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Original poster

Which job would you choose?! please help me decide

54 replies

ricksha · 01/08/2020 15:41

I am in the extremely fortunate position of having been offered 2 jobs this week. Could you please help me decide which one to go for. I work in admin - nothing high-flying!

Job 1
NHS
Commute some days (45 mins) with some homeworking too.
Will need to work weekends too on rota
Project is for about 12 -18m and most likely won't be extended but who knows?!

Job 2
Local authority
Permanent
Zero commute as in my local town and is only 10 min walk away
Pay is 3k less than NHS job.
Homeworking most likely not happening as a long term thing, only right now.

Which one would you go for!

Second job looks easy but a bit boring.
NHS job looks interesting but lots of minuting of meetings which I hate!

OP posts:
Original poster
ricksha · 01/08/2020 21:35

Landlubber2019 do you think it would be stressful? It didnt come across like that. I guess noone knows yet what to expect as its a new project.

OP posts:
Original poster
ricksha · 01/08/2020 21:35

Ok looks like absolutely everyone is saying job 2!

OP posts:
Aknifewith16blades · 01/08/2020 21:47

OP, it sounds like you want the first one!

I'd take that, unless you need the security of a 'permenant' job. Other jobs may follow on from it, and it sounds interesting and like you would be doing valuable work.

SoloMummy · 01/08/2020 21:53

@ricksha

I am in the extremely fortunate position of having been offered 2 jobs this week. Could you please help me decide which one to go for. I work in admin - nothing high-flying!

Job 1
NHS
Commute some days (45 mins) with some homeworking too.
Will need to work weekends too on rota
Project is for about 12 -18m and most likely won't be extended but who knows?!

Job 2
Local authority
Permanent
Zero commute as in my local town and is only 10 min walk away
Pay is 3k less than NHS job.
Homeworking most likely not happening as a long term thing, only right now.

Which one would you go for!

Second job looks easy but a bit boring.
NHS job looks interesting but lots of minuting of meetings which I hate!

The 3k would be your travel, so I'd say equal pay.

Second being permanent would be my advice. Though I'd prefer option to wfh too.

Landlubber2019 · 02/08/2020 07:17

@ricksha, having been involved in a couple of new projects, they normally generate stress as you set up systems and get everything together as needed. The uk, in my opinion, have been slow in organising things and track n trace is another example, we should have this sorted already. the fact it isn't, shows we have some catching up to do already, with the constant changes around lockdown make this an ever changing environment and you are likely to always be on the backfoot. Finally the project will be under constant scrutiny from managers, government and media. I can't see how it won't be stressful.

TheProvincialLady · 02/08/2020 07:54

It depends on whether you want to stay at the same level of job or if you you are hoping to gain skills to enable you to move up a level. Job 1 sounds better for you if that’s the case and you wouldn’t want to spend more than 18 months in the job anyway. If you’re looking for more stability then job 2 is the obvious choice - but if you’re already worried you will be bored that’s not a good sign. There’s not much point in taking a lower paid job you will hate if you plan to stay doing it for a long time.

xxKatie9806xx · 02/08/2020 07:56

Job 2 definitely. Once you’re in there may be the opportunity to progress to something else if you find it boring.

JacobReesMogadishu · 02/08/2020 07:58

Job 1 might lead to other stuff long term. It sounds like it could be better for your CV?

Partly depends on your circumstances. If you’re a single parent who needs job security go for 2. If you’re in a relationship where dp has a steady job and you could manage if you were unemployed for a bit then go for 1.

AnnaSW1 · 02/08/2020 08:18

Definitely the second

Original poster
ricksha · 02/08/2020 08:37

Aknifewith16blades yes I think deep down I would prefer the first one - the homeworking is a big positive! It's exclusively homeworking from the beginning and they want to continue it but they expect a bit of working from the office when the need arises but aren't too sure as project hasn't started.

I should also say my DH has become redundant end of this month. Which is why I went on a mad dash to find a job these last couple of months. It's been really stressful. There's hardly any jobs but managed to apply for 6. We have a young family - youngest is only a toddler,we also have a mortgage.

so stability is really important as I don't want to be in this position again. There's no telling if dh finds a permanent job.

