Torn on whether to leave my job for a new one.

Jonathan_Powell

I was unemployed for most of last year but landed a job in September 2020. I always new it was going to be a salesy role but over the past few month the micromanagement has got to another scale. Also, the commission they laid out at the interview stages is very hard to achieve with only myself and another person getting it once since I joined (monthly commission). I've now been offered a job elsewhere and I am struggling to make a decision whether I move or not.

The job I am currently doing, though I hate, is simple enough. It's mind numbing but when I finish I shut off my laptop and don't think about it. The low-stress nature of the job, and the fact it's one where I don't bring the stress home, makes it one I could grit my teeth with.

Main pros of moving

• Back in a role I want to do
• Higher salary
• No stupid sales targets.
• Back to feeling challenged as I genuinely feel I am getting dumber each day I am here.

Main Cons

• Further travel (20 more minutes on the tube when we go back in the office)
• Finish at 17:30 and not 17:00 which means my partner will have to pick the baby up from nursery
• More days working from the office when we go back (3 as opposed to 2)
• 1 year fixed contract
• The unknown of starting a new job

Would be interesting to get other peoples thoughts and how they decided if they were in a similar position. 

Brie

You sound unhappy and unsatisfied.  Life is too short for either. 

Interesting too that your first point is about being in a role you want, rather than salary.  In fact it's the first and forth points.

The only reasons I can see of staying in the current role is lack of stress and crucially how it affects your day and therefore your work/life balance. 

You're saying that there's 40 minutes extra commute (assuming that's 20 min twice a day) - does that ruin your mornings as well as your evenings?  How easy is it for your partner to pick up the baby?? Is your partner willing?  Is that every day or just the ones you are in the office??

Jonathan_Powell

Thanks. The extra distance means there is no way I'm picking up my daughter in time, thought my would-be boss did say they are very flexible and I could start early or make up the hours later.

Travel doesn't ruin my mornings but getting home closer to 7pm will be a bummer where as before I would be home around 6pm. Partner can pick up the baby and as she's also 2 days in the office, it would mean there is one day where my son (school) will have to be in an after school club or something. Definitely makes picking up the children more difficult. 

Brie

If they are willing to be flexible (nice!) then maybe a silly early start (7am?) to allow you extra early (4pm?)  That way you might be able to do pick ups if partner can do (& is willing to) do morning drop offs?