The job market is terrible and is the only company that would accept me. Should I join as a CW or perm?
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@eb as a CW where I am, there are no raises. Hence CW. It is split up on three set pay scales depending on job and support role you have. And been one for 10 years.
Take Perm role. It’s better than nothing because you’re right: the job market is trash. If you’re going to be at HP, I would strongly recommend you keep looking for jobs. HP is doing absolutely horrendous and I expect it to stay like that until a small recovery probably around this time next year.
I agree with the first comment on this thread: the consumer electronics industry is pretty awful. It’s wise to keep an open mind that the market constantly changes and companies will react either poorly or really well. HP, in my opinion, has done slightly less than mediocre when these market changes occur. They did pretty well during COVID but they really lack a customer advocate. They’re shooting in the dark and now we’re seeing the bottom of this pit.
Join HP but tread lightly. You’re about to see the worst of this company because they’re in absolute panic mode. Profit margins are extremely tight and cash flow is drying up. They have a lot of debt and they’re doing everything they can to keep their investors.
Wait... So why settle for $100k when you know you're worth $200k?
8 years as a CW is not unusual. Just last year 2 CW's became permanent employees. One was a CW for 15 years and the other one 12 years. My contract is renewed yearly while other types of CW's are renewed every 2 years with a 3 month break each time. I am listed as an "Outsourced service contractor". Payrate is pretty good, just under $100K a year. I know that HP is paying double that because the agency takes 50%.
What’s an imbecile? Btw I made around 120 thousand dollars per year or 60 an hour
There is nothing about "Perm" being permanent at HP. That is the best advise I can give you.
OP here. How much do you get paid to be a CW for 8 years? What was your raises like?
CW for 8 years is crazy.
@OP - Definitely accept the position as a full-time employee. That way you get salary plus benefits. But given that HP is on a steep decline, keep looking for another job anyway.
I have been a CW at HP for 8 years now. Always the promise by my many managers of becoming a perm one day. I stay because the pay is good. If I had the chance of being a perm I would jump at it because of the vacation benefit alone.
If you are looking for work and HP is hiring, go for it. Unemployment payments only last for so long. You can always look for another job while working at HP.
Do not work at HP. Only imbeciles work here.
Sorry typo…
make you NOT* competitive
Neither.
There’s a good reason why the job market, particularly in the personal electronics industry, is bad: it’s fragile, there’s constant layoffs, and expanded outsourcing.
Avoid this industry. Until they can figure out memory cost issues, tariffs, and AI bubble, it would be very unwise to try to enter into a company like HP, Dell, etc. The first thing the consumer avoids during economic slowdown is paying for unnecessary commodities and finding ways to improve what they have so far.
Even if you are qualified for either a CW or Perm, CWs at HP get treated as second tier humans and Perms (or FTEs) will stunt your career growth to make you competitive for future opportunities.