What should I do?? Advice needed

[itsahotmess]

I'm in a quandary and l really need some advice.

I've recently been interviewing for new positions and was shortlisted for two roles.

Job A is my preference. Three days a week, good money and I have a good feeling about the company.

Job B is two days a week, excellent money but I get the impression it's quite a male dominated environment. I've worked in similar previously and while I can hack it, it can be a slog.

Anyway

I have been offered a position for job A. I'm delighted but it's all dependent on references. I am good at my job but haven't had the most clear cut career history so this is a small cause for concern for me.

Although I've been offered the role. I don't feel I can bank on it iyswim.

Job B is very interested in me and isn't particularly bothered about references etc.

Job A has sent me a contract that they want me to sign but it also states the position is dependent on clearing references etc.

My issue is I don't want to turn down job B and then job A rescind their offer and I end up with no role.

What can I do?!

I appreciated this is quite a garbled story. Apologies!

You've only been offered job A at this point so take it. What reference issues are there?

When will you know about Job B?
How long will references take for Job A(some private companies this might be a few days, local council it could be 6-8 weeks)?

References are usually just confirming work dates, maybe number of absences -- do you have reason to think your references wouldn't come back 'clean'? it shouldn't matter if you've had a squiggly career path.

And perhaps most importantly, if both were on the table ready to go, which would you want?

If you've not actually been offered job B then what's the quandary?

Thanks for your responses!

I'd be starting the role in two weeks so am hoping they'll be speedy with reference checks.

I don't want to go in to too much detail re references as it would easily identify me if anyone I knew saw this 😂

I think I'm coming down 60/40 in favour of role A. But I've over analysed this so much i can't think straight anymore!

I'm 90% sure I'll be offered job B. The last interview is basically a formality at this point

Accept A and if B comes through withdraw, surely

Sorry that sounds a bit big headed. What I mean is is that the people I've interviewed with for role B have basically told me the job is mine. I need to meet a few more people but they're not interested in seeing other candidates at this point

Can I do that? If I sign a contract can I just withdraw so easily??

Accept job a, if offered job b, rescind a or ask for a counter offer if you think it sounds better. Personally, I've always preferred working with men over women. Hubby and I do same job, his company more female-heavy, mine more male-heavy. For some reason we both like it that way. Maybe it's because neither of us are bothered about office politics and making friends at work so it's easier to stay out if things if most colleagues aren't the same sex? So there might be positives too.

Why not?

This is wonderful thanks so much. I feel a sense of relief at your responses.

I've discussed with DH and he's put the wind up me. Telling me once I've signed it's binding etc. and to hold on.

But I'm not sure what I'm holding on for. If I don't send back the paperwork for job A then surely they won't run the check etc and I stand still?!

@3rdtimemumma it's not so much the make dominated environment as much as the combination of that and the industry I'm in. It can all get a bit raucous and 90's style lads lads lads iyswim 😑

If you want job A stick with job A. References these days aren't personal at all. It's simply 'itsabotmess' worked here from 2019-2023. She had 4 sick days. That's it! What are
You worried they're going to say in the reference? If it's only the reference you're worried about... don't be...

It used to be said that the worst reference you could get was along the lines of "Mr Bromptotoo was employed here from dd/mm/yy to dd/mm/yy".

Nowadays that, together with reason for leaving and maybe, if the subject consents, some account of a sick absence record is all you get. Value to a new employer is limited to uncovering if you told fibs in your application about your employment history.

I had a couple of personal references given by former managers from my time in the Civil Service because that's what the prospective employer (actually it was a volunteering role) wanted. I've written a few that way too but no way would I say anything other than positives.

Otherwise anything from an employer given in an official capacity is limited to facts like start and end days of employment. I doubt these days if you'd even get anything verbally an off the record.