Help !

[Lucy]

I've just said yes to a contract that I am not sure about (contracts currently being reviewed, not signed as yet, due to start Wednesday). I haven't worked for a couple of months, and can survive for another month or so. I don't have other interviews as yet. This is only my second contract, will the agency blackban me if I pull out ?

Should I close my eys and think of the money, or hold out for a more suitable role ?

[Ardesco]

If you haven't signed it you can just wait for the contract review to be completed and say that you want XXX unreasonable clause put in to satisfy the person who reviewed the contract then walk away when they don't put the unreasonable clause in.

Agencies tend to have short memories when it comes to a chance of getting themselves some cash.

I would not suggest doing this unless you have a real problem accepting the contract though, it will not look particulary professional, what is wrong with the contract anyway that is making you so desperate to get out of it? If you having nothing else going on it would be worth sucking it down and doing it anyway to build up some cash in the bank.

[tim123]

And now is the wrong time of year to be out of contract. You could easily find yourself still looking for work in Jan if you turn it down now.

As Ardesco said, is it really that bad?

tim

[Lucy]

Thanks, the main problem is I do PMO work for IT projects and this is a non-IT project, more regulatory stuff. It's probably just a matter of preference, but I'm worried I'll hate it and then what...

[Ardesco]

How long is it for?

It has to be said that worrying that you may not like it is not really a good reason to pull out of a contract.

There is a good chance that you won't like any contract you get and increasing your skill portfolio is always good for the company brocure

[XperTest]

Thanks, the main problem is I do PMO work for IT projects and this is a non-IT project, more regulatory stuff. It's probably just a matter of preference, but I'm worried I'll hate it and then what...

Then you will look for something else after this current contract is finished and not automatically agree to any extension coming your way. I don't think in contracting (as in permiedom to be honest) you can always get things exactly how you want them..Take the contract, you might like it and apart from anything if the PMO market for IT projects dries up you will have experience in another sector which might come in handy in the future. How long is the initial contract for anyway?

[Lucy]

Sure, I think you are right, I'm probably just going to go and do it. I do tend to worry a lot.

If I take this role, which is moving away from what I really want to do (support IT projects), do you think it will be hard for me to get roles which are what I want. ie will agencies/employers say you haven't done this for x months... (sorry to be such a numpty)

It is for six months, I'm not sure what the notice period is.

[cojak]

Your CV won't suffer if you take it. A PMO role should be industry agnostic - it will give you good experience - you might even find a PMO that works as it should (I've never found one that does in IT).

[XperTest]

Sure, I think you are right, I'm probably just going to go and do it. I do tend to worry a lot.

If I take this role, which is moving away from what I really want to do (support IT projects), do you think it will be hard for me to get roles which are what I want. ie will agencies/employers say you haven't done this for x months... (sorry to be such a numpty)

It is for six months, I'm not sure what the notice period is.

I don't think the notice period is particularly relevant unless you will really hate it. When you start a contract you must at least have the intention of seeing it through imho.

In terms of it being difficult to move back to the type of project where you want to be, I wouldn't be worrying about this at all. As long as you have done something they need sometime in the past, that is good enough for most customers and agents. I hadn't been in financials services for two years but had a couple of years experience before that and never got questioned why I left the sector upon my return in it. As a permie you go where your boss wants you to go, as a contractor you go where a contract is being offered that more or less fits the bill. Customers looking for temporary personel usually understand these movements. As longs as the profile in your CV says you have been a PMO in various IT projects (as well as in this other industry shortly), I don't think this will ever be a problem unless you like your project so much you will not be back in IT for the next decade or so.

[Lucy]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help.

Drinks on me when I get paid !