Formal Job Offer Dilemma

[MysticalMelody]

Hello.I was wondering whether you could help with some practical advice on my current formal job offer dilemma.I have received a formal job offer from a civil service department. I dug a little deeper, had some conversations and it turned out the job does not exactly offer the working arrangement I prefer – flexible working (hybrid or working from home). The job ad referred to flexible/hybrid working and during the interview, I was told it would be available. Further, it does not offer any opportunities that align with my long-term career goals. This is the first position (timewise) I’ve applied for in this department. I am awaiting the results of another application that I made later in time that require professional qualifications in a highly competitive area that are not easy to achieve (I have them!) and experience is preferred (I have that as well!).I find myself at a crossroads. While I am genuinely appreciative of the opportunity presented by the job offer, I am hesitant to accept a role that appears to offer limited prospects, entails high levels of stress, does not provide the desired working arrangement and the remuneration offered is modest.Here is the dilemma. Could declining the current offer potentially upset the HR department, jeopardising future opportunities and result in not being shortlisted for an interview for the other role?I would greatly appreciate any practical tips or advice from people who have encountered a similar situation. Your insights and experiences would be immensely valuable to me as this situation has kept me awake at night for a week now.Thanks.

OP, based on your last post, what is the most likely route into the EO position - from within the civil service or are the skills so niche that you are best off gaining them elsewhere than treading water in the Other position.

Is your ultimate goal to get into the EO position or is it to work in the civil service?

You mentioned another national campaign. Is the EO-type work dependent on national campaigns and hence 'seasonal' to that extent? It could cut both ways in that it could be unpredictable but it could also throw up opportunities to get into at a later date whilst you done your specialist skills elsewhere.

Is it HSE Inspector or something that you want to apply for? Where you get a Masters but you have to come in with a Bachelors?

AA is basically a entry level job, but as an internal candidate you'll have access to more jobs on the CS website (nearly doubles the number I can see in my area) which you're free to apply for after your probation - usually 6 months.

@blueshoes – Thanks for engaging. The EO position is considered ‘seasonal’ as the campaigns for it takes place annually, leaving no other options available. Unfortunately, from the position I have received a formal offer for, transitioning to the EO position is not possible. The EO position serves as the entry-level role towards professional qualification, and in a way, can be seen as a ‘niche’ opportunity. To apply for the EO position, one must meet the demanding professional qualifications, which are both challenging and costly to acquire. It’s worth noting that the EO position is within the civil service and open to everyone externally and internally who is in possession of the professional qualifications required.To answer your question: While I genuinely desire to be part of the civil service, my aspiration is to join as a fully qualified professional in my chosen area of expertise and to do this without extended periods of ‘threading water’ as you so nicely put it. I hope this makes sense.

@PinkFootstool – Thank you for your advice. I understand that there are internal opportunities available, but none of them will lead to the full qualification I am aiming for.Regarding your enquiry about the position: No, it is not HSE Inspector. I would prefer not to disclose further details.

I hope I am not asking too basic questions or misunderstanding.

It seems you want 2 main things: (1) to become a fully qualified professional (which is difficult and costly) and (2) to work in your area of expertise.

Getting the EO role will allow you to do (2), but will it advance (1)? Do you still need to get these professional qualifications notwithstanding (1) or will (1) short circuit or fund (2)?

Are you able to say what these professional qualifications are - is it like a masters (academic) or it is something that requires a period of apprenticeship in the area?

What I find useful, and you may already have done this, is to look at the Linkedin profiles of people who are doing your dream job. Did they transfer from elsewhere within the CS. Did they spend time in private practice in the relevant field or did they gain academic qualifications first before parachuting into the role?

argh typos

Getting the EO role will allow you to do (2), but will it advance (1)? Do you still need to get these professional qualifications notwithstanding (2) or will (2) short circuit or fund (1)?

I'll PM you OP.

@blueshoes – No question is ‘too basic’.I’ve got all the necessary qualifications from the academic stage and funding isn’t an issue. And, by the way, the civil service does not offer any funding. When it comes to applying, it’s straightforward – having the qualifications is an absolute must, no ifs, no buts. It’s as simple as that.The EO position could be likened to an ‘apprenticeship’ of sorts, although I wouldn’t necessarily use that term.I’ve spent so much time exploring profiles on Linkedin that I feel like I already have a Ph.D. in the subject (haha). Interestingly, the current occupants of the role all over the country have transitioned (‘parachuted’) into it without being civil servants, as the requirement lies in possessing the full set of academic qualifications. It would be challenging, if not impossible, to gain experience in the relevant field through private practice, given the nature of the job. Trust me, if I were to provide you with the complete set of circumstances, you’d say, ‘Oh, yes! I totally understand!’
PS. Any idea why I don't seem to be able to 'create' proper spacing between paragraphs?

OP, thanks for clarifying. The picture is beginning to form.

What I am trying to figure out is apart from the Other job (which is the bird in hand which involves treading water but brings you a step closer to the EO-type job) and the EO job itself, is there any other thing you could be doing to bring you towards your goals. This is the opportunity cost of taking on the Other job.

If you say that the other EO occupants parachuted into their job from outside the civil service, where did they parachute from and how can you get their more relevant experience?

