Does this job seem like a big mistake?

[Alidalivali]

I've had a second interview for a new job - it's a senior role with a lot of responsibility, in a highly regulated industry. It would be my first senior management role.

I haven't been offered it yet of course but it went well, and to my knowledge I'm the only current candidate in the process. Trouble is, I can't decide if I'd take it if I was successful.

The pros are mainly that I escape my current job which I hate with a fiery passion it's a great opportunity, a bit more money, small firm which I prefer, will build my experience and extend into new areas as well. Opportunities for more qualifications. Standalone role with autonomy and support from current job holder for a while.

The cons are the 2hr commute each way. Plenty of quiet time on the train for reading, studying, etc, but it makes for a 13 hour day, 5 days a week, where I'm used to working from home 2 days a week with lots of flexibility.

Also, at the 2nd interview the CEO hardly asked me any questions at all. He was mostly on transmit so I heard a long diatribe about the company, and he asked me my opinion on one or two minor points.

I was shown the office, which was beautiful but quiet and clinical - I like bustle and activity. I gather that staff are very "sporty" and they hold sporting social events - I'm 4 stone overweight with a foot problem so I won't fit in to that set. They are all very competitive about qualifications and who has what - I'm not fussed about any of that and don't even have a degree, I'll get a couple more professional ones for credibility but otherwise I'm not bothered.

I asked about "work/life balance" and the CEO was a bit sarcastic, although did say that people worked core hours and there's no competitive working late. But no flexi, which was what I was leading up to.

There seems to be a few red flags but I'm at risk of ignoring them in favour of getting away from my current job and being seduced by the chance for advancement.

Any wise words to stop me either making a big mistake, or alternatively passing up an opportunity over trivial worries?

I still think you should take it even if it’s only for a couple of years experience.

That really is hefty commute, a whole extra hour a day in comparison with mine/your previous one. It won’t help your health. Eg there will be virtually no time/energy for exercise or eating well to lose weight.

What about the option of lodging nearer work, for a year or so? Keeping your mum where she is and visiting on Friday eve/weekends, or sometimes during the week?

That’s what a number of my colleagues do.

I'd take it.... But privately just view it as a 18 month /2 year widening your experience!

Also your foot/chronic pain is a protected characteristic under the EQA... Think you could make a good case especially on busy weeks where you've already travelled off site... That you wfh... Present it as they will benefit... As you'll be fresher! (also as a reasonable adjustment under the EQA.

People have much more fun on their commutes than they used to. Headphones, favourite podcasts, Serious looking corporate-types catching up on downloaded box sets. It’s chill out time.

I used to have a 1.5 HR commute each way for a job I loved. Left after 9 months due to the commute. I had great ideas of listening to podcasts, etc and relaxing but it was still shit. Total shit.

I used to do a two hour commute into London every day. Although it invariably ended up being more like 3 hours each way.

I was seduced by the money but only lasted a year. The commute was truly awful.

In your position, I would probably go for it, but don't expect to last more than two yrs tops.

I'd wait to see if they offer it. If they do then try to negotiate 3 days a fortnight wfh.

Agree regarding negotiation: if offered the job ask for two days a week wfh. If they decline either
A) Politely decline due to their lack of flexibility. Especially if you are the only candidate it will teach them a valuable lesson about work in the 21st century
or
B) Take the job and after six months put in a flexible working request. They might be more flexible after they know you and you have settled into the job.
In any of the above cases offer to have this arrangement for a trial period (maybe for 6 months) and offer to revert back to 5 days in office pattern should the flexible pattern not work for the company. (I bet you after six months everyone is used to it and nobody will bat an eyelid anymore).

I will definitely go down the negotiation route, should they make me an offer!

Back at work (from home) today, it's really highlighting how isolated I feel - I've heard nothing from manager or team, I have no specific work to be doing, and nothing I need to catch up on. I have tried to contact my manager but haven't got through or had a call back. I have this awful feeling they are sidelining me ready to make me redundant.

There are bits and pieces I can be getting on with for the odd client here and there, but nothing pressing. I have no calls or emails coming through.

Sorry to hear that. IME working remotely/from home does increase risk of redundancy.

at the idea of a 4 hour daily commute being “fun” or “chill out time”. Even a nice, comfortable train, good connectivity and the best box sets/podcasts, it’s still tiring and “dead time”. In reality comfort and connectivity are lacking, trains are overcrowded, and working is usually impossible due to the connectivity.

