To not go for a promoted full time post?

[sparkysdream]

I'm having a massive dilemma over whether to go for a new post at my work. I currently work 22 hours per week over 4 days, mainly from home, some travel. DH works full time from home.

The new post is a step up and full time and also mainly from home. Kids are 7, 10 and 13. Between us we could do the school drop off and pick up, but it will make some after school activities very difficult/ impossible. Will make keeping on top of everything harder.

The extra money would be great for added security but we're very lucky to be okay as we are.

There is of course no guarantee of getting the job- maybe 50/50. But I need to decide if I actually want it before putting myself through the application process.

I'm erring on not, as why make life harder? But then opportunities like it are rare, so who knows when the chance will arise again.

Collective wisdom, what should I do?

I’ve been in a similar position. Promotion came up at work, I considered but realised I didn’t want it enough for the pros to outweigh the cons…(for context I have one DD who is 9). Then an amazing opportunity came up a few months and I realised I’d make comprises for that job. (In fact they closed it early and I cried that I’d missed the deadline! I contacted the manager and they let me apply anyway!). Long story short, I got the job! It’s a far better option than the first job I considered going for but I’ll still only be doing 4 days a week (currently do three but that includes evening work, new job doesn’t). I’m more comfortable working 4 days a week now DD is that bit older too.

Honestly it sounds like your heart’s not in this. You’re considering it because you feel you should, not because you really want to! Maybe you should have an informal chat about the job so you can properly weigh things up?

We would manage, and he already is very involved due to working from home he can start early and finish early so does some of the activities drops/ making tea. Yes he’s been able to go for promotion, helped by me being part time, but has also decided not to go for a job offering more money as it would mean he is around less.

We are a good team and he totally supports me going for this job if I want to. Like another poster mentioned I’m just not sure I want to upset the very nice balance we have now. But it is a good opportunity and, if it was in a couple of years I think I’d be less conflicted, so maybe it’s worth a shot.

I doubt the option of going for it and requesting reduced hours is go-er, unfortunately, as there is definitely another good choice for the post.

Ooh thanks for sharing your experience, that’s such an example of my Granny’s saying ‘what’s for you won’t go by you’! Much as this position is a direct step from my current role, adjacent things of interest might come up, and I might feel more strongly it is a good move.

I do know pretty well what’s involved, as it’s a new promoted post being slotted into our existing team, so a slightly added awkwardness of line managing those who didn’t get it, if successful. I’m not sure how much that is a factor in putting me off, though I know that’s not a good reason.

Apply for it, all for the terms you want with regard to hours and flexibility, if they can't do that nothing lost, if they can everything to gain. Or also means you have experience application at that level so if something came up in the future you'd feel more confident in going for it.

*ask

I would apply, if you decide you don't want it when offered you can always turn it down. If you don't get offered it you won't have the "what if" turmoil, because it's out of your hands then.

At least by applying you have more time to decide if you want it or not.

Yes, I said that when it closed but I decided to see if I could apply anyway…couldn’t quite believe it when they offered it to me! Have a think about things. Maybe enquire as to whether there’s an option to job share/do slightly less hours/if there’s a flexible working policy you can look at..but I do wonder if you’re not that passionate..?

To be honest in the current financial climate and with three kids heading towards teens, I think you would be mad not to.