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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help me decide between 2 job offers?

13 replies

helphem · 28/04/2023 21:55

I'm in a very lucky position, helped by the fact my field has a shortage of people so there are quite a few jobs out there. It's in marketing, for context.

Job A: A smaller company, working in my area of interest, team is split between 2 UK cities, so I'd only have a few colleagues in the office that I know. Small company is owned by a larger company so salary and benefits are all in line with bigger companies. Hybrid with flexible working, office is literally 5 minutes away from Job B, so no difference in commute time.

Job B: Very laid back interview, talked a lot about how laid back they are and how they don't like micromanaging their direct reports, I was a lot more honest with some of my short-falls in this and areas I want to focus on for development and felt like I laid my cards on the table with respect to that. Very sociable culture with free lunches in the office, regular socials. Very relaxed with flexi start times, and can go into the office as often or as little as I want, which is similar to my current company so think I would miss that flexibility as I've gotten used to it.

Job A has given me an offer already which I'm happy with, for Job B I've had a verbal offer but waiting on a written offer, it's likely that salaries and benefits will be pretty similar.

I really don't know which to go with. I've never been in a position of having two offers to choose from before

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 28/04/2023 21:59

Go with what suits your personality best. As long as the more relaxed company is a long term prospect, then it sounds as if it would suit you better. Why are you leaving were you are now?

blueshoes · 28/04/2023 22:08

I personally prefer a professionally managed company rather than a laid back company. Bear in mind whilst it is not good to be micromanaged, you'd want your manager to manage the heck out of any employees who weren't pulling their weight.

Job A has already given you an offer so they are keen and cards on the table. Job B is taking their time in keeping with their laid back culture.

Personally, I feel companies who rely on their chilled culture to recruit rather than on offering progression or good pay may not be as professional or have as much longevity as a business than a more tightly managed one.

I'd take Job A.

Original poster
helphem · 28/04/2023 22:08

Ponoka7 · 28/04/2023 21:59

Go with what suits your personality best. As long as the more relaxed company is a long term prospect, then it sounds as if it would suit you better. Why are you leaving were you are now?

It's a few things, I had a period of really poor mental health and I had to confide in my manager and my manager was great, but senior management were told and I had a few meetings with them that felt embarrassing and inappropriate. I want a fresh start and to leave that behind me.

Another reason is my lovely manager left and my new manager was my old manager's manager, who I don't work with that often so she doesn't really see my work or how I work with my team, and in general is really disengaged with me. I had my annual review with her and she was really patronising and was talking down to me, telling me I should be doing things that I already do and reminding me on how far away I was from being promoted. It completely knocked my confidence and it felt like everything I had been working towards was for nothing.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 28/04/2023 22:10

Well, if the the offers were withdrawn, which one would you be most upset about?

Original poster
helphem · 28/04/2023 22:12

blueshoes · 28/04/2023 22:08

I personally prefer a professionally managed company rather than a laid back company. Bear in mind whilst it is not good to be micromanaged, you'd want your manager to manage the heck out of any employees who weren't pulling their weight.

Job A has already given you an offer so they are keen and cards on the table. Job B is taking their time in keeping with their laid back culture.

Personally, I feel companies who rely on their chilled culture to recruit rather than on offering progression or good pay may not be as professional or have as much longevity as a business than a more tightly managed one.

I'd take Job A.

Job A did seem more professional, the interviewer was more serious and 'professional', but still friendly and personable. The interviewers for Job B felt more like peers, they also don't have as much of a hierarchy there (which I do think is great, but wonder if I would do better in a more structured environment).

I interviewed for Job B several days after Job A , and I also had to do an assessment after my interview (for Job A I did the assessment before the interview). So Job B isn't being slow.

Another thing is Job A is small so doesn't have any Glassdoor employee reviews. Job B has very positive reviews about good team culture, progression, work-life balance

OP posts:
Original poster
helphem · 28/04/2023 22:13

I'm also on the quieter side and I don't know if a smaller company would be better as I'd work with a smaller group of people, or whether Job B would be better as I'd be able to 'blend in' a bit better?

OP posts:
blueshoes · 28/04/2023 22:15

Job B is sounding like a better fit for you. What about the job spec? Do you prefer one role over another?

Jezzballs2000 · 28/04/2023 22:18

The way you're talking about it makes me think you'd prefer Job B so for that reason I think you should go for B! It's scary to make a decision - because what if it's it the wrong decision and you have to live with the consequences?!! - but you're clearly in demand and if it doesn't work out you can leave and quite possibly even move to Job A. Good luck and congratulations, it's really well done.

snailgallop · 28/04/2023 22:19

It doesn't sound like there will be a lot of difference in it, salary-wise. And having had struggles with your mental health, you know how important it is to have a good, supportive team who you trust.

OP, listening to your gut - where did you feel more comfortable?

If you were stuck at something at work, or if you had a family emergency that meant you needed some time off - who would you feel happier telling? A or B?

I've just chosen a job offer myself, and I went for the company where I felt things clicked. I could have got slightly more money elsewhere, but once you get to a certain ballpark, it's not really relevant. It's about how happy or unhappy you think you'll be in a certain work environment.

danceyourselfdizzy1 · 28/04/2023 22:20

Option B does sound like the better fit, but I'd be concerned with a company that very openly sells itself as laid back - you don't want them to be so laid back that corners are cut and proper procedures aren't followed, especially when it comes to HR related issues.

Original poster
helphem · 29/04/2023 23:11

I went to see the outside of the offices and the general area in person today to see if that would help!

Job A is in a busier area and doesn't look as nice from the outside. Job B has a nice looking office, in a really quiet street in quite a posh area with lots of beautiful architecture surrounding it. Both commutes are pretty similar as they are quite near to each other.

Hasn't really helped haha!

OP posts:
lauraisa · 29/04/2023 23:22

Do they pay the same? I would take B but reject offer A super nicely and hopefully leave the door open for future consideration if Jon B doesn't work out.

Wallywobbles · 30/04/2023 07:25

B.

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