Lawyer needing help with decision

[csla]

Hi,
I'm a junior com prop lawyer currently on maternity leave from a regional firm. The only reduction in hours that is permitted is to go down to 4 days per week. Another job opportunity has come up in a different region in a city where I'm from and where my family live in a good firm. I applied and have been shortlisted and whilst I know theres no decision to make whilst I dont even have the job offer I am pondering a few questions to see if I should pursue the option;

1)Will it be too much to try and start a new full time job whilst leaving my son for the first time? (Family will look after DS 2 days per week but would need to organise childcare for 3 days). Also would need to organise a house move (we only rent) all in a few months. It's difficult to know what the culture of a new firm will be like but generally I think property is one of the most family-friendly depts in terms of hours?
2)Is it still a risky time to move jobs especially given I work in property whereas in my current firm I'd have good job security?

On the other hand, the thought of moving home (which is our long term aim) where we'd have the support of family and the fact these jobs don't seem to come up very often makes me think I should at least give the application a go. Has anyone else been in similar circumstances? I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks

hi clsa, I'm also a lawyer on 2nd mat leave. I would be concerned about going to a new firm without knowing the culture as you say, some I think are absolutely fine, some expect long hours, or longer hours than is possible when you have a lo. I was terrified of this and ducked out into the public sector when I knew I wanted to have kids, because I thought it would be untenable from my experience in private practice and friends who work in it (when I was looking for a job and mentioned 'work life balance' to agencies they got very snooty and I was lectured about how firms want someone who can give their all..)... BUt that's just my experience and yes I think property is better for hours. You're right about the risky time though I think things are picking up slightly now. There were 50 odd applicants for my mat leave cover, mostly folk who had been made redundant.

I think I'd put in the application and maybe feel things out at the interview.. You would be closer to family which is a big plus (I don't have family childcare at all) and I understand how that and the house thing adds to the difficulty. I also couldn't remotely handle the stress of a new job in addition to the stress of leaving ds but again, I am a total wuss when it comes to all that, and it depends also whether you are happy working where you are - and ds1 has thrived being without me for the days I am at work (tho I was only back for 8 months before I went off to have ds2)

I honestly couldn't say what I'd do but best of luck with it.

In my experience there is rarely a 'right' time in life to do major things like move house, get a new job etc, and you have to take oppportunities when they present themselves and go for it. It may be very stressful in the short term but if you ultimately want to move and to be near family, and to do a job with better hours, getting it all over and done with in one fell swoop isn't necessarily a bad idea.

You do need to investigate the firm a bit more though once they've offered you a job. Don't be afraid to ask probing questions about their expectations, it'll save alot of hassle later on. I've always been very upfront with employers and you'd be surprised - sometimes they respect you for it, and if they don't and go cold on you, it was the wrong opportunity anyway. Take courage!

Does the new firm appear to have lots of women with children working for them?

That's the only thing you need to look at imho.

Sometimes you just have to seize the day. Life is about risk and making the best of chances. People who don't take their chances plod along and never do very well. If you start the job and it#s not working out you can get one better or work for yourself.

On the full time work thing if I could take 2 weeks holiday for each baby and go back full time I'm sure you can work full time in the new job. Part time is often the worst of all worlds regarded as a part timer by spouse, children, co-workers and the world.

Also this route gets you into the property market which will be a good thing and nearer family. Just see if it you get the job. Go out for a few drinks with some of the people you might be working with or ask if there is someone you can chat to after the job offer or see if you can contact someone already working there just to get a feel for what the work is like and job security at that place.

IN a few years the children will be busy, teenagers etc and then off to university and much as they'll love you they will also hope you might be able to buy the latest trainers for them/fund university costs. Therefore they will probably prefer, cynical though it might seem, that you go back full time and do very well at it all. Also you don't want to get to my age (40s) and wish you'd stuck with it. Loads of women when their children go off are left with little to do, very little money and their spouse often disappears too and they bitterly regret career sacrifices which their husband and children didn't need or appreciate, which they made when they were younger. Don't be one of those.

thanks very much for the positive posts. There are so many women on here that juggle full time and more than one dc, i take my hat off to them!