Do I go for the job or stay where I'm happy

[lechatnoir]

I've been in my current role (a career change) for 18months and genuinely enjoy my job. It's mainly wfh with 1 client facing day a week which I love and very flexible in terms of working hours. The job is pretty easy & stress free and my boss & colleagues are lovely. Pay however is crap & position precarious as it's a funded role (third sector) and I am just ticking along.

I've applied for and been offered an interview for a job that is similar in terms of role but now having a panic about wether it's a mistake. It's 2 days possibly 3 out & about or in the office and more responsibility and accountability than I have now. Pay is slightly better advertised as £2-4K increase on my current salary, permanent rather than contract plus good non financial benefits all of which are very tempting.

But I like my job and it's easy - which I appreciate makes me sound lazy/unmotivated but it just fits with family life and our current situation. But then I think I should be pushing myself career wise, aspiring for more, saving for retirement (I'm 49 & have little in the way of pension).

Arrrgghhhhh help this fuddled menopausal brain make a bloody decision - I may of course not get the job but without sounding big headed have never lost a job at interview and am more than qualified for the role (plus have worked with them in the past on a few projects so they know me already)

WWYD?

You can always go back to the 'easy' type of job if the new one doesn't turn out how you envisaged.

Take the opportunity.

I am in the same position but the pay rise for the new job is 10k and more home working. I currently work in the third sector full time for a fixed term position, so am worried I will be 58 by the time the job ends and I will struggle to find something else. Decision not helped by our current service ( charity) situation , jobs being cut due to no money, colleague off long term sick under a very difficult situation and we are a very small team. I told manager I was leaving and she offered virtually anything to make me stay ( apart from a pay rise which is not possible ! ) . feel like I'm deserting a sinking ship but need to take that lifeline whilst it's on offer !

Take the new job.

@Babyroobs yours sounds like a no brainier - £10k pay rise and more wfh I'd grab that with both hands before it disappears! The role might be 10 years but you may move before then so what ifs for that far off are really not worth worrying about (& if the employment crisis in the charity sector continues I'd be surprised if an experienced 58 year old would be overlooked.

And thanks @NeverDropYourMooncup I know this is what my head is telling me too but my last job (very different sector) was so hideous it really knocked my confidence and this job has been a complete godsend I'm scared to leave. Maybe it was the stepping stone I needed.

Go for it.

Your current job isn’t secure, and the pay is crap. This one sounds like it will build more stills so you can earn more going forward which you need to if you don’t have a pension.

And when it comes to regrets the cliche that you will regret the things you didn’t do much more than the things you did holds true.

I was going to suggest going for it, at least the interview and see how you feel. You are likely to get keener feelings for the role afterwards if it's right for you.

Still the one thing that would put me off is a minimal salary increase. I personally wouldn't target anything less than a £10k increase if you are reducing work from home and it's a harder job. Difficult without knowing what kind of role/industry it's in.

Im going through the same thing at the moment but you know what op - go for interview and go with your gut ! A lot to be said it’s a better contract in your new place

Thank you. Yes I think it is a no brainer. Even my manager says she doesn't blame me. It's basically the same job but for 10k more doing benefits work for social housing tenants rather than a charity. the charity I currently work for are struggling to recruit I guess due to the pay being offered and the short term nature of the contracts. The last round of interviews, no candidates actually turned up for and they have re-advertised and not really received any suitable applicants so far this time around. I agree the charity sector is in crisis, they cannot compete and have no funds coming in to offer more. My manager offered to change anything to make me stay- they could give me more home working, take away the parts of the job I don't like, make my role more interesting but they can't match a 10k rise obviously. Doesn't stop me feeling guilty though knowing how much need there is and feeling like I am deserting a sinking ship. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

@yoshiblue it's third sector and a £10k pay rise just isn't going to happen at my level much as I'd love that. I'd definitely only be interested at the upper end of the scale as I will have some commuting costs to factor in and don't want to find I'm earning the same/less with increased costs.

Mmmh, I'd caution you to check they will pay to the upper end of the band. I've come across roles recently that want you to start at the bottom, or will only pay up to 50%, 75% of the band to keep in line with others in role.

May be worth asking more questions so you're not wasting your time.