New job dilemma

holg123 · 2 March 2018 at 9:02AM

Hi I’m just wanting to seek a little bit of advice

I’m currently unemployed, I was in an accounts role but the company decided to relocate my job 30 miles away from home and I only worked 5 hours a day so I decided to leave. I didn’t realise how much I enjoyed accounts until I no longer had a job doing accounts.

I have a potential dilemma that’s may arise with 2 jobs I’ve had interviews for.

Job 1 - 2 minute drive from home and offering a full time salary however it’s only general administration and I’m looking to further my career in accounts, I asked in my interview about study support but I’m failing to see how doing an AAT whilst doing just a general administration role is going to benefit me.

Job 2 - 10 minute drive from home and is an accounts role but they’re only offering 20 hours a week, I’m not sure of the salary yet, but it’s only 20 hours as it’s a new role the company have created and they don’t know how much time the work is going to take so could potentially increase and they were keen on looking into study support for me. (I’m also going to be moving out in 3 months once I can get a mortgage)

Financially, job 1 is my best option but career wise job 2 sounds more appealing. Who knows I may not be offered both of these jobs but I’m just thinking of potential situations and I’m stuck as to what decision I would make..... oh and if anyone has some advice on how to make a little extra money whilst I’m not working then please do share I have my car insurance due at the end of April and it’s over £1k

getmore4less · 2 March 2018 at 9:35AM

Job 1 and ditch the car.

Job 2 sounds better prospects but can you afford it with shorter hours, running a car and tring to buy a house.

if you are looking to move how does that change 2mins and 10mins?

Detroit · 2 March 2018 at 10:03AM

To state the obvious, it depends on your current financial position, i.e., whether you can afford to earn less now as an investment in your future.

If you need the money then take the higher paid role but if you can manage on a lower rate, the career progression may be a better option longer term. You may not always be in a position to put prospects before salary so there is an argument for doing it while you can.

If the accounting role is new, there may be a possibility of extending the hours in future. You could ask if this seemed likely before accepting the role.

However, as you already have accounts experience then you won't necessarily lose out in the admin role, the accounting work already being on your CV. You may want to put a time limit on how long you stay there though so your previous accounting experience doesn't become too dated.

ReadingTim · 2 March 2018 at 10:48AM

Option 2, and negotiate for study support too (AAT, CIMA, ACA). The reduced hours will give time for study, and fewer (if any exam re-sits) - working full time and studying isn't easy.

And ditch the car for a bike or even walk. A 10 minute drive is extremely do-able via other means - a car is both anti-moneysaving, and frankly, lazy.

Smodlet · 2 March 2018 at 5:26PM

Check out the Money Makeover on the main board and the Boost Your Income thread on here for ways to cut outgoings and, erm, boost your income. If you decide to sign up to Prolific Academic (paid online surveys) you can use someone's referral link so please remember who told you about it.

As for the jobs, if you are serious about getting a mortgage surely option 1 makes the most sense. Who knows, you might acquire other useful skills there and have the opportunity to move into an accounts role down the line.

Good luck.

Fireflyaway · 3 March 2018 at 9:31AM

Job 2 because you need to think of the long term picture. You can always leave once you get your qualification and experience. Doesn't sound like job 1 would further your career. Sometimes a bit of temporary effort or sacrifice is needed to reach your long term goal.

Ja7188 · 3 March 2018 at 10:17AM

I'd probably turn down both and, assuming it's affordable, do temporary/ contracting work until a job comes out that ticks the boxes - in my experience, no potential employer would look badly on this.

Why were you only working 25 hours per week in your previous role - assume you have (or had) other commitments outside of work that took up quite a bit of your time?

Are you under any pressure to move out from wherever you're living in 3 months' time? Given that you're not working, I'm not sure how you're going to get a mortgage (an offer for which will require a steady salary), buy a property and move into it within 3 months...

I disagree with the comments around getting rid of your car - unless you only use it for commuting to work, or you're *really* short of money.

wheelz · 3 March 2018 at 10:25AM

I would take the second job, it's only 5 hours under your current hours, hopefully you can get a bit more money. Offer to study and doing what you want is important. You will get bored and not feel good about yourself otherwise. Once you know how the study is going and mortgage contributions either ask for more hours or look for other job. If you can save on not using your car I would consider that. I didn't have a car for a long time until I needed one when I moved out of the city as I was living and needed one for work and home in the new, more rural, area I had moved to.

Bigmoney2 · 7 March 2018 at 8:02PM

If you are moving out why didn't you stay in the job that moved 30miles away and move closer to it?

New job dilemma

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