Which job should I take and can I turn a job down after accepting it?

[Rainysummersday]

I am being made redundant by my current job, and am in the fortunate position of having two jobs to chose from.

One of them was via a recruitment agency and about 15 miles away. It’s different from what I’m doing now so will give me experience in a different industry. There’s a good social atmosphere but I will have to pay to park my car (about £5.50 a day). The recruiter pushed me to accept the job immediately and I felt pushed into it due to my redundancy situation.

I was then offered another job about five miles away, pays a bit more and a free car park. The job has more similarities to what I’m doing now, but I would only be working with a couple of people. I’m also worried sad it’s quite a small company and worry I may not have as many ‘rights’ as I would with a larger company. There isn’t really any chance for promotion (as there isn’t really a higher job), whereas I could work myself up in the other company.

What would you do? And can I withdraw my acceptance to the first job if I decide on the second, even though I’ve already accepted?

Your rights wiould be the same. I would go for the job closer to home.

Your rights wiould be the same. I would go for the job closer to home.

What's your home situation? Which one feels more right to you?

I would go for the bigger company. More opportunity.

I accepted a job knowing I had another second interview which I was then offered. I pulled out from the first job no problem.

You could ask first company to match the salary you are being offered?

I don’t think they here’s any chance matching the salary as I would be going in as a beginner, whereas I have more experience for the second position.

I’m not sure which one feels more ‘right’. I think I’d enjoy the second job more but I’d just be worried about job security. We rent at the moment but had been looking to buy before the redundancy bomb.

Smaller company doesn't mean less secure. I just left a company with over 600 employees due to redundancy. I've now started a job in a company that has been around for 10 years, and there are literally 15 of us.

I would take the 2nd job, personally. 5.50 to park your car is over 25 a week!

Are there any more options re parking? I am about to start a job in our city centre somewhere with no free parking. The price listed per day in pay and display is about £5.50, but online I found you could get a parking permit for the council car parks either monthly/annually that worked out much cheaper but was still about £25/month than a bus ticket.

I then asked around and I've managed to rent a space a 5 minute walk from the office for £1/day!

If you can sort the parking or, even if you can't, if you can afford it easily, then I would take that job with a view to having more of a chance for progression if that's something that appeals to you.

I agree with pp about the first job providing more opportunity. Is the difference in commute time relevant? I know the difference is 10 miles, but is it 10 motorway miles, or 10 city miles?

Do you not have another post currently running on this subject which I have just been following?

I’ve done this before, not ideal obv but they can’t force you to start work for them.