Which job do I choose

[Whichjobdoichoose]

I currently work 5 days a week earning £43k per year. I'm not desperately unhappy, but there's a few niggles. I could only see myself being there another 2 years at most. 15 minute drive, free parking. 37 days AL.

I have been offered an interview at another company next Wednesday. This job is 4 days and ft salary is £48k. Responsibility wise it's a similar level, but it's a broader role so will give me more experience for future career progression. 25 minute drive, free parking. 39 days AL + 1 day for every year worked up to 5 years.

Obviously, I haven't been offered the job yet. And I know I might make up my mind from the feel of the place. But if I don't... What job do I do?

How much would you be earning in the four day job if full time salary is £48,000? What would the take home difference be? And can you afford to live well on that?

Gross £38,400, net (pension and student loan) £28777

Current job gross £42,000 net £32,331

So works out £3500 per year/ £300 per month difference. We can afford it bit obviously extra money is nice!

I'd take the 4 day job.
Please tell me what sector you work in where you get this much annual leave!!

I'd go for the new job in that case. I'd pay £300 a month to work four days instead of five, have extra annual leave and a more interesting job.

Do you have young kids? If so the reduction in working days/increase in annual leave would presumably reduce childcare costs covering some of the lost £300.

Factor in things like:

• petrol (longer commute = more needed + wear and tear on car)
• Al allocation won’t be the full 39, it will be proportional so may be considerably less.
• Do you have scope to work with current employer to expand the role?
• if you don’t yet / or have a family, what are the maternity / child policies (at current & prospective) and will this have an impact?

Other than that, good luck.

The new job sounds like it has more progression.

You will get 31.2 days AL not 39.

Yeah, I had already calculated this, but thank you 😊

To answer a few questions:

I have a year 3 child in wraparound childcare for school/ school holiday club so will save approximately £80p/m.

Factoring in wear + tear on the car - current job is 3.5 miles, all 30mph roads, generally 15 minutes drive. New job is 15 miles but pretty much all motorway, 25 minutes but I appreciate this might be longer.

No opportunity to expand my role, other than director and they are 10 years from retirement and I expect them to work til retirement. Already in SMT but nature of the organisation means I'm already doing everything I can. I know what I'm doing, I can bring in changes and new protocols but no further career progression if that makes sense.

Both current and new job headed up by female directors who have and state they are women friendly employers. Obviously I have more flexibility in my new job if my child is ill as I have been there 6 years. I actually think the new organisation might have more flexibility for working from home/ flexi time, and especially being 4 days as I imagine they'll state that occasionally I might have to swap my days around.

Also... New job has a higher employer pension contribution...

Update... Interview was yesterday afternoon and got a no this morning. Gutted! But I've realised actually having a 4 day week is really quite important to me so I'm going to really consider that when I'm job hunting

That's a shame, but at least it's given you an idea of what you really want. It'll be good practise for the next one too.

That's a shame OP It's so crushing to lose out on a job.

Thanks both. I think I would have been happy at the actual job, but it was all the extra elements that I'm gutted on missing out on. It blooming stings, but I have some feedback which makes me feel like I wasn't actually too far away. So, back to the drawing board. I had kept looking after applying and nothing else took my fancy, so feeling a bit flat but hey ho!