New job opportunity?

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

Soldato
Joined
12 May 2011
Posts
6,306
Location
Southampton
I've been offered a new job. I'm trying to work out if it is 'better' for my current job, what do you think I should do?

My current job is an Assistant Transport Planner for a highway authority in the south. In this role I assess (with the support of line manager) Transport Assessments written by private consultants, which have been submitted in support of large planning applications. The work is challenging and I really enjoy it, I get 34 days off a year (24 +10 flexi days, due to doing a fair amount of overtime I do). I can work from home occasionally if I have the docs or something. I get on great with my 10 colleagues. I am unlikely to get a promotion as I would have to apply for a post in the next level up and what with public cuts etc, no posts are likely to become available in the next year or so. I earn about £20,000.

I have been offered an Assistant Transport Planner at a private transport consultancy. I will be co-authoring Transport Assessments that will be submitted to the County Council in support of large planning applications. The work would be similar but I might not enjoy it as much. I'd get 24 days holiday. I would be paid £22,100. I have been advised I would be likely to get a Transport Planner (25% more than my current salary) within a year or so, if warranted. The work is likely to be more challenging and more "business focussed" and more pressure as it will be more of a business. I will not have flexi time but would likely be expected to work longer hours. I may not like the work or "aggressive" attitude as much- this particular consultancy has a reputation for being a bit pushy.

td;lr (never known what this actually stands for...)

go for a slightly higher paying job with better progression, but work harder with more overtime and pushy work ethic or stay in my current 'cushy' job which has flexibility, earning less, but I might be happier in?
 
It depends what you want in your life / career?

Ask yourself a set of questions to see what your response maybe and that if they fit with either job prospect?

Is money an important factor?
Are your friends and colleagues all that matters, what if the people you worked all changed roles, would you still be happy in the job your in?
Are you looking for new challenges? Are you looking to expand your knowledge?
What can you get from your new role that your old one can't?

Hope fully these help in weighing up your decision.
 
Learn everything you can where you are then start your own consultancy.

We pay the likes of you quite a bit of cash. We paid rps 6 figures plus to negotiate one bus stop on a red route.
 
My friend worked for Capita Symonds as a transport planner. They royally screwed him for years; so after building up some experience he moved to a small private firm of around 10-15 people. He gets paid more, has much more control over his job as there's no bureaucracy and the benefits offered are very good.
 
Cheers for the thoughts...

I was sort of looking, I have been unofficially 'acting up' to the Full Transport Planner roll as four of my colleagues left in about one month, six months ago. My Line Managers recognise what I am doing but obviously there is little they can do!

Money is important, I can't move out on £20k in this area of the south. The private job is in a less desirable part of the south and is more money. I could move out (but this also means reality! :( )

I would still be happy if my colleagues all buggered off.
I am not sure if I am looking for new challenges- As above I was thrown in the deep end when my colleagues left and had to step up and do their work, and for the past six months I've occassionally struggled and gained a lot of experience, but i've now just about got really confident at this de-facto Full Transport Planner current job so I'm not sure if I want to (or if I will ) be thrown into a new deep end. But the other half of me likes the challenge.
I can get new more varied experience on the 'other side of the fence'. I can get my foot in the door private sector in which it is easier to progress.
 
money isnt everything and sometimes its better to take a cut and stay happy, but if youve already been looking then you clearly want a new job, and 20k isnt exactly a cushty number in this day and age.

id take the plunge and go where the opputunities are. work hard, get the qualifications and anything else you can hussle which will aid you on your cv for the future
 
Hi Mate,

At the moment I would stay with the local authority. Job security is not quite there yet in the consultancy sector for TP esp in the dorset / hants region. Drop me an email in trust and I will catch up with you on this in the morning.

Cheers

S
 
Not sure how the gap between being able to move out and being unable to move out is £2,100 before tax (circa £1500/year).

So for circa £125/month you would want to work extra hours in a faster paced less amenable company?
 
im guessing you are 23/24 ??

id talk to your current boss and see what they will be able to offer you even if you are saying its unlikely.

Having Flexi time is a huge perk in my book.

I think id stay at the current job, gain more experience for another year then maybe look around again. Chances are that consultancy place will always be hiring a good candidate or the right person and they seem to think you are that already....so should open a door for you in the future.

There is so much more to life than money. A couple of extra grand a year will only buy you heinz beans rather than store brand. Its not a massive life changer that most people think at a younger age.
 
Transport planning is poorly paid in general, even if you are good at it and at the top of your game. A pay increase of £2k IMO is not worth it if you actually enjoy what you are doing now unless you are guaranteed the job prospects unavailable in your current position.

Having flex and being able to occasionally WFH is worth more than money can buy too
 
I can move out on £2,100 more a year due to the change in location from one of the most expensive locations in the County to a cheap location, and the new chap recommending that I do not sign up to the pension for the first year. It equates to £330 saved on train plus £200 more a month.

...Which, the more I think about it is a sign I'm not in a well paid sector if the only way to move out is to not have a pension!

Another angle on this is I am being offered a free masters course from both employers, with the caveat that I will have to remain in their employ for two or three years once I have completed the degree. So, I'm thinking more of a (relatively) long term move.

As I have been advised that at the new job after a year (could be more, could be less) I would likely be promoted to a full transport planner (25k), if deserved, I am thinking more of the change in salary being 25k, considering that (hopefully) most of my time there would be at 25k, considering I would probably be there for four or five years in total.
 
Have a scout about for Transport planner jobs. You say you've been doing the role for x months since they left, so you should in theory have no issues demonstrating that in interview. Look for TP jobs in your area and see what you can come up with? Noting lost in that is there?

I'd not want to stay in the public sector though, unless you want to stay in the same position for most of your life.
 
If you earn around £20k now (gross I assume) that's a take home of £1400 +/-

Earning £22,100 gives you a take home of, wait for it, £1500 +/-......
 
I take home £1250. I... wait... oh bugger.

I take home £1250 based on my £19,600, with £9xxx tax free income, NI, 6% pension and £25 student loan. From April I will receive my incremental step up to £20,050 or so (well I better bloody do).

I've worked out the £22,100 based on the £10k tax free income, NI, £25 SL, and no 6% pension. So not really a fair comparison due to the shift in tax and not taking into account that I will hopefully get paid a little more next month.

So many spreadsheets wasted :(
 
Extra hours, more stress in an environment it sounds like you don't really fancy, loss of 10 days extra holiday basically which is a massive plus for after tax an extra 1kish a year.
I wouldn't, enjoying where you are is a massive bonus and it seems like you like where you are now I wouldn't give that up until the increase really warranted it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom