What job should I choose

[luc2011]

Hi, I’ve recently moved job to a solicitors, as legal secretary - don’t have any legal background but have extensive secretarial experience. The job prior to this I was there for five years loved the team but there was a lot of stress involved. Anyway just when I started Job in solicitors got called for interview for local authority job as clerical officer that I applied for months ago. Interview went well (i think) thing is I would be based about 40 min drive away if successful but currently am 10 min drive from new job. I’m in new job a month and although I’m only there a while I’m not sure I like it - it’s very intense and serious! There’s been a few teething problems as in I’m in the middle of a tug of war between solicitor and senior member of staff - so basically one telling me to things one way and the other telling me to do it other way - I’ve spoken up and I’m sure it will ease off but it feels every move I make is being watched - I even have to ring up to senior member to tell her I’m going to loo so she knows to answer phone if rings even though if I didn’t answer phone she’d hear it ringing- anyway I’d take the local authority job but worried about distance and heavy traffic and we as a family need to get second car for me to get to it as husband has our one car and definetly needs it as works shifts and no transport links beside his work. Any advice??

Tricky one, but for me my preference would be the quickest commute.

If you don't have a viable means to get to work without spending a heap of cash, and then you have a journey from hell to get to the new job, it will put you under enormous pressure to make that new job work, which probably isn't a good mindset. It's replacing one stressful situation with another.

You'd be better off trying to get the boundaries and responsibilities clearer in your current job. Also, remember you're in your probation period so you might feel a bit under the microscope now, but if you can deliver, then they'll probably get off your case re having to report toilet breaks which sounds OTT.

Which one has better long term prospects? Even though the LA one is further away does it offer flexi-time/better holiday allowance/pension?

What's the package like for the LA job? To go from 10 minute commute to 40, I'd be looking for more money and some flexibility on start/ finish times, work from home, etc.

Also do you know what the culture's like? I know a few people who work for LAs, they can be pretty stuffy and old fashioned, plus they're really strapped for cash.

Honestly, I think I'd stick with the legal secretary job for now and look around for something locally that suits you better.

Thanks for replies. The LA one is flexi time, 39 days hols a year pay increase each year and pension. Legal secretary job I’m in I get 20 days hols 5 of which ive to keep for Xmas and no pension it’s a 9-5 job. I can apply for transfer with LA after a year to offices nearer to me and on the bus route.

So better long term prospects with LA

If the LA job allows you flexi time you don't have to travel in peak time. You could arrive early and leave early.

If your current employer does not offer you at least the bare minimum stakeholder pension, they are breaking the law, which I doubt they are as a legal firm. Maybe check that detail?