24 hours to decide

[Changeofjob]

Sorry posting here for traffic.

Name changed too

I have less than 12 hours to decide whether I want this job.

I work for social services. I earn £39k per year. I love my job however I have done it a long time. I am the top of my ceiling in terms of pay scale and I can’t go any further. There are no job opportunities in the local authority I work in for a senior position.

On Monday I interviewed for a senior post and got it. However it pays £3k less per year and of course it’s more responsibility. I would start at the top of their pay scale (£36k) so my money will not go up. The only perks of the job is I can put senior on my CV and I will able to gain experience here for the future.

I have a DD in FT nursery. I could afford to take a pay cut of £250 per month but it would be tight.

Do I take on more responsibility and stress for less money?

Long term v short term. If it were me I'd take the long view and take it. It's worth a couple of years on a bit less money tio improve your promotion prospects The experience will be invaluable.

I would absolutely take the job. The 'develop me personally and professionally' points you made stood out the most to me. Yes, obviously your drop in income isn't ideal, however I think in the long term it'll be worth it, if it helps your career progress in the way you want it to. Like PP said, long term vs. short term is something you really need to consider, but I think overall this is a situation where the long term gains outstrip the short term sacrifices.

I did similar, but in health/nhs. I left a mid band post in the nhs for a higher band post in the private sector (standards are lower in private sector, it would have been many more years before I could have been a contender in the nhs for that level of post). Although the money was more on the face of it, the hours were longer and the leave less, and so it actually worked out at less per hour than a lower paid job in nhs. The experience I got of leading a service, supervising and developing others etc has allowed me to move back into nhs at the same more senior grade.

I know social care and health are different, but I think they are more similar toneach other than to the private sector....our terms and conditions, pay grades, benefits are so set and there's no wriggle room for those.

If you can afford it, will enjoy it, and it will help your development, I'd say go for it.

Worth taking a small cut if it will develop you and give you better opportunities.

If they really want you, think creatively about what would be valuable to you but is possible for them.

Eg flexibility (one day a week from home?), or training (which you are given time for), or access to a mentor. Just make sure it's concrete and formalised.

It sounds like you've made your mind up. Good luck with your new job!

Reduced commute is great and as you can afford it, it makes sense to play the long game.

I took quite a big pay cut that I couldn’t really afford to go to more interesting job and a very respected, known company. I did it for 6 months and found it easier to move on to a more Senior and better paid job from there. It was a risk but it really paid off. Not everyone believes in trusting the Universe but I feel if a new good opportunity comes your way, it is for a reason, and is part of a bigger plan for you. So I would say yes to the job as you will gain added experience and contacts and it could open a new door. Good luck!