Managing 2 (potential) job offers.

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Hello all,

Around 7 weeks ago i was made redundant by JLR. I have been looking for work since then but no joy however i have finally had 2 interviews within the last week. I feel both went well. Both jobs are entry level jobs in new areas for me.

1 is within a local accounting firm. Essentially i will start of the bottom of the accountancy chain and over time work my way up whilst becoming qualified but by bit. This is around a 20k paycut to start with as i was on just over 40k at JLR but i can afford to do it and i also did accountancy during my college days but that was 20 years ago but i did enjoy it all things considered so have been giving a lot of thought as to self studing and doing AATor ACCA anyway.

The 2nd job is working for a water company, entry level technician. Start by doing maintenance on the water systems in designated areas and then working your up through the engineering ranks as you receive more training. This is around a 15k paycut to start with, again i can afford to take the hit. I have 0 experience in this field but all relevant training will be provided.

The water company have just rang me and left me a voicemail basically saying the jobs mine and can i give them a call back to discuss and confirm details. When i left the interview for the Accountancy firm last night the managing director said the job is as good as mine he just needs to work out the logistics of where to put me ,as someone who is currently doing the entry level stuff is now dying to tackle some juicier work. He said he will come back to me on Monday 1st April.

I liked all the people at both companies and am interested in both jobs but as of this time i only have 1 firm offer. I know that until the MD from the accounting company actually offers me a contract to take whatever is said lightly.

SO i guess my question is what do i say to the water company for now? I don't want to leave them hanging with no reply for 2 working days, that would be strange but also i would like to give the other firm till Monday. Although the accountancy job is less money to start with it doesn't involve night working which the water company does. Having just left night shifts after years and years i have no desire to return to it at 38 years old. As a career i also have a preference for accountancy as i do not know what the water technicains work will be like.

What is the best way to handle this wise people of OCUK?

Thanks in advance.
 
Soldato
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If it helps any: neither are firm offers until you get something in writing.

If you can't stall talking to the water company until after monday then at least try avoid accepting anything over the phone until you see a written offer of employment - that should give you enough time to find out whether the accountancy firm is really serious or not.
 
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Accountancy is more at risk from the threat of automation in the future, yes, you're already experienced in it but that's also a big pay cut from your old job.

The water company job sounds like it could end up being quite cushy, plus you'd get engineering experience. That can lead to a lot of other things and is highly sought after in terms of immigration if you ever wanted to do that. Also you'd likely get to travel a bit or at least not be stuck in a office, likely a lot less risk of outsourcing happening too than accountancy as you'd be dealing with physical elements rather than just numbers.

Good position to be in with two offers and a genuinely tough call, but I think I'd go with the water company for more money at the very least. Either way, best of luck.
 

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Deleted member 651465

You have to act on the facts. At the moment you have no commitments because you've not received (and signed) a new contract.

If water company have left you a voicemail just call up and thank them, then let them know that you're considering the offer and you will let them know on Monday. This isn't unreasonable.

First thing Monday, give the accountancy job a call and tell them the score i.e. you have had an offer from another company but you'd prefer to work for them. Ask if they are willing to give you a formal offer as per the discussion with the MD.

I'd be wary though... why is the entry level guy bored? has he been there long? are you taking a massive pay cut to do boring work? where is the progression for you?

Likewise, could you ask the water company about flexibility regarding the shift pattern? If they want you and they have a policy about flexible working then you could negotiate something which suits you.

I'd look to get more from the water company than to jump in to a new career with such a big drop in wages but that is me.
 
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If it helps any: neither are firm offers until you get something in writing.

If you can't stall talking to the water company until after monday then at least try avoid accepting anything over the phone until you see a written offer of employment - that should give you enough time to find out whether the accountancy firm is really serious or not.


That's very good advice, i could verbally accept an offer and then a contract comes with terms different to the ones stated in the job advert and discussed at interview. Plus it gives me some time. Thank you.

Accountancy is more at risk from the threat of automation in the future, yes, you're already experienced in it but that's also a big pay cut from your old job.

The water company job sounds like it could end up being quite cushy, plus you'd get engineering experience. That can lead to a lot of other things and is highly sought after in terms of immigration if you ever wanted to do that. Also you'd likely get to travel a bit or at least not be stuck in a office, likely a lot less risk of outsourcing happening too than accountancy as you'd be dealing with physical elements rather than just numbers.

