The bird in the hand, or the two in the bush...

[KornGeek]

Since January of this year, I've been working a series of temporary assignments through placement agencies while seeking full-time employment. My family has been without insurance for most of this time, and there have been several dry spells.

Right now, I'm working an assignment for well below my standard rate. Essentially, I took it because I was desperate for money, but it doesn't pay enough to cover the bills long-term. They have been very pleased with me and are beginning to set things in motion to hire me directly. However, I recently found out what the position would pay and while it would have great benefits, it wouldn't cover my monthly bills.

I've been in talks with a second company, and I expect that they are likely to present me with a job offer in the near future. The benefits wouldn't be very good, but the pay would be enough to scrape by.

I've recently been put into contact with a friend-of-a-friend who works for a third company. This company could also use somebody with my skillset. While I haven't had much opportunity to speak with them about the position, my understanding is that the benefits would be pretty good, and the pay would be enough to get by, plus a little extra to help recover from the long dry spell.

I'm torn about what to do.

I like working at Company A. I don't want to throw it away if nothing else materializes. At the same time, I know they can't offer enough to cover my bills, and I don't want them to waste effort setting things in motion if I'm just going to leave.

Company B looks promising. They seem very interested, and I think I would enjoy it enough. Then again, I've had several promising leads turn to nothing, and the pay and benefits package is barely enough.

Company C looks like it would be ideal. It would offer a degree of stability that I have been lacking for some time. On the other hand, it would likely take some time before coming about, and may not turn into anything in the end.

I want to get the best deal for myself and my family without screwing over any of the companies (such as accepting a job, then turning around and accepting a different one within the month). Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[Thargy]

Korngeek,

after your excellent posting advising how to handle buttheads, I quail to answer. However, here goes nothing...

I was a contractor, they liked my work, and made me an offer I couldn't refuse, to recruit me. I now have two thirds of my contract income as a permie, which is good money by most people's standards. I believe that you are the other side of the pond, so that's the thick end of $90K in your money.

However, I am slowly but surely going down the financial pan. As a permie, you just don't get the same amount as you do contract. Throw in a good accountant to cut the tax bill and there you are. I too am responsible for a wife and three children, so my mind has to stay focused.

I believe that you are missing the point. It's nothing to do with companies and/or potential earnings, it's to do with paying the bills now! If you aren't getting enough wedge each month, do you want to wait until you are financially resourceless, and take anything (out of desperation), or act now whilst you still have a small reserve, and shoot for a high paying job?

It sounds like you need to up the monthly income pronto. Don't wait until you are broke. Money doesn't make you happy, but it does give you choices. You need to be in a position to choose $85K instead of $60K. Don't hang about me ol' fruit, go and get some dosh quick. Once you are in the clear, think again at comfortable leisure, with some cash in the bank to tide you over.

Regards,

a suborned contractor turncoat, who's gone permie.

T

Grinding away at things Oracular

 

[KornGeek]

thargtheslayer,

I understand what you're saying about going for more money immediately (which would probably mean chasing Company B), but my concern is that if it doesn't happen (which has happened to me several times already), I risk losing what income I currently have. After all, some income is much better than none.

 

[AlexCuse]

I agree with Tharg that you need to go for the loot, but why not politely tell company A that you would like to stay on as a contractor for a month or two and see how things go? That way if something does materialize with B or C, you are not walking away from a full time position when you go. And if nothing materializes, you are no worse off than when you started.

Good Luck,

Alex


A wise man once said
"The only thing normal about database guys is their tables".

 

[KornGeek]

Alex,

That was my original plan, but the amount that the placement company charges each month makes that a difficult pill for them to swallow.

The more I think about it, the more I think I need to let them (Company A) know that I can't accept a full time job. If they pay the referral fee to the placement company, and then I turn around and leave, that's going to leave people with hurt feelings. If I'm upfront, they'll probably still want me to stay as a temp for a little while.

What would Brian Boitano do?

 

[RandeKnight]

Have you tried explaining to company A that you literally cannot live on what they are offering?
Perhaps a compromise that if they pay the referral fee and a living wage, you will sign a contract to stick with them for 2 years on pain of repaying the fee?

