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Original poster

Accepted a job offer, now been offered another job - help

44 replies

Whattodo1987 · 07/04/2022 18:52

I’m so stressed out. I accepted a job offer 6 weeks ago and about to start next week sometime, just waiting on date. Now I’ve been offered the other job I went for and I don’t know what to do. It’s just typical. Both are good jobs but for different reasons.

Job 1
Local - no commute/travel costs
More hours - 3 days a week
I’ve done a days trial and everyone is v nice, busy admin role.

Job 2
30 min drive each way
Parking an issue for the day shift.
Dream role
Less hours - 2 days (admin role - 1 is a night shift)
Bit more money after travel expenses (£150 more a month maybe)

No idea how I’ll cope with nights as I’ve never done them)

It really is head vs. heart, I don’t know what to do. I feel so bad and stressed and need to decide as it’s not fair on the company.

Which would you choose given the info above. I’m driving myself crazy.

OP posts:

teezletangler · 07/04/2022 19:26

We definitely need to know why job 2 is a dream role before advising. On paper job 1 looks much better.

Loopytiles · 07/04/2022 19:27

Job 1 as would never want to do night shifts.

Original poster

Whattodo1987 · 07/04/2022 19:28

Dream job, as it it’s a department I’ve always wanted to work in.

I was thinking doing more than half of the total hours a week as a night shift, would give me more time to myself during the week as would only be working a morning midweek (but the day will vary, it’s not a set day) each week and easier with my child with school runs etc. From what many of you have said though. I don’t know if a long night shift will be bad for my health long term.

My head says job 1, heart says job 2 so really hard to know what to do.

Thanks all. Appreciate the replies

OP posts:

Clymene · 07/04/2022 19:28

What caring responsibilities do you have? What's the split between day and night shift? Do not underestimate what an absolute killer doing the night shift and then swapping back to day is.

Choux · 07/04/2022 19:28

You need to factor in that Job 2 is 2 hours a week commuting. The 150 extra per month is earned by you for commuting. Coupled with the night shift which will screw your body clock for 4 hours a week, you are probably getting paid an extra £6 an hour for the communing time and disruption. That's not much.

Do either of them have better long term progression opportunities?

Undecicive · 07/04/2022 19:30

I'd also consider which one offers better career progression/extra skills for your cv.

Original poster

Whattodo1987 · 07/04/2022 21:02

We have a primary school aged child but my partner works from home most days.

The split is a 5 hour day shift and a 12 night shift each week. They’ll be spaced out, not both shifts on the trot.

There’s more scope for extra hours with job 2 in the future with covering others shifts etc.

OP posts:

teezletangler · 08/04/2022 02:47

Sounds like a tough decision OP. Do you think you'll be full of regret if you don't accept job 2? In that case I'd accept it. If you are more fulfilled in the role, then it may be worth the inconvenience of night shifts etc.

SquirrelG · 08/04/2022 06:37

I agree with Job 1. I wouldn't want to work a night shift, and at least with Job 1 you've had a taste of the job and the people you will be working with. A local job would be ideal in my opinion too.

However, really only you can know which job will be best for you.

FawnFrenchieMum · 08/04/2022 06:44

I know your saying it’s less hours but it’s not really as your going to lose some of the day before your night shift resting and all of the day after sleeping. So that night shift, is effectively two days work.

Roselilly36 · 08/04/2022 07:22

Job 1, sounds ideal.
Job 2, the commute will be a pain, especially after night shift. Not worth the hassle for an extra £150 pmth.

JurasicPerks · 08/04/2022 08:15

You have kids? Job 1. Try sleeping during the day when the kids are on school holidays. Nights and kids are not the best mix imo.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 08/04/2022 08:23

Does job 2 get you a foot in the door of your dream career, and is it a career where its really hard to get that first job? Would it enable you to get another job in that line, with normal working hours, in 12 months time once you've gained experience? If so, I'd take it but with a concerted effort to move on at that point. If not, job 1.

StarMouse879 · 08/04/2022 08:25

That's a really tricky choice. Will the dream job come round again - potentially without the night shifts - or after your children are teenagers (and substantially nocturnal IME)? If so, I'd probably feel glad that I'd proved I could get it, but take job 1 in the meantime for work/life balance.

But if the dream job is a bit now-or-never, I'd give it a try. You don't know how you'll cope with nights. Some people do cope fine (e.g. my husband, who takes them in his stride). And if you've got two job offers right now, in a difficult job market, you are clearly very employable and can probably move onto something else if it doesn't work out.

WeAllHaveWings · 08/04/2022 08:31

Unless it was a role with guaranteed and quick career progression, £150/month is not enough to compensate for the wasted time on commute, lack of parking, unsociable hours. Do no underestimate the impact of unsociable hours, especially with kids.

Another vote for Job 1.

greenmoney · 08/04/2022 08:36

Parking issues are stressful, so that combined with not knowing how You'd cope with the night shift would make job 2 a definite no from me. I'd take job 1 and see how it goes.

Perpop · 08/04/2022 09:04

If one offer was taken away tomorrow which would you be most gutted about?

Whichever you thought first, take that one!

ChoiceMummy · 08/04/2022 10:07

@Whattodo1987

Job 1
Local - no commute/travel costs
More hours - 3 days a week
I’ve done a days trial and everyone is v nice, busy admin role.

It really is head vs. heart, I don’t know what to do. I feel so bad and stressed and need to decide as it’s not fair on the company.

Which would you choose given the info above. I’m driving myself crazy.

Hasn't factored in the Increasing cost of petrol, nor the rising cost of road tax and insurance etc, which obviously you will still pay, but will have greater wear and tear, need more services and breakdown cover.

Nor the inconvenience of night shift and impact this will have on you health wise and your family. Plus the not having consistent shifts.

For me, £35 ish extra a week, doesn't cover the above inconveniences.

That's before you add in the likelihood of the needing to collect children when ill etc will be so much easier when local.

Original poster

Whattodo1987 · 08/04/2022 22:09

Job 2 is the one I really want, it’s the one I’ll be gutted about losing. But the logistics of going it are much more difficult I agree. It’s probably going to stress me out, but think I’m going to have to just let it go.

@ChoiceMummy I have cash totes in those costs, the amount I mentioned is after that.

But I know it’s going to more difficult.

I’m gutted but think it’s more the job for 5 years time.

Thanks all

OP posts:

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