Do I take the job?

[confusedmama125]

Been at my current job a long time, I have a young toddler, my first child who had been hard work and I’ve just got back into the swing of work.
there’s no progression at my current job, and I’m in public sector so I’ve reached top of pay scale and that’s it and that’s frustrated me for a while but because I had a baby etc it wasn’t top of my priority.

applied for a job doing what I do now but in private sector, and had a tough interview process and didn’t think I’d get it but I’ve just found out I’ve got it. My job atm is very flexible but they work hybrid too and they said in interview all fine to work around nursery pick ups as they all do there as well.

im waiting to hear back if they’ll let me do 4 days as I can’t take it if they won’t let me as that day off with my son is so important to me, but if they do I’m looking at

• a 10k pay increase on the pro rata hours I’m asking for
• regular pay reviews
• more career progression and advancement
• decent pension but obviously not as good as public sector

Im feeling scared though of potentially leaving my comfortable job with lovely supportive manager and colleagues. They understand when I’ve been ill due to nursery bugs I keep catching and I feel incredible guilty.

This role is a sort of side step and we could do with the money but I’m worried I’ll find it too stressful starting somewhere new, what if they don’t like me, or I can’t do the job.

what should I do?

Take it - for the pay in ease and progression if nothing else.

Of course you can do it!

What's the downside? Are the hours and commute doable?

The %age pension contribution may be lower, but it's based on a bigger salary.

commute is an extra 10 mins drive, but work from home half the time so not bad at all in that respect.
Downsides are starting from scratch again and rebuilding relationships.
Im extremely nervous to leave my team. Worried I can’t do the job and manager/team won’t like me, (I know this sounds irrational)
leaving public sector into private, I think you’re probably more looked after in the public sector and it’s a bit more cutthroat, especially a big organisation?

Would take the job, even if it’s only available full time. Current one seems stagnant, £10k is a lot more money, with opportunity for further progression.

it’s often easier to get PT once working in an organisation.

I could have written this a year ago! I was offered two jobs, one slide step public sector, one private sector. The private sector o r was £10k more a year but without all the pension contributions and less holidays. It was a better job though. I thought and thought about it.

I'd just had my second child. Ultimately I decided I wasn't ready to take on a new role and the flexiblity of the public sector role won. I have a really good deal. I work a compressed week with a Friday off. I'm putting more into my pension that I could ever dream off in the private sector and it's not stressful.

This was the right decision for me as I've found working with 2 young kids a lot harder than 1. We moved area and my commute is difficult plus one is at school and one at nursery. I literally have no mental space for anything remotely stressful. BUT I am bored with my job s d feel like I'm only using 60% of my brain. I am slightly'trapped' by the flexibility though. This scares me as Im worried about back peddling.

My intention is to go back to working s normal Monday to Friday work pattern when my youngest starts school. Then I'll look at a better job.

So I'd say just think about how much you think you can juggle. Also if you want more kids. It's not a bad idea to make a jump career wise after 1 as you will have a bit more mental capacity to learn. I find two really hard! Plus remember to think about your whole package - not just pay. A private sectors job may pay more but look at other elements like pension / holidays and flexibility.

Good luck,

Unless you’re single would look to your partner to share weekday parenting, time of for DCs being ill etc

I am desperate for a public sector job for the pension contributions and extra holiday!

Take the job! As you've reached the top of your pay scale you'll have to move sometime and this seems like a good opportunity.