FTC yay or nay

[marshmallowmix]

I’m looking for work and market has been difficult, I’ve been looking since October.

Applied to lots but nothing, seems to be a lot of applicants….some over 100 per job.
Age also a factor for me becomes tougher once you hit mid/late 50s.

I’ve been contracting but age and IR35 and general economic situation the market has not been good.

Have a possible interview for an FTC but my concerns are it’s not perm with the security that brings and it’s not day rate with the flexibility and usually higher pay that would bring.

There is no chance it will be perm I’ve asked as it is to cover the role of someone who is going to work on a systems implementation so they will still be there at the company but doing a different job…

Salary is ok and pension & hols but I’d only have that for the contract time length.

Am not convinced FTC is good or I’d be better focusing on perm and/or day rate jobs…

I thought it may be a Mat cover where u at least may have the possibility that the person may not return and the job becoming perm but no it’s a backfill while the incumbent does something else.

Also I am at an age as time goes on I’d look less attractive to employers in trying to secure a perm role if I’m stuck in an FTC for 16 months …am mid/late 50s.

Any advice? It won’t be extended so I feel I could be in a worse position when it ends as older and need to secure a perm or temp to perm role now rather than in another 16 months time …
Any advice? Thanks

“Also I am at an age as time goes on I’d look less attractive to employers in trying to secure a perm role if I’m stuck in an FTC for 16 months”

This doesn’t make sense - presumably you’d have a notice period. You don’t have to stay for the full 16 months.

Given you say the contracting market has not been good, I’d take the FTC and keep looking for a permanent job.

I’ve never done an FTC before but yes I’d I’d have a notice period…I am trying to look ahead and thinking that committing to an FTC is not my best option …it’s a 3 month notice so that’s not so good for me looking to get permanent work…just feel it’s the worst option work wise not perm but not day rate …

I'm job hunting too and over 500 people applying for some of the roles I've gone for. It's so tough. I'm getting interviews so trying to keep focused and figure something will come up.

I'd take an FTC in a heartbeat. I'm 48 but any job is money coming in, more experience and plugs CV gaps. Can keep looking while in the role.

In that case it depends a bit on your field - in mine a 3 month notice period is standard and no prospective employer would bat an eyelid at it.

If the contracting market was good I’d agree with you, but you said it hasn’t been. And in the meantime you’d have things like paid holiday and pension contributions, and a bit of breathing space before you have to find something else.

I would do it. The longer you are out of work, the harder it can be to get back in, and you’ve already been out of work since October. At least it is an opportunity to get some money coming in and hopefully network a bit, and you can just resign if it isn’t working and/or if you find something else.

With contracting market how it is I think you are going to see more and more roles that a couple of years ago you could have got in a day rate being offered on FTC. If you’re having trouble finding a new contract I’d be tempted to take it , and keep job hunting in the meantime. Esp if your preference is for perm long term. The money won’t be as good, but you have extra security even with FTC. and frankly no perm role is as perm as it looks. You can be made redundant or managed out for poor performance just the same.

If you do well would there be opportunities to stay with the company but in a different role? In our company we often advertise roles internally-only first. Similarly in the civil service there are a lot of roles that are only advertised for current civil servants which you can apply for if you are FTC.

you could save some money by closing down your ltd co. And now is a good time to change with new tax year coming up.

If you plan to keep contracting and reckon something will come up soon then I’d hold out because you won’t be able to secure a contract role with a 3 month notice period.

@Daffidale I have already shut my company down and work via an umbrella for any contract roles now.

This is the conundrum I am in as I have never done FT's...if I start and then can secure a day rate role no one will wait 3 months.

The contracting and perm market is terrible right now as so many are looking for work...I am applying for both types of job.

Just concerned that if I go the FTC route I am more restricted going forward as if a good day rate comes up I won't be in the running as no one will wait 3 months/they want immediate starts... likewise perm if someone is immediately available as opposed to waiting 3 months for someone that could be a factor....this is my dilemma.

Take the job, you never know what else will come up with the same employer

Thanks I haven't got the job yet just that I am being interviewed along with 2 others...it is taking an age to arrange though they seem to be v v slow and nothing doing this week as it is half term...agent frustrated with them too as they move at a snail's pace...