Would you leave a full time job...for a 12 month fixed term contract?

[Scumbag]

...In this current climate...

2 - 3 years ago I wouldve said Fuck Yeah! Especially if it paid more money and it was a good move career wise, but now that I find myself in that predicament im not so sure. There is a chance the term would be extended at the end of the 12 months, but there is a very real possibility that I would be out on the street in 12 months time - as some of you would know it's slim pickings out there for IT jobs at the moment.

So, should I stay in this dead end job and keep looking for another permanent position, or take the gamble and take on a 12 month fixed term? (mind you, I havent even gone for the interview yet)

[dwarfthrower]

All estimates point to the economy taking up to another 12 months to pick up. So you could well be coming out of contract just in time to catch the upswing.

[Tomsy]

I'd lean towards stay where you are as long as you are sure you'll keep that job. The economy is shite, that jobs number and unemployment number today were just wrong, no way the economy added 28,000 new jobs in April.

At least if you stay in your full time job if you get made redundant they'll have to pay you out a bit. However, 12 months is a long way away and things might be picking up again by then and with a 12 month contract you are guarenteed a job for 12 mths.

So I suggest apply, go to the interview then if you get offered the job think about it then. You could always take the offer to your current employer to see if they'll up your current pay...

[Chocoholic]

How much more money is it? Is it enough for you to save for a few months hardship at the end of the contract?
Is the move career enhancing?
What is the financials of both companies like? You could stay and get made redundant in a month, or you could go and not finish your contract either way do some research on both companies.
Would you be tempted to buy a gun and blow your brains out if you continue in your current roll? Being happy at work in a huge motivator for me.
Things you have to think about after you get an offer.

[nash]

I'd say... maybe.

Go for the job you think is the better one (which I suspect is the contract). Extensions are common for contracts, and as others mentioned 12 months it will be a different work place. Just make sure you are prepared for a few months of holidays at the end...

[Scumbag]

Originally Posted by Chocoholic How much more money is it?

Close to 10 grand.

Originally Posted by Chocoholic Is it enough for you to save for a few months hardship at the end of the contract?

No

Originally Posted by Chocoholic Is the move career enhancing?

Yes!

Originally Posted by Chocoholic What is the financials of both companies like?

It's within the same organisation actually, just a completely different department.

Originally Posted by Chocoholic You could stay and get made redundant in a month

It's the public service, nobody gets made redundant. Ever.

Originally Posted by Chocoholic Would you be tempted to buy a gun and blow your brains out if you continue in your current roll? Being happy at work in a huge motivator for me.

Eventually yes, but im a long way off that. Ive got a cushy job atm. It's easy, I bludge like a demon and it's stress free, but ive been here for 3.5 years and career wise im stuck in a rut and ready to move up.

[kré]

Originally Posted by Scumbag It's within the same organisation actually, just a completely different department.

in that case, is there any chance that at the end of the contract you could go back to your current role/department?

[nash]

Originally Posted by Scumbag Eventually yes, but im a long way off that. Ive got a cushy job atm. It's easy, I bludge like a demon and it's stress free, but ive been here for 3.5 years and career wise im stuck in a rut and ready to move up.

Sounds like you really want to take, but just need an excuse or at leasy some sort of confirmation you want to take. 3 years in rut is too long. You need to move or you'll start to rust.

So take it. Good luck.

[GeeWhiz]

Just stay and eat all the biscuits

[bobdown]

Which one has the best coffee machine?

[Scumbag]

Originally Posted by kré in that case, is there any chance that at the end of the contract you could go back to your current role/department?

Yeah it does happen, but it is up to the manager. She'll have to find a temp to fill in for me.

I think ill go for the interview and then run it by her if I get the offer.

Originally Posted by nash Sounds like you really want to take, but just need an excuse or at leasy some sort of confirmation you want to take. 3 years in rut is too long. You need to move or you'll start to rust. So take it. Good luck.

Cheers

Originally Posted by bobdown Which one has the best coffee machine?

Originally Posted by GeeWhiz Just stay and eat all the biscuits

No coffee machine or biscuit tin atm. It's settled, im out.

[ShinymetalASS]

No, no I wouldn't.

[bobdown]

No coffee machine or biscuit tin

How very sad that you don't have a keyboard fouled by Tim Tam crumbs and coffee slop overs

[LisaJ]

if its within the public service, you can actually do an internal transfer, where you can keep your substantial position but act up in the other position, you don't have to give up your substantial for a fixed term contract position.

[skylar]

Not in this economic climate. Personally, I think someone is after your stable position.