Money or fulfillment?

JodyBPM

There's a threat of redundancy at my current job. Waiting for the axe to fall is painful, so I thought I'd look around at other options.

I found two jobs which I fancied the sound of. I applied for them both, and have been invited to interview for them both. I'm fairly confident that I'm in with a good chance.

I have two primary age children and currently work 0.5fte, which I love. Financially I don't *need* to work as DH's salary can stretch to cover all, however things would be tight without me working. I'm pushing 40 and don't want to jeopardise my long term prospects, and in the fortunate position of being mortgage free in a decent family house in a nice part of SE England, so money isn't the be all and end all.

Job 1 is full time and very well paid. It's with my existing employer so would give me continuity of service (10yrs) and extra annual leave (30 days +bhs). Travel is by train, and reasonably quick and convenient.

Job 2 pays £10k pa less (and £6k pa less than I am currently on fte), but is the part time hours that I want (and currently work). The job really appeals to me. It's with a different employer but *I think* I may still be able to keep continuity of service (local gov) and the same pension scheme etc.Its 24 days pa leave rising to 28 after 5 yrs, plus bhs. It is located fairly close to me, but I'd have to drive 1 junction of the M25 to get there, which won't be fun!

My heart says job 2 and sod the money. My head says job 1. The difference monthly between job 1 full time and job 2 part time is around £1500 each month, so quite significant. I have a free day tomorrow, and will be prepping for the interviews on Monday. Should I concentrate on prepping for job 1, prepping for for job 2 or split my time and effort equally.

Which wins? head or heart?

Lara44

For me, it's fulfilment all the way! :j

You're in a very good situation having paid off that mortgage. Now go and enjoy some of the benefits

Spendless

It's be job 2 for me. I've never ever wished to work full-time until my kids are a lot older (the youngest at Secondary school at least) but part-time jobs during the hours childcare runs are hard to find where I am, so I've had to comprmise doing temping work instead. In my area there are always full-time jobs advertised, so if I wanted one could look at a lot later date in the future.

Person_one

I agree with Lara44.

I know this sounds really morbid, but if you were to drop dead in a year, how would you have preferred to spend that time?

You never know what's around the corner, so when times are good don't forget to make the most of it!

Gillyx

Fulfillment for me. You're here for a good time not a long time. There will be plenty of time to go back to work full time when your kids are older if you'd like to.

I don't think you can put a price on having a little bit more extra time

Dunroamin

Why would you feel more fulfilled by working part time - what will you do with the extra hours you would have?

onlyroz

I wouldn't make any decisions until you've had the interviews and been given the opportunity to look around and ask some questions.

Is the full time job in an interesting field? And would the extra money enable you to do some interesting traveling with the extremely generous annual leave entitlement, and to take the kids to some places that you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford?

whitewing

You're mortgage free with young children. Go for the interviews with both and then follow your heart at that point.

mandi

Fulfillment JodyBPM . :j

Someone once said to me when my children were young " turn around & they're gone " How true they were .

Grasp this opportunity with both hands & wallow in every second ... My children are both adults now, I would do anything to be in your shoes .

Time moves so fast .

smartpicture

mandi wrote: »

Fulfillment JodyBPM . :j

Someone once said to me when my children were young " turn around & they're gone " How true they were .

Grasp this opportunity with both hands & wallow in every second ... My children are both adults now, I would do anything to be in your shoes .

Time moves so fast .

This, this, this.

Dunroamin

onlyroz wrote: »

I wouldn't make any decisions until you've had the interviews and been given the opportunity to look around and ask some questions.

And, if you're only offered one of the jobs, the decision will be taken out of your hands to a certain extent.