New job offer - difficult decision! Advice welcome

[PopcornAndWine]

Hi all,

I work for a big multinational and have been there for 3.5 years. For the most part I love the job, the work is interesting, my colleagues are great and they are very flexible with hours etc which suits as have 2 year old DD.

I wasn't looking for a new job but got headhunted by a consultancy firm. It's a public affairs role, at associate director level. They are offering a lot more money than my current post and similar benefits. (€23k increase - I'm in Ireland for context).

At interview I asked them about flexible hours etc and they made all the right noises but the reality could be different. I happen to know the person who had the job before and I asked him about work-life balance etc and he said it is pretty good. I have already been quite clear to them in interview that I wouldn't be able to do too much travelling etc because of my little one.

Part of me feels it's an amazing opportunity and I would be mad to turn it down. Another part of me feels I have such a good thing going in my current place I shouldn't risk it.

Advice welcome!

Any job change is a leap into the unknown by and large. But you have feedback from someone, which is great and 23k increase is big!
I’d go for it. But there are no guarantees.

Easy for me to say but I'd say go for it. Changing jobs from one you do enjoy always feels scary, but also exciting. Can you get stuff like the travel policy etc and stuff around flexibility in writing maybe?

@Lampshading

Easy for me to say but I'd say go for it. Changing jobs from one you do enjoy always feels scary, but also exciting. Can you get stuff like the travel policy etc and stuff around flexibility in writing maybe?

Yes I think so. I have a call with them at 4 tomorrow and they are going to discuss the additional benefits etc so I can ask them about that then.

Go for it
It’s not just the money it’s a step up by the sounds of it and if they really want you you may be able to negotiate flexibility etc into your contract

Change is scary especially when you have children and the current role works well. But try to firm up as much as possible when you speak to them again - it sounds like a great opportunity

Thanks everyone. I still can't decide and I have to give them an answer on Friday afternoon!

Sorry hit post too soon - when I spoke to them yesterday I asked about travel etc, they said maybe a trip to london every 2 months or so which is doable. And I got their flexible/hybrid working policy - it will be 3 days a week in the office and 2 from home but subject to needs of clients. Start and finish times can be flexible around core hours of 10-4. So some flexibility but not as much as I have now.

Will l you regret not taking it? There is also a real value in appreciating what you have, so it is hard.

Friends of mine are trying to get me just to apply to a role in their company. It would be more money and probably a better ‘feel’ at potential new place but my current setup works so well (school hours, they know and trust me, I can walk there when in office) that I’m super reluctant to change. I could look back and regret it but I have another five years of primary school runs and then should be much freer.

So I verbally accepted the new job and then my current place came back with a counter offer. They are offering pay rise, not quite as much as the new job but after tax the difference isn't huge. Plus they are offering 10k retention bonus and guaranteed flexibility and home-working.

So - now I am 90% sure I want to stay where I am! The other job is an amazing opportunity but the work-life balance I have currently is just invaluable.

If I didn't have DD or even if she was a few years older I would probably snap up the new job.

I guess things like this are major contributors to the wage gap between men and women! I'm sure most men in my situation wouldn't hesitate!