Offer of New Contract for Completely Different Role & Worried I'll be Out of My Depth

[psychocandy]

OP - I agree with most of them on here. Give it a go.

I remember when I first started contracting - 20 years ago. I used to crap myself thinking I'd be overwhelmed/not up for it. IMHO, EVERY client puts a shed-load of stuff on the job spec, they tell you its the busiest place ever, its the most complicated setup etc etc.

No client in the history of the world has ever put out a job spec with 2 or 3 important skills on and said yeh its pretty straightforward stuff and we're not that busy!

But 99% of the time, you get to site and after a few days realise:-

1. Its not that complicated or busy.
2. The client is impressed with what you can do because they just dont have these skills.
3. You realise that 80% of the stuff they put on the job spec is not even relevant.

Probably only once in 20 years have I been on client site and thought hmmm. And that was more to do with the other contractors rather than the client. I specialise in a few technologies but I worked in this one gig with a few people who specialised in this one and they were VERY VERY GOOD indeed.

But I'm still in touch with the team leader (contractor) who occasionally recommends me for gigs. So I cant have come across as badly as I thought!

OP - Bottom line. Give it a go. It might be less hassle than your thinking. If it is whats the worse that can happen?

[psychocandy]

The client impressed on me during the interview that the role isn't a straight forward Project Manager role as it is more change process delivery driven amongst other things. However this morning I sent HR an email stating that I didn't feel I had enough experience as a Project Manager to competently deliver and could be out of my depth on what are large projects, what with my experience and skills mainly being PMO at programme and portfolio level. They've replied to say that they're obviously disappointed as both they and the other client were confident in my abilities and is there anything that they can do to address or allay my concerns or negotiate. I feel in an awkward position now as they already know I'm not confident in doing the role after considering it so I fear the damage has been done . I was due to start this morning (haven't signed the contract).

Cant believe you did this. Bad idea.

Like they said, they wanted you and you've put doubts in their mind now.

[SteelyDan]

OP - Bottom line. Give it a go.

I think he's just blown it...

[ziggystardust]

Yes, I realise I have made a monumental mistake. Taking too much time mulling over my own doubts in my capabilities about a job I had not even started yet and then voicing then to the client has indeed now sewn the seeds of doubt in their minds and ruined my chances, even if I were to discuss the matter with them. I wasn't 100% comfortable with the working practices/terms 'you'll be doing part of one role and some of another' because it's not a full project manager role etc. so it wasn't very clear from the outset. Perhaps gaining more experience in a fixed term contract or perm rule is the way forward first. ..

[TheFaQQer]

sewn the seeds of doubt

sown

[NotAllThere]

The client impressed on me during the interview that the role isn't a straight forward Project Manager role as it is more change process delivery driven amongst other things. However this morning I sent HR an email stating that I didn't feel I had enough experience as a Project Manager to competently deliver and could be out of my depth on what are large projects, what with my experience and skills mainly being PMO at programme and portfolio level. They've replied to say that they're obviously disappointed as both they and the other client were confident in my abilities and is there anything that they can do to address or allay my concerns or negotiate. I feel in an awkward position now as they already know I'm not confident in doing the role after considering it so I fear the damage has been done . I was due to start this morning (haven't signed the contract).

They still want you. Stop mucking about and get on with it.

[gigahoe]

What is a standard project manager role anyway? I've been doing it for 9 years almost (eurgh, I feel old) and very few projects are the same and require the same out of you, and there's even less similarity when you move teams, or companies. Some PM roles you get on jobserve etc are clearly program manager roles and at the other end sometimes they just want you to write some minutes and maybe update a document or two.

[SteelyDan]

Perhaps gaining more experience in a fixed term contract or perm rule is the way forward first. ..

Yep..NCOTBAC

[northernladuk]

Just out if interest what was the rate for this gig?

[ziggystardust]

Just out if interest what was the rate for this gig?

£50ph