would you give up an ok permanent job for a really attractive maternity cover?

[hatwoman]

I have been in my current job since 2000, although in that time I have had one lot of mat leave and a year's sabbatical. i have been agitating to move on for a bit now, but - usual story - the right thing rarely comes up. It's a good job and at the moment I am quite enjoying it (but then again have only been back 2 weeks from my sabbatical, so the things that piss me off about it haven't started to get me. Give me a few more months and they probably will.) I have seen a job advertised - in every way it's an ideal career move - currently I'm mid level in a big organisation - this job is senior level in a small organisation - so a very good way to get senior experience. It's 3 or 4 days a week - in all my time of keeping an eye on the relevant job market I have never seen a job at this level advertised at less than f-t - and I really don;t want to work f-t. The only draw back is it's only maternity cover. part of me thinks, what the hell, if I'm not prepared to take a risk, I'll never get out of my current job. It wouldn't be financially disastrous for me to be out of work - but obviously not ideal. although it could even be the kick up the backside I need to go freelance. My experience of my line of work is that things come up - they always do. What do you think?

DO it - they may never come back to work - or they may want to job share if they do! WInWIn

I had a similar dilema and I didn't apply and two months later I had to leave my job anyway to move where the maternity cover job was - wish I'd gone for it now. I ended up moving without a job to go to and I'm still looking now, a year later.

not sure about them not coming back - obviously there's always that chance, but my guess is that this is their second baby - which is why the job is 3 or 4 days a week. she came back after no. 1 on reduced hours, it's worked ok, hence they're keeping it reduced hours. no evidence of that, just a feeling. Not sure what implications that has for chances of her coming back.

get heronto amn thread about the horrors of having two and working!!!! scare her out of the job!!!

go for it even if she does come back they might not want to lose you and offer you another job, or even if they dont it would be good on your CV

I'd go for it. Theres no harm in applying and going for the interview is there? Thats an ideal oppurtunity to find out about the company too and ask all the questions you need to. You may find you might not like it or the company.

As for the maternity cover there is still a fair chance she may not come back. Things are so different with 2 children rather than 1.

i'd go for it. i took a 2 yr fixed contract job once, and was still there 5 years later. If your face fits, they will try and keep you.