Help me make a choice!

[Peter Loew]

Won two contracts today after 7 weeks of bench time, both London based:

1) Client: large organisation through a niche consultancy
Role: PM role working with Oracle technologies
Duration: 12 months with likely renewal
Location: 15 mins or so on the tube
Rate: 420p/d with a rise in April 2010
Advantages: potentially huge public exposure if successful, internationally recognised, working through consultancy into Public Sector rather than direct, strong likelihood of working with other clients through the consultancy, working with MD of consultancy and CIO so good mentorship possibilities (I'm 30).

2) Client: large public sector organisation that deals with 'transport' :-)
Role: PM role but smaller projects in differing technologies / basic office moves, IS based projects etc.
Duration: 4 months with possible renewal
Location: 45 mins - 1hr or so on the tube
Rate: 390p/d
Advantages: team is younger, more diverse, project variety, will work with others also from consultancy background, may work with previous colleagues too.

I really dunno, option 2 appeals because the working environment is quite young and dynamic and projects COULD be interesting, but duration and rate are not ideal. Option 1 has longevity, better rate and I can really learn from the people I will be working with.

Advice / tips?

P

[HairyArsedBloke]

Neither. Both are public sector - you should be ashamed of yourself.

[SuperZ]

Not a good PM if not a good decision maker
Flip a coin

personally I would probably go with the first option.
PAConsulting by any chance?

[Peter Loew]

Not a good PM if not a good decision maker
Flip a coin

personally I would probably go with the first option.
PAConsulting by any chance?

Nope, not PA, you would not have heard of them I don't think..

[RichardCranium]

They're so similar.

Option 1. Less commuting time= more time for yourself.

7.5 hours work
7.5 hours sleep
9 hours for yourself minus commuting.

Option 1 = 8:45 for you, 0:15 commute
Option 2 = 8:00 for you, 1:00 commute

Option 1 gives over 10% more personal time on Mon-Fri.

[Peter Loew]

They're so similar.

Option 1. Less commuting time= more time for yourself.

7.5 hours work
7.5 hours sleep
9 hours for yourself minus commuting.

Option 1 = 8:45 for you, 0:15 commute
Option 2 = 8:00 for you, 1:00 commute

Option 1 gives over 10% more personal time on Mon-Fri.

Good breakdown, thanks.

[nomadd]

Won two contracts today after 7 weeks of bench time, both London based:

1) Client: large organisation through a niche consultancy
Role: PM role working with Oracle technologies
Duration: 12 months with likely renewal
Location: 15 mins or so on the tube
Rate: 420p/d with a rise in April 2010
Advantages: potentially huge public exposure if successful, internationally recognised, working through consultancy into Public Sector rather than direct, strong likelihood of working with other clients through the consultancy, working with MD of consultancy and CIO so good mentorship possibilities (I'm 30).

2) Client: large public sector organisation that deals with 'transport' :-)
Role: PM role but smaller projects in differing technologies / basic office moves, IS based projects etc.
Duration: 4 months with possible renewal
Location: 45 mins - 1hr or so on the tube
Rate: 390p/d
Advantages: team is younger, more diverse, project variety, will work with others also from consultancy background, may work with previous colleagues too.

I really dunno, option 2 appeals because the working environment is quite young and dynamic and projects COULD be interesting, but duration and rate are not ideal. Option 1 has longevity, better rate and I can really learn from the people I will be working with.

Advice / tips?

P

If option 2 is Transport for London, then their "quite young and dynamic" team is mainly Indian. Couldn't understand a word that they were saying when I was interviewed by them....

Anyway, I'd say option 1, no contest. Option 2 sounds "c-r-a-p" in comparison. Remember the golden rule of contracting: You are only as good as your next contract. I think option 1 would look far better on your cv. And it's a 3 times longer contract - might even be enough to see you through the recession.

Cheers,

Nomadd

[Peter Loew]

If option 2 is Transport for London, then their "quite young and dynamic" team is mainly Indian. Couldn't understand a word that they were saying when I was interviewed by them....

Anyway, I'd say option 1, no contest. Option 2 sounds "c-r-a-p" in comparison. Remember the golden rule of contracting: You are only as good as your next contract. I think option 1 would look far better on your cv. And it's a 3 times longer contract - might even be enough to see you through the recession.

Cheers,

Nomadd

Thanks. Can't wait to unsubscribe from those mostly useless **** instant job alerts.

[Mr.Whippy]

Can't people make their own minds up these days?

[FiveTimes]

I really dunno, option 2 appeals because the working environment is quite young and dynamic and projects COULD be interesting, but duration and rate are not ideal. Option 1 has longevity, better rate and I can really learn from the people I will be working with.

Advice / tips?

P

Option 1 every time due to money, length, commute and money. Forget about the work environment being young and dynamic. Its a place to earn not make friends.