Ok your update makes it sound more promising. I would take it with a plan to move (will you need to sell? Could you rent your place out and rent somewhere closer to the new job?). That will hopefully take care of the commute.

Sounds like the CEO situation will sort itself out in the medium term.

Work culture - just put up with it for a couple of years while you get that all important experience onto your CV!

All in all, I would take it if offered.

I'm only usually remote for 1 or 2 days a week - the rest of the time I'm out with clients. But the clients I was set up to manage in my revised role, aren't coming through from the sales initiative. So I have very few new ones to look after, and most of my old ones have been taken over by the team.

I've noticed that the new appraisal scheme has just been pushed out from HR, and it refers to a start of year meeting with the line manager. I can view my managers diary, and I can see he's got these meetings booked with his 3 other reports, but not me. I really think my job is at risk.

If you’re not being assigned work/treated differently would raise this with your manager. If redundancy is imposed would you get money?

That commute really isn’t manageable daily IMO.

I've been there just over 3 years, so I wouldn't get much.

The last time I raised anything I was told a) that I liked moaning and b) that he essentially had far bigger problems to deal with and not to worry. I've asked for work to be assigned and I'm promised a variety of emails containing instructions which never arrive.

I've got a client project on tomorrow, will try manager again after that.

I've been on the job hunt recently and turned down a handful of job offers. Issues being, company too small, awkward commute, no flexible working, office too quite/stiff, not the progression prospects I was after.
As it happens waiting worked and I accepted an amazing offer for a role last week.

People forget that a job is a two way contract, you have to be a capable employee and they have to be a suitable employer.

The things you have listed tell me this is not the right move for you. The right thing will be out there. Happy hunting.

A very wise friend of mine in the business - who wants me to join him as a partner, but sadly can't pay me much - said cryptically that when one serious offer arises, another often follows, so roll with it!

If my current job really is at risk I imagine it won't happen overnight, so I've got some time.

What about renting a room nearby during the week?

I did a similar move: 90 minute commute each way, 15k pay hike, several levels of management jump. It was brutal, but worth it in the short term.

I'd rather set fire to my own hair than do that commute and pay zillions for the fares.

Agency has just confirmed that many of the partners do 2 days from home after a period of settling in to the role, so that's promising.

No offer or next stage as yet though (HR person is away, and it took them 3 weeks to invite me to a 2nd interview anyway), so I am well ahead of myself!

The commute would be an uncomplicated 1 hr 45 mins door to door, not all on the train. My old commute was 1 hr 30 mins door to door, and I did it for 2 years without finding it a major problem. It's most hateful when you don't feel well, but that happened about 3 times in 2 years...hopefully rare.

I sound like I'm convincing myself don't I.

So If you include parking your car, walking on and off the station and down into the tube and back it’s still going to be at least 2 hours door to door.

Don’t convince yourself too much otherwise you may end up being very disappointed if you don’t get a job you weren’t sure you wanted in the first place

However 2 days at home and 2 nights B&B would make it all very easy.

Nanna I keep laughing to myself about your comment - I'll be all disappointed if I don't get an offer, and then remember I didn't especially want the job anyway!!

No news yet. The more hacked off I feel in my current role, the more I am seduced at the idea of getting ANY offer so I can hand in my notice! I'd jack it all in tomorrow if there was a job that paid enough.

I know I keep going on about this, but even a “straighforward” 1 hour 45 min commute 5 days a week is a huge deal and IME has big negative impacts. You’re underestimating it.

Yes Dozer I'm sure you're right. I suppose I am just clinging to a small shred of hope for escape.

I was excited to see a new role pop up on LinkedIn which is right up my street and not in the city - but it's still an hours drive away. I don't mind that, I've done that before too, but idly working out the mileage it would be 23,000 miles a year on the car - without any private mileage!

I think at senior level (£95k+) the chances of a job locally are slim to none.

But surely re the mileage it isn't necessarily more expensive than a long distance season ticket? You just either buy a low mileage car that is 3 years old every 2 years and bring it to average or just above mileage or you just buy a car then basically run it into the ground. If you're earning 95k then going through a car every 4 years is surely with the realms of possibility? Cars aren't investments after all!