To turn down the highest paid job?

[Daffodil8]

I appreciate this is a fortunate position to be in but very torn about what to do. I've asked a few friends and the response has been 50/50 so wondering what random strangers would do and if there's any words of wisdom?

I've been offered 2 jobs.
Job 1 is in a different industry to what I'm in now but the same role as my skills are transferable. The salary is decent but a bit less than I currently make. 5% bonus. The manager and colleague I interviewed with were really nice and I got a good feel about the company and role. The job is in a good location to my house (driveable) with nice facilities.

Job 2 - same industry as I'm in now. Salary is 5k higher than job 1 with a 10% bonus. So a bit more than I make now. The people I met were ok but interview was over zoom so it was difficult to get a good feel for them... office facilities are also very nice but it would involve travelling by train to get there as it's in the middle of a city centre.

So am I mad for going for job 1? I'm excited by working in a new industry and getting my foot in the door at this company. The other part of my says I'm silly for turning down more money.
I know I could go to job 1 with the offer from job 2 to try and negotiate a higher salary but what they offered me was the top of the salary band (one of the rare ones where salary was advertised in job description).
Financially we're doing ok so would still be able to cover outgoings if I took the lower salary.
My partner says he'll support whatever decision I make.

What is your current salary and do you need the money. Could you ask to meet the second job team? I think you would be justified in going to both and saying that you have two offers, is there any movement on their first offer. How long are the two commutes,

How much of the extra money with job 2 will be taken up by train fares? I think you'll find that taking that into account, the money won't be much different between the two. And if you have a good feeling about your colleagues in job 1 and like to challenge yourself with a new industry, I'd go for 1.

Current salary is 2k less than job 2 but I've worked at my current role for 7 years so it's increased over the years as I got more senior.
The people at job 2 are based all over the place, not at the same office I would work at as it's a big company so you work at the office closest to your home and likely only meet the full team a few times a year face to face.
Job 1 commute is 30 min by car - free parking
Job 2 is 45 minutes - 15 mins walk to station, 30 minutes train - no onsite parking
Both roles would require me to be in the office twice a week.
I guess I should factor in train fares and all the issues trains have atm...

Put it all on a spread sheet -including benefits (and cost if those that you would need to pay if they are needed but not provided in either job) and also account for commuting costs to get a clear idea of the difference.

I like this! Thank you!

Does that mean job 1 is 3k less than what you’re on now? If that’s the case, it doesn’t really equate to much less take home per month and 2k doesn’t equate to enough extra for me to move jobs. I think it depends entirely on what your motivations for the move are?

I wouldn’t let money be the deciding the factor. One of my best friends moved jobs in the last 12 months, earning 15k more. She’s been miserable, hates it and has today interviewed to return to her previous place of work for the same reduction in pay. Money talks but we’re a long time in work for us to be unhappy.

You can’t put a price on happiness but it’s hard to judge from an interview alone.

Weigh up what difference the extra money would make to your life. Think about the train commute in the winter and the walk. Does that make you smile as much as the money? If that’s a stronger negative feeling than the extra money is positive then you have your answer.

Some of the posters upthread have made wise suggestions about sitting down and working all this out financially.

How much are you going to get hammered for tax in that extra salary and bonus? Will it push you into a higher tax bracket?

How much is your new commute going to cost over your present one. Is the train going to be more expensive than your 30 minutes by car? Also consider the wasted time at either end walking. Winter will soon be here so walking 10-20 minutes in bad weather as oposed to sitting in nice cosy car may be a deal breaker.

Job 1 - If you are starting at the top of the salary band is there still scope for decent annual pay rises for a couple of years at least until you can get promoted to the next level and what are the progression prospects to get to that next level?

I got stuck at the top of a pay band for nearly 5 years once and will never forget how soul destroying it was getting a £100 pa pay rise and a £500 bonus despite exceeding all targets, when it should have been at least 10x that.

Yes that's right on the salary amounts.

I started looking as we've recently moved to be closer to family so commute is now 1.5 hours each way! Luckily I only go into the office a few times a month but I know I'm treading on thin ice and any day now they'll mandate we have to be in 2/3 days per week. So I thought i'd look for opportunities closer to home.

That's food for thought about your friend, thanks for sharing.

Some good points about the train in winter 🥶

What's your gut reaction?

I would go with 1. I find commuting very tiring though.

I would strongly recommend that you meet future boss/colleagues in person for job 2. It’s not an unreasonable request to pop in before you decide.
Sounds like the first one is what you’re most keen on doing. Have a think a year from now is there a role that would you regret not taking?

Can you arrange to visit office 2?

From what you've said I'd go with job 1, it sounds like there is more opportunity to develop.

Ask Job 1 for 5k more and tell them about your other offer. Seriously do it, men do it all the time that's why they're paid more

This will depend on you and how you feel about driving but I much prefer commuting by train. I get to sit and drink my coffee and read a book or sometimes I do things like meal plan/grocery shop online. I don't get much time to myself and really like that it's my time.

I also have a 15/20 min walk to the station and like that I get that bit of exercise regularly.

Go with your gut. If Job1 give a you the best feeling, go for it. You'll excel more there and do well and in time end up having a good career there and ultimately more money in the end anyway. Despite that you'll likely be happier too.

Congratulations on the two offers, OP!

My strong advice is to go with your gut. I've been in your position and the salary difference was 20k. My instincts told me to go with the lower-paid option and I never regretted it. (The other place was bought over and I'm convinced within 6 months my position would have been redundant as the people who would have reported to me were all laid off).

Money is obviously important but it's not the deciding factor IMHO. Go with your gut, and spend your time in the place you'll be most fulfilled.

I'd go for Job 1 as the reason you're changing is to reduce your commute. It seems strange to have a zoom only interview these days - if you're not 100% sure you could ask to go in and meet them in person.

Go with your gut, hands down. Culture and commute overrides pay any day of the week (within reason, of course).

Agree with this.

I think job one would expand future career options/ increase your strength as a candidate because it's offers more diversification for your experience.
I don't think salary difference is all that and relying on the train could be a massive stress.

If you can afford to take a pay cut without compromising your quality of life i would take money out of the decision as the differences aren't massive so consider-

• which industry do you prefer? does new industry interest you and open more doors for future progression or is your current industry more likely to see u progress
• do u want to progress or just be comfy where u are - in which case where has more stability in both the company and the industry ?
• commute - do you prefer train/ car - how much does the commute affect you?
• culture - which company has values you are more in tune with?
• gut instinct - any red flags/ feelings? don't ignore these (i did and am working my notice from a horrible company which paid me handsomely to be utterly miserable)

What's the reason for the change? It's alien to me to be in one role for 7 years to then side step into a similarly paid role? Are you making career progress or is it a job? Either way the salary perhaps doesn't matter because a) it may be a good career step that will build your salary in future? Or b) you're not salary focussed so it wouldn't make sense to make a salary based decision, especially as it isn't hugely more and with other caveats.

I don't think I'd want to earn less than my current job, although 5k probably not going to make a huger difference but also combined with the 10% bonus I think I would be swayed with the higher salary.

Hard to say without know your salary as the difference will be much more impactful if you are on 20k than if you are on 100k.