To ask for your help in deciding between two job offers?

[nightcarro]

Not really an AIBU, but I'm in desperate need of advice. I'm lucky enough to have been offered two graduate positions and cannot choose between them.

They are both in the same industry, doing similar work.

Job 1 - company is more prestigious than job 2 and I would be working on higher profile projects. Company 1 is probably the leader in the industry. Company has a general friendly feel to it and was my first choice for a long time. Got a very good impression of the company and its employees at the interviews. The teams are big and I'd be one of ~60 graduates starting, so probably less involved in the projects and potentially less exposure to senior members. The job is based in London.

Job 2 - slightly less prestigious but still a well-known company. Most important distinction is that the job is in Asia! The projects would likely be less well known, but I'd be one of 3 graduates in a team of ~30 overall, working directly with very senior members. I didn't get as great an impression from the interviewers (though they were perfectly nice) but since I got the offer, a whole load of different team members have been emailing/calling me to say congrats and introduce themselves/offer advice etc. Pay is significantly higher (around £16k higher per year, plus lower tax rates) and accommodation would be provided for the first 6 months.

As a bit of background, I don't currently live in either city, though of course London is a lot closer! I have no real responsibilities (no partner, kids etc) that stop me moving abroad but I have no clue if it's the right thing for me, or how easy it would be to internally transfer back to the UK again if I needed to. I feel like if I don't move abroad now, I probably never will but I worry that with such a small team, the whole experience will be awful if (for whatever reason) I don't get along with the rest of the team.

Any input whatsoever is hugely appreciated as I am currently clueless!

Overseas! UK born and bread...spent 5 years in the US and it was career defining for me. Helped massively when I came back home to land a better higher paid job. Plus I had an absolute blast as a young free and single in an expat environment. Do it! Then come home once you are exhausted with it and have your family here

My main concern with the overseas job would be that you'd be quite isolated if you were unhappy for any reason. You'd have no-one to have a drink and a moan with who wasn't connected with company. Even if you got to know other expats, I imagine it's quite a small community and word gets round.

You'd need to look at the higher pay in conjunction with the cost of living, and see if you really would be better off. What about cost of flights home to see family?

But congrats on getting two such good offers.

To add what others have said - yes you can also get an international assignment later. But if you want a family, it is going to be so, so much harder to move when you also have a DP and DC to consider. Totally different league from simply packing your bags. And international experience is great for both your CV and expanding your world view.
Mind, living in Singapore is expensive. Any chance to negotiate accommodation for more than 6 months? But even if not, go.

how many of the people urging OP to go to Singapore actually have experience of working abroad?

I'm in my 5th country at the moment.

Out of interest, how many of the people urging OP to go to Singapore actually have experience of working abroad?

I do. As a PP said, it was career defining and after five years abroad has enabled me to leap frog my peers upon my return to the UK.

And for those who say, ‘go to London and you can always go to Asia in the future,’ again, evidence suggests that you probably won’t

Not true at all. Everyone I know who worked abroad, did so a bit later than their first graduate job.

If job 1 is a big international company, OP may be able to transfer to one of their other offices abroad later on.

Interesting.

But if you want a family, it is going to be so, so much harder to move when you also have a DP and DC to consider.

She's still got plenty of time to work abroad later before kids. She's only just graduated.

I'd go option 2. Maybe not a popular opinion but I think a lot of graduate roles aren't what they were, given the sheer number of people graduating each year.
A pp mentioned project grunt work and they're spot on. Access to senior leadership early on is brilliant for helping set career direction too.
I'm the product of a graduate programme, have designed and managed a few too.

No guarantees with anything in life any more. Go with your heart for now.

Definitely option 2! Working directly with pepe on higher positions sounds great and it's really good that they've been in touch with you to introduce themselves, that's a really good sign. Plus so many other benefits to working abroad - I wish I'd had time to do more before I got married.

How many of the people urging OP to go to Singapore actually have experience of working abroad?

I’m working in France for the second multi-year stint and have worked in 3 non European countries too.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for all your advice and thoughts, I really do appreciate it!

I have a lot of processing and thinking to do for now, I need to make a decision by the end of tomorrow so I will be sure to update you all on whatever I do decide.

For now, please keep the suggestions coming!

Singapore, every time. It will be a fabulous opportunity, more exposure and chance of being recognized for your work than a bit lost in a sea of 60 grads. I work in a company where a bit of time in Asia is really favorable. It just makes you look flexible, adaptable, courageous, willingness to try new things. All great qualities.

Well done! Head says 1, best name for CV and more structured training. Heart says 2, more money and more opportunity for in a smaller team. You can’t tell which will work best TBH, I’d choose based on where you prefer living.

Shambu i said Singapore above, and am writing from abroad, where we have been for 4 years.

Also, if it were me, I'd regret more not trying Singapore than going, hating it and not coming back.
I've emigrated for work before with DH, kids, dogs. Was bloody hard work first 3 months or so and then suddenly things start clicking and before you know it you've got a year under your belt. If you're going on your own then you'll have so many opportunities to make friends and build a support network. There are loads of expats out there.

Job 2.

Go to Asia!

This is the one time in your life that you're footloose and fancy-free, no kids, no mortgage, go and have the time of your life for a few years! What an incredible opportunity. Plus only one of 3 so you'll feel part of the team, rather than just part of the graduates part of the company, plus the extra money to get you svajnf whilst you're out there.
I was already thinking this before I saw the salary difference!

Honestly how amazing

Is the industry insurance?

I'd go for option 2. Great experience while you're young and free and you can save loads of money.

I'm a recruiter. Option 2 definitely.

Option 1 would look good with a cursory glance at your CV but when questioned further I'd be slighlty reluctant if you'd joined on a big grad program. That usually means spoon fed, set in place role requirements and lots of hand holds available if needed.

And, you want option 1 when you're ready to settle for a few years in the UK, not at the start of your career.

I've worked in 5 countries and multiple cities for pp asking.

If it were me I’d go abroad. I’ve worked a bit abroad and it was fab. Very sociable. When you come back, your cv will shine out because you did something different

What a nice dilemma! Well done on the offers.

If it helps, it sounds like either will be a good decision so go with your heart and gut feel.

@nicelyneurotic it's finance related but not insurance. The companies in question are both big American banks

I think I'm leaning towards job 2 - if I don't go abroad now I'm not sure I ever will, and I think I'd regret not giving it a go at least!

Go abroad! While you are unattached and have the world at your feet.
I did this for 4 months on a grad scheme and it was brilliant. It was lonely at first, but so long as you throw yourself into a social life it won't take long to pick up. Join a language school for the local language, join a meetup group or 3 for other expats, hang out with the other grads, take on a new hobby. You'll find plenty of people in your position.
From a personal development perspective it was brilliant. My confidence really grew, I knew if I could move to another country by myself that I could take on anything.
It looked fab on my cv too :)

I've already answered, but I have had more thoughts,

GO abroad - yo'll regret it if you don't (otherwise you wouldn't be asking). ITs the things you don't do that you regret,
Go abroad - I suspect you could come back to a Job1 type role in theUK fairy easily in time to come if Job 2 doesn't work out.

Go to Singapore like a shot but check the cost of living carefully against the allowances you will get.