Help me compare these two roles…

[redambergreen70]

I currently work in a corporate support role and was recently headhunted by a new employer. Interview dependant I may have an offer on the table as early as next week but I can’t stop thinking about whether it’s right. I have children who are late primary/early secondary age.

Current role - good salary & benefits, no direct reports, very flexible and my manager is very relaxed. I work from home predominantly but choose to work in my local office 2 days a week. I have been promoted 3 times whilst in the business but further progression is uncertain. Would be eligible for redundancy pay due to length of service. Very comfortable, possibly too much so.

Potential role - up to £15k increase in salary, benefits & notice period are better. 2 direct reports and mandatory 3 days on site (c.2 hours travel round trip). Progression very likely due to growth of business. Out of my comfort zone.

If you are comfortable on your current salary, I would stay. If struggling for money, yes would probably move for the salary uplift

Sounds like you're ready for a new challenge! But the commute sounds quite long. Maybe look for a third role?

Stick it in copilot and see what it says!

You should take into account the extra cost of the commute. It shouldn’t be £15k but depending on where you are could be expensive.

Firstly work out the increase in take home pay after tax & NI deductions. £15K might sound big increase but in reality isn't as much once you take off the increased commuting costs. Is the increased income needed financially? If you got offered it, do you think you could negotiate the salary up? How do other benefits compare, especially pension?

Consider the impact on your family life of 3 mandatory days a week in the office compared and the longer commute.

Do you really want to manage staff? It can be great or a complete pain in the arse if you inherit an underperformer or someone with an attitude problem. (I used to enjoy having a team, now I've gone right off it!)

Are you bored in current role need a new challenge? What's the local job market like for your type of role and could other opportunities come up or is this new role a bit of a rarity?

Basically, take a step back and look as logically as you can at pros and cons of both options before deciding.

How much will the commute cost you and will needing to do that longer commute mean you end up with additional child care costs?

Weight that up against the salary increase and additional time travelling, is it worth it?

I’d still go for the interview, you could always negotiate on salary or days at home?

Agree with pp. Personally I think I'd stick with comfortable or make sure the benefits are worth it. Flexibility, easy going manager and no reports is quite an enviable place to be! But go for the interview as it may help the decision, and you never know, you may end up with leverage in your current post if they know you've an offer on table.