Hi all, I've been in a dilemma at the moment. I have an offer that I think could benefit me in my career path. It is with 40% increment but the downside, it is a one year contract job. My current salary is just enough to live day by day without any savings at the end of the month but at least I'm a permanent employee at the company. With current economic issue and the pandemic that is happening, is it wise that I take the opportunity now or should I play it safe? Opportunity doesn't always come but uncertainty in jobs security also could cost me in the future.

Edited ( 30th Dec 2022)

Well, last 2 years+ had been good to me. The client decided to absorb me as their staff. My salary doubled from the last time I create this post. I was blessed with a child during the pandemic. I was still healthy and fairly happy for now. Covid virgin wei. Looking back it really was a gamble, i thankful to God for this rezeki.

I'm looking forward for next year challenges and blessings.

This post has been edited by jadjad: Dec 31 2022, 12:12 AM

at this time, better you stick with your job, at least you are still getting paid.

Changing job at this time is really really bad, the one who offer you 40% may lay you off anytime with minimal notice...

You already said contract so just do freelance lah

Well, do u have enough back up savings in case the 2nd month they decide to lay u off? If not, then dont

Forgot to include in the post, I am working in an IT industry at the moment. The new job offer is in Banking sector. No, I don't have any savings now, and my credit card debt is piling up. I don't use my cc to buy stupid things, a lot of it was use to fix my old car which I need to go to work.

i dont recommend to switch. however, the 40% might help your cc debt there.

Well seems like u desperate needs the 40%...
But its risky too since its just contract

Contact one year is too short

bro, how much is the 40% which you are talking about. if you are paid somewhere around RM2.5k now and your talking about 40%? it's not worth the move but if you are paid something slightly over RM8k and that i may consider. Alot of uncertainty at the moment so unless the reward of 40% is huge enough for you to risk it, else better not.

TS every decision have consequences, and pros and cons. I wont decide for you, but here are some pointers:

If you stayed, you might regret why you didnt take the chance and fret and cause work problems. If you quit and accept the new job and things turned out worse, you might regret why you quit the old job.

> 1 year contract, quite short
> Uncertain times with virus and recession
> If you start work in april or may, assuming that virus died down next month, i doubt you will learn much too within the 1 year period considering current situation
> After 1 year, you need to find another job, many people might be laid off by then and you might need to compete with many people.

Like I said, every decision has pros and cons, just accept whatever and do your best and dont regret on the past. It wont help you.

But one thing for sure, always keep a lookout for jobs align with your career goals. Always have an escape route planned at any given situation.

This post has been edited by Financier: Mar 20 2020, 07:15 PM

Contract position can pay you well
Pros, you got more money to spend. Before complete the contract, probably can get offer permanent and get increment.
Cons, can be transferred easily to other project (depends on contract), your contract not extend.
Do you have fixed commitments? NO?
You’re in which industry? IT?

No + IT, you can consider to accept, if not hard to say lah. Not a good time right now

Thanks for the positive vibe, that's what I keep telling myself. But deep down, I can't deny that I am worrying about making a bad decision.

Yup, that's the thing. Do it or do not do it - you will regret both. I am aware of the cons in working as contract. I already plan to take professional cert with the extra money during my tenure with the new job. At least after I settle all the debt.

Currently fix commitments is about 20% of my salary. Others like rent, mobile plan, petrol and toll, etc is about 65%+-. I only left with less 15% for me to survive until end of month. Luckily the car that I used is my family old car, just need money to maintain/fix. But now parts keep having problems, can't complain much since it already old. I am in IT, networking.

Your priorities now is debt right?

> CC payments, low hanging fruit. Can settle immediate if you get this new job.
> Career, long term. This is a slow process and takes years and decades to build.

If youre young, say around 22-25, yes you still have time to explore, by all means try out the new job. Once you reach a certain age, say at 30, you really need to decide on what you want to specialize already, because the job market wont be as forgiving as when you were at 25 and clueless.

25 and clueless - "Its fine, hes still fresh out of uni and learning the ropes. Give him some time he'll figure out"

30 and clueless - "Seriously what have you been doing for the past 5 years? Pick a damn trade and specialize man"

I've seen many mid-managers, even heads who are absolutely clueless and cant lead teams and solve tasks. Not only that, they even cause trouble along the way.

You dont want to be that manager or at least a "specialist" who is not only deemed incompetent by subordinates and higher-ups, but causes problems. Its detrimental to everyone.

But remember that, if you dont act with urgency, others will act, and they will act faster, better than you. Then by the time you reach a level, the people around you are already 2-3 levels above you and you just cant catch up with them anymore.

So, pounce on the opportunities given to you and do a damn frickin good job at it, if that path is what you really want.

All the best.

This post has been edited by Financier: Mar 21 2020, 12:11 AM

if IT Networking, can get better job after 1 year hand on with router/switch/linux environment etc..

I will be starting my new contract job tomorrow. On my last day of my previous job, I felt relieved cause after this I can start fresh, new environment, new pay and new opportunity to prove myself. But then due to current situation, the panic start to kick in, cause of LIFO. There is no turning back now. Godspeed.

If it's freelance, then it has to be something that lasts you quite a period of time. Some freelance jobs are only for a 3month (or less) period. May want to find something more solid tbh.

tell me, your current company doing well? do they give u bonus or increment? if not, why dont go contract role?

Since you are tight on money, the last thing you want is to get terminated in the middle of the contract, or without a job once the contract ends.

So i dun think its wise to accept the job offer.