2 job offers not sure which to take? 2 February at 8:43AM in Employment, jobseeking & training 12 replies 638 views

n1guy

So this was certainly not expected. I’m working my notice for redundancy.  Applied for just 2 jobs and ended up getting offered both.

The first slightly different to what I do, wages the same, hours the same but the beauty is it’s a 10 min walk away from home.

Job 2, exactly same work I’ve been doing for years, better pay but hours longer, it’s rural about 20 miles from home and a real pain to get to on public transport, it’s doable yes but wouldn’t be fun. 

So totally unsure.  I’m leaning towards the first. 

Martin_the_Unjust

If the first one pays enough to give you the lifestyle you want and as it appears you will end up with more free time it seems like a no brainer to me! No 1 for sure

jackieblack

Martin_the_Unjust said:

If the first one pays enough to give you the lifestyle you want and as it appears you will end up with more free time it seems like a no brainer to me! No 1 for sure

Ditto 

It seems like Job 1 = same pay, better quality of life
Job 2 = more money but reduced quality of life

Which do you value more 🤷🏻‍♀️

in_spired2

For me, it would be the one a 10 minute walk away.  No question.  After years of my miserable commute on public transport - hours of my spare time wasted stuck in traffic jams.... crowded and noisy, I've decided my next job will be as close to home as possible, definitely within 1 hour walking distance.  Good luck with whichever you choose (and tbh, the extra money is useful of course)

prowla

Does the differencein the better paid one cover the time & cost?

n1guy

prowla said:

Does the differencein the better paid one cover the time & cost?

Good point, the travel costs / pain in the !!!!!! factor would probably write off any pay increase benefits 

SensibleSarah

I would also choose the more local option. That said, I did just that myself several years ago, only for the office to move a few months later to a much less convenient location for me. I went from a 30 minute walk or 10 minute driving commute and free parking in a local business park to a city centre location which was 45-60 minute commute at best, and the choice between extortionate parking costs or extortionate and unreliable public transport. The planned move wasn't mentioned until after I'd started the job. 

Unless the difference in salary is huge, a job closer to home is always more valuable to me. 

Marcon

n1guy said:

So this was certainly not expected. I’m working my notice for redundancy.  Applied for just 2 jobs and ended up getting offered both.

The first slightly different to what I do, wages the same, hours the same but the beauty is it’s a 10 min walk away from home.

Job 2, exactly same work I’ve been doing for years, better pay but hours longer, it’s rural about 20 miles from home and a real pain to get to on public transport, it’s doable yes but wouldn’t be fun. 

So totally unsure.  I’m leaning towards the first. 

Sometimes the best advice you can give someone is to read their own post, because in writing it, they've often answered their own question. I think that applies here...

cymruchris

If you're comfortable getting used to the slightly different work content - definitely the first one...

DullGreyGuy

Having lived 10 minutes from work... there can be disadvantages depending on what you do and what sort of person you are. 

Mainly, the now ex, said I came home still in work mode whereas when I had a 40 minute bus ride I'd be in home mode by the time I got home. Plus when they needed someone to "volunteer" to come in at 5am on Saturday to test something etc then everyone immediately looked at me. Obviously got paid for it so not all bad but with most others normally coming in by train etc which wont be running at that time it made it hard to say someone else should get the last train in and spend the night in the office instead (but only get paid 5-7)

apw81

10 minute walk vs relying on public transport?

Take the first.

Getting home in work mode; devise a longer route home, or learn to leave work at the work door. 

I’m (life-long) scarred by public transport reliance. When using trains I’ve had a 45 minute train journey become five and a half hours due to an ‘incident on the line’. I spent less time waiting in A&E after being bitten by a manky old German Shepherd (dog).

I do buy into having money is nice, but money isn’t everything.