Job Advice Needed

[IanTasker]

So as a few peeps may be aware im am leaving the army and at the minute i am contracting down in Bracknell and on a decent wage. I have just been offered a permanent job in Corsham (no more commuting) but obviously the pay is A LOT less. I'm basically just trying to weigh up the pro's and con's of each and was wondering if any of you guys had any advice or had been in a similar position. I think i'm leaning towards the permy role as there's no more commuting, renting is cheaper, job security, paid leave etc

[igbell]

Well I would say that if the closer one can keep your head above the water then think about it, as I moved to a job closer to home but was on the same pay as the old job.

But with the way things are going I now have to ride down to Surrey for the monday and tuesday and then the other 3 in Swindon as what I was planed to be doing.

[IanTasker]

Yea don't get me wrong the pay is still pretty good with the permy role but think being young and having no commitments i'm getting a bit blinded with greed with regards to the contracting side of things. In the long term i think i'll be better taking the permy role and expanding my C.V, think i'm gonna have to be sensible and go for the security over the money, especially as it's my first 'real' job and im gonna struggle leaving the army enough as it is.

[steveo]

got no good advice mate, i have always skiped job to job, i have always gone for the cash, but good luck with what you do, hope it all works out for ya


good luck [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Bubbly_Biggles]

Hiya

All your points are fair but Ian you know what I do for a living it may well be a good idea for you to get a settled job in the first instance get some commercial experience behind you for a while.

Steve was right not to flit around as it doesnt look good but you been in the army for 10 years and it isnt uncommon for a person to leave the forces get a job then decided they need something else, especially if you continue to contract out at a later date. Your only 27 you have time mate

Look at the pro's - I used to work in the city and the hours were very long and job stressful and that was with out the min 3 hour commute, it isnt always about the money quality of life comes into to it aswell [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

When you do have to make the decision by?

These decisions are never easy - good luck :)

[igbell]

Yes money is not always the be all and end all, I loved my job in the ski and surf shop but when the summer came they changed it to 3 days in the shop and the other days on the bosses small holding, but if they had kept it as it was when I frist started I bet I would still be there now.....
Great peeps, free ski trips and surf trips, but less money than I am on now.

[IanTasker]

That was the other thing i was concerned about, I've only been in this current role 3 months and although it was a 3 month contract will it look bad on mv C.V? Bear in mind that it's working on legacy equipment that i have been told will be gone in 8 months so that means only another 8 months work here anyway.

Just to throw something else into the mixer i've had a call from another agency i get on well with and they're after getting me a contract in central London on stupid money (£450 a day'ish) before getting me a contract in Belgium (my family live over there) next year :-/

I'm very money and career driven so the lure of contracting is very appealing but the way things are i'd like to job security, especially as im leaving the army. I'm thinking i may take the permy role and see what happens in the new year.

Bloody hard decision, but a nice one to have

[Bubbly_Biggles]

Sounds like you have some bloody good options there Ian - good luck

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[IanTasker]

Good but very hard:

1. Stay where i am and take the new contract: decent money, piss easy job but no security, job will go in December and it's not challenging (i sit on here most of the day)

2. Go permy: job security, decent career prospects, challenging, live in local area (mates), cheaper housing but A LOT less money.

3. Take the other contract in London: stupid money but living in London so increase in insurance on car and bike and can't afford to get rid of either as still have the loan on the car and no chance im getting rid of bike.

4. Take the permy role till new year and see what happens: sounds like a winner to me but still not sure......im too bloody greedy

[Bubbly_Biggles]

Your not greedy it's just finding the right thing for you in the end.

There's no reason why you couldnt take the job in the new year and take this perm one now. If they really want you in Belgium then they will take you on and Im sure would understand the few months in the local role.

You may just need a little normality for a while then go for it!! ;D

[FJ_Biker]

You must have a good skill set most people are worried about keeping their jobs at the moment and opting for security.