 

[NickFerrar]

If Company A is only offering you a rate below your market value then personally I'd have no sense of loyalty to them. If it helps you and your family get by for a few months until you can see if Company C works out then go for it. Most companies put profit before people anyway so I wouldn't lose sleep over them being out of pocket a couple of grand.

 

[LadySlinger]

I would definitely bargain with Company A. Their offer may sound tempting, but if the steady income still means that you are "in the hole", even with good benies, then you have to keep going until something perminant can allow you to be comfortable on a monthly basis.

 

[gbaughma]

KornGeek:

Keep in mind as well, that they've been paying a premium (of like 30%+) to the temporary agency for your services. In other words, if you're getting $20/hour, they're probably paying the temp agency between $25 and $30 an hour to have you. If they're paying $30, they could still offer you $25 and be ahead of the game on their books, and help you out as well.

Keep in mind, once you're hired, then you're stuck with the normal raises. I remember getting hired here, with a "We're going to try you out for 6 months, then give you a good increase." The boss who promised that didn't last the 6 months.

There is some negotiation room for Company A where they would still save money, but be able to help you a little more financially.



Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[KornGeek]

Thanks for all the feedback. My current plan is to do nothing until after the weekend. I'm meeting with Company B on Saturday, and I expect to either have an offer or a good idea of whether or not to expect one. On Monday, I will speak with Company A and either (if I get an offer) explain that I will finish my contract, but there is no need to extend it, or (if I don't get an offer) explain that I cannot afford to take a permanent position with them, but that I'm willing to continue to work via the temp agency.

To provide more insight into the companies:
Company A is not a profit-driven company. They are a school district. This means they are unionized, and have very little flexibility in terms of adjusting the pay for a position and very little budget to afford it. The plus side is that I was able to review exactly what the salary range is for each position. Even my immediate supervisor is earning below what I could earn at Company B, and there's no way the could justify paying me more than my supervisor. Although the pay is inferior, they do offer trainings, which could help me get my skills up to date (which has been my biggest obstacle while job hunting).

Company B is a very small company. I would have to wear many hats, but would get more ownership of my code. If the company continues to grow, I would be in a position to be a senior member of the company and I would have more clout. However, if they hit a downturn, things can get ugly fast.

Company C is a larger company with offices throughout the United States. I would be travelling about one week a month (which is both a good and bad thing). When not travelling, I would generally be able to work from home (again, has its good and bad points).

Company D contacted me yesterday. This is a place where I previously interviewed, but they were seeking a junior level programmer at the time. I need to speak with them again to find out if their needs have changed, or if this is still the same deal. Their IT department seems like a good place to work, but as a company, their ethics have been called into question. If I didn't need a stable job so badly, I would categorically rule out any position at this company because I believe they treat their clients poorly and are nearly running a scam. However, at the end of the day, I would be doing honest work and collecting an honest paycheck.

 

[KornGeek]

I had my meeting with Company B, and things went very well. I expect an offer later this week.

I just got finished talking with the head of my department at Company A, and had the best possible outcome of that meeting. I simply explained that I was expecting a permanent job offer and that I didn't want them to spend resources finding funding for me if I wasn't going to be available. He was supportive and said that I shouldn't turn down a permanent position. He also said that they are going to continue pursuing the funding because he wants to add somebody either way.

Still no word from Company C.

I haven't been able to reach the person from Company D yet.

 

[gbaughma]

KornGeek:

Sounds like it's panning out for you. Congratulations.



Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[KornGeek]

To update this,

Company B came through with a job offer today. Company A is being very understanding and supportive. It's bittersweet leaving such a positive environment for a more stable offer.

 

[lespaul]

Are congratulations in order? Did you take the offer? Did the pay & benefits come out better than you expected?

leslie

 

[KornGeek]

I'm pretty happy about it. I did accept the offer. Pay and benefits weren't as good as I wanted, but they were what I expected based on our conversations. They also agreed to a review with eligibility for a raise after 6 months.

 

[aarenot]

my sister used to be a recruiter for an agaency like you work for. they get a commission not on of you accept the job, but if you stay a predetermined amount of time.