Should it all be about the money?

gamma

Hi everyone

I've got a bit of a dilemma on my hands, I've got a stable job working in the voluntary sector earning in the region of 30k.

I've been called by a recruiter for an international company urging me to apply for a job based in London. Currently in Scotland.

Obviously there's no guarantee of me getting the job, but being urged to apply is a positive step I guess.

He mentioned the salary is in the region of 50k, opening up negotiation, and there's a yearly bonus as well, 12% I think. I could probably push it up to 55 -60k. But for London is that even enough?

I'm aware that the London job has less holidays and much longer working hours, whereas my current role is a 9 - 5 er, come and go as I please and a very comfortable 38 days holiday entitlement!

So the only real advantage of me taking this job would be the money, and possibly the fast past environment, working with some of the smartest people in the industry.

So what would you do, stick where I am for a while longer, go through the recruitment process to familiarise myself with it ( even though I might not take the job) or go for it?

brutus1983

id be put off by the location end of in all fairness for 50k a year unless your willing to travel in and out of london everyday and the thort of that would depress me london would create huge amounts of stress for 20k which youd have pay a large chunk of that in tax not worth it in my view

caeler

Think about what is important to you. (ie. Spending time with family, being home before 7pm, getting a lunch break, being a problem solver, nice environment/decent office facilities, etc) And see if this job fits in with that.

I agree it shouldn't always be about the money, we work to live but it is a consideration of course. Moving for a job is a BIG consideration (I moved for a job) and it does interfere with seeing family and friends from where I used to live.

Hammyman

50k in London? That'll give you a standard of living probably no better than you have now but you'll have to endure the downsides of living in an area with the population density it has.

When it comes to disposable income, you'll probably have less and be working more hours for that too.

For it to be worthwhile to me, after accommodation and other living cost increases have been taken into account closely followed by the difference in what time I leave home and get back, there would have to be at least £5k difference in monetary terms for maybe an hour extra to make it worth upping sticks otherwise you might as well just stay put and get a part time job for a few hours a week.

Humphrey10

gamma wrote: »

I've been called by a recruiter for an international company urging me to apply for a job based in London. Currently in Scotland.

Where would you rather live, London or Scotland?
Or would you rather live somewhere else and commute to London?
Like others have said, consider what is more important to you.

**Juice**

I'd agree that it's not all about the money but obviously it's worth considering - you need to take into account cost and standard of living, the opportunities that the role will bring (contacts/it looking good on your CV), interview experience, being considered for future roles even if you don't get the job and even just a change of location.

I'd go for it - like you say there's no guarantee you'll get the job and if they do offer it to you, you can always consider it. I'm an avid list maker so tbh I'd weigh up the pros and cons in list format!

magenta22

Questions to ask yourself.

What are your commitments where you are?

Do you have family with you - would they move with you?

£50k for London is okay, but... how much will it cost you in travel each day to work and back?

Your current job you say is stable, how stable is the one on offer?

bris

I would do it for a year or two just because of the experience you will gain, it could bring you a much better job back home in the future.

paddyrg

If you decide it's money you're after, then work contract and earn more for short periods of intense work. Or work on an oil rig. If it's lifestyle you're after, and you're happy where you are, then stay.

I doubt you'll get £50k - that may well be the recruiter trying to dangle a carrot in order to get their commission. And 12% may turn out to be the top of the bonus range, you may find more people are on 6%, say.

That all said, everyone should live in London at least once in their lives - it is a world-class city, expensive, ancient and chaotic but with all the West End, ballet, etc. I couldn't live there again, although I do visit frequently.

t0rt0ise

Where would you live? If you have a house in Scotland to sell and expect to buy in London, you might get a bedsit for your money. Unless you live outside London and it would then cost a couple of thousand and lots of time, to commute.

chanie

If you are curious, I'd apply for the job and see how you get on. You may not get the job or you may hate the company but you'll never know until you try. I do feel that if you don't apply, you may regret it in the future.