Good position to be in with two offers and a genuinely tough call, but I think I'd go with the water company for more money at the very least. Either way, best of luck.

I have wondered how much impact automation would have the accounts industry and how far away from that happening we are. Do you have any solid knowledge of this or just an expectancy?

Do you have any experience within the water network area? Just wondered why you think it will be cushy is all. If it is then that would be great haha but also I wouldn't mind being stuck in an office. It's been a decade since i did 'normal' hours. I am loathe to return to nights for an extra £40 per week take home after tax/pension/NI/student loan.

You have to act on the facts. At the moment you have no commitments because you've not received (and signed) a new contract.

If water company have left you a voicemail just call up and thank them, then let them know that you're considering the offer and you will let them know on Monday. This isn't unreasonable.

First thing Monday, give the accountancy job a call and tell them the score i.e. you have had an offer from another company but you'd prefer to work for them. Ask if they are willing to give you a formal offer as per the discussion with the MD.

I'd be wary though... why is the entry level guy bored? has he been there long? are you taking a massive pay cut to do boring work? where is the progression for you?

Likewise, could you ask the water company about flexibility regarding the shift pattern? If they want you and they have a policy about flexible working then you could negotiate something which suits you.

I'd look to get more from the water company than to jump in to a new career with such a big drop in wages but that is me.

Solid advice again, thank you. The MD stated that there are a lot of new rules and regulations that have come in recently and as a result most parts of most processes within accounting are now more labour intensive and less automated actually he said.The lady who is currently the junior had nearly finished her AAT BEFORE starting with this company and now she's pracitcally qualified and there is the opportunity for roles to be moved the MD said that she is constantly asking to move onto a more challenging role within the company. I *think* he said she has been there just under a year. The water board will not go above 25k, that has been discussed already when my last salary came up.

Pros/Cons i guess :

Accountacy role
:- Better Hours
:- Less than a mile from my home, can walk there every day in less than 15 mins. Next door to my gym too.
:- Can pick my working hours as long as i start between 8am-930am and do the 8 hour shift.
:- Personal preference work-wise as at least somewhat familiar with what to expect.
:- Chance to earn good money in a few years time. (I will also self study at home outside of work to get certified ASAP)

Cons - Less money to start, potential impact of automation?

Water company
:- Approx £160 per month take home better off.
:- Good chance of learning valuable skills.
:- Good chance of progression within a large company.

Cons - night shifts every other week, that takes it's toll, unsure of environment, told will get company van but my neighbour said if i park it outside my house i have to pay tax on it
 
Caporegime
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You're 38 so you've got potentially 30 more years of work ahead of you still I'd not be leaving leaving a career choice down to essentially a coin flip decision for this MD to make or just see which of two applications lands you something.

If you want to train to be an accountant then it isn't just down to this one single firm else you'd best go off and potentially follow a completely different career path at some water company. Go apply for some other accountancy firms too, maybe check some accountancy forums, see if studying for the first exam or two is worth considering - that seems one obvious way to potentially differentiate yourself from other candidates.

I'd pick a career to focus on applying for I don't see the point in getting a job offer with some water company if you're keen on accountancy (or vice versa) as even if this firm rejects you then surely spend a bit more time applying to other firms as in the grand scheme of things it is only a few more weeks of effort etc.. for what is potentially the career that you'll be doing for the next 30 years.
 
Soldato
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Id go for the accountantcy route as this will lead to better work over the the medium term.

I rarely meet any fully qualified ones that do a hard days graft (though I'm sure some do), and the pay can be great, plus there's loads of people who need accountants - not many people need someone who used to work at the water board.
 
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Thanks for your input guys. My current problem is that when JLR notified me of redundancy i'd already committed too and begun 15k of home improvements with the builders which i have paid off now but i'm down to the last few grand in savings and the mortgage payments are biting hard.

I have tried with other Accountancy/junior type roles but got nowhere but this seems ideal. The people were very decent. Time/money is no longer on my side. If i don't have any suitable work in 4 weeks time i'm going to have to take a pub type job, casual work just to keep a roof over my head. I can't sit here waiting for other accountancy opportunities. I am continuing to look and apply of course. I can't even commit to paying for the first 2 modules of AAT or i'd have to get a min wage job right now.

