question: job is yours, but do you hesitate?

[MaxDepth]

I just got out of a meeting with my boss. Her boss, the CIO, is very happy with the work I have performed as an analyst and now as a project manager. I am a contractor who has a contract extension that extends into next year.

I like the opportunities I've had and they really did pay me for my opinions.

My boss just told me that there may be job openings in the near future and that I have one, should I want it. And while I am happy that, for some reason I hesitate. Yeah, the jobs haven't gone through HR approval, and that may or may not be a formality, but the pay would be the same plus benefits and performance bonus.

I like being the ronin, the hired gun, in IS. I get to move into different projects and I am never bored with the post-project housekeeping. But then again, I don't have an MBA nor PMP certification, so many compaines will never look at my resume unless I have at least one of those.


Hmmm...has anyone else here had the same "problem"? Hesitate at the offer of a good thing, in terms of employment?

 

[Scouzer]

Its not a good thing if you don't see it as one.

 

[Fike]

Take the job. Do your masters at a night program and have the company pay for it. You will end up making more money if you include the benefits: 401K matching, health benefits, stock options etc.... Nothing stops you from leaving 2 months or 2 years later.

 

[chambersc]

Even though you like being the hired gun, do you have any family commitments? Would turning down the position to keep your "rogueness" affect you adversly with the company that you're doing work for now?

 

[Exterous]

I would look into what makes you more marketable as a potential employee - which I am guessing is along the lines of what Fike said. I would imagine that if you want to continue climbing the job ladder it would be a good idea to take the job. But it depends on what you want.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My brother-in-law graduated with a CS degree and worked for a major retailer's Corp Headquarters. (fortune 500) He decided to take another job for a smaller company that was willing to pay $30k/year more. The company broke apart within a year and a half. He got a job with another, but it was a contract position...1-2 year contracts is what he's been doing since. Insurance and retirement benefits are almost non-existant and the pay is continuously decreasing from contract to contract.

Take the job, gain stability, and hopefully lower stress. If you like the people you'd be working for, do it. Make sure you have a clear understanding of their expectations of you before you take it, but it sounds like a good opportunity. The reason I told you about my bro-in-law, he's becoming the norm (I have lots of friends in his same position) I work for a University and get tons of time off, pension, flexible time, free training, and I'm working on my MBA for free. Life's good.... Try getting a job that offers you more benefits than contracting....trust me, it's worth it.

 

[Midlander]

If you are working for a firm who sets up your contracts, they are taking a cut of your pay. Why not cut out the middle man? Go for it. You can always quit if it doesn't work out.

 

[MaxDepth]

Thanks, all.

 

[ScottMac]

Not to mention that contractors are frequently the first to go when there are "cutbacks."

Depending on your setup, you may or may not be contributing to your retirement / pension as a contractor. It might not mean much to you now (assuming you're "younger"), but it adds up and money contributed now has more time to accrue interest / value.

Being an employee may also open up some other opportunities (varies by organization, of course).

I'd vote for signing on.

FWIW, Good Luck

Scott