Moorron
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 posted on 19/2/11 at 09:18 PM |
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job related question
Hi guys i have a small problem/question regarding work.
Ive been out of work for some time now and am looking for an engineering (3D cad) job as close to home as possible as i dont like travelling and enjoy
my evenings. Ive had it easy for the last 12 years only working 35 hours a week and on a good salary only 7 miles from home meaning i got home at
4:10. But i need an income ASAP.
So last friday after many months of applying to local firms i got not one phone call but three! two of them for work i have applied for and one other.
one of the 2 is only 3 miles from home, on an ok wage and i have been put forward for an interview, the other one is abit further away at 20 miles but
better paid.
I know these 2 arent even confirmed at the interview stage yet let alone getting offered the job but its the third one that has me dithering.
Basically its a 3 month contract at a firm 30 miles away doing exactly what i am good at, 3D solidworks with sheet metal fabrication but i have never
done contracting before so dont know what to expect. is it less stressfull than a full time job? i have worked with contractors who i thought were the
lazyest people about without deadlines for any of their work, it may lead to an extended contract or perm job. Its 40 hours a week meaning i loose my
evenings playing with my toys (7:30 set out and home by 6) but the money is frankly huge to what i am use too, over twice infact.
I have an interview on monday and as they are looking for 4 people i have been told i am the strongest applicant due to my history and skills.
If offered do i take it?
Are there any contract engineers here who can explain how an 'umbrella' company works with my wages?
Any tips are welcome.
cheers
Sorry about my spelling, im an engineer and only work in numbers.
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HowardB
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 09:24 PM |
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good luck
Howard
Fisher Fury was 2000 Zetec - now a 1600 (it Lives again  and goes zoom)
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Miks15
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 09:29 PM |
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Personally I think, since its 3 months to start with on good money I say go for it, after 3 months if its not working out you can walk away with more
money for toys. Baring in mind this is coming from a broke student but just what I think
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mookaloid
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 09:35 PM |
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follow the big money for 3 months maybe more - or settle for half the money for a job that might be permanent or might only last 3 months if they
decide they don't like you? mmmmmmmmmmmm
No brainer - follow the money 
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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D Beddows
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 10:33 PM |
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3 or 4 years ago I'd have said go with the money cos there will be another job along whenever you want it......... now, after 14 months of
unemployment (architectural cad monkey mind you rather than mechanical) I went for a lot less money initialy but potentialy a longer, more prosperous
future because the work realy isn't out there anymore 
[Edited on 19/2/11 by D Beddows]
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craig1410
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 10:40 PM |
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Agreed, take it if you are offered it. If you don't like it then you can always leave but since it's only 3 months (to begin with at
least) I'd be looking to stay the course and get a good reference at the end. Don't worry about the hours if you are getting paid twice as
much because you can take 3 months holiday afterwards if you like! 
However, make sure you put some of the money aside either via pension or savings and consider some sort of illness cover just in case you are unable
to work through illness. As an employee you will often have benefits such as these but as a contractor you need to look after this yourself. You might
also need to get up to speed on self assessment tax returns if you're not doing them already.
To be successful it is often WHO you know as much as WHAT you know and contracting is often a good way to expand your network of working
acquaintances. You will also pick up a wider variety of skills and if you want to go back to permanent work later then you have a better idea what
sort of employer or industry suits you best.
Good luck,
Craig.
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MikeR
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 11:10 PM |
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Are you sure its MORE money?????
Might seem a silly question but how are you being paid? In IT frequently they pay you a lump of money. From that you have to take the employers
national insurance and pay corporation tax (as well as pay for setting up a private company and paying an accountant to do your books). Then when you
get paid you have to pay employee national insurance and normal income tax.
Reality is - you don't get paid as much as you think.
The alternative is to go via an umbrella company and they do some of the work for you and you still don't get what 'your employer'
is paying you.
Also, what will you paid in total? Take into account holidays, sick pay, bank holiday - all things permie's get paid for that you won't.
In the next three months there are a lot of bank holidays.
Finally ....... what will you get paid equiv per hour from leaving the house to getting back in between jobs, makes high paid distance jobs a lot less
appealing.
(unemployed 9 months - been seriously looking for 3 and getting nervous, sick of the lack of response from agents)
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StevieB
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 11:40 PM |
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I've been working freelance on a similar basis for nearly 4 years now, having set up my own limited company.
