment.
3rd interview I still intend to attend, I have had a paltry 3 interviews (1 phone, 2 face) and failed to get any of them since New Year. I would have hoped to land one of these and although I have some ideas why I was edged out, it is partly that I can be a bit full-on when in interview mode and need to present a confident but calmer image for the roles I am pitching for. In short, I need the practice + I love the rush when they want you for the role !

[miffy]

I wasn't having a go at you, I just don't understand people who jump ship as soon as the market picks up, as you say I'd at least do the 6 months before I left, unless terms were not as agreed. The one weeks guys are the ones who will find it hard when the recession comes.

I know you weren’t having a go and bail probably wasn't the right word!

Indeed, and one of the ruthless buggers is now struggling to find something. What goes around and all that!

If I was luke I'd go for the safe option. Considering the state of the market it could be well over 12 months before things start to improve and in the meantime that’s a nice safe stream of income for him. Just depart when you're ready and hopefully the market will be much rosier then.

I do wish you'd change your avatar back to the soggie cat. There’s some cracking bagpuss images on google!

[Ruprect]

good luck Luke, I think it's down to you now,

personally, I might go for the safe harbour, but you know, I drive a passat

spoke to an agent today asked him how the .net market is and if the credit crunch is affecting things, he said that there was a bit of a down turn in the market but that seems to have passed now and it's all systems go

interpret that as you wish, do your own research etc

Milan.

Post of the day I think.

[Bagpuss]

I know quite a few that do it!

I'm not saying leave the client in a difficult situation or burn your bridge, just leave at a convenient point (like at the point of renewal).

A couple of guys I know are ruthless, 1 week notice and off...

I wasn't having a go at you, I just don't understand people who jump ship as soon as the market picks up, as you say I'd at least do the 6 months before I left, unless terms were not as agreed. The one weeks guys are the ones who will find it hard when the recession comes.

[Board Game Geek]

Safe, Slow and Steady wins the race.

Good Luck Luke !

[miffy]

Why do people do that? it's very unprofessional and you could end up with a reputation, if you don't like the terms don't take it.

I know quite a few that do it!

I'm not saying leave the client in a difficult situation or burn your bridge, just leave at a convenient point (like at the point of renewal).

A couple of guys I know are ruthless, 1 week notice and off...

[Dow Jones]

Bagpuss is right

I didn't want to so sound so harsh, but WHS is true. I think you may be on an ego trip here.

[Dow Jones]

Confused.com

Well done obviously and all that - if you can't decide between the 2, surely the last thing you do is over complicate things by going for a 3rd interview? Unless you are not satisfied with either one or you are too picky (can you afford to be?). Last but not least, by now you must be getting constant phone calls from the agents to accept - or there will be someone poor bugger that hasn't been told anything and he is waiting in the wings (like some here) that he is aching to find out. So apart from the agents (OK, don't care) there may be others that will be affected by your decision. I suggest you come clean and decide pronto what you want to do for your sake and others' .

[Bagpuss]

Crikey, this is encouraging!

I'd probably go with the safe harbour and bail once things pickup.

Why do people do that? it's very unprofessional and you could end up with a reputation, if you don't like the terms don't take it.

[miffy]

Crikey, this is encouraging!

I'd probably go with the safe harbour and bail once things pickup.

[milanbenes]

good luck Luke, I think it's down to you now,

personally, I might go for the safe harbour, but you know, I drive a passat

spoke to an agent today asked him how the .net market is and if the credit crunch is affecting things, he said that there was a bit of a down turn in the market but that seems to have passed now and it's all systems go

interpret that as you wish, do your own research etc

Milan.

[bobsyouruncle]

Ok, 3.5 months getting splinters and I now have 2 contract offers, looks like I am in Bod's boat...
When you have one offer it all seems a bit easier on the decision front.
Choices:
- Possibly long term contract (last guy stayed 4 yrs) that I can get to from home but is at limit of comfort zone. Rate is bumping along the bottom of my comfort zone despite all my efforts. Might be a safe harbour !
OR
- Initially short term (2 months) but good chance of longer requirement if I do the business, which I expect to. 30 mins from home, probably nicer site. Rate isn't spectacular but 10k a year better than choice 1.
Work involved at both is likely to be equally stimulating and useful experience wise although B might be in a better industry sector (or maybe not as it is finance !)

Nice dilemma to have though and got another interview on Monday !!
Good luck to all looking, remember it can turn round in a phone call.

Congrats looks like the tide is turning.