WWYD - potential job choice - quick decision needed!

[gingerwench]

I have received a verbal offer of a job and I will find out tomorrow if I have another offer. If I do then I'll need to make a very difficult decision in 24 hours. Help me!

Option 1 - large organisation - a 12 month x 4 day week contract on a good day rate. Good chance of renewal too. No formal job spec and they only interviewed me for 30 mins (not unusual in the contract market). It was a 5 day a week 3 month contract but they really WANT me. Careerwise more of the same, consolidating rather than really new experience. The business knowledge I could gain would be more specific to the project. Not sure where I would go afterwards.

Option 2 - small organisation (c250)- a 12 month x 5 day week fixed term contract as maternity cover. It would be at least 10% less money in total (33% less if you compare it like for like number of days even allowing for holidays and some sick). Job involves some line management, some hands-on work. Good opportunity to get specific business knowledge that could lead to more contracts in future or permanent roles (my preference). Prestigious organisation that is growing.

If it were just me, then I think I would go for option 2 since better long term prospects. But the chance to spend more time iwth DS when he is so lovely right now, and the chance to put aside plenty of £ to fund another period of maternity leave ....what would you do?

Of course I may not even get offered option 2 which would make life easier!

Help!

[StealthPolarBear]

hmm
1 I think if you are planning another child
How likely is a 2 to come up again in the next few years?

[butadream]

If you get both offers and you still fancy Job 2, you need to speak to them and say, I like the role etc. but I am being offered X more by Job 1, have you got any room for movement on pay?

I would expect them to up their offer although I suppose they might not be able to afford to match Job 1.

[gingerwench]

Thanks for the comments - keep them coming all good.

I think 2 may well come up or similar in a few years - so it may be a right job but not necessarily right for now.

In answer to butadream's point the max for job 2 is definitely a max. It is a v good salary for a perm role (or FTC). It's just a different proposition to a day rate role

[morleylass]

Personally I'd go for option 1, if you get the chance of that extra day off I'm sure you won't regret it. Your DS will never be this age again but another job will come up, especially as the market picks up. Also if you are planning another child and neither job is permanent then the higher paying one will allow you to save more for any time that you have off.

Good luck with whatever you decide,

MLx

[gingerwench]

Option 1 is looking more and more attractive...

[gingerwench]

Well I accepted option 1 this morning. Later on I heard that I wasn't offered option 2 anyway (but v good feedback they'd keep me in mind in future if a slightly better job fit came up)....

thanks MN jury - it helped to clarify what I want from a job right now.

[morleylass]

Congratulations, enjoy your day off each week : )
ML x