What would you do?

[estobi1]

I have been offered two jobs and I don't know which to choose.

Job1
Working part time in an area of law which I don't know a lot about ( I have done a little bit of work in this area 3 years ago) - think I am going to get thrown in the deep end but working with a very experienced inspirational woman one day a week who is going to show me the ropes (two days a week I will be on my own). If I follow this route, great career prospects in a few years time with lots of money. Problem is, I can suffer quite badly with anxiety. Not sure whether I would cope feeling out of my depth again had a job like that for 2 years and I found upsetting. Reasonable money and good benefits (pension, childcare vouchers) but working between Christmas and new year (minor point but for us mums you know what I mean).

Job2
Lovely warm firm, working in an area with which I am familiar albeit a bit rusty. Slightly less money (£60 less a month) no pension or benefits. Not brilliant career prospects but a steady income. Role is a job share met the other woman who appeared a bit stand offish on first impressions. I am a pretty friendly person and I have never had a problem with anyone at work so might not be a problem but still a bit of a niggle. They have a bit of a social network, summer bbqs and a Christmas Ball which sounds lovely.

My heart tells me job number 2 all the way but my head says grow up be strong and go for number one. I have a dd who is nearly 2 and I would like another child in about a years time. Please tell me what you would do as I need to decide today and I can't get hold of my dh, best friend or my mum! Thank you

from your post it sounds like job2 is the one you would really like, although i have no ideas about law firms!

Go for the less stressful option. You have a young child, want another one soon - which job is going to make that easiest for you? Sounds like possibly No.2.

Know how you feel, I have applied for local job in a school office, currently work in the City (law firm), lots of pros and cons for staying and leaving. Hate BIG decisions!

Thanks for comments. Job number one would allow me to work in a city firm when my dd goes to school - a bit of me has always liked the idea of this and I worked for a good firm before. Job 2 is legal 500 firm. Is City life all it is cracked up to be KBear?

I would go for number one. Childcare vouchers and other benefits really start to matter now. You can save up to £1100 pa with vouchers plus this job pays a bit more. I appreciate that job number 2 sounds like it is a bit more in your comfort zone but they obviously think you can do the job or you wouldn't have been offered it. It will be a few years time soon enough and Christmas bashes don't pay the rent - go for it!!!!

That said, do what is best for you, but please don't kick yourself in a year's time. Maybe try thinking what you would advise someone else to do in the same position?

Go on, go for number 1.....you need a 'leg up ' and this sounds like the one for that. I'm not a lawyer though, but we doctors have similar dilemmas, a very samish decision presented itself to me about 3 years ago and I was tempted to take the ' comfy ' option and pass up the experience of working with a very well known and charismatic colleague....in the end my dh persuaded me to take the more challenging option,( I was 8 months pregnant with DS3 and soooo didn't feel like it, yet....), and it was the best career move I ever made....Good Luck !

I would go for number one cos I like a challenge but it really depends on your personality.

City life is not that great but it is worth the experiense.

Always, always, always follow your heart.

I didn't, more than once, and regretted it everytime.

You can always change jobs again a few years down the line if that's what you want to do.

Blimey its 3 all! Thanks a lot for all your comments.

If the votings still open then option 1 - have the challenge and how fab will you feel when you achieve it?

Try this.

Toss a coin
heads = job 1
tails = job 2.

Do it just once and you'll know which is really the right decision for you.

It was heads and I don't feel disappointed which is amazing considering I have woken up at 5am for the past week stressing about job1. You are giving me the inspiration to try something I didn't think I could do. Thank you!

p.s. Christmas balls and bbqs are important to me as it suggests that the management care to invest in their staff's happiness not just £ although £££ are important too! Plus being at home for two years makes social interaction seem wonderful! In reality I know christmas parties canbe awful. I just had a really nice group of friends in my old firm and I would love to have that again.

I have accepted job number 1! Arggh!!!Thanks for all your help and advice where would we be without mumsnet xxx

Good luck in your new job

Thank you so much - I could give you all a big hug for the support you have given me!

Anniemac what type of law do you do? Do you have any good commercial property precedents?!!! I start the week after next and I will let you know how I get on.