Appreciate this is slightly out of scope. I suspect Creamyoda has more helpful civil service-relevant advice.

You seem to insist on making this more complicated, but from the many clarifications you made it still sounds fairly simple.

You have a job offer. It's not what you presumed it would be when you applied, so that makes you doubt it's value. Would you have applied for the job as it now is, or not?

You also are in the running for a different, better, unrelated job. You worry that your chances on this one are harmed if you accept the first. They have already reassured you that's not the case. It also wouldn't make any sense for that to be the case - it's in their interest to have the best people in the most challenging jobs! Yet you don't want to believe this because... reasons?

So take the first job if you want it, on its own merits, and continue the process for the second one as is.

@blueshoesThanks, blueshoes.The Other job doesn’t bring me any closer to the EO job, which is essentially its own entry-level position. The only advantage, and not necessarily for me but for the HR department, is that after a year in the job, they’ll have direct references from my line manager regarding my personal qualities. However, this could potentially work against me as I’ll be stepping into a highly understaffed and stressful role, like navigating a minefield. Not many have survived after or even during their probationary period.The other occupants of the EO position may have come from various backgrounds, whether they parachuted straight from university (mainly) or from other government organisations that offer similar roles (not too many) or from private practice in the field. They could have even had experience in retail or whatever job they managed to secure after uni. The key factor is that they were shortlisted for an interview based on their application form and meeting the requirements outlined in the job description and behaviours, which are part of the recruitment process. It’s not necessarily about having the relevant experience, but more about having a strong application form and, in a way, getting lucky to be shortlisted for an interview. However, again, the academic qualifications play a crucial role, as well as their performance during the interview itself (which involves something like a professional exam?).I’ve had a private message exchange with Creamyoda. Thank you both for your valuable insights.

I was appointed as a HEO aged 22 (year 2000) with only A levels as qualifications.

@ZezetIf I had known that the hybrid working arrangement practically doesn’t exist for Other job, I wouldn’t have applied in the first place. You are absolutely right, Zezet, and I appreciate your measured and non-emotional response. Sorry, if my own reaction seemed irrational, but my gut feeling tells me that I won’t be shortlisted for an interview. It’s a matter of sequence. I have to accept the job offer for the Other job (there are time limitations as you can imagine, the offer will not stay open in perpetuity) before I know the outcome of the EO position. If I choose to decline the offer, I could find myself in one of two scenarios:(a) Without a job to move to immediately (although I’ll eventually find something);(b) Without an interview for the EO position.If I accept the offer for the Other job, the induction period might be so intense that it limits my opportunities to prepare for a potential interview and thus scuppers my future.

@OverTheHillAndDownTotherSideI am a mature candidate, and career changer. Not 22.

OP, since you have not been shortlisted for the EO role yet, the recruitment process can take a long time and there is currently no other viable option that takes you closer to your EO job (a general HR recommendation is still very reassuring because at the end of the day, it is the candidate's personal qualities that matter), the signs are pointing towards your taking on the Other role.

It sounds like you are prepared to work hard and impress. Therefore you have not much to lose and a potential upside when the next EO opportunity arises (assuming the worst case scenario that you do not get the EO job. Hey, you are still in the game).

To counter the argument that you are letting your skills in EO job go stale, you can do courses or simply keep abreast of industry developments. It is I think a powerful thing to say at interview that you took the Other job to get into the civil service because you align with its values and wanted to make the transition and be better placed to hit ground running for the EO dream job when it comes up. I don't think the future interviewers will think you are flakey or a job hopper but be flattered at your enthusiasm and your determination and perseverence in pursuing your goals. You won't be a flight risk.

I take comfort from other posters like creamyoda who are more clued up on the civil service that applying for other jobs internally is not frowned upon.

Yes, the Other job is less money and harder work and stress but see this as an investment for the future. If you did a course, you would have to pay money instead and not get closer but here, they are paying you to move towards your goal

I just read your last post to Zezet. The lack of flexible working sucks. You were prepared go non-flexi for the EO job, so I am hoping it is do-able for the Other job.

Not to worry about not having time to prepare for the EO job interview. I suspect you will pull out the stops for the EO interview if you get shortlisted (fingers crossed).

If necessary, it sometimes happens that people fall sick on days they don't plan to ...

@bueshoesI understand and appreciate your perspective, and it does make sense. However, I have had past experiences with situations where the goalposts kept shifting and it hasn’t worked out well for me. Time is of the essence for me as I don’t have the luxury of time like a 22-year-old. On the ‘falling sick’ part, I was shocked to read in my contract a detailed section of my sickness options😊

@everyone that contributed Thank you all for your responses. You have been a wonderful sounding board and I truly appreciate the fact that, on a bank holiday, you chose to engage with my dilemma instead of enjoying the nice weather outside. I am truly grateful.

I would not take a £25k job if I was qualified for the £50k level. I'd do temporary work whilst waiting.

If I didn't get the £50k job I'd maybe consider the £25j one but sounds like those come up regularly. But I can't see why you want that role particularly

Do you have other job options to apply for that would better suit your career aspirations and perhaps but you in a better position to apply for the EO position next year , should you not be successful this year?