should i leave a permanent job to take up a contract instead?

[bossykate]

eek - decision time. if it were a perm post i would jump at it. but am a little nervous at the thought of contracting. very grateful for any advice.

thanks in advance

thank you my love!

Bk, I missed this earlier in the week but fwiw I think you're right to go for it for the following reasons:

• You don't like your current job much
• There's no particular stablility in your current role
• cash
• it may go perm
• they are making flexible working noises

and the things I like/d about contracting as opposed to perm

• you're not usually as involved in the political toss: you're there to do a job well and get out
• therefore much more opp for a)speaking your mind and b) walking if they piss you off. They always know this and ime do their best not to piss you off!
• you can take the summer off should you so choose and if you can afford to (due to 70% increase etc) and you can negotiate start dates on this basis

Congratulations on being head hunted, how wonderful is that?

I think you should haggle HARD NOW though - ask for exactly the hours you want since a) you don't NEED to take it and they need you more than you need them and b) because they can only say n and c) It's always nice to take a 'fk off' job, i.e. one where you ask for such stupidly good pay and terms that if they agree you have to take it.

Just realised the above may be teaching grandmother to suck eggs, so do ignore as appropriate but congratulations no the offer, fantastic.

and you are employable so I would say a contract (esp in your milieu etc) is no less stable than a perm role so that bit wouldn't worry me. As a bit of a committment phobe I always liked the 'I could walk away at the drop of a hat-ness' of contracting but I know it's new to you.

Any chance that doing this for a few years could lead to dream job, i.e. not woh?

Anyway, in your position I'd go for it and I know you've already decided to but wanted to post to say I agree with you.

And check out usual rates in case 70% more isn't enough and then ask for 90% more or whatever it turns out to be. You're in such a wonderful negotiating position! (but I know you know that, hope I'm not patronising you, don't mean to)

FWIW, I left my job before dds, went back to the same company (in a different job) on a contract. I managed to get a mortgage on the basis of that, which really amazed me. I think (now, remember I've been out of the workplace for nearly 10 years) that that's what a lot of companies are doing now.

I missed this too and have no wise words as I know nothing about contracting. But I think you've made the right decision and WOW on being headhunted! That is brilliant- you are a star. I think at the very least we can acknowledge that this company has superb taste and discernment and if there's lots more money and flexibility thrown in for good measure then it sounds like a no brainer. The new company loves you more, will pay you more and agrees to treat you better. Hurrah!

I've been a contractor as well as permie, and there's a few questions to work through.

1: How liquid is the market for your skills ?
By that I mean are you very specialist ?

2: How good are you at interviews ? A contractor will change positions far more often, so more important than for a permie.

3: How long can you do without any money at all ?
There will be periods between contracts.