Contract Jobs

[Nik+Heather 121]

I think the decision has already been made, but I've never worked contract before, I wonder if other VJers might have a different experience.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Nik+Heather

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

I'm fully self-employed now, no regrets. I feel it is usually best to take the job you really want even if it may not be permanent if the skills and contacts you can make and industry reputation you can build there justify it. One of my jobs is on a six-month contract that is reassessed every six months to see if everyone's happy. If I'm not, I know I can walk away having worked at something I loved, in a role that had high visibility and provided me with even more professional contacts than I had before.

If the job is one you love but it will not be useful in obtaining more permanent employment (if that's what you seek) in an area you want to work in, it is a more difficult decision.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It depends. Am I unemployed? How long have I been looking?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

From the unemployment viewpoint your probably better off trying number 2.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Given these choices, #3.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Given these choices, #3.

Wouldn't it matter how long you've been unemployed and what the delta was between your previous take-home and your take-home under UI?

Given these choices, #3.

Wait, you actually voted for #1 but you're saying #3????

[K and L 27]

Honestly? If you can get #1 to delay two weeks or give you alternative scheduling the first two weeks, I'd take both. Why not? I see no reason you shouldn't look for a job you love and making contacts doing a job you love (#1), and the two weeks with the lesser job will help pad your pocketbook, enabling you to look longer. And if you're offered job #2 full time, by all means, talk to #1 to see if an alternative schedule could be possible (since it's only part time).

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I like K and L's reply - if you can swing the timing maybe you can do both and if one does turn into the full time job, then well and good. For me, if I was looking to remain in the work force or return to it full time, I would probably take two as it also appears to be a job I enjoy and doing something I enjoy is an important aspect of work for me, plus it has the strong probability of becoming permanent. Personally, right now, I would probably take one as I am not interested in full time employment. Part time doing something I like for a few months sounds great.

I've worked on contract quite a bit - in my field it was common to work on contract for several years before something full time came along.

Edited May 8, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Darnell 8,478]

a contract job? not W-2 , but 1099?

sorry, regardless of duration, that's at least 2.5 times (at least for me) the amount of any w-2 j-o-b.

if you are a w-2 employee to a 'contract job shop', though, that puts you out on THEIR client's site for work -

yer double screwed if you are accepting 'less rate' - as 'part-time, lower-rate' is an oxymoron.

[ScottThuy 140]

I love being a contract worker.. I can deduct so much that I could not deduct if I were W2'd....... and when I do the #'s I work far less hours and make alot more $ as a contractor...