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Original poster

Tell me honestly what you would choose out of these two jobs

53 replies

maggiethemagpie · 08/05/2017 20:48

So I went for a job interview today. The interview went swimmingly, I really got on with the interviewer (who'd be my manager) and he said at the end that he really liked me and I was through to round two. The job sounds exciting, there'd be lots of project work, it'd be a step up from what I do now, he said he could develop me and I think I could learn a lot from him.

However, the job would be office based on a single site and the office didn't even look very nice.

At the moment I'm home based with travel 1-2 days a week, in a role with NO development whatsoever, and I'm completely bored. I'm sick of working at the level I am, there are no promotional opportunities and I've been doing the same thing over and over again for several years. I'm fed up with the company and the culture. However it's great being home based, makes the day shorter and I usually don't even have a full days work to do (I often have gaps in the day I can use to do stuff around the house/go shopping/do whatever I like)

Pay wise it'd be a slight drop in the new job (ironically I'm overpaid in my current role compared to skills/level) plus commuting costs plus loss of mileage to meetings would equal around a drop of £4 k or so.

But it would be so good for my development that it would increase my earning power in the years to come.

I know I haven't been offered it yet, but things are looking good, I think I am down to the final two or something.

What would you prefer - more money, time to yourself, no commute, but no development and feeling slightly bored.

Or give all that up to work in a pokey office with strip lighting every day but have lots of development in a company that seems to be going places, exciting work, opportunity to learn and grow....

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 08/05/2017 21:31

I do understand being bored at work but 1-2 days out and 2-3 at home is a nice balance. I hate being stuck in an office all day - that soon becomes very boring. Without knowing what yo do, could you do it freelance on your free day?

Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 08/05/2017 21:34

The balance itself isn't too bad, it's the lack of meaningful/developmental work and the ineffective management culture where I am now, which drives me bonkers. The place today seemed the opposite - fast paced, lots of projects, lots of stuff going on.

The manager was talking about all the projects he'd give me. My current boss says that if she gives me any of her project work she'd have nothing to do, and if I want to get development I'm better looking elswhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 08/05/2017 21:37

I hate being stuck in an office too that's why I stopped working in them initially!!

But it has definitely been at the expense of my career development.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 08/05/2017 21:48

It will depend on everything else - if you have dc, their ages, stages in life, you age, as well as your finances, but from reading your posts it sounds like you are excited about the role, about using your brain and being challeneged, and looking forward already to this potential new job. Good luck Smile

tammytheterminator · 08/05/2017 23:10

A commute, every day in a not very nice office with strip lighting, £4k less... Fast paced and lots of projects could be translated into not enough time to deal with crippling workload. I have been lured into jobs with the similar appeal. If that's what it turns out to be then you will kick yourself for accepting less money.

phoenix1973 · 09/05/2017 14:06

Option 1! Home based, good money, easy peasy. Sounds like my dream job😂😂😂😂😂 yes please.
Option 2 no thanks. Commute. Nope. Office full time. Nope. Yuk.
Especially for less money and commuting effort and costs.

Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 09/05/2017 14:29

Hmmmm lots of votes for option 1.

But I feel like I'm stuck on the wrong rung of the ladder!

Guess you can't have it all.....

OP posts:
Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 11/05/2017 20:29

Damn! They have come back and said I am a very strong candidate and put me forward to second stage. I'm not even sure there is anyone else in the running.

If I'm having this much doubt this early on, it's not the job for me is it. The training and development opportunity is excellent but I just don't know if I can bring myself to give up working from home. Especially when it is sunny. It may take a while but I think I need to hold out for another working from home/ travelling about job...

I used to work in an office and felt like a battery hen.... shame I can't do it really as it is stalling my career.

OP posts:
goteam · 11/05/2017 20:42

The grass is always greener. Stay put. Might not be as exciting once you get there. The novelty of being office based will soon wear off. I'm home based. I have lots to do but can manage my own time. Also have meetings elsewhere once or twice a week but working from home is such a luxury. I'm also quite niche and have often thought about going for something with more development but then I remember that many office type jobs are basically the same just with different outputs. Plus I can work in bed in my pyjamas on those days when you just can't be bothered.

I love how I can be professional and well dressed for a couple of meetings a week but don't have to every day. I have a few days where I work army own pace, go for a walk for headspace, listen to the radio and don't have to be sociable....

Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 11/05/2017 20:51

Ha ha I do the working in bed in pyjamas thing sometimes or if I'm feeling a bit under the weather... I've worked out a way to put around 10 pillows around me so I can prop myself up with the laptop on my chest. I'd miss that.......

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trashcansinatra · 11/05/2017 21:03

New job for sure. Nothing worse than spending a huge portion of your week unfulfilled even if you get paid for it.

Also, if the new job is as described, you will get so absorbed into it you won't have time to feel like a battery hen,

goteam · 11/05/2017 21:15

Also depends on other circumstances. I have young kids and hate the idea of a delayed commute home.

I feel frankly that there is plenty of time (30 years!) for exciting jobs and right now this one fits. It looks exciting on paper though. A lot of jobs do.

Think about your own circumstances and other interests. What place does work play in your life? For me, it's part of a balanced life with family, hobbies, friends etc playing equal roles.

Also the working in bed propped up by pillows....not to be under rated!

Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 12/05/2017 07:28

The new job would really take my career to the next level. What I liked so much about it is that the manager said he could see I was ready for development, and that he'd be able to develop me. That is truly music to my ears as in my current job my boss, whilst lovely as a person, is just not able to develop me up as she is not really all that experienced, experience wise we are probably the same. Also the new company is an international brand and there would be opportunities for internal promotion far more than current job where it is dead man's shoes (and no one's thinking of dying anytime soon!)

I have let my career slide a little the past few years since I started a family 6 years ago, I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old but I am very fortunate in that my partner is a SAHD so I don't have to worry about the childcare side. I do get to spend more time with them when I am working from home, although I can be travelling away for 2 days at a time occasionally 3.

I guess I need to choose between work life balance and career development dont I. I am getting fed up of seeing people who were working at my level a few years ago doing senior roles now, but then again I guess they are probably fed up of doing the 9-5 grind when I haven't had to!

I'm at a complete crossroads decision wise!

OP posts:
tammytheterminator · 12/05/2017 08:32

Did he give examples of how he would develop you? Be careful he's not just flattering you.

A few years ago, I was on a fixed term contract working for a boss who was going to be promoted. He wanted me to go permanent and kept telling me how fantastic it would all be. Err... maybe for you but I'll be doing the same old thing.... Hmm

user1493630944 · 12/05/2017 08:37

Never take a cut in salary if you can possibly avoid it. It takes too long to catch up again.

Gbean · 12/05/2017 08:40

I would definitely go for the office job. I'm surprised at so many people saying your current job is their dream job. I'd be bored to tears if I WFH and didn't have enough to do. Having overpaid and underworked staff is bonkers from a business perspective and I would be very surprised if your employer isn't considering options here including redundancy if they don't have more work to give you. It doesn't sound secure at all.

I love to be busy and I am very fulfilled in my work, loads of development etc. If I was offered the chance to WFC with less work and more money, but no job satisfaction, I'd turn it down.

Good luck if you do decide to go for it Smile

heron98 · 12/05/2017 08:42

I would stay with the working at home job but I think perhaps I only say that because I would love to do that and loathe sitting in the same room in the same chair for 40 hours a week in an office.

redexpat · 12/05/2017 08:42

Why is it either or? You can negotiate on quite a lot. You can negotiate on pay and wfh. If they like you as much as it sounds they want you so you are in a very good position to negotiate. Sorry if I have missed this but have they actually offered you the job yet?

MrsJamesMathews · 12/05/2017 08:42

Are you actually considering NOT taking the great job, with the nice manager, which will engage your brain and develop your career because you don't like the office?! Confused

The choice is, are you a safe person happy to linger in the cesspit of your industry, or are you an up-and-go adventurous sort who wants to get on?

You won't notice the office after a while. And although you won't be at home, you'll be around people which you're probabaly not now. The company might move, or you can be there for a few years while you develop then move on. Or after a while you might be able to negotiate some home working.

A dull job going nowhere is insurmountable. A crummy office isn't.

NoSquirrels · 12/05/2017 08:45

New job, but negotiate WFH at least 1 day a week? If you're offered the job, find out what the chances of a salary review 6 months into role would be? (Be honest that a £4K drop plus commuting costs on top is the thing stopping you from wholeheartedly saying yes.)

I have been bored in a well paid unchallenging job and it is pretty soul destroying. Your partner is a SAHD at the moment, but when both are back at school he might want to rejoin the workforce, and then you're going to need more flexibility around work. Kids also never get less expensive, alas. So perhaps now is the best time to take the commuting and office hours hit, alongside the drop in salary, in order to work towards more money and opportunities in the future.

Can you see yourself in your same role 5 years from now? If not - or the thought fills you with horror - then time for change...

MummaGiles · 12/05/2017 08:46

I would absolutely go for the new job. You won't be on the lower salary forever and job satisfaction is very important. The development opportunities would win it for me.

Monkeypuzzle32 · 12/05/2017 08:46

Two things I'd consider, would you take the new job is the money was the same? And what other evidence did you see of it being a great job other than what the manager told you? You have to like the job even if that manager leaves!

IWorkWithFuckwits · 12/05/2017 09:17

Definitely new job but with a salary match or specific plan for salary increases as you develop.

Original poster
maggiethemagpie · 12/05/2017 10:53

Thanks for comments.

No, I haven't been offered yet but I think it's likely.. I could be wrong but obviously I need to decide to go further based on whether I'd take it if offered.

I'm not overly concerned with the drop in salary which is £1.5k on the basic as I could make that up tenfold in the years to come, my earning potential could go up by £5-£10k after a couple of years with the new experience. And then even higher say 5-10 years down the line.

I think I will at second stage really probe what projects I'd be doing and how he would develop me, seeing as he said himself that he would!

To give it some context, I've been trying to get to the next level in my career for the past ten years but a combination of poor health (now recovered), the recession,starting a family and staying too long in current job due to work life balance has impeded me. I don't want to still be at this level in 10 years - I would feel like a failure. So I have to try and get a step up at some point and it's hard to do that when going for an external job as they all want you to already BE at that level and go in knowing what you are doing. And I don't want to blag it into a more senior role where there is that expectation (even if I could) and then fail probation because they realise I don't have that level of experience yet.

OP posts:
crazyhead · 12/05/2017 20:10

I don't think your current job sounds viable - sounds like you are past the stage of it working for you. Can you go to an agency in your field/get a couple of coffees with alternative target firms in to help decide? Sounds like it would be this or a similar opportunity