Got a job offer yesturday for a programmer/analyst position that I'm thinking of turning down....

[steppinthrax]

So this is the deal. I'm a 25 yo fresh out of college and working on my masters in IT. I was submitting resumes for different jobs. One of these jobs was for a Programmer/analyst supervisor position. I actually got an interview. I really didn't relize it was a super position until I looked closer at the job title (Lead). I was like Oh shit, I have no super experience. Anyway I interviewed and did quite a good job. Answered every question and everything.

A week later (yesturday) I got a call from the hiring manager. He had indicated that he can't offer me the position. However, he has 1 other position he can offer me which is pretty much the same thing (programmer/analyst) without the super. The pay is pretty much similar as well..... However...

It's a contractual position. Meaning no benefits, no: medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursment not even any PTO or Sick leave.

I was talking to him he said the pay band is like 48 to 78 or so. He was indicating he normally can start me somewhere between that range. Which is about 12K or more then what I'm making right now. He said he needs to know how much I'm making right now. I think he can easily justify 60 or so. However when you factor in health cost to a private ins company and tuition I think it's about what I'm making right now. He said that he's really good with his managers and can sometime go above the ceiling. If I can justify it? Is this a good option? I'm leaning twoards turning it down. I have a wife and daughter LOL.

 

[rsd]

Well factor in the cost of lack of benefits versus what they would pay you. Since you have a family, having to pay medical etc will be quite a bit I think.

Also keep in mind job security or the lack thereof and how risk tolerant you are given your situation.

Me personally, I wouldn't take it but obviously we don't know all the details.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: rsd
Well factor in the cost of lack of benefits versus what they would pay you. Since you have a family, having to pay medical etc will be quite a bit I think.

Also keep in mind job security or the lack thereof and how risk tolerant you are given your situation.

Me personally, I wouldn't take it but obviously we don't know all the details.

This is through the state of maryland. The State of Maryland has some of the best job benefits at least. I mean your talking waived tuition, heavily subsidized medial and free mass transit during a time when gas is more then milk. The State of maryland has something called contractual positions which simply means they pay out just money and you work for as a contractor for the state. I did a job like this during college. It sucked balls because the state has a very large holiday vacation that all the employers get for free. Which normally starts from december 18 or something till Janurary 6 or something and contractors don't get shit.....

 

[Baked]

Well, you already know the answer to your question. Since you're so qualify for the type of jobs you're looking for, and nailing interviews like drunken fat chicks at the prom, you should definitely keep sending your resume out to as many position as possible and get the best job offer you can get.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: Baked
Well, you already know the answer to your question. Since you're so qualify for the type of jobs you're looking for, and nailing interviews like drunken fat chicks at the prom, you should definitely keep sending your resume out to as many position as possible and get the best job offer you can get.

nailing interviews like drunken fat chicks at the prom

WTF? LMAO

 

[mugs]

Don't take a contract job making $12k more than you make at a permanent job with benefits... you will be making less money.

 

[Injury]

analyst + programmer = anal-rammer


In any case, just counter-offer for a position with benefits for a price that you think is fair.

At only 12K more but no benefits, you're probably not going to come out much better and you are more of a "first to be cut from the payroll" risk.

 

[Descartes]

I agree with mugs. It's not worth it unless you'll be gaining more valuable experience to further your career. If there's no upside in addition to the pay, then you'll be taking the hit overall.

 

[torpid]

If you go through a contract company, isn't it up to the contract company to determine your pay and benefits?? There's some weird stuff happening here.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Calculate what each of those will cost, add that to their offer, and then factor in a time period after this contract when you will have to find something else, and pad it all a little, and give them a rough number. This might mean adding 20k for the benefits, and then adding in the equivalent of 3-4 months of pay so you can find something else, etc.

The simple rule I follow is to double what the goods or in this case, the service, itself costs so that you have a 50% margin for everything else like benefits, finding a new job, some profit margin, etc.

Overall, make sure it's worth it like Descartes said. You should either end up with more experience or a larger salary.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: torpid
If you go through a contract company, isn't it up to the contract company to determine your pay and benefits?? There's some weird stuff happening here.

I think he would be contracted directly without a middle man.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: torpid
If you go through a contract company, isn't it up to the contract company to determine your pay and benefits?? There's some weird stuff happening here.

I think he would be contracted directly without a middle man.

Which as far as I know is not usually allowed when working for state or federal governments.

 

[s0ssos]

what's a master's in IT? i didn't know those things existed.

 

[Gothgar]

your post was going so good... why did you need to end it with lol?

 

[pstylesss]

I would turn it down even if I didn't have kids. It's contract so you are one of the first to be cut, and the 12k pay increase is more than lost because you don't have benefits. We aren't just talking medical, but any other benefits you get like retirement. What about vacation, sick days, comp time, etc?

 

[chusteczka]

The new job needs to have some reason for you to want to work there. Maybe you can negotiate for a 20-25% pay increase.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: mugs
Don't take a contract job making $12k more than you make at a permanent job with benefits... you will be making less money.

DING DING DING

 

[ttho]

tax/ss should be a factor in your consideration. being a contractual position, you are very likely getting a 1099 at the year end, instead of a W2. you will need to pick up the employer part of the social security on your tax return. that means you need pay an extra ~9% to uncle sam

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: s0ssos
what's a master's in IT? i didn't know those things existed.

That's what I was wondering.