Joel,

>There is an opening that has been presented to me either through a recruting firm as a contract position, or as a full-time position through CompuWare. I'm not inclined to move to contract work at this time, so I was hoping some of you might have experience working with CompuWare and could offer some advice. The job is estimated to last 18 months, but of course, no guarantees. Here are a few questions:
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>Do you think CompuWare offers significantly less risk than a contract position? For example, if the client decides to terminate the project early, should I expect to be terminated immediately? If not, how long do you think CompuWare would pay me while they look for another project, whether it ended early or on schedule?
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Speaking as someone who recently went independent and got burned very badly on his first contract, I have some thoughts on the matter. Some of the bigger consulting/placement companies are in a better position to offer you a safety net if the project ends early, but you need to make sure they spell that out upfront. I also doubt they will keep you on the payroll for too long unless they get alot of work in your field of expertise and can guarantee work very quickly. A big company like Compuware may have some in-house projects to keep you busy between things.

>CompuWare offers excellent benefits, but contract work probably offers significantly more pay. Do you think CompuWare's salary+benefits sufficiently closes the gap?
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If the job lasts 18 months, that means you can go COBRA for that period. But eventually you will be responsible for you own healthcare. If you have a family, that can cost you alot. Compuware does offer healhtcare and other benefits on a pre-tax basis. If If you are independant you can shelter alot of money towards retirement, but its nice to have a matching plan. The bottom line is there are alot of expenses, and that has to be built into your rate. It depends on what your benefit requirements are, and what the market will sustain.

>I am currently in a full-time permanent position, and I want to stay in that type of position. I have heard of companies that purport to offer "permanent" employment, but that will let you go as soon as the project ends. Basically, they get you to do contract work at a regular employee rate.
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Most of these companies would never allow you to implement your own contract (from my experience). You would be forced to take what they offered you. What you need to ask is what kind of jobs have they done in the last 12 months, and what have they got going forward? Most people who go independent do so because they enjoy the freedom and don't need the kind of security that a full-time job offers. You would be in a sort no-man's land. Almost a permanent temp in my mind. On the other hand, it is very successful company, and I'm sure they didn't get ther by burning bridges. You may want to ask these exact same questions to their HR department.

>I appreciate any advice or experience you can relate regarding CompuWare. Feel free to reply privately.
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>Thanks.