I work at Microsoft as a contractor doing developmet. This contract might last another 6 months and they might extend it.
I got another job position as contractor this is for two years, at
Department of defense. This job is in California, and I am currently in
WA.
I am confused as to what to do. Can some one give me their views. I already worked for a year with MS.
My question is which one is best for my career.
Why on earth would total random strangers be more capable of that decision than you?
Start with the following, do you like your current position? Do you think it feels stable enough to provide you with employment? If you answer yes to both of those, keep it. Otherwise, start weighing the options and see if the DoD job is a good fit or maybe look around for other potential possibilities.
If you want to provide more detail about your job, and your potential job, the chances you’ll get renewed, what your career goals are, which one pays more, which one has better benefits, how hard it is for you to relocate, perhaps we can help. Otherwise, it’s as @cpradio says, we’re just random strangers answering a question with no data - you’re much better qualified to do that than we are.
For what it’s worth, often when I ask people a question like this, I already have an idea in my mind - I am just fishing for confirmation from other people. If you already think you know what to do… go do a little more research, ask both places questions if you need to, think about your career goals… and make your decision! Changes are hard, but such is life.
Unless you’re doing something really fancy at DoD or are working for one of the prestigious DoD Contractors, I think Microsoft would look better on a resume.
Both jobs are same, Senior Programmer working on .NET technologies.
At Microsoft I work on Internal projects, and a new technology that is going to be released soon.
At DOD it is work related to some language processing.
Salary wise i get $5k more than at MS. at DOD i have vacations, at MS as it is contract I wont be paid anything.
I joined Microsoft as I felt it will be better on resume, I already have the experience now, I do agree i get lot of calls from companies just because of this, at the same time, I think DOD would also look better if I am planning to apply for more Federal jobs.
at MS they said I have 6 more months, and possibility of extensions, if not have to search again.
Do you have to move to take on the DoD job? As cost of living may go up and that $5,000 might not cover the extra expense.
The salary might be more, but you’re going to need to factor in the cost of living into whether an increase covers the difference. I’m guessing CA and WA are not exactly the same on that score.
@cpradio - great minds, and all that…
Actually, if you have to move (and can’t work remote), I can almost guarantee that $5,000 won’t cover the additional cost of living. CA cost of living is HIGH!
Who are you calling a great mind?
@ezguy I do get the feeling that you feel a bit more excited about the job in CA than your current job. If only for that reason, you should take into consideration. Now, $5000 sounds like a lot… But, as other suggests, the cost of living in a new place can go really high so your quality of life may not be that high.
But surely you have a bit of room to negotiate? Do your calculations wisely… After all, if you finally are going to have some holidays, you’ll want a bit of cash to spend. And while the good things in life don’t cost that much, a fancy holiday trip can be pricey 
I just don’t see how the DoD job is better in any way, except a longer contract. Put MS on your resume, then find a long term salaried position.
There’s always a bit of risk involved with changing jobs. And a lot depends on ones situation.
For a younger person just starting out in life with no ties to family or friends is a lot different than for someone older that is close to their family and friends. You may be willing to risk being hungry in the cold, but most wouldn’t want their spouse and children to suffer through a rough patch.
One thing I notice that may not mean much @ezguy but you call it a job as opposed to a career
IMHO job hopping is OK when it must / should / can be done, but never lose sight of your career.
As has already been stated, you can’t expect to get recommendations pertaining to your very individual situation from people who know nothing about you or your life situation.
Instead, why not sit down, grab pen and paper and write down exactly what you like/dislike about your current situation, what you would imagine being better in California, write down the pros and cons of each, compare, prioritise in order of importance to you and your life, family, environment, cost, etc.
The evaluation of the above is the best answer you can get.
Yes I have to move to CA, WA is a nice place, Redmond has less crime and people are nice here.
My brother works in SFO, he said it is very expensive there, well this job is away from SFO 2 hours away.
I am going to tell them to pay more probably in DOD.
My wife’s been bugging me for a fancy holiday to Hawaii 
Well ,he couldn’t decide that’s why he ask for good opinion !!
Which one is more enjoyable and likable to you?
You know how wives are… Me, I’m not one but if I were… I would love to have a fancy holidays in Thailand or Maldives… The funny thing is that I can live perfectly without them and be happy
Towards the close of contract, try to go full time.
If it’s never going to be full time, then you’ll be gone eventually anyway.
I’ve got family, so I have to look for the long term stability with benefits. If you’re a senior .NET programmer and already have MS on the resume, you shouldn’t have a problem finding work. I’d be looking for a stable job, not resume points.
I hear Maldives is a beautiful place, is it beautiful than Caribbeans ?
You are right, I need to look for a fulltime job, but fulltime job also means working long hours 