I'm being deliberately vague around what these careers are, as both are pretty niche and very small communities in my area.
I retrained a few years ago and started up my own business in my new career. My business has been doing well, it has peaks and troughs, with a tendency to be quieter over the summer holidays but very busy through autumn and winter.
My old job has been offering me some self-employed work, covering for ex-colleagues when they are on annual leave. This has worked really well in the summer when things are quieter in my own business.
My old job have now offered me one day a week of work from now until the end of 2024. Obviously this would be steady, guaranteed work, however autumn is my new businesses busiest time.
Both jobs pay pretty much the same on an hourly basis, but I have overheads with my business.
So my options are:
1- accept the day a week at my old job and work the other 4 days in my business.
Pro - financial security and maintaining my skills and connections in old career.
Con - I would limiting the amount of work I can take on in my new business during its busiest time.
2- work 5 days a week in my new business and decline offer of working in old role.
Pro - more time to work in business, market it, focus on its growth and the growth of my newer skills.
Con - although autumn has been very busy for me for the last few years and is busy across the whole industry I cannot be certain of how busy it will be.
I would appreciate any insights!