WWYD take a step back for short commute?

[UnderOverUnderRover]

Have to make a decision today and I can't decide.

Role 1 - undefined role, real room to value-add (🙄), 20 minute drive. Short term contract with strong potential to extend and possibly go perm to much more senior role.

Role 2 - senior role but no further potential to progress, niche industry, perm, 60 min commute in traffic. Company would look good on my CV.

Both are paying the same.

The temp/shorter commute one seems more promising... apart from it being temp it sounds like there is more progression. How likely is it that the contact would be extended? Remember there are no guarantees with jobs and the perm role could just as easily be ended brought redundancies or similar

Flip a coin. Your gut will tell you your answer - whether you’re happy to go with the coin result or not.

FWIW I’d go option 1

AnguaUberwaldIronfoundersson role 1 has come about because current person is not performing in all areas. Smashing it in what I would consider the best area to perform well in but soft skills a bit lacking. Apparently.

Sorry role 2 that should say!

How old are you? I think the good on CV company is a better bet if you're younger. If you're close to retirement than not, or already have "good" companies on your CV then I would think that the opportunity to develop your own role etc is a better call.

I'm not young but not close to retirement

I do have good companies on my CV and role 1 would add another dimension whereas role 2 is where my CV should go if that makes sense.

I am leaning towards role 1 but wondering if I'm being short sighted?

I like the coin flip idea. It's a good gut feeling exercise

How able are you to take the risk that the short term contract is not renewed?

I did something similar - took a lower paid job with a short commute - regretted it almost immediately, but that may have been as much about the firm as the job.

Hereward1332 what did you do? How long did you stick it out?

Strangely role 1 isn't lower paid, just less prestigious and totally unknown which way it will go.

I'm fine with the risk of the contract ending. If it turns to shit it will be a relief and a nice get out iykwim.

I think I really need to see if it is worth it, short commute for a possibility less stimulating role. My gut is going with role 1.

Rôle 1 would give you an extra 6 hours 40 minutes a week - that's nearly a whole working day. If your CV is strong and you can explain a possibly-temporary blip away from career progression as wanting to expand your skills in a slightly different direction I'd go for rôle 1.

Role 1 if the money is the same

My short commute makes a massive difference to my work life balance, so yes. I would. Especially given they pay the same.

Don’t underestimate how difficult it is to step down.

I did in a previous job (with shorter commute), and ended up being bullied by my less-experienced and very insecure boss. What a nightmare year that was.

I read your OP and it seemed like a no brainer to me. Role 1 sounds much more interesting and a much nicer journey. Reducing your commute by 80 minutes a day will be life enhancing and driving is so much cheaper than a train. If your gut is telling you go with that one I think you have your answer.

That's terrible CraftyGin. Im in a good situation that I wouldn't have to stay if it turns out definitely not to be the right move.

ThatLibraryMiss when you put it like that

Dh is commuting, and I just didn't want both of us to have to for DC sake.

I accepted role 1 and I'm excited to start now.

Fingers crossed I made the right choice

I think it’s more about where you are in your life right now. I thought I had the dream job of a marketing role down the high street for a small family run company. It was my first job back into work after having children. It seemed perfect to ease back into working life but still physically close to the children’s schools/ pre schools, and flexible time.

I absolutely hated it and within a year I am a fin tech in an awesome role in the city. Still flexi hours but a lot more where I am up to mentally/ intellectually/ capability wise.

I had thought I needed the quieter, easier role but I was bored and felt stifled. I was used to working within global organisations and the politics of a small business were unsettling.

But it sounds like there is still room for progression in the nearer role so fingers crossed it works out :)