Please help me decided about job offer

[Honeybunnny]

Ive been working in public sector role for 5 years. Pay isn't great but I work part time and term time. I have 2 children age 9 and 11, eldest starting secondary in September.

Im doing a course to help me get experience in a HR role. Went for a job a month ago, didn't get it but they called last week to offer it as did not work out with previous candidate. Recruitment lady said theyd wished they chose me first to start with.

Job is in HR and they said they'll accommodate the part time hours which I wanted. However this role is 3 days in the office (20 mins away), currently I only go in once a week.Also the team meet once a month in the Midlands where their head office is. They pay expenses but about a 2.5/3 hour journey each way. Not keen on this aspect.

Ive worked out that the pay is about £350 more a month but that is working 52 weeks a year as opposed to 39, which I work now.

Do I stay in my current public sector role or go to this new company in a HR role? They are a small company.

Im so stressed about my decision, worried if I decline i may not get another HR opportunity and im 40 now.

With my son starting secondary in september I have that in my mind and I also have chronic insomnia which has flared up in making this decision.
Pls help

You did a course in HR and that’s where you want to go. I would say take the job. Your children are getting older and will not need you so much in the holidays. They will appreciate the extra money. In any case, once you are in post it will be easier to negotiate any changes you need. My advice - go for it. Make a decision and start sleeping again.

Do you enjoy your current role?
is the pay still more if you compare like with like ie if you scale up what you’re paid in public sector for 39 weeks, to 52?
is the small company set up structure wise so you can learn from experienced HR people or is it a stand alone role?
Would your public sector employer have opportunities to move into HR in the future?

Think practically first how you will manage the school holidays and the monthly meeting. Once you have that sorted I would go for it. It's the perfect time as you children get older and you may not get another chance.

What about aspects other than pay?
Pension in particular?
Holiday and other perks?

Thank you all for your replies.
The pay is about 2k different than my current role on a full time basis.

My current role is mundane however being the public sector opportunities to come up every now and then to progress.
Due to a recruitment freeze there has been not much movement.

This company offer private health care, standard holiday entitlement and average sickness scheme.

Im half way through my course, im not sure whether to finish the course then I may have more confidence.

Do compare pensions too.

What course are you doing op- is it CIPD? Again my question was around are you fitting in to an existing HR team as a stand alone HR role would be quite challenging if you’ve never worked in HR before.

Thanks Pumpkintopf, yes so its a CIPD level 3 that im doing, I'm about half way through.

The role is a hr coordinator role, there are a team of 4 or 5 of us I believe.

Im just not sure if I should finish this course first and then try and get a Hr role in the public sector where I am.

Alongside the total package considerations, I would ask myself how important it is to you to feel stretched and challenged. If those things are important to you, the private sector job offer sounds like the way to go. It would allow you to put into practice what you are learning on your course, at the same time as gaining experience in the private sector. You don't mention another adult in your household. Are you fully responsible for child care?