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Original poster

Which job would you take?!

31 replies

RedPandaMama · 13/12/2017 21:33

I've been offered two jobs both starting in March/April. DD will be around 8 months old by this time and I have to go back go work so we can afford to buy a house.

Which job would you take? Both are with the same company.

Job 1 - £18k a year, office-based 15 minute drive from home, 9-5 Monday to Friday, sort of a PA secretarial type job. Possibility for promotion etc in the future.

Job 2 - sales type job, customer facing and quite busy, £17k first year, then £18k after that plus £500 bonus for every 'thing' I sell (this is a legit thing, a relative works in the same company and last year the 30 people doing this job earned between £18.5 and £54k depending where they were situated). Could be placed anywhere in the county (up to an hour and a half drive, more likely around 45 mins). Hours 10-5 working Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

I'm edging towards the second job despite the longer commute as it's a later start every day and 2 days less nursery costs (as I'd be home to look after DD Tues/Weds) however I'd hardly see DP who works Mon-Fri leaving at 6am and home around 6pm so we'd have evenings only.

So which would you choose?

OP posts:
sweetheart · 13/12/2017 21:36

I'd probably go for the 1st job because I'd hate to work Sat and Sun. Your child is young now but as they grow up you will miss lots of quality time working weekends. I've also found being close to home very handy with work when I've been needed urgently for child related issues.

Liara · 13/12/2017 21:37

Is it possible to switch from job 1 to job 2 in the future?

I'd be inclined to go with the shorter commute while your dc is small, and you are getting used to being back in work. Sales jobs usually take a while to ramp up to full earning potential, so money would be unlikely to be much better in job 2 in the short term. Once you know the company better you could assess better where your chances are best.

BonnesVacances · 13/12/2017 21:39

Job 1. You don't know how you'll feel going back to work and juggling an 8mo. Job 1 seems a lot easier to manage.

domesticslattern · 13/12/2017 21:39

1st job for the sake of your relationship

user9217 · 13/12/2017 21:40

I think job 2 sounds great in theory but I have to agree with pp about working Saturdays and Sundays - for now your LO is tiny but in the future they're at school you only get weekends with them really. And also the commute and seeing your OH too. Good luck with whatever you choose Thanks

HandyAndy89 · 13/12/2017 21:40

You CANNOT put a price on work/life balance. Ease your way back into the 9-5 Monday to Friday. No pressure to earn more or sell anything. Nice warm office etc.

Ijustlovefood · 13/12/2017 21:41

You can never get these early years back. Could you not work part time? Rent for now? If not then job 1.

ImAMarshmellow · 13/12/2017 21:44

Done job 2 before and it's all very well and good saying other people earn 52k p/a, but you will have targets and more pressure. What happens if you have a bad few months etc.

Personally I would do job 1, which is what I do now. I have better working hours and zero stress Grin

Paperchains1986 · 13/12/2017 21:45

Job 1

punkpuffin · 13/12/2017 21:46

Job 1! I hated working in sales roles and I think you would miss out on a lot not having your weekends with your child.

MakeLemonade · 13/12/2017 21:48

Job 1 here too - your baby is only small once and you’ll have no family time at all with job 2.

SammySays · 13/12/2017 21:48

Job 1 definitely

Goddamitt · 13/12/2017 21:52

Job 1. Working full time is hard enough with a young baby even if it’s close to home and 9-5.

EmmaC78 · 13/12/2017 21:56

I would choose 1 too on the basis of more time with your family.

NapQueen · 13/12/2017 21:58

Job1.

TheIntrovertedMum · 13/12/2017 22:02

Job one! Work life balance is key! I went back to a role 5 mins away from home working 9-1 mon tues fri and 9-5 we'd and thurs from working 8.30-5.30 all week and I love it!

Rainatnight · 13/12/2017 22:05

Job 1. You have got to make time for your relationship.

thefutureisours · 13/12/2017 22:07

Job 1 every time.

Stillwishihadabs · 14/12/2017 07:17

I am just interested if your dh or dp would take the job which is better for home/life balance or the job he really wanted ?

Original poster
RedPandaMama · 14/12/2017 10:29

Thanks everyone, seems pretty unanimous.

stillwishihadabs we've talked a lot and he thinks the second one is better purely down to earning potential.

It probably wouldn't become a career, maybe 5 years max as we just need 2 years of us both bringing in a reasonable wage to be able to afford a house, then another couple to overpay on the mortgage and then he's happy for me to take time out or work part time, do my masters and do something I'm really interested in.

I'm still unsure really. I do appreciate all your replies and it's given me some real food for thought.

OP posts:
Steakandchips3 · 14/12/2017 15:10

Job 1 without a doubt. Job 2 sounds more stressful and I would hate travelling around and working every weekend especially with an 8 month old!

RainbowCookie · 14/12/2017 17:29

Job 2 sounds horrible, you’ll have to take a days leave to spend anytime with your DH. Neither of you will ever get a break from your DD, as you can’t leave her with the other parent for an hour to nip to the shops, get your haircut etc.
I reckon you’ll quit after 6 months as you’ll have a miserable work life balance.

RainbowCookie · 14/12/2017 17:33

Oh and you’d never be able to go out for a night or even stay up late with a bottle of wine as your weekend evenings are tues / weds when your DH will want an early night.
Seriously job 2 sounds miserable

FairyPenguin · 14/12/2017 17:39

Job 1. No contest.

bakingcupcakes · 14/12/2017 17:48

Job 1. You'd never see each other or have family time otherwise.

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