What should I do?

coinxoperated

Hi all!

I'm a little bit stuck between a rock and a hard place!

I've recently left my job under quite difficult circumstances which I would rather not go into on a public forum, but basically I was dismissed for something that would *possibly* stop me working within the same sector. I had been in the sector for 3 1/2 years and had an unblemished career history prior to that. My wage was 17k and the job was near home.

I've been on a mad job hunt for the last few weeks, an have been offered 3 jobs so far. One which I didn't take due to it all being very sales orientated.

The other two offers I have had are as follows:

1. Within the same sector I was in before, But the company has only being going 12 months. They are very very new and seem pretty scared about growth. They have offered me 17k and have ha references they are happy with. My issue is that I'm being taken on in an admin role, yet the director wants me to meet next week to talk through his business plan and what I should be focusing on. He also said that he would really appreciate if I can help him put this together properly. This worries me a bit! I don't and haven't ran a company previously and in the sector it is, it's a bit silly to have an admin person do this sort of thing.

On the other hand, it could end up giving some serious experience and an opportunity to grow a company.

The other issue, is something I only realised after. They are happy to take me on after a dismissal, but as I was leaving after bring offered the job, I got a stern talking too about punctuality and how important it is to them. It felt like a telling off!

I had arrived 20 minutes prior to my agreed interview time and hadn't said anything about the time as, I was on time.
When I asked why she felt she needed to discuss time keeping straight after being offered the job, she said I had arrived late for the interview. I pulled out the letter confirming the date and time from her and clarified that I wasn't late. She said its fine and not to worry, just to never be late for work....

Now, alarm bells ring in my head. Of course I'm happy I've been offered the job and in the sector I wish to stay in, but they effectively offered me the job knowing I had just been dismissed and then went on to offer me the job there and then even though in their minds I had arrived 20 minutes late for the interview (I didn't; but they didn't realise this until after offering me the job!)

Would you be worried about the sort of company taking on staff that had just been dismissed and then in their minds, turned up 20 minutes late?

My second dilemma, is I've been offered another role in a different sector for £12,500 a year. It's a dire wage for me and I really need a higher wage, but could survive ok on it. It's flexible hours and in truth, I would be continuing to apply for other better paid jobs whilst I worked there.

I'm in a position where I can wait around 3-4 weeks to get back into employment, but ideally I'd like to start a job ASAP. I'm temping at the moment and need to earn some money, but do I take the risk of the first one with a chance it doesn't work out or go with the lower wage for a *simple* job? (not due to me, but due to their inexperience of the sector)?

I know I'm in a lucky position to have two job offers on the table, I just don't know which to take and don't want to put myself in a worse position.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks!

~Beanie~

I would take the higher risk job with the higher salary. 5K is a lot of money!!

Like you said for the second job, you could still continue to look for better jobs while you are there.

Takeaway_Addict

upto you but I would take the former, great opportunities, great experience, if you do a good job you could get cosy into the company, promotion etc and if they don't appreciate it you can move on in a strong position (presuming all goes well)

If it doesn't then dust urself of and move on again

princessdon

I'd go on gut feeling. If you think your card has been marked via a less than glowing reference then it could be an uphill battle.

Wages can go up quickly so the 5k wouldn't bother me, I love challenges and learning new things, building from scratch so I'd chose the first. If not the second as yes the first is risky but life needs some risks.

[Deleted User]

I voted... don't take the lower paid job if you can, wouldn't worry about the time/lateness bet they were embarrassed more then anything! - reminds me of another job interview when there should have been a candidate after me - who actually arrived a hour earlier nabbed my interview time and ahem the interviewer said I was late until she checked back and realised her error she had mixed us up!! - they often say these things without checking definately

Just wanted to wish you the all the luck in world woo hoo :) you must do what is right for you at this moment in time - whilst the past can't the future can always be re-written x

nearlyrich

It's always exciting to be in on a growing opportunity, go for the higher paid job and show them what you can do ...you only regret the thinks you don't do.

coinxoperated

Thanks for the advice!!

I'll be taking the 17k job and I shall work my butt off to make sure I do all that I can and get lots of experience under my belt

Thanks!