to consider turning down a job with more money simply because I'm happy enough where I am?

[MrsSeanBean]

In a nutshell - been offered new job about £250 per month more, fewer hours (24 instead of 28)

The money would be nice but not essential.

New job would give me more scope to use specialist abilities.

But.... I'm happy where I am and like the people and culture. People change I know, but it's a lovely environment and really friendly place, although I feel a bit frsutrated sometimes as work is more basic. Although it is nice to have zero stress and an 'easy life'.

(Oh, and am planning DC2 so would not excatly be ideal to be in new job a few months then announce PG.)

I'm finding this decision really tough. WWYD?

Thanks everyone for further advice.

Scottish mummy, I don't entirely agree with your last post. I think anyone is at liberty to apply for a job and then consider the options if you are offered the job. I didn't know I would get the job and what's more had not decided in advance that I definitely didn't want it. (Still haven't.)

That's a bit like saying (to a job hunter) 'don't waste your time applying, you may not get the job' isn't it?!

If I declined, I would be offering the opportunity to the '2nd in line' who might want it more than me.

Oddly enough, I am feeling more inclined to accept today. I could condense the hours into 3 days rather than 3.75, which would mean that I would spend more days at home more than at work.

3 days instead of 4 is more convincing than 24 hours instead of 28. You'll gain a day's worth of childcare costs... plus the extra wages... and have more time at home. Have you done the £ calculations?

Being pregnant and doing 3 days will be a lot easier than being pregnant and doing 4 days.

you applied knowing you probably wouldn't take. a prospective job hunter looking for work would hopefully apply for desired job

LOL scottishmummy, always the socialist perspective

You sound like me op.
I'm in a great job- crap pay, but very fulfilling and I make my own challenges. Was offered the manager's job once but ran away and hid. I'm happy and content!

Yep, I've been thinking that as well Bonsoir - even if sickness was bad again I'd only have to face work (or calling in sick) max 3 days per wk!

I just know that where I am now they are all so caring (it's a hopsice btw) that I would be given all the time I needed with absolutely zero pressure/ made to feel bad.

But then I see pound signs and think of all the lovely things I could buy for me, DH, DS and the home. I have 'cut back' since been in lower graded job. Not that I've minded or felt unhappy doing so though.

Money def. not everything.

I think more than money, I would perhaps mourn the lost opportunity to 'be what I can be' and do it well, rather than just doing a perfectly average job.

It did affect my self esteem when I started lower paid job, I felt I was viewed in a subtly different way - ? not made to feel 'stupid'... difficult to define, bbut less expected of me definitely, which I struggled with, found a bit insulting / upsetting - does that make sense??

Deaddei - There's a lot to be said for contentment.

There is when you're married to Sean Bean- I'd be in heaven

MrsSB, even if your current job has low status, so long as you keep your skills up-to-date, you can always apply for a higher status better paying job once you are ready. Important thing is to keep your hand in, which is what you are doing.

I have done just that. I left lawyering 6 years' ago for pt hours. Now that my dcs are 6 and 3, I have gone back to ft (in-house) lawyering and find I love it. Now that I am back, I realised how much I miss the buzz that my 'cushy' pt job (whilst right for me in my then circumstances with young demanding dcs) did not do for me.

It is fun to be in a challenging job. Time just flies. But you must be ready for it, otherwise the stress and juggling will get to you.

I personally would not apply for a job that I knew I would probably turn down. I did it once - the agent told me the company was surprised I did not accept. I felt so bad I never did it again. It is a waste of the interviewers' time. It is bad manners IMO.

Fine to look at job vacancies and keep close to recruitment agents to keep abreast of market worth. But to go for 2-3 interviews with the same company when you are not serious ... not for me.

Also, the issue of burning bridges in a small market.

Blueshoes (and everyone) I did not apply definitely not wanting the job. I was quite excited actually.

I am just having second thoughts now I've been offered it. People do change their minds... I would never deliberately set out to waste anyone's time.

I agree with blueshoes, you need to feel ready for the job, otherwise it will be too stressy.

Also, don't worry about not taking the job (I know that you aren't). Job interviews are a two way process, interviewers need to know you are right for the job, and interviewee need to establish the job is right for them. If the job was that good, you would want it.

And I haven't been for 2-3 interviews with same organisation - ?

I worked there for 18 years, had DS, left, didn't work for a while, then went somewhere else, now have had 1 interview and been offered 1 job.

Oh, it's all so dificult Havoc, I do want it in one way (money and 'status' / fulfilment) but being 'lazy' I suppose, and opting for an easy life, I could happily stay where I am for a while longer, until after TTC/ second DC at least.

MrsSB, you are allowed to change your mind . It is ego-interviewing that I object to. You got a job after one interview? Blimey, in this market ... you must be something special, not being sarcastic!

if you current post is nhs the mat leave and conditions are good,compared to other employers

Thanks Blueshoes - I reckon I must be!

I have only ever had 5 interviews in my life and been offered 4 out of the 5!

Hey, if I'm going to say no then I can at least 'shine' on MN

More money doesn't necessarily mean more stress. I was headhunted and moved jobs when ds was small. I got a 40% pay rise. No more stress than old job but had been at old company for many years and that meant my salary had never really kept up with market rates.

That's a good point MollieO, it may not be that much more stressful. When I worked there before there was a lot of 'dead wood' although I think there's less room for that now, (and I couldn't be like that if I wanted to.)

On the plus side, I would be part of a team and when I last did the job it was just me and a sidekick - so the work is a lot better resourced now.

I suppose I do worry abouyt having more than 3 days work packed into my 3 days - but that gives me a powerful reason to shout if I genuinely do get overworked.

stay where you are

you're happy so why change it?

That's what DH says activate - 'if it's not broken don't fix it'.

I think I tend to over-analyse everything. I then start thinking - 'ah, but it is a bit broken in this way / that way....' !!

I think I will have an hour of pretending I have decided to accept and see what I tell myself, then switch to pretending not o have accepted and see what happens. (If I can fool myself, that is!)

he's clever then

contentment is a rare gift, particularly in the world of work

getting a new job offer has just proved that you actually don't want to change your status quo

and money isn't everything so long as you can feed and clothe and house your family the rest is just window dressing

All wise words acivate (you're not really my current boss are you?!)

fact you are dithering and not thinking "yessss new job" speaks volumes.dont think you want it

what was your immediate reaction upon hearing was it
great or oh god

I'm nobody's boss although I used to be in charge of a lot of people

I now work in a grunt position in another field and it gives me contentment and a work-life balance I really appreciate and just enough money for my family to live nicely

contentment rocks