However, I don't know how my job will fit around dh's when he finally finds something. Our set up before covid messed everything up was - he worked ft from home and did the school runs and I worked pt round the corner. It was a perfect set up. Not sure how flexible job 2 will be as I know job 1 has wfh so working around school runs will be easier. This is why I'm confused.

The local authority job I will definitely use to get a better job. It's in the area of data so lots of excel and data which I like. Not really like the nhs job which is more of a business support role which I don't really like - organising meetings, managing diaries etc. Ik swaying from one to the other.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 02/08/2020 09:10

@ricksha, I image that working for a local authority (job 2) will come with a large degree of flexibility if required. Also - what are yiur childcare arrangements? Home working with children at home is hideous, and it’s nigh on impossible to be effective IME. What will you do for nursery/wrap around/holiday care whilst your DH is out of work? Will he pick this up? Can you work with all of you in the house? In our house I’d have to actually be in fire for the dc to ask dh for a drink/snack/cuddle/help.

dingdang · 02/08/2020 09:49

Job 2 sounds better for you, I'm thinking of three things: it's permanent, it's closer to home, local authority pension! Job 1 - the commute would put me off to begin with, I have a 45 min commute daily each way and it's a pain in the ass even though it's by train, plus it's fixed term rather than perm. Well done on getting two job offers!!!

BikeRunSki · 02/08/2020 09:52

Oh yes. Local government pension scheme. Big plus.

Joans3rddaughter · 02/08/2020 09:57

If you are being completely honest with yourself and cannot decide, I would write each option down and pick out of a hat. Trust your gut instinct. If you are disappointed by the job you pick out of the hat, go for the other job. If you are are relieved or excited by the option you pick out of the hat, then choose that option.
Let us know what happens.
Good Luck

MiddleClassProblem · 02/08/2020 09:58

I would think job 2 would be more set office hours, there for arranging childcare would be easier.

Plus I would say that being a 10 minute walk from home is much easier if you needed to get back if a kid was sick at school etc.

Landlubber2019 · 02/08/2020 16:26

i think deep down I would prefer the first one

Not really like the nhs job which is more of a business support role which I don't really like - organising meetings, managing diaries etc

Why do you prefer job 1 and will you regret not trying it out?

Original poster
ricksha · 03/08/2020 08:16

After a lot of thinking and looking at pros and cons and the future, I've chosen job 2!

OP posts:
speakout · 03/08/2020 08:18

Job 2- easy decision.

Clogsaregreat · 03/08/2020 08:22

2nd one. You may not get a parking permit for the NHS job so you will have to get the park and ride or bus which will be expensive. Or if you do get a parking permit you will have to pay for it and as there is no guarentee of a space, leave home extra early to stand a chance of getting parked. It seems a snall thing but it would be pivitol in my decision making

TheyThoughtItWasAllOver · 03/08/2020 09:33

Second one, without a doubt: permanent, practically no commute (love walking to work!), no weekend working.

TheyThoughtItWasAllOver · 03/08/2020 09:33

Sorry, have seen you've chosen! Best of luck in the job

DuckyMcDuck · 03/08/2020 09:55

Congratulations on your new job.

I know it's too late but I honestly think a permanent job is going to be a godsend in the next few years. The effect of the current situation on employment is going to last for years if not decades.

bumblingalongslowly · 03/08/2020 09:59

Second one, I have found there are lots of opportunity for progression, so you might not find it boring for long.

ReefTeeth · 03/08/2020 11:27

I've just had this same dilemma

Job 1 was higher paying with a commute of 1.5 hours one way and a few days WFH but pretty interesting and potential to grow.

Job 2 lower paid, 15 minutes from home, part time and a bit boring.

I started today in job 2 and as I'm in Melbourne with a state of disaster just been declared and homeschooling for the foreseeable, I think hope it's the right choice.

Bargebill19 · 03/08/2020 11:36

Congratulations!!