Job dilemma

[Stuff]

Long story short, I was contacted by recruitment agency via LinkedIn about an interview for them, as they liked my profile. Same job, but working for them instead of my current employer. Went and had two separate interviews for two different places they run, just for experience really and seeing what the other side of the desk feels like for a change.

Anyway, dilemma: I've been offered both jobs... Didn't expect that So now I have a choice of 3 places of work!

Pros of moving:
- Bigger role/responsibility - about 25 people under me as opposed to 8
- Shorter commute - 24 miles each way as opposed to 56
- Potentially better career prospects, but unsure
- Slightly better working hours - Finishing around 5:30pm instead of up to 8pm
- Private dental and medical cover as standard

Cons of moving:
- Same money - so many this should be neutral?
- Current job is very safe - no chance of redundancy any time soon
- Change - Just 'cos.. No one likes change
- Potential to move to a <10 mile commute within ~6 months. New commute would be fixed for foreseeable future

What do I do?! I said I'd give them an answer on Monday. I'm thinking to ask for more money to give me a real reason to move, although they gave me a salary bracket, I asked for the max of that, and that's what they offered... But it's what I'm currently on. I know they have the flexibility to offer more, but I realise going back to them isn't really the 'done thing'. Anyone know how acceptable this is? Or any other advice?

 

[-Ad-]

Well you've been offered 2 jobs so use that to your advantage as they clearly want you.

Unless they pull air through their teeth then you haven't asked for enough. Remember that they are the ones wanting you to work for them and need to make it worth your while. A bit of a shorter commute and a few more people working under you isn't all you should move for, as such extra responsibility naturally equates to a higher salary.

These other companies need you more than you need them

 

[Strife212]

- Shorter commute - 24 miles each way as opposed to 56
- Slightly better working hours - Finishing around 5:30pm instead of up to 8pm

Sounds a lot better, try and negotiate more pay, seems like it would be possible.

 

[Stuff]

Well you've been offered 2 jobs so use that to your advantage as they clearly want you.

Unless they pull air through their teeth then you haven't asked for enough. Remember that they are the ones wanting you to work for them and need to make it worth your while. A bit of a shorter commute and a few more people working under you isn't all you should move for, as such extra responsibility naturally equates to a higher salary.

These other companies need you more than you need them

Love that phrase This is all true, thanks!

 

[novaenough]

As you don't need to move I'd suggest that you/they need to make it well worth your while.
Appreciate that you'd have a shorter commute and therefore more time at home but more responsibility to me means more reward.
If your questioning what to do the new offer obviously aren't that great.

 

[dowie]

I'm thinking to ask for more money to give me a real reason to move, although they gave me a salary bracket, I asked for the max of that, and that's what they offered... But it's what I'm currently on. I know they have the flexibility to offer more, but I realise going back to them isn't really the 'done thing'. Anyone know how acceptable this is? Or any other advice?

When did you have this discussion about pay? Was this when they made the offer or was it early in the process?

I mean if they've said they'll offer you the job and you've said you want X then they offer you X... going back and then asking for more is a bit dubious. But if it was something mentioned at the beginning of the process, you'd mentioned a figure early on or something then maybe you can do it - 'now that I've learned a bit more about the roles etc..' blah blah, excited to take it on, more responsibility, I currently earn X and while money isn't the main motivator I feel that in taking on extra responsibility to move to this role I would like Y etc... expecting a rise for moving jobs is normal, you're taking on risk/new responsibilities etc..

tis generally best to get them to name a figure first then you can always push for more - employers are much better at pricing people than individuals are and they know the market, if you give a low figure then plenty will accept it and that is you screwed

 

[Stuff]

When did you have this discussion about pay? Was this when they made the offer or was it early in the process?

I mean if they've said they'll offer you the job and you've said you want X then they offer you X... going back and then asking for more is a bit dubious. But if it was something mentioned at the beginning of the process, you'd mentioned a figure early on or something then maybe you can do it - 'now that I've learned a bit more about the roles etc..' blah blah, excited to take it on, more responsibility, I currently earn X and while money isn't the main motivator I feel that in taking on extra responsibility to move to this role I would like Y etc... expecting a rise for moving jobs is normal, you're taking on risk/new responsibilities etc..

tis generally best to get them to name a figure first then you can always push for more - employers are much better at pricing people than individuals are and they know the market, if you give a low figure then plenty will accept it and that is you screwed

Fortunately, the salary bracket was given in early discussions prior to the interview, so I'm in a better place in that respect. Money was mentioned during the interview, but only in very briefly.

