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So I recently went on another job search recently. And just yesterday I was offered a new job. So that obviously means I should leave my current job right? Well the thing is, my current job is permanent, but the new job is a contract. But the plot thickens. The contract is with a company I worked at before, I was a contractor there for 2 years with a different team. But I wanted to weight in the options. I won't disclose company names just out of respect.
Current Role:
Advantages:
Work from home full time
Seemingly stable
Pretty cool co-workers for the most part
Fairly flexible schedule
Permanent, full time employee
Very good benefits, stock options, and 401k
Disadvantages:
Revolving door management
Product is at least 5 years to late to the market
Waterfall style project management
New VP is a micromanager
Limited career growth
Cool co-workers, but most people are there to collect a check
Pay is VERY low, at least 15-20k under market value
Raises are terrible, as are bonuses
New Possible role:
Advantages:
Much much higher pay
Familiar with company culture, know that the contracts are very stable
Despite being contract, I still get full benefits
Working with cutting edge technology.
Much more relaxed culture, slightly hipper and very Agile
Seem to have very forward thinking, and upper management has a good vision
A better "resume building" role due more cutting edge tech
I feel brighter and more engaged, I've been reading up on all of their tech and building personal projects just to get my chops up
Disadvantages:
Have to now go into office (but commute is about 10 minutes)
Somewhat of a gamble on newer tech
Not permanent
A little less established than my current role
Benefits may cost more due to me being a contractor
401k won't kick in till much later
To me, I do think my time with my current employer is coming to it's end. I'm not a fan of the new VP. My real question is should I just pull the trigger on the new role, or hold out for a permanent job that pays a little more than my current role? Your insight would be much appreciated
Agree with Mr. Geek. The not permanent part would kill the deal for me but i sos have a family relying on my salary and couldn’t afford to be out of work for an extended period of time if it ended and I couldn’t find something immediately. Otherwise I’d go for it.
Pay is not the end all and be all if your benefits are superior. Just on its own, telecommuting is a huge benefit. You don’t have to worry about gas, wear and tear on a car, and probably have less time you’d need to have children in after-school care if that is an issue since you’d just have to go from your house to pick them up instead of having to worry about maneuvering from the office to the after-school situation.
You’ve also mentioned stock options, which a lot of companies do not give, very good benefits, and 401k which I am assuming also has some sort of match that many companies also don’t have. It sounds like the benefits might very well make up for the difference in salary.
I have a friend who is on Agile now and she couldn’t be more miserable. She pretty much spends every day wishing she were still on waterfall. She says that they are actually losing telecommute days because the Agile structure doesn’t allow for it. Add in the temp/contract? No... it just doesn’t seem like a plus to me.
Pay is not the end all and be all if your benefits are superior. Just on its own, telecommuting is a huge benefit. You don’t have to worry about gas, wear and tear on a car, and probably have less time you’d need to have children in after-school care if that is an issue since you’d just have to go from your house to pick them up instead of having to worry about maneuvering from the office to the after-school situation.
You’ve also mentioned stock options, which a lot of companies do not give, very good benefits, and 401k which I am assuming also has some sort of match that many companies also don’t have. It sounds like the benefits might very well make up for the difference in salary.
I have a friend who is on Agile now and she couldn’t be more miserable. She pretty much spends every day wishing she were still on waterfall. She says that they are actually losing telecommute days because the Agile structure doesn’t allow for it. Add in the temp/contract? No... it just doesn’t seem like a plus to me.
The benefits don't make up the difference. And I don't like my current job at all and there is no career growth. Plus I work in tech. You dont want your skillset to corode for a little job security and a handful of benefits
The pros and cons of each seem almost equal. What might tip the scales one way or another: Do you have a family or a mortgage? If it's just you paying rent then I'd say go for the contract position. Even more so if you're under 40.
It sounds like your current position is not adding to your skill set, but it's comfortable and seemingly stable. But in the long run, why stay in a field where the knowledge is quickly becoming obsolete?
At some career stages, you have to take a risk and listen to your gut, which I think is telling you to leave, but your analytical side is keeping you from jumping ship.
The only way I'd ever take a contract or temp position is if I am currently unemployed, desperate, and no other company offered me a position.
As always, it's not always about the salary.
This^^^. Completely agree.
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