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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Caught between two career choices, what would you do in my?

25 replies

Bigfuckingdecision · 14/05/2014 22:44

After months of being jobless I finally got a job and started last week. It's not my dream but it pays reasonably well and there is potential to earn a LOT (to me, anyway) in next 5 - 10 years. However, the work itself is really boring at this stage. In maybe 2 years it would hopefully get more interesting and I could begin to use my talents then. There are great perks such as good holidays and private medical etc.

Then today another job made an offer. Less money, standard holiday, no benefits, and nowhere near as much scope to earn big but it looks really exciting and would allow me to use my skillset right from the off.

I'm torn. Do I stay with the first and try to make serious money in the next decade, so I could then set up my own business etc after, or do I go with my heart and go for the second?

Head vs heart, organs are in complete disagreement!

OP posts:

CoffeeTea103 · 14/05/2014 22:48

I would go with the second offer. You will only regret not taking it. You can use your skills, gain more experience, and who knows you might be able to move on to bigger companies and realize greater earnings potential.

BonaDea · 14/05/2014 22:48

Is go with heart if it is enough to pay your bills on now.

I think that investing in a future job is fine if in the next 2-5 years but if you have to wait 10, that's crazy. Things change so much faster these days that you could just be wasting time.

Original poster

Bigfuckingdecision · 14/05/2014 22:56

Thank you!

Yes, money from the second is enough to live on in an ok standard of comfort and really want it. Just worried I'm chucking away amazing job security and earning potential with a company who are the cream of the crop with the first..

Also, title was meant to have 'position' at the end

OP posts:

parentalunit · 14/05/2014 23:22

Why were you unemployed? Would you benefit from learning new skills? Which job has the better net present value? That's the one to take.

parentalunit · 14/05/2014 23:25

PS I would go with the first. (assuming that it is giving you new skills; that your previous job is either in a declining industry or the skills are not very much in demand due to not being able to find a job for a while).

There is something to be said for delayed gratitude :) 2 years goes by really quickly, and as long as you are getting something out of the job (not just money, but learning new skills and setting yourself up for self employment in the future) then it may be worth giving it a go.

PS a job doesn't have to be boring, if you don't have enough to do then think about a way to make more money for the company.

Canthisonebeused · 15/05/2014 00:08

I would stick with the first I think it will longer term pay offs both satisfaction and career wise.

TheHappyMonkey · 15/05/2014 00:29

I would stick with the 1st. In this climate I would only take a pay cut and loss of benefits if I was desperately unhappy with my job, if it's just a bit dull but has potential to get interesting I'd stick with it.

Original poster

Bigfuckingdecision · 15/05/2014 16:40

Oh I'm still so conflicted on this

The first job isn't really giving me any new skills at all at present, it's just a very prosperous company where they look after their own and having them on my cv would be impressive if I perform well etc. But the work is really mind-numbing. It's the mental equivalent of cleaning toilets, albeit very well paid toilet cleaning. Money for old rope at the minute, which is not stimulating and I'm clock watching most of the day, but if I stuck with them I could hope that more interesting roles would become available and as I would be part of the team they would be keen to keep me. They are a lovely bunch and said from the start they know I would want to progress in 1 or 2 years time to a different role.

Second job is not in a declining industry at all - but a very, very competitive creative one, hence the salary and benefits being far more humble. Would get to use my skills and build experience, as another poster has said, and I feel passionate about it. But nowhere near the security or perks or money in next few years.

I genuinely don't know what to do both are fantastic opportunities but they are polar opposite to each other.

OP posts:

funnyvalentine · 15/05/2014 16:46

What about telling the first company about the second, and seeing if they can offer you a more interesting role? If not, you can take the second and you've lost nothing.

Mrsdoasyouwouldbedoneby · 15/05/2014 16:56

Have the 2nd actually offered the job? Can you ask about perks? I can see the real life benefits of 1, but can see why your heart says 2. Playing safe = 1 (and you could ask about more stimulating work), but reigniting your passion = 2 and that is fairly important too. How bored are you? Boredom an lead to reduced performance etc as you realise you don't need to be your best as less is adequate (I had this in a job where I was told, you are doing too much... So I did what they said but still pushed myself a bit... They improved and all of a sudden it was, you are not good enough), it might be better to be in a job that challenges you, and recognises rather than passively discourages you to reach out (if that is what they are doing).

