Job offer-- dilemma!

[Oli]

A little before Christmas, I applied for a job and got an interview. The interview was very hard to gauge, as half of it seemed to be on health and safety (the job is a Technician at a broadcaster), so I came out feeling a bit perplexed, and wondering what i'd do if I got offered the job.

Anyway, shoot forward to today, and i've been offered it. Now the issue is, is that it's a 6month contract, but they're wanting to push it longer to 9months, and there's likely to be other positions around because of the nature of the company.

I don't dislike my current job, I actually quite enjoy it, and I work with some really great people-- there's just no progression there at all, and I've lived with cr@p housemates for over a year, and i've become a bit disenfranchised with the area. The new job would be back in London, which is where i'd like to be.

So, the question: Is it foolhardy to leave a reasonably secure job that I enjoy, but where i'm not happy where i'm living. Or, do I take a job that may only have a 6 month lifespan (but equally could be a much longer term thing), and move back to London where I'd like to be?

There's some wise ol' folks on here... and I'm pretty sure that one of you works for the company that i've got the offer for! Not saying who, though :)

[FELINEGUITARS]

If the work at the new job is work you will enjoy then go for it.
You are young and life should offer adventures for you  still.
It'll bring you back to London and will be a good resume enhancer too

Don't burn your bridges with current employer, but explain that the social changes that come with the other position - you never know when friendly terms with an ex-boss will be a good thing.

The only aspect I can't really advise is the uncertainty of a 6 month or 9 month contract vs a fairly safe ongoing position where you are.

You will probably have to start looking for work again within a few months of starting the new job , just to be sure to have a fall back position if the contract doesn't keep getting extended.

[Twinfan]

I've fairly recently left a permanent job with a secure company, where I'd been for 13 years.  I was in a similar position to you with minimal pay rises in recent years (but nice bonuses), no career progression and rapidly increasing stress/hassle.

I bit the bullet, resigned and now work as an independent contractor, 2 months into a 12 month contract.  I didn't burn any bridges and left on good terms with my previous employer, and I'm learning a heck of a lot in my new role.  Yes it's a gamble, but I decided you only live once and there's plenty of contract work in my field at the moment.

Only you can decide if you're prepared to give up your job security and if you think you can find something else should it all end in 6 months...

[dave_mc]

Only you can decide if you're prepared to give up your job security and if you think you can find something else should it all end in 6 months...

+1

it really is one of those ones where you have to make your own mind up (and might be sorry if you don't).

[Frank]

I worked permanent jobs all my life until about 10 years ago when I started as a contractor. Never looked back, I can pretty much walk out of one contract into another, the pay's better and I cantake extended holidays if I don't fancy working for a while. I couldn't imagine working a perm job again, I go out of my mind after about 6 months in one office.

[Chris]

All depends on your commitments I'd say - I would personally be too nervous to do that now that I have a mortgage and a child to feed and clothe, but five years ago, yeah, I'd have traded in some security for living in my ideal place doing something I like.

Whatever you end up deciding, congrats on the job offer anyway - even if you don't take the plunge it must be good to know that you were the best guy out of all that applied  :)

[mikeluke]

C'mon - spill the beans - which company?

[Andrew W]

I spent the first ten years of my career working contracts and only became full time at Double Negative (my current employer) because I'd worked there for 4 years straight and European law mandates it. In these times unless you're a funeral director I'm not sure the notion of a secure job has as much currency as it once did. I know many people who've been laid off from permanent jobs. I think contract work feels risky but the reality is generally there's often little difference.

I have personally always gone the route that I think will make me happier in the here and now as planning too far into the future becomes too much of a guessing game to make much sense. That said I work in film visual effects, which is not noted for its security at any level so your mileage may vary.

My two cents.

[Ian Price]

Agree with what Dave has said here - only you can decide if you take it or leave it! My personal situation dictates that I couldn't take a risk at the moment - that is mainly because I have 4 kids to feed and a partner who is on maternity leave.

Good luck with whatever decision you make though - hope it works out for you!

[38thBeatle]

I'd say, remember that you applied for it in the first place- which must mean at some level that you desired change so maybe this is what you are looking for. In this day and age is there a permanent job ?

[gwEm]

London is a place thats hard to leave. I'd be taking the contract if it was me - but it isn't ;)

[AndyR]

Wise words from folks so far.

I've got some more that might be useful in your situation. They come from my Dad 30-odd years ago (and he got them from someone else):

"Decide where you want to live. Then get a job that you can reach from there. You're less likely to be content doing it the other way round..."

Although this seems to work in my experience, I'm not entirely sure that it's so easy to do nowadays... But it does sound like you have a chance to give it a go at the moment?

Good luck with what ever you decide :D

[Oli]

"Decide where you want to live. Then get a job that you can reach from there. You're less likely to be content doing it the other way round..."

Yes, I made the move of 'good job, new location', and the location just hasn't worked out, so I feel that it'd be best to do it the 'right' way.

Thanks for the advice guys-- I'm going to go for it, but it doesn't stop me having a lot of guilt/bad feelings for my colleagues, i've only been there a year & they were wanting someone who would stay a bit longer. That said, it's not often that I do something 'selfish', but this isn't an everyday situation!

Just need to sort out the leaving date now... expect a thread in a couple of months with the title 'I left my dream job... and ruined my life' ;)

[Twinfan]

Good luck mate!

[Oli]

Good luck mate!

Thanks! Will update when there's movement :)

Oh yea, Andrew W, I've got a mate that's working at DNeg-- from what I gather it's a pretty big place, but Ben works in the tech dept (I think-- he works to keep the rendering systems working)