AIBU to consider a job?

[ooodile]

I've been self employed for a long time. It's enough work to keep me busy, keeps the bills paid and it means I'm really flexible when it comes to the hours I work (I can go to nativity/school shows/take the day off to go shopping if I want as long as I catch up by the next day.)

I miss the company of workmates though. I often think it would be nice to have the social aspect of a job, making new friends and making general chit-chat with other adults during the day!

Don't know why, but I started looking at job vacancies the other night. There were a few I was really interested in, and made me wonder if I should get my CV updated and apply. Financially, I doubt I'd be any better off, apart from the stability of knowing exactly how much each month I'd be earning.

These jobs would push me a little and I think I'd enjoy the work and be good at it, but can't decide if it's just a whim and I'd be better off diversifying what I currently do a bit to give myself more of a challenge rather than uprooting everything to work for someone else?

Friends tell me they're envious of my lifestyle, as they hate their colleagues/boss/commute and would love to swap, so perhaps I'm looking at this through rose tinted spectacles.

So, in my position, would you swap the easy-going self employed life for the stability and social aspect of being employed?

No, I don't think I would. Your job sounds great with alot of flexibility around your working hours. How would you feel if you couldn't get time off to go to a school play or sports day?

You could volunteer for a couple of hours one day a week in a place where you would be meeting people. Or go to a regular club/activity.

I'm self employed and I get the desire for colleagues and chit chat but I think you're underestimating just how restrictive it is to have to work to someone else's schedule. There's no way I could be employed again.

I'm self-employed and I'm looking around for jobs too. I want work to have an end ! I work from home so I find that if I'm awake, I'm working. I'd also like sick pay, paid holidays etc.
Being at home and able to still work was great when my kids were small but now there are other considerations, like not becoming a crabbity old crosspatch who never talks to anyone, speaking to actual adults and having some security.

Would employment provide much more money? Paid holidays? A pension?

Hardly any chat or opportunities to make new friends where I work, everyone is too busy

The biggest headache for us is childcare in school holidays.

I did this. It is really nice to have colleagues and for work to be finite. Commute is crap though.

I worked from home for a couple of years, and it was great being able to take care of a sick child, rearrange things to make an assembly or play etc but like you I missed being out in the world. My decision was made for me as my boss went bankrupt so was made redundant. Luckily and I mean luckily I’ve found another job within school hours but for a really great company, I love the work and I love the people. It’s a small company but we all get on well and it’s a lovely environment to work in.
BUT it was pure luck and I know if I was working for a different company I would really regret giving up my previous flexibility!
So choose wisely. Scope out any future employer carefully and make sure it will be worth it.

Have you looked at shared workspaces, drop ins and networking sessions?

I find them really useful when I get lonely! Once you start looking you'll be surprised how much free space their is out there!

What kind of work do you do? Could you work from a shared work space and meet people that way?

I have the same setup as you and wouldn’t give it up for paid employment. It’d just be too restrictive.

What Curious said. Find some other freelancers to work with. I did and I love my “colleagues”!

I’ve just found something I can do from home and i’m thrilled! No more awful commute, annoying management, colleagues who, yes can be great but also sometimes annoying!

How about a part time or job share position? Could then be the best of both worlds. Definitely you will miss the flexibility if you take on full time employment. With regards to the chit chat, I get your point but I know my job was so busy there was very little time for chit chat. My colleagues that i’m actually friends with, always arranged evenings out away from the office as we never got a proper chance to catch up in work time, which is something it sounds like you do already.

I did this, I work in a lovely small team with great colleagues and really enjoy the liveliness of being part of a larger organisation- I was just bored with my freelance stuff, I was doing the same thing and feeling isolated. However the commute & lack of flexibility is crap. But I do get a pension. So swings & roundabouts really.

You've all given me loads to think about, thanks.

I have wondered if volunteering would be a good option. I'll look to see if there's anything fairly locally that I might be a good fit for.

I'll have a look at the job descriptions again too and have a really good think about it. Opinions are divided on review sites about those companies, so I could be giving up a laidback life to work for a tyrannical regime.

I'm probably crazy to contemplate it, especially with summer holidays looming when I can take days off to go out for nice days at the beach or long weekends away. I probably don't appreciate how restrictive having an employer is, when holidays have to be booked months in advance and loads of other things I haven't considered.

I think perhaps I need to make my current position more interesting, and perhaps I'll begin to love being self employed again.

I've just done this - well sort of. I got a part time job then spend the rest of my time working with my DH. It has been a breath of fresh air to get out of the house. The pay is rubbish but I enjoy the work and it has actually made us work more efficiently at our own business so that hasn't suffered.

The big push for me was when dd3 went up to secondary. No more worrying about child care. She leaves the house before me and I am back before her. Her sisters are older so they are around if DH and I aren't.

It has been a positive step for us all.

Where I live there are a few places where you can rent a desk by the day or get a membership in trendy loft style open plan offices for people who want a bit of company whilst working. There are also shared offices to rent by the week near the centre of town. Would something like that suit sometimes when you need a bit of buzz around you?

Example:
www.theskiff.org/

I made a similar decision about five years ago. I just wanted to work in an office with other people, have colleagues to bounce ideas off, have paid holidays and feel part of something.

I swapped walking downstairs for a three hour round trip commute.

It was a great decision for me. I’ve had great career opportunities, really good training and an opportunity to pursue things important to me. My work life balance is better and in those five years I’ve had considerable pay increases.

I’m not best friends with colleagues but enjoy their company.

If I’d hated the job I would have quit to go freelance again - I spent a stressful 6 months doing both to test the waters.

Poppy - Your experience sounds great and makes me think I should give it a go.

Working from rented offices wouldn't give me the challenge I feel I need. I suppose I want someone to tell me I have worth and am good at the job, and fulfill various tasks and goals and maybe even progress to a higher level / salary increase.

I'm not young, so suppose it's now or never if I'm going to give it a try.

Realise I'm thinking out loud and going back and forth. Thanks for all your thoughts and experiences, it's really helpful.