Thanks

 

[AHarvey]

its quite simple, which one will make you happiest and give you the best quality of life?

Which one would you have been most disappointed about not getting?

Too many people get caught up with earning the most they can earn that they sacrifice the best years of their life to a job and forget to live

 

[Energize]

How much is your time worth? Half the commute time effectively increases your hourly rate when you factor in the time.

 

[BrightonBelle]

When they told you about the salary bracket why did you say that you were on that already??

You'd have to be in a pretty desperate situation or have a BRILLIANT opportunity to move in my opinion.

BB x

 

[Bickaxe]

I would work for the same money if it meant less hours at work (including commuting).
Quality of life plays a large part.

 

[Stuff]

When they told you about the salary bracket why did you say that you were on that already??

You'd have to be in a pretty desperate situation or have a BRILLIANT opportunity to move in my opinion.

BB x

I did mention it, but as I said, I wasn't actually planning on getting a new job. Maybe naively, I went just for the experience. I don't value myself enough apparently

I would work for the same money if it meant less hours at work (including commuting).
Quality of life plays a large part.

How much is your time worth? Half the commute time effectively increases your hourly rate when you factor in the time.

I get what you're both saying, but there's likely to be a little more traffic if I took the new job, so there wouldn't be a massive amount in it at the new place. Although it does effectively give me an hourly wage, it's still a massive change in my life and I don't really have anything to give me that push to take it. If there was an extra £4k on top of my current salary? Let's do this!.. That's kinda where I'm at.

 

[sports_brah]

depends how much you're making for 4k to be worth it?


I'm guessing you've checked out other similar roles to see the wages?

Scope for progression: will a neutral wage increase now be offset by an expected promotion/payrise in the short/medium term?

 

[Strife212]

It's not only that, look at the commuting and work hours, it's generally a lot better.

 

[bayo000]

I did mention it, but as I said, I wasn't actually planning on getting a new job. Maybe naively, I went just for the experience. I don't value myself enough apparently

I did that this time last year. At the end stayed where I am with 7k payrise. Why don't you use this to negotiate better pay and push for move to that location that's closer to cut on commute.

 

[Stuff]

depends how much you're making for 4k to be worth it?


I'm guessing you've checked out other similar roles to see the wages?

Scope for progression: will a neutral wage increase now be offset by an expected promotion/payrise in the short/medium term?

I'd be happy with it to be honest. And yes, I'm at the high end of the pay bracket for what I do, hence not really pushing for more earlier on. Then again, without meaning to be cocky, if three difference places want me, one of the big factors it comes down to is who is willing to pay more.

I did that this time last year. At the end stayed where I am with 7k payrise. Why don't you use this to negotiate better pay and push for move to that location that's closer to cut on commute.

Very nice! This is something I didn't mention that I'll definitely be doing too!

 

[dowie]

Given that you're potentially moving for the same amount of money you might actually find, upon handing in your notice, that you current employer will offer you a rise in order to stay - you could use this to get some guarantees re: your potential move to the closer location too and cut that commute down.

It could also mean that this new employer then agrees to offer more money... or for the very risky option you could just flat out lie and tell the new employer that your current one has already made a counter offer and ask if they would match it - if they don't then no biggie they were only offering what you are already on.

Main thing is you've got a job, you're in a good position in so far as you don't *have* to move... moving for the same amount of money isn't something you have to put up with unless things like the work, the commute are really a big big improvement in your eyes. You've seen casually from applying for jobs that people are interested so if you don't get a raise out of this one just put some more effort in and apply for more.

 

[nicktay2605]

Finishing up to two and a half hours earlier each day and having a shorter commute would be reason enough for me to move jobs, I hate working longer than I have to. One of the most common regrets of old people is that they spent too much of their life working and not enough time enjoying it. Unless you're one of these people who just loves their job or loves being at work, I'd say that the better work/life balance that a shorter day would offer is well worth it.

 

[Stuff]

Finishing up to two and a half hours earlier each day and having a shorter commute would be reason enough for me to move jobs, I hate working longer than I have to. One of the most common regrets of old people is that they spent too much of their life working and not enough time enjoying it. Unless you're one of these people who just loves their job or loves being at work, I'd say that the better work/life balance that a shorter day would offer is well worth it.

Maybe my first post wasn't clear enough.. When I said up to 8pm, that includes at later start too, at 11am for example. I am very much not a fan of being at work all my life, so there's that

 

[Guest2]

I agreed with others. Try and negotiate better pay for the move - look at market rates and say you will have a lot more responsibility and your current job is very safe (dont bring up the shorter commute and less work hours! )