Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Which job would you choose?

32 replies

angelinaballerinaa · 08/09/2023 10:06

I'm in a conundrum, I have two job offers and I'm struggling to decide which to take. For reference all the jobs are home based, and all offering condensed hours over a 4 day working week.

Current Job
Salary - £47.5k
Hours - 37
Annual leave - 30 + BH + Christmas closure 3 days
Pension - employer pays 9%

Job 1
Salary - £49.5k + OTE upto 10k
Hours - 37
Annual leave - 25 + BH + Christmas closure 3 days
Pension - employer pays 3%

Job 2
Salary - £53k
Hours - 35
Annual leave - 30 + BH + Christmas closure 3 days
Pension - employer pays 9%

On paper it looks like job 2 is the one to go for, but the potential for bonuses and more progression options in job 1 is what's making me second guess the decision.

What do you all think?

OP posts:
Broodywuz · 08/09/2023 10:14

I think it depends how career driven you are, job 2 is definitely giving you more money for less hours. 92 hours less working over a year (if you allow a 46 week working year) I'd be very happy with this but if you're looking to progress on from this and feel Job 1 gives you a better option to do this then go for it

Dogonthebeach · 08/09/2023 10:21

What are the jobs like themselves? Plus the commute. Are you looking to progress your career?

Original poster
angelinaballerinaa · 08/09/2023 10:26

@Dogonthebeach they're both home based so there's no commute to factor in, and in all honesty the jobs are identical but for competitor businesses.

I'd like to progress my career yes, and I don't know that there aren't as many progression options in job 1 it's what I've inferred from the way they are currently structured.

@Broodywuz seeing it written down in numbers like that it's roughly an extra 2.5 weeks work over the year isn't it, which is a lot really!

OP posts:
Photio · 08/09/2023 10:52

What is the reason for leaving your current job and does one of these fulfil that reason more than the other?

MyGardensAMess · 08/09/2023 10:57

Obviously this is very personal but I'd probably go for the last one. More non-work hours for family, pension payment makes up a bit for the loss of bonuses. It also has five extra days leave which is good if you have children who get sick or want some extra time for other things.

Original poster
angelinaballerinaa · 08/09/2023 12:07

@Photio better pay was the main reason, which both of these fulfil.

@MyGardensAMess the note about pension is a good one thank you, taking that into account as guaranteed income into a pension pot actually makes a big difference. Roughly £1.5k contributed by job 1, compared to roughly 5k by job 2

OP posts:
isthesolution · 08/09/2023 12:11

It would be job 2 for me.

You are guaranteed more pay for less hours with more holidays and a better pension.

soupmaker · 08/09/2023 12:14

Job 2, the pension percentage swings it as well as less hours.

Photio · 08/09/2023 12:17

angelinaballerinaa · 08/09/2023 12:07

@Photio better pay was the main reason, which both of these fulfil.

@MyGardensAMess the note about pension is a good one thank you, taking that into account as guaranteed income into a pension pot actually makes a big difference. Roughly £1.5k contributed by job 1, compared to roughly 5k by job 2

Looking at pay it's got to be job 2 then.
Better pay (for less hours) and better pension contributions

DanceMumTaxi · 08/09/2023 12:19

Job 2, you could always move again in the future for progression. But the salary, hours and pension are much better. Unless of course job 1 is likely to give you a massive bonus every year.

Blough · 08/09/2023 12:21

The second one of course. More money, less hours.

FreshStart12345 · 08/09/2023 12:21

Job 2
More pay, more holiday, more pension, less hours.

I think it's a no brainer really

Parrotcup · 08/09/2023 12:22

Obviously money will be a factor but I've never taken a job based on that alone. Which job do you want to do?

ToWonderWhyIBother · 08/09/2023 12:25

Can I apply for your old job 😆

Job 2 for me would be the way I would go.

Good luck and congratulations on the job offers

ChaChaRealSmooth · 08/09/2023 12:29

another vote for job 2

aspirationalflamingo · 08/09/2023 13:24

How long in your current job? I'm not sure I'd give up job security with the way the economy is now purely to do the same job in same conditions with same prospects for a few k more salary. Per month net of tax how much better off will you actually be?

Ihadenough22 · 08/09/2023 13:43

I would go with job 2 more money, less hours, more holidays and a decent pension.

I know job 1 has ote of up to £10k. I have worked in jobs with ote in the past and being honest getting a high amount of ote was hard and the targets got higher over time.
You said that job 1 may have better promotion prospects but that progression could be very dependent on getting the ote target. You may find that job 1 could be stressful and very target focused.

I don't know your personal circumstances but personally I would take into consideration the holidays and pension as well as the wage.

Original poster
angelinaballerinaa · 08/09/2023 13:44

@aspirationalflamingo sorry without wanting to drip feed, although I've been looking to move for more money it was also due to a change in senior management and not really believing in the direction the business is going in. Culture change, lack of direction and then seeing opportunities elsewhere which pay more meant it was a no brainer

OP posts:
Delpf · 08/09/2023 13:59

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Job 2! Progression that job 1 offers might not materialise, plus you can always move from job 2 after a few years of good salary and hours.

The only way job 1 beats job 2 is if job 2 is a total dead end (where you won't learn any new stuff/can't demonstrate responsibility/are siloed into one area or task forever).

aspirationalflamingo · 08/09/2023 14:05

Ah that's fair enough, I can understand that. In which case I also think job 2 sounds like the better deal.

SM4713 · 08/09/2023 14:46

Job 2. Things could change and progression might come, and there is no guarantee of it in job 1. On the hours alone- I'd do job 2.

I had the opposite in 1 job and was contracted for 40hrs. It really adds up and left after 8mths- multiple other reasons too though, but I also hated the longer days.

BringOnSummerHolidays · 08/09/2023 14:48

Job 2 for me too. I'm not career driven however. I like the sound of more pay and pension, less hours of work.

User1213 · 08/09/2023 17:49

@angelinaballerinaa job 2 for me

can I please ask what field of work this is in? I’m looking to move to perm WFH once I return from Mat leave as getting pressure to go back in FT even though it was always hybrid pre covid but struggling to find any in my immediate field! Thanks

Original poster
angelinaballerinaa · 08/09/2023 18:40

@User1213 I work in sales and marketing 😊

OP posts:
Springduckling · 09/09/2023 22:18

I vote job 2.