Urgent - which job

[Monzo1ss]

I’m late 20s, work in data science, 2 degrees. Worked my way up through IC to leadership, promoted to a senior manager, was in role for several years. Last year I left to start consulting.

Basically my choices are, do I stay in my current temporary position as a consultant and see if I can get a better offer in the next year, or jump ship to a role that might promote me into a position where I can’t easily secure the dream job (as it pigeonholes me into something undesirable)?

I’m in a contract for 2 years earning about £1400 a week take home after deductions, fully remote contract, although if I do need to go into office it is 5 mins away. I’m comfortable financially but the role is not good, poor culture plus the work itself is a setback. I’m the most skilled/knowledgeable person there which means it’s an uphill battle getting basic things done as the team knowledge is low, everything takes ages and it’s very foundational.

The job I have been offered is permanent role, head of data analytics. Although it was a bait and switch as the online ad was “Head of Data Science”. (Analytics is different to DS, more low level etc). The only pro is having a salary that is similar to what I make as a contractor, but with pension, bonus, job security etc. The base salary is around £120k. Everything else about the role is poor, it’s in-office, arse end of nowhere, will take ages to commute daily so certainly impact work/life balance. 4 direct reports but seems like a bit of a shit show in terms of, my team doesn’t have end to end ownership, another team does, so there is only so much I can influence. The company itself is a major tech retailer, so would potentially look better on my CV in the data science industry.

Don't go for jam tomorrow. Either the job is better, or stay where you are. You need either more money, or a better title, or both. Don't devalue yourself.

do I stay in my current temporary position as a consultant and see if I can get a better offer in the next year, or jump ship to a role that might promote me into a position where I can’t easily secure the dream job (as it pigeonholes me into something undesirable)?

You are young enough to stay put for now. Don't move into a position you will hate. That is soul destroying.

It doesn't sound like a job worth jumping for. But you've proved you are employable in the sort of job you might like so the future looks good.
I'd stay put and keep looking.

I’d stay where you are and look for something else. The daily commute will be a killer and will wear you down very quickly…..not worth it when noting else in the role looks great either.

Stay where you are and keep looking

So turn this perm role down, even though my current contract is only for another year?

As there is risk that I won’t find a better job within a year…

I suppose, I should be able to build savings by then where temporarily being unemployed wouldn’t be a huge deal.

We don't know your financial situation OP, so you'd have to make the call on that.

Another year is a long time though. A lot of contractors have whole contracts that are shorter than that! Plenty of time for another job to come up, or for your current contract to be extended (I know you don't particularly want that but it would give you more breathing space).

True. In terms of finances, I have been saving about 25% of what I earn, so say £1400 a month. I do have my own home and bills etc. (I have also just been spending money on generally living, I could cut back in some ways!)

But just say I kept up with the £1400 a month, in a year from now I’d have enough of a safety blanket where I could be unemployed without too much pressure to find work immediately I suppose.

The issue with consulting or contracting in the lack of job security though, my notice period is immediate so it’s always in the back of my head to have a contingency plan before the year is over.

The thing is, if you settle into a role which is well paid but unsatisfactory then you will find it harder to get out. To get your dream job, it might involve taking a pay cut. If you can afford to, it's better to stay where you are and keep looking.

How often do these type of jobs come up? Why did you leave your previous job? Don’t do a job you are not happy with. It’s soul destroying.

How long is the commute? I would definitely take it if I were you.

Jobs at Head of level in tech are incredibly hard to get now. Too few positions/ too many applicants/ AI etc.

i would go for security but I’d negotiate the days to 2-3 in office and rest remote. Can you?

Where will you learn and grow most? Can you use some time to network/ upskill as wfh can lead to invisibility.
You have a long career ahead if you- sometimes a sideways move into a better culture/ orgn is worthwhile.

To be honest there are loads of other jobs live right now that I am interested in, so I think my “dream role” is reasonably common. It’s more on the data science side as opposed to analytics. The other issue is that it’s competitive to make it through the process.

This job that I have been offered was the result
of a random application on Indeed. At the time, the job was kept confidential so the company and location was not on the listing.

So the commute is quite bad, 2.5 hours one way via public transport. 45 minute drive one way if driving, but I don’t have a car atm
and wasn’t initially looking to get one in the short term (given I am fully remote right now). However I suspect the commute time for either might be worse, I live in London and the office is in a remote/industrial area outside London so I anticipate traffic, delays etc

Honestly I feel the growth opportunities are the same in both (lacking, that is).

The best way I can describe it, is doing all the things I don’t like in my current role, just with a shiny “head of” title! It’s sort of the opposite of what I want.

The poor aspects would only be amplified in this head of role. Things like, messy legacy data transitions that take years; outsourcing technical work to externals (which means I have limited influence on the quality or pace); reporting to someone who has low knowledge/understanding but wants results at pace as opposed to someone experienced; the pitfalls of line management.

They are basically saying the things I want out of role (ie what was initially advertised), are long term goals a few years down the pipeline. So it’s a much different proposition than I was aware of at the time of application.

This doesn’t sound like the right job for you, too many negatives, hang on…

So the commute is quite bad, 2.5 hours one way via public transport.

OMG you can't spend 5 hours a day commuting! That will be hell on earth

Exactly! It doesn’t seem as bad if driving, but I’m not sure I want to commit to the role or getting a car right now. (was a longer term plan as I otherwise have no pressing need for a car).

It’s also a bit frustrating that I live in a hub where these roles are based, but this one is so far out. I do think there may be more London-based opportunities.

Driving, traffic, the cost of parking and still adding 2 hours to your day, is not a pleasant option either. That's 10 hours a week, a whole working day, just spent driving.

No, don't sign up for this. Stay put and keep job hunting while you have the work life balance to do it. No one wants to send off job applications after the commute from hell every day so you'll be stuck there for longer. Whereas something genuinely better will come up within the next 12 months from what you've said.

Thanks all. I ended up pulling out. I just didn’t see a net positive outcome in the end.