To ask if you'd take this job?

[HopeAndDriftWood]

I'll try and keep this short but I'd be so grateful for any opinions.

I had an interview this morning, and I've just been offered the job.

I was headhunted for it a while ago. I was still in my old job then. Old job was close to home (so no commuting costs) but we were suddenly all let go in December. I got about three months salary after tax and things so I'm okay right now - I've picked up two self employed clients in that time so I'm doing alright, I haven't fully replaced my 9-5 money yet but I'm building up and I'm covering mortgage, food, etc.

I pulled out of the interview when I went self employed, because it's a distance from my house and I've always wanted to be self employed, but been a bit too chicken to try! They talked me into going.

I came out with mixed feelings. They loved me, apparently. They've offered me the lower end of what the headhunter said, but £10k more than I was on, and I can construct a bonus package to get it up to £50k. They're willing to be flexible about where I work until I'm allowed to drive again (hopefully June, depends on my health condition).

It's good money. It's an opportunity to develop skills I'm not great at. They seemed lovely people and they passed on a lot of lovely feedback on the call. The job title is a step up from what I've done before.

It's about an hour from home though. I might never have a better opportunity to try being self employed. It'd be long days when I do commute. It's not my ideal work environment, in terms of layout and structure.

Would you take it?

Definitely take it. A bird in the hand and all that. Nice bird, too.

I would take it but from the way you have written it sounds like you have your heart set on making a go of your own business and you are only considering the job because it's less of a risk for you. You need to really think about what that risk is and if you feel comfortable enough with it then stick with it or you'll always wonder what might have been.

Are your clients reliable? Are they likely to generate more clients? Do you have a plan in place for your mortgage should your business fail?

Alternatively you could go for a best of both worlds approach and take the job for a year with a specific savings goal in mind to invest in your business.

Agree with previous poster - take it, give it a year, learn the new skills, save up some cash (which will give you more than 3 months salary after tax), and re-evaluate then.

I'd take it.

I once took a job that was 45 miles from home, with a chunk of the journey on the M25, the commute was an hour each way on a spectacularly good day. I planned to stay a year- 18 months max.

Nearly 8 years later I'm still here, I love it, I like the people and I've had so many opportunities to learn and grow.

I'd suggest audiobooks, they make the journey go really quickly and with the larger pay cheque you will be able to afford a subscription!

Thanks all.

My heart says leave it, it's not the perfect job and I'm covering my costs with clients without touching my pay off so far.

My head says the money is good and the experience would be worth it.

It's a struggle but it seems everyone would take it so far so I think I should probably talk to them again!

Take it but is there any chance to negotiate not FT so you can develop your business on the side?

Is there scope to work from home a couple of days a week? Could you possibly do four days? Either by doing long days or by working 30 hours? If it was allowed that would mean you could retain your S/E clients but obviously there might be restrictions on that depending on your industry.

I wouldn't take it. I'm self employed and I wouldn't go back to employment even if a potential employer was offering me double what I make myself. I love the freedom of being self employed, I have to meet all of my commitments and deadlines as if I didn't I wouldn't get paid, so it's not a matter of having a day off when I feel like it, but I don't work school holidays, I manage my time and my diary and I can turn down anything I don't want to do. I've been self employed for 8 years, took a leap after redundancy from the public sector and feeling demoralised that the same job in the private sector would only pay half what I was earning. I would give it a go, if it doesn't work out you can go back to employment, you might always regret never trying.

If I were you I'd take it

I'd hate to be SE

Feeling what you're feeling (from reading your posts) - you don't want it, so why take it?

It's not really fair to take a job you know from the outset that you don't want

It's not really fair to take a job you know from the outset that you don't want

Good point. If I go for it, I will give it my all, no question. I trade on my reputation! But I'm not too sure why I went for it. I think it was a bit of a back up plan.

I'm going to raise the possibility of compressed hours or part time work tomorrow and see if there is any compromise in that area.

My big concerns are,

1. I'm fairly confident I could do the job well and the people were lovely but I don't think I'd love it. I think I'd like it; but not love it.

1. If I go back to work, I think that might need to be it from a SE point of view. But maybe it doesn't need to be? It felt like this was a good opportunity to make it happen. If only we'd had a bit more notice that we were all at risk; I'd be a bit further ahead and I could see into the future a bit!

We could move closer to the job if DPs base location moves over to that part of the country too; but he doesn't find that out until next week.

I'd take it but I know how hard being SE can be sometimes.

DH hates holidays etc as we pay for them and he loses money too by not being at work.

Could you do it part time and still be SE on the other days?

Could this employment give you more contacts that will be useful if and when you eventually go self-employed? I don't see why this is closing off your self-employment options.

I agree with others to hedge your bets by doing the job part time whilst building up your self-employment. You will have to juggle though.