Original poster

Bigfuckingdecision · 15/05/2014 16:57

Funnyvalentine, that is a good idea in theory but it's not that sort of company. I have no bargaining power, I'm the least important person there and there would be a queue a mile long of people only too willing to take my place if I don't want to do it.

Thank you to all the posters who replied I'm just terrified of making the wrong decision. I'm ambitious and from a family where I'm the first to go to uni, they had no chances to get good jobs etc, I'm doing well to even have this dilemma - and I don't want to mess up and let them or myself down.

OP posts:

weeblueberry · 15/05/2014 16:58

I think it sort of depends on your situation too. Given my current situation (young baby, bills, mortgage) I'd stick with the first job because the security would work for me. But if I were in my early 20s and only had myself to consider I'd take the second, more interesting job. :)

BerniesBurneze · 15/05/2014 16:59

First - a couple of years and you'll be in much better stead, and you never know what opportunity will arise in company one in 6 months.

Original poster

Bigfuckingdecision · 15/05/2014 17:00

Yes, Mrsd, the second have made a concrete offer.

I really, really want to go with it but feel like I'm being stupid and immature by not recognizing the security of the first.

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GarlicMayHaveNamechanged · 15/05/2014 17:13

Hmm. I had this dilemma twice. The first time, I took the more sensible option, and missed out on a glittering success. Not that the sensible job wasn't successful - it was, and led to some very good experiences - but the other turned out to be huge. The second time, I went with my excitement instead of common sense. The new job was unbelievably hard work for less reward in the beginning, but really engrossing and tremendous fun. I don't think either decision was a mistake as such: you just do what suits your priorities at the time.

It is quite likely that your current post will lead to future offers from exciting employers, so it's not make or break right now.

Darksideofthemoon88 · 15/05/2014 17:18

I would go with the second one as long as it pays enough so you won't struggle: life's too short to hate your job/be bored on a daily basis.

Original poster

Bigfuckingdecision · 15/05/2014 17:19

Garlic, I totally agree with you in that in these types of situations there isn't a bad decision, both are good avenues to go down at the end of the day! Just don't want to make one I regret on a personal level.

Also I'm glad your situation worked out and that you go so much out of the exciting job

OP posts:

Brices · 15/05/2014 17:27

I would stay with first "lovely bunch", people you work with so important, my priority anyhow

HearMyRoar · 15/05/2014 17:28

I think that work is such a big part of your life that job satisfaction should be considered to have a value in the same league as pay. Obviously paying bills comes first but once that is covered actually enjoying your job and being happy day to day is a really valuable thing.

Given the choice I would always take a job I enjoy over extra income, I have done on many occasions and I do not regret it one bit.

twentyten · 15/05/2014 17:32

What are your goals in the next 5 years? How important is security etc? Do you have or plan to have doc. Will they need you less or more? Work out what matter to you and evaluate options against them

Original poster

Bigfuckingdecision · 15/05/2014 17:39

Thank you. Yes, trying to work out a rough plan of where I want to be in 10 years time, but keep thinking that potentially both could take me to the same place so it's not helping!

Although, because the first is not directly connected to what I want to be doing, there's no guarantee there at all. I suppose I never thought I'd even be considering an opportunity like them, they are so prestigous and have millions of little perks.

People in second place are wonderful too, very much the sort of people I enjoy being around, being both creative and kind.

OP posts:

GarlicMayHaveNamechanged · 15/05/2014 17:41

the first is not directly connected to what I want to be doing

That makes ALL the difference! Go with #2 :)

OTheHugeManatee · 15/05/2014 17:43

I followed my heart for the first 10 years of my career, ended up drifting and not earning much. Though I'm doing ok now in a roundabout way, with hindsight, I'd say take option 1. Two years of boringness is nothing, and probably just translates to the time you will spend learning the ropes and earning your spurs in that sector. And I'd absolutely go for the bigger earning potential in the long term.

parentalunit · 15/05/2014 20:27

the first is not directly connected to what I want to be doing

This. If it doesn't help you get to where you want to be, don't waste your time. I change my recommendation: go with number 2!

Can see how this isn't an easy decision for you to make.

CMP69 · 16/05/2014 17:29

I would pick the second. I have just "downgraded" my job by choice to do something much more interesting then my current job, but it was a hard decision

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