I do find the Water technician job interesting don't get me wrong or i wouldn't have applied, i just REALLY don't want to do nights anymore, i've served my time.
 
Caporegime
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I think I’d pursue the accountancy job at the moment tbh... if you don’t get this one then get the min wage bar job or temp job (might as well go sign up with a temping agency now) and carry on applying for accountancy roles/start studying anyway etc...
 
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20k paycut to start with as i was on just over 40k at JLR but i can afford to do it
My current problem is that when JLR notified me of redundancy i'd already committed too and begun 15k of home improvements with the builders which i have paid off now but i'm down to the last few grand in savings and the mortgage payments are biting hard.

This seems a bit contradictory - if savings are dwindling and mortgage payments biting hard, is ~£20k going to cut it?
 
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What were you doing at JLR?

Stuck on production. Mainly vehicle assembly but also worked in quality control and vehicle launch. Nothing special but the pay is around 43.5k and most people are happy to sit on that and don't want to move up or take on more responsibility.


This seems a bit contradictory - if savings are dwindling and mortgage payments biting hard, is ~£20k going to cut it?

Had a couple of spare double rooms so have taken in 2 lodgers but I do know them personally so it's no biggie. That's covering the majority of the mortgage to be fair. I still need to find bills, credit card repayments etc etc. Perhaps I should have rephrased it too monthly outgoings.
 
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ninjabib: Here's some info regarding automation, it's ultimately speculation but accounting jobs feature very highly on the threat of automation study by Oxford University, as high 99%, whereas water engineering is one of the lowest threats at under 2% threat level.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/27/jobs-risk-automation-according-oxford-university-one/

As for it being cushy, I worked with a woman whose husband had worked for Thames Water for 30 years or something, maintenance wasn't that taxing by all accounts, along with a strong union or equivalent and good overtime opportunities, etc, though I'm sure it gets tough during emergencies.

Anyway, I missed the part initially when you said you didn't want to do nights - that changes everything if you'd have to do them on the water job, then that could decide it for you.

Also I didn't realise you'd worked for Jaguar Land Rover in JLR, that should impress a ton of prospective employers so you'll get a lot of interviews on the basis of that in business or engineering fields. So these 2 aren't necessarily your options either.
 
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Thanks for the info PC777 regarding interviews, i thought that but ive only had these 2 in the same week!!

Rang the water board back and the HR guy text me back as my call went to voicemail. Just out of courtesy to let me know he was on a days holiday today and we will chat Monday.

The MD of the accountancy also rang me today and asked me to pop in again Monday for an informal chat and to meet the person whose job I will be having so they can explain the job in more detail to me.
 
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Spoke to both firms again. Water company first they have offered me the job and sending out a contract later this week..Just been to the accountancy firm for a 2nd time and he offfered me the trainee role there too.

Decision time!
 
Commissario
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Spoke to both firms again. Water company first they have offered me the job and sending out a contract later this week..Just been to the accountancy firm for a 2nd time and he offfered me the trainee role there too.

Decision time!
Congrats, down to you now :)
 
Associate
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Yep, thimking Accountancy as i have *some* idea of what i'm letting myself in, is within walking distance and no night shifts which is the main thing. Less starting money but within a few years i can be back on good money with relevant experience behind me.
 
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Hmmm, had the offer from the accountancy firm and it is 2k below what we agreed. In the first interview he mentioned the x+ Y figures and i said i could go no lower than Y figure and he said ok but now he has offered me the X figure which i said i cannot afford in the interview. I could take the job but it would impact my take home by about £40 p/w from the Y figure and now there is a £100 difference between his firm and the water company.

Will email him and say i agree based on Y which is what discussed, if he won't budge i will have to go to the water board.
 
Caporegime
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Will email him and say i agree based on Y which is what discussed, if he won't budge i will have to go to the water board.

Honestly, this seems like a really bad way to decide which path to follow over potentially the next 30 years of your life... letting the decision be made by whether or not some MD of one accountancy firm will agree to pay a certain amount or not.

If you want to be an accountant then there are other firms, get a temp job/whatever in between but you might as well keep trying that option if that is the one you want.

The only reason to pick the water job is if that is what you really want to do IMHO, not as a default option because this one particular accountancy job offer has let you down so you've taken a pass on the career as a whole.
 
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