To turn down one job at short notice for another ?

[SeptemberFlowers]

I attended an interview yesterday to start ASAP for short term position job (perfectly fits in with school run and hours - magic !) that I have been told has a 90% chance of turning permanent in the new year. The company is a massive one that a lot of MN'ers would know. Transport to get to it is fine however it would be by public transport only due to location/distance and the sheer weight of traffic to get to the town at this time of day. Let's call it Company A

As I am on short notice however and with several recruitment agencies, another phoned me offering another short term position to start within 24 hours, money is ever so slightly less but closer to home. Provisonally I have said I can do it as I was swayed by being closer to home. (Again school hours !! ) Lets call it Company B.

Experience wise I can do Company B's job I can do with my eyes shut, it is in the industry that I have worked in before and is entry level, however the money is ok.

I've just been at home and done some sums on travel costs and basically the extra money earnt at Company A away gets eaten by the travel costs but we are only talking about £8 a week I asked if there was any scope for this job to become permanent but have been told 'Maybe, you never know. But the job is only to help relieve the load whilst they recruit for a more senior role which they have been trying to fill for the last 3 months.' This company again is medium size chain the industry they are in.

I am looking for permanent work wherever I can get it (part time) but I feel bad that I have provisionally said ok to this job at Company B but I really liked the people at Company A and IF there is a chance of a job at the end of it, there is plenty of scope to move within the company in the field of work I do. It's massive.

AIBU in turning down the job that I provisionally have accepted to go on a hope of another job that might turn permanent but is further away ?

If you need a permanent job, then go for the one that has that potential. I take it that you haven't actually signed anything? But make sure that the other position really is on offer before turning down the other.

Nothing signed yet, but just keep thinking about the people who interviewed me as they were really nice and the team seemed lovely.

I'm afraid loyalty before you started isn't called for in this situation, do what is right for you and for your family. People are always nice at interview, but that's not really an indicator of how it would be to work there or whether they would keep you on.

I was in a similar position between 2 jobs last year - at the end of the day you have to think of yourself and your family first and go for the job which you think has the better potential for permanent hours which sounds like company A!

I'm sure that in the current job market there will be someone else who will be able to take the job at company B, I'm sure they will understand :)

YANBU - if you need a permanent job in the long run then that is as good a reason as any. You haven't signed anything & you really shouldn't worry about letting down a few people you've met once! They will find someone else to fill their role quickly enough I'm sure.

Just make sure you're straight with the agency & let them know as soon as you're certain so they don't think you're messing them about. You never know if you might need to use them again in the future. (I would also ideally try & get an offer in writing from Company A to be on the safe side as well).