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Original poster

Which job would you prefer?

49 replies

Raella50 · 05/03/2020 20:08

Job A:
1 hour commute from home (often more in traffic)
Fancy title and lots of kudos with colleagues.
Familiar large company.
Mon - Fri 8-5pm some travelling on weekends (not much)
56k/ year

Job B:
5 minutes from home.
Much less fancy title.
Small company.
Mon - Fri 7- 3pm, no travelling.
49k/ year

The day-to-day job role is very similar! Just one has more status than the other.

I currently have job A but have been offered job B, which I think is a much better option for me. However, I’ve told a few friends about it and they seem to think I’m mad for dropping salary and status for the sake of a commute.

Honestly, would you go for job B of you were in the same position?

OP posts:
pumpkinpie01 · 05/03/2020 20:09

Job b for me 3pm finishes are great especially in the summer

Cordial11 · 05/03/2020 20:12

Job b everyday no question!

Reginabambina · 05/03/2020 20:12

It really depends. How welcome would you be to go back if B doesn’t work out? What are the people at B like? What opportunities do you have for professional development/progression?

I wouldn’t move to a different job from one that I like unless I knew for sure that it would be better.

Camouflage · 05/03/2020 20:13

I'd definitely choose Job B as I value my time over status and money. However, everyone has different priorities. There's no right or wrong, it's whatever suits you best. Nice position to be in x

popgoesperfection · 05/03/2020 20:16

Job b for me all day!! Less commute time, early finish, no childcare after school, no working on weekends.

wannabebetter · 05/03/2020 20:18

I'd say you could well be saving the £7k difference in not having to commute so take home disposable income may not change that much & job b sounds far better in other ways I'm not really bothered about titles - working locally with 3pm finish would be far higher in my list of priorities!

camsie · 05/03/2020 20:22

Job B, definitely!

Wolfcub · 05/03/2020 20:23

B

bananamonkey · 05/03/2020 20:26

Use a salary calculator to work out the actual drop in income, after tax it might be less than you think.

I made a similar move to a slightly less prestigious job/company (although it’s essentially very similar day to day) but it enabled me to work part time for pretty much the same money and I only commute one day a week and I finish at 5 rather than past 6 + a commute. It’s made a huge difference at a time when I have small children.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 05/03/2020 20:56

3pm finish every time plus so much closer to home.

I currently work in a relatively low pay job but the hours are brilliant for me and my family. The work/life balance is priceless.

Tellingitlikeitisnt · 05/03/2020 20:57

B no question

halfsoaked · 05/03/2020 20:58

Job B without any doubt whatsoever.

misskatamari · 05/03/2020 20:58

B 100%

BeBraveAndBeKind · 05/03/2020 21:01

Job B.

user1493413286 · 05/03/2020 21:02

B all day long

bookandabrew · 05/03/2020 21:06

Also B, but wouldn't find it easy to do

bookandabrew · 05/03/2020 21:06

Also B, but wouldn't find it easy to do

Xmasbaby11 · 05/03/2020 21:06

A. to be honest I'd hate to start work at 7! I'm barely awake by then. Those hours wouldn't work for me.

Also I'd rather work for a larger company with I assume more job security and opportunities.

PolloDePrimavera · 05/03/2020 21:09

B. There's a small discrepancy in salary so I don't think that counts. Time over kudos for me. And if it's doing something similar, big it up if you want.

user1423578854468 · 05/03/2020 21:12

B unless it's a really tiny company. How small is small?

Redtartanshoes · 05/03/2020 21:14

It depends where abouts you are in your career/progression, whether you have children/partner and how old kids are.

I’m a single mum to a 13 year old, career progression is now very important to me, and ds is off dii I n this thing more so job a every time, however 10 years ago, when I was married with a toddler, it would have been B

Asdf12345 · 05/03/2020 21:14

A due to worries B would limit progression. If those worries were removed Inwould take B.

At that difference in pay you will likely find actual disposable income does not change after factoring in commuting costs. The cost in terms of career progression could be harder to quantify.

Holdingtherope · 05/03/2020 21:16

Dying to know what sort or role on that salary!!

OPTIMUMMY · 05/03/2020 21:17

Short term B is probably better because financially I don’t think there’s much in it- it’s an hour less per day of actual work plus another potential 2hrs commute time saved (15hrs a week) presumably you’d save on transport costs as well, and not have the hassle of working away for some weekends. However depending on where you are career-wise and what your long term goals are and if you have family commitments to weigh up against it. A might be a better stepping stone to the next promotion with the higher salary and kudos attached as well as being in a bigger company so possibly more opportunity.

BikeRunSki · 05/03/2020 21:19

If I had nothing to prove and domestic arrangements allowed me to be in work for 7am, then B.

If you are established in your career, and would prefer the afternoons largely free, then A.

Thinking about it, the “leaving home” time must be similar for each job.