TallGirl's 5 year plan to own a 2nd home in her homeland

TallGirl

I dont know if you can bear to read anymore about my gym issues anyway the new gym has opened and it looks like they are doing classes at least two of the old instructors are going to be there. I had a work out today with my PT in the back garden scary how unfit I have become in 2 weeks of doing very little. He is not going to join as he would loose his job at the other gym where he works (same group). He does not think they will get the classes up and running but we shall wait and see. Its 19.95 per month with no contact or £17.95 if you pay for 12 months better than the £34 I was paying.

Booked one more session with Darren and sorted first session out for bootcamp next Monday and I can mix and match which is fab. I can only do 1 next week which is a shame but then I see Darren on Tuesday and hopefully the bootcamp will take me up to our holiday in August so I can join the gym in mid August.

Also lost 300 grams not a lot but better than nothing. Off out in a minute and working late as I have a client at 5pm but at my golfclub so might play 9 holes afterwards. Wouldn't that be a nice end to the day.

TallGirl

Had a really good week last week two overnight stays with work but both meeting up with a workmate so two nice evenings instead of being bored on my own. Since I worked out with Darren last Tuesday I went for a run on Wednesday and did push up/sit ups, then did the same again Saturday and I played golf yesterday. Got bootcamp tonight so when I see him Tuesday I think I shall have improved. I can really feel the difference I could get addicted to exercise almost want to join the new/old gym now.

MS Friday evening when I got back from Devon so that was nice also did MS for lunch Saturday more pleasant and money saving. Then had a nice evening with friends next door Saturday, only drank beer and did not have a hangover Sunday. Really must limit the wine intake so that weight with come down.

Today I am taking someone out for lunch with work she is a friend as well so that's nice, then its off Devon again on Wednesday & Thursday but again with workmates so quite nice. Shoud be a good week and only 3 weeks until Danish Holidays.

Finally there might be a job coming up in Business Development within the field I work in someone is leaving but there is only 1 may 1 1/2 years left of the project so not sure. I would love it though and I would only have to cover 1 county. Probably pants wages, no company car etc etc.

TallGirl

Morning I really need your help the job I mentioned in my last post is now up for grabs and I cannot work out if I want to apply or not.

Its £30,000 p.a plus 5% pension. I assume it mays mileage as you need to travel Hampshirewide although it is office based as well 26 miles from here. Free parking but takes about 30+ min as its a busy motorway journey. Its a 3 year contract (I assume as the project has 3 furthers year funding) but part of the remit is to make it sustainable and I assume then it would carry on.

I would manage a team of 2 (never managed any staff before so would be a good experience. I would be responsible for the budget (never done that either) and the rest is business development with the aim of getting different organisations to work closer together. I have a chance of getting it although I don't have everything they ask for they do know me and I have been a great supporter of the project in my current job so I am hoping a bit of "it's not what you know its who you know" will give me the edge.

Anyway financially its not as good as I have it now about a £6k drop in salary but if I don't get my full bonus this year (which I don't think I will) it will only be about £2k less. Obviously I have a company car now and they pay for all my private mileage. Also have free broadband, use of laptop and free mobile phone.

I would need to buy a new car possible laptop & phone. It would also cost me to commute to work although that might not be everyday as you are expected to visit all the different agencies. The money I am currently on are nice but I could easily afford the paycut and not feel any difference I would also be taxed a lot less when I have no company car. One of the joys of being MF of course.

Reasons for thinking of leaving is the traveling my area is Cornwall to Kent, up to Bristol and across all the way up to Milton Keynes. This new one is Hampshire based so I would always make it home every night. Another reason is if I get management experience and project management experience I have a better chance of getting my "dream job" in 3 years time.

I have not applied for a job for 12 years (headhunted for the last one) so would be good to get back in the groove so to speak.

What do you guys think you have followed my moans about the job shall I go for it?

bugslet

Hi tall girl

My own take is that if you can cope financially then I'd look to make a change.

Having worked away and doing heavey mileage myself at times, I know the tedium after a while of killing time and staying in another travel lodge.

If it's good for your long term aims, then I think it's a no-brainer.

Bottom line, if you don't go for it, how hard will you be kicking yourself?

TallGirl

Thanks Bugslet I think you have sum it up nicely I would kick myself if I didn't go for it. Would miss the perks of the old job and the security but 3 years is not too bad is it?

gallygirl

3 years is positively long term!

Picture payday in the new job. How disappointed would you feel with the drop?

Now picture the Sunday night 'heart sink' when you think of the week ahead in your current job.

Only you can decide but I know what I would do.

TallGirl

Thanks Gallygirl that is a really good analogy I like it I do hate it when I have to stay away for days on end in particular when I have to leave at 5.30am to Sunday night so I dont think a smaller wage packet would make that much difference.

I do worry a little bit that this is a difference focus to what I am doing now. My job is just in one particular area and this one covers a lot of areas but does not specialise in the field I have been working in the last 15 years. Its nice to learn new things but worry a bit about going back in to this specialist field after 3 years out.

My sister said something quite nice too: you can apply and if you get it decide if you want it. But also if you do well in this project you will have something to show for it even if you don't get it extended after 3 years.

Done my work history as I found my old contracts so thats sorted. Education bit is easy its just the person spec that will be harder but friend of mine who works in the same field has agreed to look at it before I send it off. She has applied for 5 jobs in the 10 years I have know her all in the same field as me so I think she will be good at it.

Still not sure.................

moo2moo

If you're doing company mileage in your own car that should make up quite a big chunk of the shortfall. OHs company pay 46p a mile which means a round trip from here to the big city results in £160 profit.

Sounds like you're quite excited about the idea!

abouttimetoo

Just been catching up with your thread and agree with what the others say in terms of going for it, it doesn't look like you have anything to lose and as your sister says if you get it you still have a choice.

Re managing people, I'm sure you will be fine and two is a nice number to start with. My advice would be to start 'firm' and not too over-friendly as you can build up to friendly over time but if you start overly friendly it's hard to build up to firm when it's needed if you see what I mean. An old boss gave me that advice years ago and it's stood me in good stead when managing staff has got tough

Let us know how you get on
Regards
ATT

TallGirl

Thanks abouttimetoo I really appreciate your input all of you. I have spent all day writing the application there are 12 points you need to match 5 which has more weight than the other 7 and I think I have done OK. I have certainly answered all of them only weak bold on is Experience of Financial responsibility and budgeting but I have answered that by saying I am not over all responsible for any budgets but we have a team one and we are kept up to date on this. Also each time we want to spend one an event we have to cost it and work out the benefits to the company to see if its worthwhile spending the money.

The one about managing staff is actually not in bold and do know the two people I would be working with and they seem fine.

I have put my current boss down as 1 reference and the other is a chap I have known who is in the same line of work as me since 1999. We actually did work together for 2 1/2 years and still in my current job we work on various project together. That should be OK as I never really worked that closely with my last manager in my old job so she does not really know me.

Going to ask my friend to read it and comment on just need to make sure she has time to do it.

Final problem is that I am on leave when the interviews are do you think I should email/call the person the application has to be returned to or just send a covering letter. Closing day is Th July ( I could attend an interview on that day) as I am not back until the Th Aug and the interviews are on the RD Aug.

Thanks for all you help hope you are having a nice Saturday.