Contracting vs Permanent

[FirstTimeMummyHK]

Hi I work in an advisory capacity. I used to be a permanent employee for a company but moved into a consulting/contracting path about a year ago. I have undertaken 3 contract roles so far and they’ve been ok. The overall salary is higher than it would otherwise be as a perm. I am now considering whether to stay as a contractor or instead accept a permanent job offer for a company that I’m not currently contracting with.

does anyone have a view on whether I should accept a permanent job offer vs staying as a contractor? Obviously the terms of the job offer and whether I like that company are important but let’s assume that’s all fine. My experience of contracting has been positive overall but I have to say that it’s been rather exhausting that every time I join a new company as a contractor I have to win people over so to speak/ to show them that I’m good at what I do/to get them to warm to me. Within about 6 weeks usually people do trust me to run with things and they’re warm but it does take time. Also in my current contracting role there is a lady who talks down to me constantly which isn’t so nice - she seems to act like I’ve never had a senior role before even though I have.

thanks very much

What’s your day rate vs perm salary? Those contracts are pretty short?
are the contracts inside ir35? or are you operating via limited company ?
have you been contributing to a pension this last year?

Assuming the money evens out (higher contractor day rate compensating for unpaid leave and breaks between contracts), which type of work do you actually like better?

There are also pros and cons to both that suit different things that might be going on in other areas of your life. It's rarely a permanent (no oun intended) decision.

Also, re the woman who is talking down to you - that would depend on how closely she works with you, how irritating it actually is and whether you think that situation could be improved by you broaching the issue with her.