New job offer - totally stuck as to what to do

ohbumstoitall

I’m 28, earn 22k. This isn’t much and I’m wholly underpaid for my skills, I say that having compared my salary against job roles I’m qualified for. However, I love my job and have quite a lot of freedom. For example I’m running a project at the moment in getting the company compliant against some legislation, how I run it is up to me. Might not get that elsewhere.

I’ve not been looking for a new job as I’m in the middle of two projects and really do enjoy my job. I’ve been here for 4 years, started on 19k.

I’ve been “headhunted” for a role paying 30k. Including my yearly bonus that is an increase of 7k a year.

It’s a contract role however. 9 months + potential for permanent but it’s a charity so not counting on it. It’s doing something similar to what I do now but my job title would have “manager” in it.

I am really really torn. I really like what they are offering, I can see how I’d be more attractive to employers at the end of the contract and would have the potential to earn even more. I’m unlikely to earn 30k at my current workplace even within the next 5 years. I had planned on looking for a new job after my current project was finished to further my career but this role is a once in a blue moon opportunity. I know it is because they are willing to take someone who doesn’t have a qualification in the subject as long as they have the knowledge.

I’d be leaving a really supportive manager and going elsewhere for a £300 a month payrise that half would go to the travel (different town). So it’s almost only £150 a month extra. Obviously not to be sniffed at because that money would pay off debt.

My heart says no but my head says yes and my guts a complete mess. Looking for advice or personal experiences

Savvy_Sue

Ask the charity what their long term intention for the role is. We (small charity) often appoint people on contracts, because that's what we've secured funding for, but we know that at the end of the contract we are likely to want to make it a permanent position, and we're actively working towards funding that.

And sometimes, if it's a new role, we don't know how it will work out, so at the end of the contract we may want to change the role quite radically.

And sometimes we've got a particular piece of work we need doing which we know will end after X months.

I'd also take a close look at the charity's annual reports and accounts - do they look like an organisation which has its act together? What's their staff turnover like? Charities aren't always the best of employers, sadly ...

Tom99

I would go for it. You are 28 not 58 when the answer might be different.

ohbumstoitall

Ask the charity what their long term intention for the role is. We (small charity) often appoint people on contracts, because that's what we've secured funding for, but we know that at the end of the contract we are likely to want to make it a permanent position, and we're actively working towards funding that.

The role is to get the charity in line with a specific piece of legislation.
There may well be a need for the role to continue but it's quite likely they can manage it inhouse

And sometimes, if it's a new role, we don't know how it will work out, so at the end of the contract we may want to change the role quite radically.

And sometimes we've got a particular piece of work we need doing which we know will end after X months.
This. The role is for 9 months to cover when they need to be compliant by and then a period of time afterwards monitoring it
I'd also take a close look at the charity's annual reports and accounts - do they look like an organisation which has its act together? What's their staff turnover like? Charities aren't always the best of employers, sadly ... Small charity, I've had a look on the charity commissions website, looks like they spend half of what comes in. Staff turnover - they have less than 10 people, half of them are relatively new due to expansion

Thanks

lincroft1710

A small charity will have far less resources than a big one, could they sustain your salary plus your employment costs for 2 years, say? 9 months at £30K pa is only £22,500, then what happens?

In my opinion, the numbers don't add up. Do not be persuaded by being called a "manager", job titles mean nothing! A sanitary hygiene manager is a toilet cleaner (no offence to toilet cleaners)!

ohbumstoitall

I believe I would be highly employable post contract due to the specific nature of the work. I’m using knowledge of the recruitment done by consultants I know who struggle to find people with the skills required for the work which is why I’m considering the contract. Never any guarantees!

Dox

If you are heavily in debt, can you really afford to take the risk of leaving a secure job for a temporary one? Also - have you factored in the value of all the perks in your current job (e.g. pension and anything else, not just bonus). It might sound tempting but the downside is considerable.

Energize

At your age I'd probably go for it.

Dox

Energize wrote: »

At your age I'd probably go for it.

...but possibly not if you are £35,000 in debt and can't be sure of a job afterwards?

lincroft1710

Dox wrote: »

If you are heavily in debt, can you really afford to take the risk of leaving a secure job for a temporary one? Also - have you factored in the value of all the perks in your current job (e.g. pension and anything else, not just bonus). It might sound tempting but the downside is considerable.

As the previous post to this was some 6 weeks ago, the OP will probably have made his decision by now

Energize

Dox wrote: »

...but possibly not if you are £35,000 in debt and can't be sure of a job afterwards?

I must have missed that part.