It's a valid point made about looking at the costs involved, which you need to consider. However it should still work out better in your pocket
as there are certain advantages you can have for yourself (taking 40p per mile tax free for you commute for a start) and also the rate should be
higher to sompensate for lack of holidays and risk too (you'll probbaly have 1 weeks notic ein your contract).
Yes you will have to cover your own income tax and NI etc, but your pay packet should still be about 10% above the equivelant salary being subject to
PAYE deductions.
There is a lot of perception around that contract staff are lazy and money grabbing, but this is usually just what employees tell themselves (and each
other) to make them feel better about that person earning more money than they do and having less stress.
I commit myself to my clients every need and basically treat life as if I were an employee looking to climb the ladder by excelling at my job. In my
role, the stress free bit comes from not having to care about politics and whether people are making the right decisions - I simply make my
recommendations, they decide and then I do what they wanting, making sure any decision not to follow my advice is well documented along the way.
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norfolkluego
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| posted on 20/2/11 at 01:39 AM |
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I work with lots of contractors (doing the same job), frankly I'm an idiot not doing what they do.
Take it.
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ReMan
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| posted on 20/2/11 at 08:07 AM |
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With all due respect, If I was an employer and I read the criteria(barriers) you are placing on you employ then I would be wary of taking you over
another
Near to home, late start early finish etc As you admit you've had it eash for 12 years, but 12 years on the job market is a bit different!
I'd be looking to get into any (reasonable) job asap and then start being selective once the toy money is flowing in again
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 20/2/11 at 08:27 AM |
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Don't think I have ever worked within 7 miles of a job in 28 years, when I got made redundant I wasn't picky, I went out there and got
myself a job asap. Having a family and mortgage to look after.
The job I took was for less money and I had to travel 55 miles in each direction, best career move I ever made as it turned out. I did this journey
for 7 years before moving house!!
I got promoted quickly and eventually left to start my own business.
I have been made redundant twice and in both occasions I travelled for work. 3 months is not a lot of time and setting up your own company is not
difficult and not that expensive, You will never regret going self employed and you will wonder why you didn't do it earlier.
Once you have you wont look back trust me!!
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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Dick Axtell
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| posted on 20/2/11 at 12:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR(unemployed 9 months - been seriously looking for 3 and getting nervous, sick of the lack of response from
agents)
What Ho MikeR?? Didn't know this had happened. Guess its tough out there, and will be even tougher as all these public sector folk come on to
the potential employee market. Maybe that should be underlined - you're not unemployed, guys, you are all "potential
employees".
Keep that thought in mind as an aid to positivity.
Moorron - In case the need arises for limited liability company creation, check out http://www.simpleformations.com/#formation.
Haven't used their services, but another club's members have.
Seems to be good advice from other replies. Good luck, with whatever decision you reach.
Work-in-Progress: Changed to Zetec + T9. Still trying!!
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Moorron
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| posted on 20/2/11 at 02:02 PM |
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Many thanks for the replies.
Im just the type to not like change, after having my only job for 12 years anything is a scary to me. My missus seems to think its ok and after i have
got use to the traveling (1 hours) each way then i should enjoy it.
I only say this as after redundancy last year i got a job right away, but it was the worst thing i have ever done. So much pressure for so little
money, boss was rude and none supporting, sales team was also rude and gave half baked sketches of customers requirements and then shouted at you when
you tried to clarify some of the information. Everyone was really misrable there and i felt i would be better off in a chinese factory!
So with having the same surroundings for 12 years, then having that job i do feel shy to any new work as i feel its going to be like that again. Im
fine with interviews and am a happy, willing guy but its the unkown that worries me. Having the attitude of 'no harm in trying' fell flat
on its face at that job and i feel the same will happen again.
As for the contracting job i feel it will be a good move and will help with my above problems. A friend does IT contracting and has urged me to do
this for years but i never did. He is well off and tells me that the extra tax is offset by the things i can claim for (fuel, food and the like).
This job also seems urgent, i feel if the interview is fine then they want a start next day, but the agent has said it £20/Hour minimum yet the going
rate seems to be £30/hour. How do i haggle this as i dont want to be greedy but not ripped off either?
looking forward to the interview now. 
Sorry about my spelling, im an engineer and only work in numbers.
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