Tell me I'm doing the right thing.

milkydrink

I started job hunting a couple of months ago.

I was after a local or central government or NHS job.

I applied for a good few, I wanted it quite local as I didn't want to have to commute to far.

I applied for a finance position in the local council & an admin one for the NHS.
The council one changed from perm to contract, so I withdrew.

When on an interview for the NHS one, got it & started nearly 4 weeks ago.

Its 10-15 minutes away - hit NO traffic on the way, with free parking & a fantastic pension scheme. I can also do my 37.5 hours over 4 long days, so I work Mon & Tue, DAY OFF & then Thur & Fri, how nice:D But I am unlikely to get the working days between Xmas & New Year off :-( 27 days hols + your 8 bank holidays to start & increases with service.

The council one, got back to me & said it had changed back from contract to perm & would I still be interested? As it is nearly 5K extra, I said yes.

I went to the interview today & they offered me the job. I accepted it.

Its further away, about an extra 10 - 15 minutes, no free parking - have to find street parking, only 36 hours but over 5 days. I will probably get all days between xmas & new year off. 28 days off plus you 8 bank holidays & PROBABLY (I didn't ask) increases with service. Pension scheme, bupa & dental plan.

I love the hospital & I love thats its so near & easy to get to & park. I love the 4 days for full time hours, its great to get every Wednesday off.

But the council one is nearly 5K more:D
An extra days holiday.
Most importantly, its a finance role & I spent 3 years at college part time getting my AAT (!!! of accounting tech), so its what I trained to do.
There is probably MORE scope for progression in the council too.

I did the right thing, didn't I????????????

Errata

Did they offer you the job subject to references? Your reference from your current employer isn't going to say much more than name, start date and end date. Will that satisfy the council? Just a thought.

milkydrink

Yes, pretty sure its subject to references, but they are aware that I took the NHS job in the meantime.

But I had a CRB & ref check for the NHS, I can get references from old jobs. I did for the NHS.

Errata

Should be ok then. Good luck with it.

magyar

I think you're very sensible to take the second job. 28 days holiday is good, plus the BUPA/Dental care is probably worth about £50-100 a month, depending on what is covered. (And believe me, I get BUPA cover and the one time we needed to use it, they were brilliant).

£5k a year is quite a bit, plus as you say more chance to progress - and you can always move again, you're not tied to this for life.

Best of luck!

astonsmummy

Ooh it's a topughy but i'd go with the council, more money and more oppourtunities is a winner, whats your gut feeling?

milkydrink

Thanks
The NHS one is 27 days, so only a day in it.
I think I have to pay for the Bupa & Dental, but at a reduced rate (all will be in paperwork, they sugested I give NHS notice when I've looked this over).
Its the making use of skills I've aquired, the chance of progression & the 5K AGAINST, 10 mins away & easy parking & a four day week.
But its still less hours 36 v 37.5 for more money.

magyar

kimevans wrote: »

Thanks
The NHS one is 27 days, so only a day in it.
I think I have to pay for the Bupa & Dental, but at a reduced rate (all will be in paperwork, they sugested I give NHS notice when I've looked this over).
Its the making use of skills I've aquired, the chance of progression & the 5K AGAINST, 10 mins away & easy parking & a four day week.
But its still less hours 36 v 37.5 for more money.

Only you can answer how important it is to have a four day week and closer to home. A few things to think of:

- do you ever need to come home quickly for anything? (Kids, elderly relatives etc.?)
- do you have to pay for the parking in the street, if so fine but take that off the amount you get paid (and remember to account for tax).
- you'll have twice the amount of petrol usage, so again just account for it - probably only a few hundred quid a year
- have you actually asked the council if you COULD do a four day week? You could always do that after you start; by law they now have to consider your request, although they don't have to grant it

milkydrink

astonsmummy wrote: »

Ooh it's a topughy but i'd go with the council, more money and more oppourtunities is a winner, whats your gut feeling?

I think I have to take it, for the 5K if nothing else. I think it would be selfish on hubby if I didn't. Plus hubby shelled out for the AAT & it seems a waste not to use it.
5K even after tax is a good family holiday & xmas sorted.

Plus my new boss seems like a really nice man. I had a panel interview, but I think he would have had a lot of say in the choice as he would be my direct boss.

I really like my job that I have now, BUT & Its a big BUT. At the moment there is still bits to learn people, ways of doing things, loads. But I don't think it will take me that long to know it inside out & then I worry if I would find it challanging enough.

I think that answers it, doesn't it......

milkydrink

magyar wrote: »

Only you can answer how important it is to have a four day week and closer to home. A few things to think of:

- do you ever need to come home quickly for anything? (Kids, elderly relatives etc.?) NO
- do you have to pay for the parking in the street, if so fine but take that off the amount you get paid (and remember to account for tax). NO, just agro searching for it
- you'll have twice the amount of petrol usage, so again just account for it - probably only a few hundred quid a year, tiny car, not much, about 2250 miles per year. hospital is 5 miles, council about 10 miles. So yes, a couple or few hundred pound
- have you actually asked the council if you COULD do a four day week? You could always do that after you start; by law they now have to consider your request, although they don't have to grant it

Good point, I could ask them after, might be a problem as its a supervisory role though.

magyar

I agree. Go for the Council job. Good luck!