Work dilemma!!

[riverpondwho]

Bit of a work related potential dilemma and not sure what to do. I have been covering mat leave for the last year, the person I was standing in for wasn't coming back but has now decided she will. Fair enough! So I've been in this managerial position full time. This means that although I've been offered a few extra hours I'll go back into my old position part time and even with the extra hours will be £450 a month worse off. The sector pays badly anyway.

I've applied for a few jobs and have an interview for one of them this week. It's more of a side step rather than a higher position and having already spoken to the manager they would be open to negotiation on the wage given that my quals and experience are over and above what they're asking for. This means I could potentially be on the same wage as I am now. It's working for the council so there will be progression opportunities too. In the meantime id applied for another job which is more equal to my current position and wage as a a manager. I've spoken to the recruitment team at this organisation and it's highly likely I'll get an interview for this too - but it won't be until the beginning of April... The wage will be 10k more than the council one.

IF I got offered the council job and an interview for the second job what would you do?! Potentially I may not get offered either but if I do get offered job 1 that means me not being able to go to an interview for job 2..... but if I turn down job 1 for the potential of job 2 and don't get it then that's not great.

Obviously I know the entire situation is hypothetical at the moment but I just want to have an idea of what I would do and at the moment I have none!! So, what would you do??

Personally I wouldn’t work for a Council so would go for the other job.

You can wait few weeks with giving a yes answer to the job 1.

If I wanted Job 2, I’d hold out my decision on Job 1 as long as I could without losing it, then take it - and just jump ship if I got Job 2. All’s fair is love and careers!

If you’re that employable that you’ve been offered (or nearly ) offered two roles I would sack off the council one.

I was in a similar situation over Christmas. I was offered a role with a bunch of tools (interview and offer were really badly managed). I turned it down knowing I could find something better.

@Cocomarine

If I wanted Job 2, I’d hold out my decision on Job 1 as long as I could without losing it, then take it - and just jump ship if I got Job 2. All’s fair is love and careers!

That would be what I'd do. And you wouldn't need to put job 1 on your CV if job 2 came up for you.

You might find that pre-appointment checks take an age for the Council job anyway (unless you have worked for them before) so I would keep going with both application processes until either (or both) are able to make you a proper unconditional offer and agree a start date. If by the time that happens with either of them the other one is still in progress I’d make a call on how much longer that was likely to take and - unless it’s ages or you’ve decided the offer you have is your preference - I would then ask for a bit more time to consider and follow up fast with the other role. Agree all is fair with careers.

I've just been through a few weeks of this- interviewed for lots of jobs and got offered a few but then offered something better, so had to turn down jobs after saying yes. The employers have been very understanding. It happens.

Thanks for all your input! So, I was offered job 1 this morning and they wanted a decision today so I have accepted and negotiated a slightly higher wage, which although nowhere near job 2, is the same as what I currently earn for much less responsibility. I won't elaborate as to why as it could be identifying but the potential to move up quite quickly was also made obvious... Application for job 2 is still in but I've still not heard anything from it... Feeling quite content with my decision right now tho I'm not sure how ill feel if job 2 approaches me!!