Help me decide....

[Provider]

OK here it is i just got a job offer that more then doubles my current pay
the only catch is that it's contract work and could end in six months.
They say that 90% of the tech's get time extentions or go permanent,
but if i quit my job to take this and it only lasts 6 months that is gonna kinda suck.
So.. what do you think? Should i take a chance?

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: Provider
OK here it is i just got a job offer that more then doubles my current pay
the only catch is that it's contract work and could end in six months.
They say that 90% of the tech's get time extentions or go permanent,
but if i quit my job to take this and it only lasts 6 months that is gonna kinda suck.
So.. what do you think? Should i take a chance?

I wouldn't take the chance unless you are really unhappy wiht your current job

 

[EvilYoda]

Well, depends on how big of a gambler you are and how valuable you are to the workforce...if it really does more than double your current pay, 6 months at that job will pay at least 12 months at your current job, right? So technically you could live the way you are now for 12 months, but have 6 months to do sh*t and look for a new job, assuming the contract isn't picked up again...

That's the lazy side of me speaking...6 months doing nothing sounds like a ball to me.

 

[fonzinator]

Given the current state of the tech economy, that would be a BIG risk. But, you could stand to gain a lot....or lose a lot. No one ever got anywhere without taking a risk. I say GO FOR IT!!...since I stand to lose nothing by telling you to do it

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Well, depends on how big of a gambler you are and how valuable you are to the workforce...if it really does more than double your current pay, 6 months at that job will pay at least 12 months at your current job, right? So technically you could live the way you are now for 12 months, but have 6 months to do sh*t and look for a new job, assuming the contract isn't picked up again...

That's the lazy side of me speaking...6 months doing nothing sounds like a ball to me.

My thoughts exactly. Live off of 1/2 your income (after eliminating any debts) and save the rest. Then if you go permanent you have a nice savings account to do what you want with, if you don't you have six months to find a new job.

I would jump at the chance.

Viper GTS

 

[Yax]

No, don't do it. Now is not the time. Stick with the stable job till the economy turns around. Once the contract expires, you will probably have a hard time trying to find another one. When you eventually do, it may be alot less than your current job. Lots of people looking for tech jobs these days.

 

[AstIsis]

You should also consider the fact that as a contractor you are responsible for your insurance (health/life) and all taxes (State, Federal). Research the cost of the aforementioned items to see if this new job would truely be doubling your current pay.

 

[DuBobD]

I would take it only if my wife/girlfriend had a job that could support both of us if the job ended after 6 months. For example, right now my wife is a half-time teacher, so I wouldn't do it. If she were full time, I would. She is supposed to become full-time next year so I may soon be looking for Contract work myself.

 

[Statistic]

They say that 90% of the tech's get time extentions or go permanent,

Who is "they"? The specific company's trend, or national contract work trends?

Realistically in my company, probably less than 10% of contract workers go to full time. What is your skill set? That alone will tell you if you can market yourself more successfully regardless of how long the offered contract lasts.

 

[Mallow]

well... it depends on what you make now. If you make 50K/yr and the new job is 100K/yr I'd do it... however, if you make 4000/yr and the new job is 8000/yr I'd go with the stability if you need to make bills.

 

[Provider]

ok well as far as 6 months to find a new job i live in Oregon so it could take a long time
to find a new job (high unemployment rate). the wife has her own daycare biz and does
really well but it's up and down so some months could be short.

On the other hand i do hate were i'm at right now and the thought of working for HP even
contract work could be fun.