As per the title really, I've been offered a perm role recently at the place I am contracting*, and am tempted to take it. I'm just ruminating in my head about why I started contracting in the first place and whether the perm is worth it.
Most people who I know contracting, do it for the money, but I know a few who don't. Anyway for me:
Holidays - I like to backpack. I generally work 3 months on, backpack for 3 weeks, repeat. Occasionally some of the backpacking time is working remotely, but I am happy to be on a beach in Cambodia working, or logging in from a hotel in Moscow, or debugging while on an overnight bus in Guatemala. The important thing is the contracting lets me travel.
Money - It's nice, but honestly once I reached the £50k a year point anything over is nice, but not really important. I could probably mint it contracting, but I tend to turn down projects that would require longer term commitment or less breaks. Enough to live + travel = better than loads of dosh + unhappy life.
Anyway, the contract I am on has offered me a perm role, with generous holiday, but more importantly a "you can spend one month a year working remotely no questions asked" clause. Which means I get the perks of perm, plus the main perk of contracting for me. (Also the office politics, having to work around other people timetables etc, hence I am still debating.)
So what would be your tipping point? What could a perm role offer to make you leave the contracting life? Or is it as simple as "nothing, I want to be my own boss?"
*IR35 would not apply. It would be related but totally different role.
Most people who I know contracting, do it for the money, but I know a few who don't. Anyway for me:
Holidays - I like to backpack. I generally work 3 months on, backpack for 3 weeks, repeat. Occasionally some of the backpacking time is working remotely, but I am happy to be on a beach in Cambodia working, or logging in from a hotel in Moscow, or debugging while on an overnight bus in Guatemala. The important thing is the contracting lets me travel.
Money - It's nice, but honestly once I reached the £50k a year point anything over is nice, but not really important. I could probably mint it contracting, but I tend to turn down projects that would require longer term commitment or less breaks. Enough to live + travel = better than loads of dosh + unhappy life.
Anyway, the contract I am on has offered me a perm role, with generous holiday, but more importantly a "you can spend one month a year working remotely no questions asked" clause. Which means I get the perks of perm, plus the main perk of contracting for me. (Also the office politics, having to work around other people timetables etc, hence I am still debating.)
So what would be your tipping point? What could a perm role offer to make you leave the contracting life? Or is it as simple as "nothing, I want to be my own boss?"
*IR35 would not apply. It would be related but totally different role.
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