Leave permanent job for contract?

Shelga

Hi all, didn't have much luck in Work&Jobs so said I'd try here, the good people of Boards have given me some good advice in the past

First of all, I live in England, so economy here is a bit more stable than home. I am considering leaving a permanent, stable, well-paid job for a position in another company on a 12-month contract. Am I mad? Let me elaborate...

I work in manufacturing and quite enjoy my job- very busy, profitable period for the company, well-paid, plenty of opportunity to progress, great benefits, lovely people! On the flip side, I really, really dislike the location. Work great, location and social life here fairly crap. Ugly, ugly city that I really haven't settled in and don't see myself ever doing so. I've thought about moving to a commuter town but really don't think that would majorly improve the situation. I've tried meetup, reaching out more to work people, sports etc, none of it makes me think I want to stay.

So, now I have the chance to try working in/around London, but contracting (12 months initially). Money is not that great considering the lack of security, take home pay would be about the same as now (adjusted for increased cost of living down there) but working for a massive global company in an interesting role. Also there is every chance I could be made permanent eventually.

What do people think? My gut says give it a go. I'm a 27 year old woman btw, with no debt and no dependants. Have been thinking about this nonstop for around a year!

sashafierce

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ftse100

I think you know yourself a move is what you want. I personally would go for it and hopefully you love it and maybe even after the 12 months you'll get a renewed contract or permanent position

jimd2

If you are single and dont have significant committments then I think that you should go for it. I have made a couple of moves in my career that might have seemed a little risky at the time and generally they have worked out. It sounds as if the new company have also some potential for further development so I would say to go for it.

ShowMeTheCash

Go for it, in life we tend to regret the things we should of done but perhaps did not take the leap!

I think staying too long in anyone company is not a good thing, moving every 2 - 5 years I think is required to stay sharp and at the top of your game!

Unless you own a company or run your own practise...

Experience also, even if you only the the 12 months out of it. You now have something else, a new role and a new perspetive and new experience...

I left a company in September 4 years at a Senior level to go it alone, I have a mortgage and two kids... Try and not think about it too much make a decision and go with it, you think too much you will only drive yourself mad!

Teyla Emmagan

I have done this twice before, most recently last year. As long as you are confident you can find work easily when the contract ends, or if it goes belly up then go for it. A change of job can be a fantastic thing. And in a permanent job you can be given a month's notice and no redundancy in the morning, so you won't be guaranteed of that being secure either. If you think you will benefit in the long term from this contract then go for it. I have worked in awful locations before, the depressing effect should not be underestimated!

Mr. Incognito

Go for it. A whole life can change in a year

allybhoy

I would also say go for it, Id rather regret something I did, then regret something I didnt. The only word of caution I would add is that im sure you know London is a fairly expensive city to socialise and live in. So dont be afraid to haggle to get as much as you can from the offset as you will be on that salary for 12 months, whereas in your new company you may be due a raise this year. You dont have to play hardball with them, but just test the waters to see if there is any movement at all in the salary.

I also suggest to try and live as frugally as possible for the first few months so you have more money for socialising as this is one of the factors driving your move.

Shelga

Wow thanks everyone, just what I wanted to hear and confirmation I should trust my instinct on this one!

Interview is Friday so fingers crossed!

sashafierce

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ronjo

Shelga wrote: »

Wow thanks everyone, just what I wanted to hear and confirmation I should trust my instinct on this one!

Interview is Friday so fingers crossed!

100% go for it. Chances are you will totally regret it in a few months if you dont.