Can't decide whether to go for a promotion

[boringbertha]

Hi, I've been chewing this over for a week and cannot decide what to do. I've number crunched and done for/against lists till I'm blue in the face! A little perspective would be so helpful right now. ...

I am currently working in a mid grade admin job and am full time/term term working 36 weeks/year. Because of this my hourly rate is rolled up to include my holiday entitlement so it's more p/h than an equivalent person doing my job non term time.

There's now an opportunity to apply for the next grade up which isn't term term but they've said can be done p/t, probably 4 days a week.

I should add at this point that I'm a single parent with 2 shortly to be 1 child at home so i get CTC /WTC which will reduce in any case when DD2 goes to Uni in Sept.

Having done the numbers, i won't actually be any better off by doing the new job as my CTC/WTC would reduce. I'd also have more responsibility and less time off. Although a 4 day week appeals to me as I'm knackered most of the time.

Obviously I'd lose time off to be there for my youngest DD but she will be nearly 14 by time the role starts so needs me less and less these days.

I'm just so torn, i enjoy my job at the moment but have been told that it will change as part of the restructure that had generated the two new higher grade jobs so there's the possibility my job as i know it will become less enjoyable...they haven't given any details yet as they are still working things out.

I think I've got a good chance of getting the new job I just can't decide if I'm daft to even consider it for no real gain.

There's good points in that if CTC/WTC were to be cut (I'm thinking back to last year when the govt nearly managed to reduce this but it was blocked by the Lords) I'd be less reliant on them as well as possibly having the option to go f/t at a later date. Though i could probably request FT in my current job tbh as I think management are quite keen to get rid of term time roles as they no longer suit the structure with fewer staff in the dept.

Another part of me knows I will feel really miffed if other colleagues who I know are less experienced get the job and I haven't 'thrown my hat in the ring'.

Sorry to ramble , my head is a mess! I've got until next weds to register my interest in the new role.

Any wise words for me?

If the practicalities are similar, I think it comes down to either how ambitious you are or how interested you are in the specific job.

In any case apply and see how it goes.

With your current job likely to change anyway I'd say it's better to try for the new job rather than just be left with whatever the old one turns out to be after the restructure

redexpat, yes I was leaning towards applying if only to not discount myself entirely from the opportunity. The practicalities are very similar in real terms though I'm guessing work will be more involved. Very generic JD which gives no real insight. Will try to speak to the snr mgr tomorrow to gauge a bit better.

Damia , thanks that's a very important point.

I would apply. You can always turn it down if you don't feel it's right but the recruitment process may help to clarify things.

Not sure how it compares to working term time but I worked four days and loved it. Perhaps you could use the day off to get things sorted at home/go shopping/attend hair appointments and use the weekends to spend some time with your daughter.

You're knackered working term time so four days may be better for you as you can maintain more of a routine. I should imagine term time is a bit all or nothing.

tammy, I used to work 4 days too up until 2 years ago and loved that although its more of a financial consideration that I went f/t. Still very torn, I don't want to embarrass myself or fall out of favour if I get offered it and turn it down. i've already told my boss that I wasnt going to apply for financial reasons. She was a bit surprised which leads me to think I stand a good chance of being successful.

I've got my line manager who i get on really well with, advising me to think very carefully about it as they, in her words, "will want their pound of flesh" for the higher grade. She hasnt been very fairly treated by mgt which I know colours her views. In this restructure she is being moved to another area of the dept and is not at all happy.

Will it open other doors for you though?

You did say there is a restructure and your job will change/become less enjoyable. How does it compare with your current job incorporating the changes?

It is tough. I've stepped up before for very little financial gain but a lot more responsibility and it's not really worth it.

Your job could change for the worse anyway though.