I am currently in a well-paid job. (In fact very well paid for the area). The working conditions are perfect for a working mum - flexible hours where you work when you want, all you have to do is make sure you do the number of hours you're contracted for in the year, you can take days / weeks off when needed etc... However, since I started the job (1 year ago), I have never been entirely happy. The job I started off doing is not particularly hard, but the emphasis is on quantity, rather than quality, which is not my forte. During the year, I switched jobs, to a position which is seen as "elite" within the company, but frankly it leaves me cold. I've proved to myself that I've still got a functioning brain, but I've also discovered that I'm actually happier when I'm doing something fairly challenging, but without too much pressure/stress, and without the need to concentrate all my brain power on that one thing. There's just too much going on outside work to give 100% to a demanding career (which isn't something I particularly wanted even when I didn't have children). The company is going places, (no-one knows quite where at the moment!)but the philosophy seems to be that you give yourself to the company, and they do what they want with you.
SO, what's the problem? (get to the point, you cry).
Well, today in the local paper I saw an advert for a job which is identical to the one I did before my current job. Not with the same company, but in the same sector, and from the sounds of it, doing the same thing. I really enjoyed the job when I did it before, it was intellectually challenging, but not too much, and it involved messing around with figures, which (sadly) is my "thing".
BUT although no salary was mentioned, I'm sure it's likely to involve at least 1/3 pay cut, and I can't imagine that it could be as flexible as my current position - which is such a boon.
SO, the question is; do I give up good money and flexibility but minimal (if any) job satisfaction, for less money, less flexibility but much more job satisfaction? Travelling times are about the same, so that factor doesn't really come into it.
ALSO, from a HR point of view, does someone who changes jobs for this type of reason seem a bit flaky? Do employers put an emphasis on loyalty etc, or are they more likely to be interested in the fact that I've done the job before? Would they be suspicious that I would be giving up such a "good" job?
Sorry to ramble, but would really appreciate your opinion(s).