Submitted by dagwood on
in
Forums
Hi,
I have been reading the site for a while and have an issue I need advice on.
1) I am currently in a job I dislike. My skills are not being used and I am not challenged.
2) I interviewed for a full time position with a company through a recruiter. The recruiter told me after the interview that the company said they are not convinced that my skills will be usable beyond the current project. They have changed the offer to a six month contract offer. I have zero concern that my technical skills are less than the company is looking for and know I can prove my worth in the six month time frame.
3) I can always go back to my old job as I did not burn bridges however I must go back on the road to take the position.
I am not sure which path to pursue. Once on the job that has been offered I am confident I can prove myself. I do not want to go back on the road except as a last resort. The current job is horrible but I can live with it if I have to.
Any advice is appreciated.
dagwood
Offer questions
Sounds like it's a pretty low risk proposition except for the fact that you'd be on the road if you went back to the former job.
That said, a lot can happen in the six months that you're a contractor. For example, if there are financial stresses in the company, a contractor will most likely be the first head on the chopping block.
Offer questions
At the moment here is what I think, and I have not had time to digest this well yet:
I am sorry Barbara (not the real name but the lady from the recruiting company) but I feel like I am being played so I will decline the offer. I will stay where I am.
Thoughts:
Suck up the bad job and continue to search for a better one. Be superior at the bad job in the mean time.
My reaction is knee jerk and I know it. Knee jerk reactions are usually bad and I think this one is equally bad however here is my reasoning:
1) It may not be the company that wants the consulting terms - it may be the recruiter because they make more money for a consultant than an FTE.
2) It was unethical for the company to advertise and solicit for an FTE and then change it to a consultant position.
3) The money is better at the current job which is bad (the job not the money - the money is $5,000 better at the current job than the offer however the work is much more rewarding to me in the new job - money isn't the issue), but if I show weakness in this process and take the lower money as a consultant rather than hold my ground as an FTE I am giving away any future I have at the new company for raises or bonus plans. They will see the weakness and I am finished.
I am non plussed here.
dagwood
Offer questions
[quote="dagwood"]
I am sorry Barbara (not the real name but the lady from the recruiting company) but I feel like I am being played so I will decline the offer. I will stay where I am.
[/quote]
Er, I wouldn't put it that way. I've been on both sides of similar situations -- both offering and being offered limited-term positions when I was expecting permanent positions. I don't really know what happened when I was on the receiving end. When I was on the offering end, the position actually was eliminated due to budget cuts, and we got it put partially back with the expectation it would only last six months. You just can't know what's really going that might have changed the terms of the position.
I don't see an ethical problem with making a temp offer, though it is unfortunate. I won't try to get you to change your decision, but I would suggest you think about how you decline.
[quote]
Barbara, I'm sorry, but I've decided to decline the offer. This was a very difficult decision for me, because it was a very interesting opportunity and I feel I could have contributed, but I've decided that a temporary position is not a good career move for me.
[/quote]
I also encourage you to listen to the Interview Series for tips on how to deliver that message in a way that doesn't burn bridges, in case they decide in the future that a permanent position is possible.
tc>
Offer questions
TC,
I have the series and have listened to it several times. I of course will decline, (assuming I decline), with "home training".
Those of us raised in the deep south have always said "home training" when we meant manners. I had not thought of Thank You notes prior to the M&M podcasts but once I listened I realized that my mom, grandmother and great grandmother sent them out on every family occasion even when the person getting them lived two doors down.
"Gee, - just like the jitterbug - so simple it plum evaded me."
Your Quote ---- Barbara, I'm sorry, but I've decided to decline the offer. This was a very difficult decision for me, because it was a very interesting opportunity and I feel I could have contributed, but I've decided that a temporary position is not a good career move for me.
Well put and probably better than I would have come up with. To be honest I am so up in the air right now I am not sure what I am gonna do. Thanks for the advice and rest assured it is being seriously considered.
Many thanks,
dagwood
Offer questions
[quote="dagwood"]TYour Quote ---- Barbara, I'm sorry, but I've decided to decline the offer. This was a very difficult decision for me, because it was a very interesting opportunity and I feel I could have contributed, but I've decided that a temporary position is not a good career move for me.[/quote]
Dag-
Being a contractor isn't always the worst thing that can happen. You might find out you like it and want to do this serially. People will call you nuts.
You'll call yourself an entreprenuer.
Good luck!
Offer questions
Dagwood-
First, stop saying home training. Lots of folks don't know what it means (it is NOT widely southern, only narrowly so), and it is irritating to many Northerners who do know what you mean. They were raised in homes too.
Second, I am not sure I ever got enough information to tell you what to do, but I can say I would NEVER recommend you tell a recruiter you're being played. I don't know where you surmised that, but it's from stuff not in evidence to me. I SURELY wouldn't say that if you were guessing.
Turn it down. Be nice. Follow the cast.
Mark
Offer questions
[quote="mahorstman"]Dagwood-
First, stop saying home training. Lots of folks don't know what it means (it is NOT widely southern, only narrowly so), and it is irritating to many Northerners who do know what you mean. They were raised in homes too.
[/quote]
Good advice accepted.
[quote="mahorstman"]
Second, I am not sure I ever got enough information to tell you what to do, but I can say I would NEVER recommend you tell a recruiter you're being played. I don't know where you surmised that, but it's from stuff not in evidence to me. I SURELY wouldn't say that if you were guessing.
Turn it down. Be nice. Follow the cast.
Mark[/quote]
I think this comment was part of my anger at the situation. I stand corrected and will follow the advice.
Thanks Mark.
dagwood