An attractive opportunity came up, but I'm scared of leaving an already-great job in the middle of a pandemic. Because I'm switching from a big corporate firm to a smaller local one, I expect to make the same as I do now, but maybe with more responsibilities. Wondering if it's reasonable to ask for a minimum contract length of 1 year...?
citizen
Jul 30, 20 6:37 pm
Great question and big quandary. One key variable that occurs to me is whether or not the "big corporate firm" might be likelier to cut staff if things go further south. Of course, a smaller shop has its own challenges, so this could be a wash.
Overall, I'd be nervous about making a big change if you've got an already-great gig.
SneakyPete
Jul 30, 20 6:45 pm
Be open and communicative. If they don't appreciate that, you have learned something about that firm.
Non Sequitur
Jul 30, 20 7:03 pm
interesting, is it within the same city/area?
I’ve never heard of A time-based contract As part of offer before unless the firm either has invested $ to relocate you or you’re buying into its ownership.., and either one is for the firm’s interest/protection, not tHe applicant.
bowling_ball
Jul 30, 20 8:30 pm
Important point and I agree - Time based contacts are to protect the employer. After all, as a contracted employee, what's your recourse if things go south? Nothing, that's what. If the firm can't pay its bills, it's not going to honor that contract.
b3tadine[sutures]
Jul 31, 20 5:45 pm
Do it. Do your homework, make sure the work is not in some spiraling market, if all is good, go. Don't look back.
sameolddoctor
Jul 31, 20 6:25 pm
This is a stupid idea, especially as you love your job (and Im hoping they love you too). I know of someone who quit an OK job just before the lockdowns started here, did WFH for 3 months, and then got furloughed for 3 months, possibly extending to getting laid off.
No firm will do a contract in this business (what do you think, you are a MBA? lol).
This is not the time to follow your passions...
citizen
Jul 31, 20 7:36 pm
^ Unless that passion is for gainful employment.
Non Sequitur
Jul 31, 20 7:40 pm
OP is Canadian. We’re doing much much much better up here.
citizen
Jul 31, 20 8:01 pm
If baseline conditions are better there than elsewhere, that's great, and enviable! But s/he did include the middle-of-a-pandemic qualifier.
bowling_ball
Jul 31, 20 8:29 pm
A good friend (licensed) quit her job last week to take an offer. We're in Canada. Not all markets are the same but if you love your current position, and don't expect a raise at another company, what exactly is the point? Smaller firms tend to carry higher risks in downturns.
midlander
Jul 31, 20 11:08 pm
nothing wrong in principle, but what's attractive about an opportunity to get paid the same in a possibly less stable environment with more responsibilities?
sameolddoctor
Aug 2, 20 6:35 pm
Gotta love the Canada praising, but also need to point out that pay for architects is even more mediocre up north than in the US. Just sayin.
Bench
Aug 2, 20 7:56 pm
Social security costs $. Sure comes in handy during a pandemic though !
Non Sequitur
Aug 2, 20 7:58 pm
Pay is just fine. It’s all relative.
bowling_ball
Aug 3, 20 1:37 am
Yeah I'll take a few percent less in take home pay in exchange for single payer health care and a government that's actually trying to keep people alive during this pandemic. My brother lives and works in the US and despite his success (tech sector), he's looking to leave in exchange for less pay in either Canada or Europe.
randomised
Aug 3, 20 4:12 am
Will be changing jobs myself in a month after the summer holidays, probably just before that second wave will start gaining traction over here. Pay is less, because I want to work less hours, and the commute will be a little longer but that's it. The work will be more interesting, relevant and diverse and should be rather 'rona-proof as around half their work is in some way or other with the Dutch government. And if it all falls apart and doesn't work out and my first contract won't be extended, I have rights for unemployment for about a year or so...Also don't need to worry about health care or day care or any of that stuff as I'm living in a social democracy and have a functioning government.
An attractive opportunity came up, but I'm scared of leaving an already-great job in the middle of a pandemic. Because I'm switching from a big corporate firm to a smaller local one, I expect to make the same as I do now, but maybe with more responsibilities. Wondering if it's reasonable to ask for a minimum contract length of 1 year...?
Great question and big quandary. One key variable that occurs to me is whether or not the "big corporate firm" might be likelier to cut staff if things go further south. Of course, a smaller shop has its own challenges, so this could be a wash.
Overall, I'd be nervous about making a big change if you've got an already-great gig.
Be open and communicative. If they don't appreciate that, you have learned something about that firm.
interesting, is it within the same city/area?
I’ve never heard of A time-based contract As part of offer before unless the firm either has invested $ to relocate you or you’re buying into its ownership.., and either one is for the firm’s interest/protection, not tHe applicant.
Important point and I agree - Time based contacts are to protect the employer. After all, as a contracted employee, what's your recourse if things go south? Nothing, that's what. If the firm can't pay its bills, it's not going to honor that contract.
Do it. Do your homework, make sure the work is not in some spiraling market, if all is good, go. Don't look back.
This is a stupid idea, especially as you love your job (and Im hoping they love you too). I know of someone who quit an OK job just before the lockdowns started here, did WFH for 3 months, and then got furloughed for 3 months, possibly extending to getting laid off.
No firm will do a contract in this business (what do you think, you are a MBA? lol).
This is not the time to follow your passions...
^ Unless that passion is for gainful employment.
OP is Canadian. We’re doing much much much better up here.
If baseline conditions are better there than elsewhere, that's great, and enviable! But s/he did include the middle-of-a-pandemic qualifier.
A good friend (licensed) quit her job last week to take an offer. We're in Canada. Not all markets are the same but if you love your current position, and don't expect a raise at another company, what exactly is the point? Smaller firms tend to carry higher risks in downturns.
nothing wrong in principle, but what's attractive about an opportunity to get paid the same in a possibly less stable environment with more responsibilities?
Gotta love the Canada praising, but also need to point out that pay for architects is even more mediocre up north than in the US. Just sayin.
Social security costs $. Sure comes in handy during a pandemic though !
Pay is just fine. It’s all relative.
Yeah I'll take a few percent less in take home pay in exchange for single payer health care and a government that's actually trying to keep people alive during this pandemic. My brother lives and works in the US and despite his success (tech sector), he's looking to leave in exchange for less pay in either Canada or Europe.
Will be changing jobs myself in a month after the summer holidays, probably just before that second wave will start gaining traction over here. Pay is less, because I want to work less hours, and the commute will be a little longer but that's it. The work will be more interesting, relevant and diverse and should be rather 'rona-proof as around half their work is in some way or other with the Dutch government. And if it all falls apart and doesn't work out and my first contract won't be extended, I have rights for unemployment for about a year or so...Also don't need to worry about health care or day care or any of that stuff as I'm living in a social democracy and have a functioning government.