To discard a job opportunity with same title and pay?

[MakkaPakka84]

I have been quite unhappy at my current job after coming back from maternity leave. A recruiter has just been in touch with an opportunity that I don't know whether I should discard or not (everyone around me is saying don't go for it, but there are some positives too...):

Pros: The new role is more specialised, it would fill a gap on my CV and I would leave behind areas I am not interested in anymore

Cons: Same job title and salary-wise I am at the very high end of their suggested band. No opportunity for negotiation according to the recruiter. Not sure how that would look on my CV - a lateral move without even a better title?

My gut says wait it out for something else to come up, but am I being silly? Am I waisting training opportunities in my current job (which has become a bit dead-end)? Perhaps with the end of the pandemic there will be a flurry of exciting roles popping up and I would be silly to settle for the first thing that comes along?

Is there anything else you might be able to negotiate instead of salary?

Tbh if you're already at the top of that salary band then either look for more senior roles or companies that pay more at that level, or work out how to make it worth your while to stay at that level. It depends what's important to you.

Hey I was in a similar position. I would not move unless there was some benefit. Better off keep looking until you find something that's either more pay or a better title. Better than taking this lateral move and then feeling unsatsified so wanting to leave in a short time.

I think it would be worth it for the pros you mention.....leaving behind areas you don't like and look good on the CV. The latter will help you get a more exciting role down the line perhaps? If you got this job it doesn't have to be for every, do it for 18 months maybe and then start looking?

Do you need to earn more money? If not and you think you will be happy in the job then go for it. That is the reason intend to leave your current job is it not?

@JellyBabiesFan I don't need to earn more money, but I am just worried that a move like this might be questionable after having worked 6 years at my current job, and it would raise eyebrows on my CV.

@CovidCorvid it's a hard one. On the one hand I would specialise in a different area, on the other from the outside it seems nothing is changing - same title and same pay, I am already at the max of what they are offering. My boss claims I could gain more experience in this area in my current role, but she's been a bit the queen of empty promises in the last few years....

I will probably stay put. But what if I regret it! This is awful... I am so bad at making personal decisions

The other thing to factor in is that in the next few years DH and I might (hopefully) or not decide to go for DC2. As it is very much in the hypothetical realm of possibilities, I wouldn't make a decision based on that...

I'd do it if you can plug skill gaps and you're bored - you'll lose nothing and gain more skills and after a year or so (and maybe baby no. 2) can look for something else?

I've been in a similar position recently OP.
Top of my salary band but no interest in moving up right now because I don't want the extra responsibility with 2 young dc. I left one job because I hated it and after returning from maternity leave I just couldn't be there anymore. Took a similar, but higher paying ftc and am now negotiating a new role.
The new role is slightly less, about £20 a week so not an issue, but longer term it's a huge project initially that means huge experience that will look amazing on my cv. After looking at it with pros and cons I decided I'm a stage where it's not about chasing money anymore, as long as it's basically the right level the other benefits are far more important (for me that's flexibility, agility like partial home working and potential progression when I'm ready).

Rather than the jobs, look at what's more important to you. Is it staying put for comfort, is it moving now so you're happier and qualify for mat pay when the time comes, moving so you have that potential to bridge a gap? Then apply your priorities to the 2 roles and see which is a better fit.

Even if you go to interview and get offered it, you don’t have to accept.

You can use interview to find out more about the company, see if it’s a good fit and if you like the people. I’ve been offered jobs and turned them down because I didn’t like what I saw at interview. Eg. Didn’t like the people or realised there wasn’t opportunity for progression or whatever.

It’s not waisted time if you’re genuinely curious. It brushes up your interview skills and if you don’t end up going fit it, it can make you realise what you do like about your current role.

Also no- one will side eye your CV for moving roles. Explain it as it was an interesting opportunity to get new skills.

If you’re a bit curious, it doesn’t hurt to find out. That way you’re making a decision with more facts, rather than trying to make a decision off a phone call.

I have moved sideways twice before and not regretted it - my career has stagnated a bit but the moves were both beneficial to me in other ways - shorter commute, better hours, a chance to work in an area I find more interesting. If the new job offers nothing you don't get in your current job then why would you want to move? If its going to benefit you in the long run then do it but if its just that you have had enough of your current role I'd suggest you hang on until something better comes along

First of all, you are unhappy currently, that alone is reason enough to look elsewhere. Secondly, you don't have the other job, so you may be staying put anyway.
Thirdly, nobody cares about the job title. It's what you did and your achievements that should stand out on your CV and they will differ for each job.
Fourthly, unless you freely offer information on your salary, how would any future employer know whether you did or didn't get more money. Surely, they would only get to know the salary from the job you are leaving.

It's a sideways move, but it will widen your experience and give you opportunities to do something you haven't done before. You can talk that up on any future cv. It may not be a long term post for you, but a stepping stone. If you were happy in your current job, it might not be worth the move, but since you're not, then go for it.

Of course, the company may realise that they might not keep you long, and might decide to go for someone a little less experienced. But you won't know if you don't apply, and it may turn out that they're happy to risk that.

Just seen the bit about potential DC2. Check maternity leave/pay. You don't want to lose out on maternity pay because you've just moved company. If you're not planning on trying for a while, it might be best to make a move now, rather than realise in a year's time that you can't stand your current company any more.

Can you negotiate on the job title?

I think sideways moves are pretty good tbh. In my sector it’s almost expected that you will do more than one role at the same grade. It usually means you’ll be more rounded and have more experience on the way to the next pay band.

It doesn’t sound like you’re very happy in your current role, and they do say a change is as good as a rest.