Choosing between 2 job offers

[BobbleAlong]

Hello,

I wondered if anyone had any advice about choosing between 2 offers?

I'm moving back into HR in higher education after a small venture into Nursing which I tried for 1.5 years as a student. I have a CIPD level 7 degree.

1. Russell group university, huge HR team, friendly team, hybrid working. Lots of segregation in regards to tasks. Fixed term of 6 months. Felt excited about post.

2.Small University. Closer to home, very small friendly team, cover all areas of HR/L&D. Matched the salary for above institute to have me. Hybrid working. Wasn't going to accept post if offered as salary lower and didn't expect them to match.

I've already accepted Russel group post, but start date not until 24th Feb.

Scared to make the wrong choice! On top of it I'm a single parent and need to rebuild my confidence

Is the second one permanent ? If so, may be a may secure choice.

What period is the second one for?

Other than having to tell the Russel Group you're not going to take it after all I can't see where the dilemma is?

What bit were you excited about?

Hybrid working -surely a huge advantage as a single parent?!
Shorter commute
Same money
Small team
More variety

...

Hey, thank you so much for your replies.

I'm in a pickle because I left nursing in January and took a role with the local authority, which turns out is far removed from what I was told (it is a payroll post and 5% HR). So I will be leaving LA post very soon after starting which I feel bad about. I also feel bad about letting down Russel group as they have been so accommodating.

Post with smaller uni is permanent.
Post with Russel group 6 months fixed term...but possible to permanent.

Congratulations on the offers! I would go with the permanent role to be honest, and it's a very reasonable reason to decline the other one, in case you're worried about burning bridges there.

I started in HR at a Russell Group University 3 months and it was a fixed term contract. Been told this morning that they are making it an open (permanent contract). This happens all the time and there are loads of vacancies appearing all the time.

Thanks again for replies !
Congratulations @FitAt50 that's great news . I worked at another HE in HR previously and the same thing happened, although I had interview for the post, but got it. I know this happens a lot in HE.

Ahhh it's quite tough. Real compliment that they matched the higher salary, but RG uni may help me progress more, somewhat snobby 'looking good on my CV'' way.

How far away is the Russel group ..
How old are you .. do u really care about the Russel group thing .. ??? 6 month fixed term is pretty crap ... you ll always have ops for more work but a permanent contract is worth a lot more imho.

Personally I'd go for 2nd one as I think you'd gain more with the L&D part of the role.

Why did you leave HR for nursing. What were you hoping nursing would give you? The answers might help you decide which job is the right fit.

I'm 33, old enough to make my own decisions, although apparently not always.

The RG thing isn't a big deal to me as both are HE. The smaller one has a good reputation for postgraduate study in health

Smaller uni only 15 minute commute. RG would be around 30 minutes. Smaller uni has under 500 staff. I think that's the one I'll go for.

@Theworldisfullofgs I popped into Nursing as it was something I wanted when I was younger, the pandemic hit so that coupled with liking people and wanting to be helpful took me down to nursing. But it isn't how I hoped. I did very well, but its an undervalued profession, understaffed and underpaid. I knew this before I went in...but I didn't know how angry it made other nurses...as the saying goes, nurses eat their young.

But I still have a strong desire to do meaningful/helpful work.

I'm not sure the RG tag is relevant for a CV for anyone in Professional services so ignore that.

Size of institution will be the biggest differentiator in terms of career progression, with the RG being much larger (I assume) there'd be more potential I'd have thought if you wanted to stay in the same place. Smaller institutions good for offering the whole range of HR experience, but you seem to be experienced already so wouldn't necessarily need that.

The pension schemes will be different - is that something you'd factor in?

I would be going in favour of second offer.

The only advantage to the first is it is RG but the drawback is 6 months which is significant.
The second gives you everything optoon 1 does as well as job security and also wider job scope (I prefer variety)

I've woken up an anxious mess about this!

RG pay increments are higher (if they were to keep me on), and employer pension contributions are higher. It's such a huge institution. I really don't want to burn any bridges and I'm worried about doing so as I've accepted the role. The role is fairly new, it doest involve as much transactional admin as its almost like a triage service.

I interviewed at the smaller uni just for the interview experience, did not expect them to salary match. Also, this smaller uni is the one I've just left nursing from! But I will definitely get a lot of experience from across HR, more than I would at RG.

So sorry to moan on. I lack confidence which makes it rough to make decisions.

I think the RG tag is only relevant if you're actually studying there?
Probably a really bad example BUT if I was a member of the cleaning staff at a RG uni would it look better on my CV than if I was cleaning staff at a smaller uni?

Second offer, closer to home,permanent post.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the Bush

If they were to keep you on. is key.
What if funding is cut?
What if there is no job.... .

Take the second job... you can move in 2 years if you want a bigger payrise /better pension.
Your aim with this role is to get back into HR. 2nd gives you a firm base and wider skill set as a platform to progress from.

Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

I think I'll choose smaller uni, but its strange because I feel something pulling me towards RG. I think RG better for development and clout. But smaller secure.

I'm really leaving it close to the bone here, I've got 10 minutes before they call! I might ask them if I can have until midday

Take the smaller one. RG will understand if you explain it is a permanent role.

Then learn all you can and keep an eye out for other opportunities elsewhere. You might end up at RG in a few years anyway.

Other professional services jobs will come up at the RG Uni, I would be concerned about it being fixed term. Experience at the smaller Uni would be valuable and probably less stressful in the short term as closer etc. When RG calls you could ask about likelihood of going permanent. However, lots of internal staff could apply if advertised again.

P.s you won't 'burn your bridges' with RG if you turn it down, I've done this with several roles in RG Uni and had no problems. Good luck with what you decide!

The reason I'm worried about burning bridges is because I accepted the RG role, about 2/3 weeks ago. My start date is currently 24th

Be honest with them and tell them you've been offered a permanent contract.

What did you decide to do @BobbleAlong?

Can you call the RG one and say you've been offered a permanent contract elsewhere so you're now not able to accept their 6 month contract - and see if they offer to make it permanent?