Picking between two job offers - please help

[CultureVulture94]

I'm struggling with picking between two job offers. Please help.

Basically two Grad Schemes:

Both 2 years
Both well connected
One focused spread across 4 departments; Two focused on one department (which I'm interested in but not exclusively)
One has 10 graduate places; Two has 8 Graduate places
One offers a (good, free) qualification; Two doesn't offer a qualification
One - student perks; Two - no student perks
One in a deprived area; Two in a 'well-off' area
One in an area without much to do; Two in an area that I love/lots to do
One paid X ; Two paid 2K less than X, progressing to X after 18 months
One 500 PCM rent; Two 400 PCM rent
One not-so much a new start (same region); Two a complete new start (whole new experience)

Being close to family is not important (sorry if I seem heartless! )

Which role would you take?

One

Location of work wouldn't bother me.

Two & not even sure why that's not the automatic choice 😊

Two

Sorry think I meant one
Oh no have confused myself now

One as it's spread across 4 depts so more experience, you get an extra qualification, more perks and more money.

Two

I would take One. Due to the qualification. But go with your gut.

Yes I think it was the qualification that swung it for me too.
How much of a pain is it that you would be living somewhere with little to do?
How come you already know where that will be - surely you know the location of the job but have freedom as to where you live?

one

I mean both are two years so not forever so am I thinking too much about area?

Btw I think this is important:

In the sector I've pursued, almost identical organisations exist all over the country pretty much

However, the sector has a reputation of people 'staying put' in a particular organisation once they're there

Mysterious!
One is broader does that swing it?
It sounds like there isn't a bad choice tbh

How come you already know where that will be - surely you know the location of the job but have freedom as to where you live?

Thing is, I don't drive! This limits things a bit - plus I won't be earning a lot so will probe have to live close to the company, ha.

Why is your rent more expensive in the deprived area? Is it a much nicer property?

I'd go for one because of the qualification, the better salary and the varied work. Sounds like more experience which will stand you in good stead when you move on.

Good question EllaHen - Job one is in the South East; Job two is Up North

Well, I'd prefer to live up North so I change to two.

I'd go for One - 4 depts, better broader experience. That's the main kicker for me. At no other point in your career will you be offered the chance to do easily change direction just to see if you like it, or to get so many valuable connections established.

That said - do you feel more of a pull towards one over the other? You sound like lifestyle elements are swaying you? If so, go to the organisation/place you suspect will make you happier, and make the most of it.

Well, I have more of a pull towards job two because of the geographic area. However, I'm young, starting a career and not sure where I should be placing an emphasis.

Basically I feel like job one will give me a lot of experience and help me find a department I'm really interested in (as I'm completely inexperienced). At the same time, I'm scared I may find job 2 dull in reality though I'm interested conceptually. (I'm not sure how easy/common it is to change department within in an organisation.)

However, I'm 99% sure I'll love area two as a live to live. At the same time, I'm very unfamiliar with area one so am very unsure whether I'll like the area outside of work (because there's much less that interests me). I spend a lot of time by myself btw because of my interests/hobbies.

Thing is, I've never really had a 'professional' job so am unsure how much a my job will affect 'life outside work' and vice versa.

I just want advice from those that are more experienced than me? I know I have regrets from school etc. I wish I'd sought the advice of those more experienced...

I definitely want to 'end up' in the location of job two and DM says I should get the better learning experience now then make the move when I'm older (I'm 23 atm). Do you agree with her?

Have you actually been offered both?

You might meet someone in the area of job one and then never move back north. It's hard to map your life out accurately. However I still think job one. You're very young and so it makes sense to prioritise your career.

I'd take the one with the qualification.

Yes, I agree with your mother.

It's harder to change career focus once you specialise. Absolutely not impossible, just requires more effort. In my career, knowing a little about what other depts do day to day, their pressure points and focus, is incredibly valuable. And lots of people assume they'll like the thing I do, but actually find they prefer something in a different dept.

If it's a good company, and a good scheme, you should find that work gives you an extra social circle if you want it. I'd definitely go for the scheme with greater depth to vet the area- it's always going to be there, and if there are jobs all over the country you can move on adult whenever you like if you have no ties.

Have you been to see & be interviewed by both? Which impressed you?

Thanks everyone. I really value the help as it's one of those head vs heart things. I'm a bit anxious and indecisive as a person you see! (So is my DM which is why I wanted others' opinions! )

You've been v helpful NoSquirrels. Tbh, I was more impressed with Company One - it just seemed much more enthusiastic, put together and ambitious as an organisation. The interview process was more rigorous and I feel there's more effort put into the scheme with more opportunities (experience and networking).

I have till Monday but I'm 90% for Job One now. I think it will make me a more attractive candidate in future should I decide to move. I think opportunities and options are important atm.

I'll just have to become more street-aware before I go and leave my valuables at my DM's . I think that calls for another thread!

Good stuff - good luck! Much of your success in career stuff is putting in the effort - do your research, of course, but mainly once you've decided take every opportunity, throw yourself into it and say yes to everything. If you had 2 offers you're obviously a great candidate and choosing the company that impressed you is absolutely the right thing - they want you, remember, they're not just doing you a favour!

Don't fret about area too much - most places either have lots of redeeming features once you're there, or are close enough to other places it doesn't matter!