AIBU/Crazy to turn down this promotion for a more interesting job?

[Lilifer]

I find myself in an unexpected dilemma and would love some outside perspectives.

I am 56, back in work after a long career break to raise my family, and have been working in the civil service for the past 3 years. I was recently off on sick leave due to work related stress, which I am now well recovered from.

I had applied for and been offered an EOI (temporary posting) at my current HO grade as a Policy Adviser. I was really excited about this, it is a move into policy which is where I want to take my career, and I have already accepted it.

This week, completely out of the blue, I received a second EOI offer at SO level (one grade above) as a Manager on a large project. I did not even have to interview for it, I got it purely on my written application. The salary would be around £45,500 compared to £37,500 in the policy role.

My dilemma is that the policy role is the one I really want to do. It suits my skills, my background and where I want my career to go. The project manager role, while I could do it, sounds more process driven and technical and frankly a bit arid compared to policy.

But the SO promotion represents something huge to me personally. I genuinely never thought I would get back into work after sixteen years out raising my family, let alone be offered a promotion without interview at 56. Turning it down feels almost ungrateful.

The extra money would be genuinely helpful, though not life changing.

A trusted colleague who knows me well thinks I am looking for permission to take the lower grade role. Am I mad? What would you do? I would hope that if I take the policy role and thrive in it that I would still have the opportunity to move up in that role in due course.

Take the interesting work. Better to work towards an SO you want at this stage?

and Congratulations!

Firstly, massive congratulations! Two successful applications are brilliant, and obviously well deserved!

My personal opinion is follow the route with greatest joy and fulfillment. If policy is your calling, and you don't desperately need the extra money, go for that one. You already know the stress that can be caused in work, and if you are in the wrong fit the extra money is not worth it. Both the EOI and the project will be time limited (I'm guessing?) and if project management isn't your end goal, then what's the point in progressing in a direction you're not excited by.

Best of luck!

My dilemma is that the policy role is the one I really want to do.

No dilemma for me. Take the job you want the most.

if you dont * need * the extra money then take the more interesting role.

Wow thank you guys 🙌🏻 they are both EOI, the policy role is 9 months and the project manager role is 12 months, I can manage on the lower salary (just about but am ok) and if both jobs were at the same grade the policy one would win hands down, I just wondered was I mad to turn down and SO role in favour of a HEO role, but I didn’t even try that hard for the SO role, was totally shocked by the offer, (and chuffed) but I would hope that if I put in a lot more effort into the policy role that I could work up to a SO grade in that too, that’s the hope anyway and at this stage in my life I kind of want to do the work I want to do, not what I feel that I should do, you know?

OP, always take the job you want. If you did the project role you would always wonder if the policy one would have been better. Better to regret what you did than what you didn't. I suspect if you take the one you want you will impress them and end up with a promotion in the long run. Lovely to be wanted for two roles but you shouldn't feel pressure to take the more 'prestigious' option because of greater kudos/money. Follow your heart and your gut. It won't let you down. Well done you!

I would hope that if I put in a lot more effort into the policy role that I could work up to a SO grade in that too, that’s the hope anyway and at this stage in my life I kind of want to do the work I want to do, not what I feel that I should do, you know?

I think that's a good plan and you won't regret it.

Going against pps here but I would take the higher paid one for the 12 months - see what you think after that. I think it would also be more interesting than you are expecting.

How likely are you to be offered another promotion? If you turn this one down will that be it off the table forever or could yiu
do this other job and get another chance at a promotion like that an interesting one? I changed industries at 44 years old after 17 years in the same field to something completely different with a ‘similar’ job o was offered another position in my field at the time 20k more, the job I took was the same salary for 5 days that I got for 4 days. I regret nothing my job is interesting and challenging and I have learned loads and I am now 5 years later on a much larger salary with the possibility of more as they have made me a
bot indispensable 🤷🏻‍♀️. Sometimes follow your gut is best. The I my caveat is would they think it a snub as you are not changing employer.

Yes I have thought about that, and I’m sure it would be interesting and a good challenge as higher grade = higher expectations and responsibility, I don’t know though, it’s a hard decision. My gut says the policy role but my pragmatic side is wagging its finger at me to take the better paid but probably not as interesting/fulfilling job

Always trust your gut instinct. You know exactly which job offer you want to accept, you’re just asking here for permission to back up your choice.

The money difference is about £400 a month, which is a good sum. Personally, I’d hate project management but if you could do it then I think I’d go for more money and longer contract. Congrats for getting so far.

Higher expectations and responsibility take the fun out of a job.

If you just want to get stuck in to something you're interested in then why take on extra. It will just spoil it.

And you clearly have what they are looking for in both roles so something else will come up later if you want to move on.

I agree. You also need to think about your pension too.

@Liliferif these were permanent jobs I'd say go for the one that interests you most. But on a temporary basis I'd see the promotion as a much better opportunity. Assuming you would be back to substantive anyway in a year it will boost your CV and open up more options longer term.

I think you’re right there!

That’s a fair point although I would be doing my utmost to use this as a stepping stone, I really want to get out of my substantive role permanently

What caused the work related stress absence ? That would definitely colour my reply, but even without it am veering towards the policy job.I was a project manager, you need to have a robust personality.

Take the policy job and trust that an SEO policy role will come up at some point

If you need the money, take the higher paid job. If you need the job satisfaction, take the one you want.

It feels fairly obvious really🙂

I’d say that the age you’re at currently, the higher paid role would be more beneficial to your pension so that would decide it for me.

Also in the CS! What a difficult choice…two quick thoughts.

Knowing how much CS values managing other people, does either post mean you have more direct reports?

Also, I know your gut is tilting you towards the policy job but sometimes (if the policy area isn’t actually moving anywhere very fast at that particular time!) it can be a bit unfulfilling. Whereas a project that has to be delivered to a fixed deadline can be an adrenaline rush and a fantastic addition to your CV.

Both policy and project management are highly valued so you have only great options 🙂

The difference isn’t just £400 a month it is also the extra 3 months the contract is for. Plus the extra pension payments as well.

Where do you want your career to go? Look at the two job specs and see which one offers more skills you can use for your CV. If it was a permanent role it would be a different decision but you need this as a jumping off point and the higher grade might just give you an advantage in looking for your next role.

Thank you so much, that’s really helpful. I don’t think I have direct reports in either role, but possible in the SO one, but haven’t been told that I have

@Kepler22Byes I have been thinking that too which is why it’s so hard to decide, the policy role interests me more but I feel aside from the extra money the SO role might have more potential for me