Choosing whether to go contracting or stay in a permanent project management role isn’t always that clear
In this podcast we discuss some of the merits of permanent and contract roles as a project (or program) manager, and consider the factors that you might want to consider when deciding what’s right for you.
There are a number of factors to consider: These include – how much experience you have, how specialist you are and whether money is your main driver? And whether you fit in with the culture of a company.
Show notes:
PERMANENT
- base salary
- company car
- pension
- other fringe benefits
- training (usually paid for)
- progression/transition
- mentoring
- redundancy
- security/stability
- experience depends on employer
CONTRACT
- IS usually paid more
- admin hassle
- need to manage your own money
- keep a buffer (both for the taxman and in case you are on the bench) min 6M but ideally 1yr
- take renewals – evidence of this shows competence
- will depend on the amount of risk you want to take
- exposure to different ways of working and cultures
- easy to leave a nightmare role
- some people just don’t feel comfortable with permanent employment and the obligation that brings
- you may get the rubbish jobs
- can be a good option to see if you like the culture and then move to perm
- IR35 – a UK challenge
- fixed term salaried role – not such a good deal for you
- agency ‘directly employed’ model – ditto
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