Would you disturb this setup for career progression

[Strangedillemma]

I have two young DC, 4 and 1 yo. I have worked in public sector for several years and some jobs have come up in another department.
If I get it it would mean an added train commute of 30 mins each way, additional £300 monthly train tickets, while my current office is 5 mins on bus or 15 mins walk from home and it's nearly free to commute.
It would be additional £10k increase in salary but more responsibility and a new organisation to navigate, however it would be good for my long term career.
Needless to say I am currently knackered because of young DC and the baby is a bad sleeper so wakes up several times each night. I like my current manager and team hence in no rush to change anything. I get 31 days annual leave due to been having here long time and get to work flexibly 4 day week.
What would you do in my position?

What would you do in my position?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work

@Strangedillemma

Thanks

I wouldn’t move with a one year old. But I am quite risk averse when it comes to work. My only ambition is to log off at 5pm sharp and not think about work until I log in the next day.

I would say to apply and kick the decision down the road a bit. How often do these posts come up? If like rocking horse droppings then you need to go for it or it could be a long wait til the next opportunity etc.
There are pros and cons - make a list of both and see... that said, I would probably not go for it as that's a lot of extra cost, time, brain space while you've got very small children. Thats me though!

Apply for it and if you get it try to negotiate more flexibility, either part time, compressed hours or WFH or the like.

if it doesn’t work out tho don’t beat yourself up or put too much pressure on yourself. Your career is a marathon not a sprint and you’re seriously in the thick of it right now. As someone’s whose kids are now 10 and 8 your life is hard. It gets much easier when the youngest start preschool and even easier once they start reception.

Who made you the thread police? 🙄

OP I’d stay put another year or two, the added stress of the commute won’t help you right now. Baby will get more settled.

Do you not have a partner? If he were in this position would he be factoring in these issues?

I would apply and then negotiate to keep the 31 days leave and 4 days flexibility during the hiring process.

Can dp do more?
Is the new job flexible?
How much will it do for your career?
Will opportunity come up again in say 5 years once kids are older?

Thanks that's a good point. I have a partner who works from home most of the time. He does lots of housework.

It's a deputy director role, they do come in different departments but not usually for my profile. They might come next year but who knows.

You have not said anything about your current financial situation or how much you need the money. So we cannot give any meaningful advice.

For almost every one of these scenarios I suggest applying and then deciding once you actually have an offer. No point driving yourself crazy over a decision that isn't actually yours yet. Worst case you end up with a freshened up CV and are ready for the next thing.

If you get an offer you don't have to say yes if it doesn't feel right.

More than money, it's about career progression for me really.

Is it £10k extra because you’ll have to work 5 days instead of your current 4 days? Think about the tax and train tickets.

In which case I would go for it.
Don't turn your WfH DH into a househusband accidentally though (I say this as the person who also mostly works from home and ends up doing housework etc) get a cleaner if you don't already have one, send out bedding to be cleaned & ironed, get a regular online shop delivered with the things you always get (if you don't do this already).
Good luck!

Thanks I do all the grocery shopping online and get it delivered. I have a weekly cleaner. I do most of cooking and both kids are in nursery. DC1 starts school next year.

I would do it. You're knackered anyway in your current setup but with less power and opportunity: this opportunity gives you more money and much better career progression.

In that case I suggest giving it a sweve. If you want career progression you need to be working hard and giving it 100% focus. Not easy with such young ones and the commute is a lot of time out of your day.

I would move, your annual leave and flexible working schedule might be available in your new department

Well even if they do come up next year, you can apply next year regardless of what happens. You’re going to be in a better position going for it, with actual DD experience under your belt.

Go for it. If you were a man, you wouldn't think twice.

Of you don't take this step now, how many years will you be set back waiting for the next opportunity, especially if you want to stay for the leave allowance.

Don't be me (now with the youngest being 4) kicking myself for not moving soon after I came back from Mat Leave, and now feeling utterly amd hopelessly stuck in a dead end job.

Thanks @FluffMagnet for your perspective.
I do enjoy my current role and people I work with are generally good.

Go for it!

Be confident that this is a role you can do, and that you are ready to step up.

I found that more senior roles generally gave me more flexibility over working time.

Find ways to make the most of the 30 minute extra commute time. If it's 30 minutes sat on a train then find upliftling podcasts or meditation apps - something to give YOU time for YOU.

Don't stay in your current role for the people - they could also be looking for other jobs. You can't expect it to stay static. Imagine if you stayed in that role and your next boss was someone younger / less experienced / not as good as you...

If you are a higher rate taxpayer, 10k increase can mean £500 per month increase and if £300 of it goes to pay for the train ticket, I personally wouldn't move with young children. There is time to think about career development and maybe now isn't that time, especially if you yourself are under doubt.