In this climate as long as the wage is enough I would opt for security. I have done a few jobs with lots of travelling and it’s not until you take a local job you realise how much your social life was suffering

I wish you luck in the option you chose

[IanTasker]

Cheers mate, yea hadn't really thought about the social side but means i can keep playing footy, mates will be here for another 2 years and i can still rideout with you 'orrible lot

[ONFIRE]

IMHO I'll always opt for contract position. Have been contracting for over 12 years out of work for 5 weeks can't be bad. If you're sensiable you'll put money aside for any periods of time you might be out of a contract. Tend to agree if it is a civil service jobby? it is a good little number,safe & plenty of perks and crap money.

Contracting, Incrediable income no job security.

Hmm is any job secure these days? ::)

End of the day you need to do whats best for your own situation I guess...

Good luck in your decsion [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[IanTasker]

Damn you for throwing that spanner in lol no seriously is good to get different opinions. I'm contracting at the minute and yea like you say the money is immense but i seriously don't think i have that great a skill set and whne i look at job boards like Monster im severely under-qualified and am very specialist so i think i may get stuck a bit further down the line. Most contractors i've spoken to are like yourself mate, they've been doing it for years and have only been out of work for short periods but they have all said that things have definately taken a turn for the worse recently. I'll be making a decision some point this week

[Kevinb]

Take the local job. As others have said money isn't everything. Quality of life does account for a lot these days.
The time spent travelling (stuck in traffic jams) and the cost of travelling (fuel, wear and tear, car park fees) I'm glad I live about a mile from where I work (still drive though as I'm a lazy sod)

[ONFIRE]

Damn you for throwing that spanner in lol no seriously is good to get different opinions. I'm contracting at the minute and yea like you say the money is immense but i seriously don't think i have that great a skill set and whne i look at job boards like Monster im severely under-qualified and am very specialist so i think i may get stuck a bit further down the line. Most contractors i've spoken to are like yourself mate, they've been doing it for years and have only been out of work for short periods but they have all said that things have definately taken a turn for the worse recently. I'll be making a decision some point this week


Sent PM [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[IanTasker]

Cheers buddy some solid advice there [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[KP]

well good luck with whatever you decide to do Ian ;D

[jj]

i would tend to go for the money option danger of going for less money is u dont know what u had till its gone...

[IanTasker]

Well after speaking to numerous people and taking advice off you guys i think im gonna take the plunge and stick with contracting. I've thought about nothing else since Monday and have based my decision pretty much purely on money :) I can earn way over double the amount i'd be earning as a permy and if i didn't do it i think i'd really regret it and all i'd be able to think about would be "I could be earning double this!". Will be moving down Reading way within a month or two i think :(

[steveo]

good luck mate, wish you all the best [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[SmallButCute22]

Good Luck with that Ian........don't forget to send a cheque to the 'smallbutcute22 is poor charity fund' ;D

[ONFIRE]

Well after speaking to numerous people and taking advice off you guys i think im gonna take the plunge and stick with contracting. I've thought about nothing else since Monday and have based my decision pretty much purely on money :) I can earn way over double the amount i'd be earning as a permy and if i didn't do it i think i'd really regret it and all i'd be able to think about would be "I could be earning double this!". Will be moving down Reading way within a month or two i think :(

Well done...Like I said you will not regret it [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Scotty]

Contracting's a good way to go if you're young and have no commitments, you could pay off the car and /or bike finance and stash some away for later on. The drawbacks are if you want or need any time off work due to holidays, sickness, trackdays, injuries sustained from flipping a wheelie... :o
Best of luck with it..

[IanTasker]

God your not full of the most positive advice lol (appreciate a different opinion tho pal cheers).

I worked out i earn more in 6 months after tax (a considerable amount more) contracting than i can in a year doing permy so that was pretty much my mind made up. The other points you mention are all massive worries but i intend on saving as much as possible so should i need to i still have enough cash to get by.