which job would you choose

MBAustin said:
First, congratulations on having a choice! :flowers:

I think you can tell by the nearly even split that there is no right answer to your question. Hopefully, the points raised helped you think it through for yourself.

I always found the "4 quadrants" approach helpful in these kinds of situations - one choice in each column, positives/benefits for each choice on top row, negatives/concerns on second row. First pass is a brainstorm - dump out your first thoughts. Then put it aside and come back to it to add/subtract/edit/clarify your notes - several times over a day or two if possible. In most cases, this made the better choice pretty clear to me. (Somewhere I think I've seen this idea credited to Ben Franklin, but that may be just an urban myth.)

Finally, I have always tried to make "good" choices, not the "best" choice. Once you make the choice, go with it and learn from it regardless, and don't beat yourself up with "what ifs".

Good luck and let us know how it all works out!
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I never put that much thought into changing jobs - I always went after the money.:cool: Of course it helped to work for a megacorp and have lots of diverse job opportunites. But, then again, going after the money got me a comfortable early retirement. :greetings10:
 
option #1 is a contract to hire position. If after the initial contract period, things don't work out, I can get unemployment insurance, right? I'll be going in on a w2 for an agency before converting to a full timer.

edit: just to clarify. this is not mean to be a contract position but a permanent one. I think it's due to its demanding nature that it's more advantageous for them to start new hires as contractors.
 
ER_Hopeful said:
option #1 is a contract to hire position. If after the initial contract period, things don't work out, I can get unemployment insurance, right? I'll be going in on a w2 for an agency before converting to a full timer.
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Now, that would have been a helpful piece of information to have yesterday...
 
Westernskies said:
Now, that would have been a helpful piece of information to have yesterday...
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No kidding! That changes everything in my opinion. All kinds of questions come up re: do you have insurance, if things don't work out will your employer help you find another job, etc.

I would stake stability over additional pay every day of the week.
 
Westernskies said:
Now, that would have been a helpful piece of information to have yesterday...
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well, that piece didn't really have that much weight in my decision making. my logic was that if I didn't like the place or work was too demanding, then we'll just part way so being a contractor or fulltimer doesn't make that much difference. As long as I can get UI, that'll give me breathing room to job hunt. My skill set is in pretty good demand in the metro L.A. area and after the (short/long)stinct in this new position, I'll be in a even strong position.
 
Lisa99 said:
No kidding! That changes everything in my opinion. All kinds of questions come up re: do you have insurance, if things don't work out will your employer help you find another job, etc.

I would stake stability over additional pay every day of the week.
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I didn't mean to sound arrogant, but from my past experience, stability comes from skill set and marketability. BTW, they just dialed it to up $120k and is willing to shorted the contract period. If all depends on if I can take the heat...

edit: let's imagine it were a fulltime position to start with. If I couldn't tough it out in 6 months, I quit, that makes me much less eligible for UI.
 
Assuming benefits were equal - coverage for family, etc. a contractor position can be easier to only work 8 hour days and just focus at task at hand. OT might even be paid at staright time or 1 1/2!
 
didn't sound arrogant at all. As long as you walk into the contract position understanding all of the ramifications then you've made the best choice for you.

My concern would be not knowing whether you qualify for unemployment. I don't think contractors are. I was a contractor for four years and had two contracts pulled with no notice when the program died. I couldn't file for unemployment in either case. But that was 15 years ago so things could have changed.

Good luck with whichever way you decide.
 
Westernskies said:
Now, that would have been a helpful piece of information to have yesterday...
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You got me thinking...
I just emailed them some questions about conversion from contract to full time. If things don't smell right, I can still pull out, haven't signed anything yet.
 
Lisa99 said:
didn't sound arrogant at all. As long as you walk into the contract position understanding all of the ramifications then you've made the best choice for you.

My concern would be not knowing whether you qualify for unemployment. I don't think contractors are. I was a contractor for four years and had two contracts pulled with no notice when the program died. I couldn't file for unemployment in either case. But that was 15 years ago so things could have changed.

Good luck with whichever way you decide.
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keep your thoughts coming, guys. pick holes in my logic, np. not too late to pull the plug.
 
What to do :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

just came back from my final interview with #2, met very one from CTO to CEO, I LOVE their company, small , entrepreneurial, I can be my own boss. Da@n, I shouldn't have gone in the first place. my heart tells me #2, but my brain is telling me #1. what do you guys say ? hell with the $30k difference? I haven't sign anything so it's not too late ...
 
I'd go with 2. Try to squeeze a few more $$ out of them if you can , but don't lose the opportunity. (they probably have salary guidelines they need to stay within for consistency with all their employees)

1 isn't a permanent position, and I would hate to think you're favoring this choice for the potential unemployment benefits...

Either way, you owe it to both employers and yourself to make this decison and move on.

My 2Cents, for free.
 
Westernskies said:
I'd go with 2. Try to squeeze a few more $$ out of them if you can , but don't lose the opportunity. (they probably have salary guidelines they need to stay within for consistency with all their employees)

1 isn't a permanent position, and I would hate to think you're favoring this choice for the potential unemployment benefits...

Either way, you owe it to both employers and yourself to make this decison and move on.

My 2Cents, for free.
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#1 is a perm position but starting out as contractor.
I'd have many bosses I need to please in this.
 
Westernskies said:
Why would they start you out as a contractor if this is a permanent position?
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the reason they gave me was that it's a lot quicker to get me stared as a contractor than perm. the real reason I think is that many new hires don't last, those who can survive become perm.
 
ER_Hopeful said:
the reason they gave me was that it's a lot quicker to get me stared as a contractor than perm. the real reason I think is that many new hires don't last, those who can survive become perm.
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So, spin it any way they want, it's still an at-will contract position.

If they're not willing to make a commitment to you, why should you make a commitment to them?

#2, X2
 
Depends on your state. Here when contracts end there is no unemployment.
 
it is your life, your decision. You got to meet, see and feel the work place of each of these companies. Be glad that you have 2 choices while so many others have none.
Pick the one that will send you home happy each day at a reasonable time and respect your personal time. Life is short and children grow up fast.

Remember that a company can be bought and sold and things can change and nothing lasts forever.

It sounds like option 2 is not a formal offer yet, so don't count on it yet.

Consider the commuting distance and any other expenses like parking etc. Gas is not cheap these days.
 
I would personally take #2. Money is important, but so is the environment.
 
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