Career dilemma

[Sarahr22]

Hello just looking for some guidance. Been going through the process for a new job at a place I have always wanted to work. Just as we get to offer stage a lesser known company try's to pay much more for me to go there instead. Career prospects long term not as great but option to earn decent money which would help my family substantially and work/life balance would probably be much better. Seems too much money to turn down but then I have lost the opportunity at decent firm. Really don't know what to do or how to make the decision......

[TDL2016]

See if the firm you want to work at will match the offer from the other firm. If not, go for the one offering more money and a better work/life balance.
If it was me, I’d go for the one offering best work life balance regardless. Being chained to a desk working 60 hours a week is no good, no matter how amazing the reputation of the company is.

[Sarahr22]

Thank you. Its a toughie - they wont match at all but its a company I have wanted to work for for a long time. Long term opportunity is good and potentially more money eventually (although no guarantee of course!) but short term much less! So stressed with it all!

[TDL2016]

Why won’t the firm you want to go to match the offer of the other firm? Clearly the other firm sees some sort of value in you the the first one doesn’t? I’d be questioning why one sees you as less valuable than the other? Could you discuss progression options with the second firm and see if there’s anything that can be written into your contract with regard to training etc?
Are you in the legal profession? I ask as I know that certain firms have certain reputations and are desirable because of it.

[Loopytiles]

Not enough info. What’s the pay difference? Benefits value? Seniority difference? Role? Prospects to progress and earn more? How are the organisations performing financially?

[Loopytiles]

Why have you always wanted to work at you preferred firm?

Why do you think the work/life balance will be better at your less preferred firm?

[Sarahr22]

Thank you all. Its marketing sector - one firm is very highly regarded/ prestigious/ performing well and therefore a lot of people want to go there but it could involve a decent amount of long hours and travel. They wont match salary as they says its all about the opportunity. Hard to know what the work life balance would be in reality until I had landed there. If I perform well then the opportunity to earn more is good but it will be a hard slog! The other is a smaller but growing firm so are prepared to pay £40k more for my experience. Obviously the smaller firm doesn't have much of a reputation in the sector. Seniority and benefits would be the same.

[NeverDropYourMoonCup]

Take the extra 40k.

You won't be expected to grovel for the honour of working for them.

[dramaqueen]

which part of your skillset does the highly regarded firm not want you to use? All about the opportunity is a poor excuse to underpay you - you should be grateful to work there???

Take the 40k and be thankful you have avoided that poisonous culture.

[ohwheniknow]

Is bigger firm offering you significantly below market rate?

Maybe I'm just cynical from seeing how some businesses operate, but a £40k differential from a smaller firm seems too good to be true. There will be a catch. Wouldn't surprise me if they expected you to surrender your personal life.

A smaller growing firm offering £40k above market rate also makes me wonder if they're making wise decisions, growing in a sustainable way, at risk of going pop suddenly...

Personally I would think longterm and at least try the big firm.

And if the smaller firm is really that desperate for you, I doubt it would be that hard to move if you got a year under your belt at larger firm for the experience and your CV and then moved.