Conflicted about work

Ooo yeah I do wonder about that. I know my current job does rely on state funding so there is the possibility of my job going away, but with how well I’ve been doing that chance is slim. With the new job? No idea. Definitely something to check out.

Is there a difference between the longevity of each job - i.e. do either depend on funding that might be withdrawn? Years ago I left a job and didn't like the new one - but the old boss let me return; it sounds as if you too have this option, which is a positive for taking the new job.

ArchaeC said:

You would need to consider how you would be placed if the new job didn’t work out. How would you feel, could you get a new job easily etc?

This is fantastic advice. I think I’d easily be able to work at my current employer again, but not necessarily in the same position. I have GREAT rapport with my current job’s HR, so she’d hire me back in a heartbeat. There’s also the chance that I could find something closer to home (both my current job and this potential job are 35 mins away from home). So I don’t think I’d be sunk if the job didn’t work out. Thank you for bringing that up, I needed to think that one through!

I don’t think I’m best placed to offer insight or advice on employment, but I thought if I jiggled your pros and cons around a bit and switched your emphasis slightly on specific points, it might be a change of perspective.

Analysing your response, the pros look to be stronger in the LGBTQ+ Client Specialist  job than in your current position. I’m basing this purely on it potentially being your dream job, so I haven’t considered the benefits of the reduced hours, less travelling, and the salary beyond this point. 

The cons of the LGBTQ+ Client Specialist job are the potential evening work, unknown working environment with clients and co-workers, stability and activity/event planning.

As you mentioned, you could find out more about the job requirements during the interview. You may find that the evening work would be less than four nights per week and the job is stable. That might leave cons of only some evenings at work, your unknown working environment with your co-workers and potential issues with activity/event planning. On the other hand, you might find that should you take the job, most or all of these cons wouldn’t materialise.

Your wife’s views and your consideration of your children’s upbringing are valid. You both know you have a great job already, and going into an unfamiliar and different working environment could be a risk, also because there wouldn’t be control over colleagues’ potentially bad behaviour, should you encounter such a thing.

You would need to consider how you would be placed if the new job didn’t work out. How would you feel, could you get a new job easily etc?

I have heard it said that people regret not doing something, more than doing something and making a mistake (or it not working out).

If you didn’t follow your dream and give the new job a go, would you always regret it?

I hope things become clear to you whatever you decide to do and I wish you well.

When I was a professor I had offices of all sorts. Shared desk, open office space, cupboard under the stairs, and even a tiny music practice room lol

But I never got a “big boy” office like I do now.

Good luck, chatbots can be useful at crafting important questions, if you use them.

profdanger said:

Apparently the group is located in the basement of a church, so I’d be surprised if I got an office. That’s not a deal breaker, but boy do I like having one lol.

An office if you are on your own I've found to be invaluable.

A couple I had I ended up sharing which spoilt it for me, but one I kept and it overlooked a cathedral - it was a lovely peaceful environment.

Open plan offices are horrid.

Great idea. I’m trying to get in touch with them today to get some kind of interview in the books. So far I’ve been playing texting tag with someone from HR.

You could request have video-call to have a more clear sense of what their expectations are, and how they are as individuals.

I appreciate the kind words. Yeah I have loads of questions for the LGBTQ+ group, I hope I don’t overwhelm them, lol! I am very excited about the new opportunity, but I’m wondering if it’s just because it is a new shiny thing or if it really is because this has been a dream of mine to work with that community. I hope it’s the latter.

I tried assuring my wife that if it is evenings I’d be more available during mornings to help get them ready (right now I have to leave around the same time as them so I only halfway get them ready) and I’d have that whole extra day to engage with the kids or fill in with another job if we need more money. But she is - rightfully so - very concerned about extracurriculars and putting the girls to bed alone, so I don’t think those extra perks are going to sway her.

My guess right now - based on the discussions I’ve had with the employer - is the job is during the day or evenings on Sat-Sun and on evenings Tues/Thurs. Kind of weird, but I feel like I could make that work.

I don't envy you having to make the decision, that is tough when they feel equally weighted. 

If you still are going to talk to them more about it, maybe try find out the things that are on your cons lists -what exactly are the hours, and if there is any budge on the evenings -as you don't strictly need it, there is less fear of upsetting them, and more pros for just asking. Also if you get excited about it, you could see if you can meet more of the team before you make a decision -you can often tell quickly if someone is nice to you or feels hard to get on with, which would be a big factor. (I can tell if I start chatting random stuff or if I'm quiet and don't feel I want to talk).

Evenings are tricky with kids so that is a big point, though would you be around more to look after them in the holidays? 

I always think, try make a decision, and if it feels right, it's a good sign, and if it feels awful, that's a bad sign. Then try imagine it the other way round, and see if the feelings are stronger? I don't know if it works for such big life changes, but it might help you figure out what you are feeling.

Best wishes, both of them would be lucky to have/keep you!

wow I'm curious now as to what's it like from an office type of view!

Yeah I’m really, really curious what the work environment is like. Apparently the group is located in the basement of a church, so I’d be surprised if I got an office. That’s not a deal breaker, but boy do I like having one lol.

B said:

(the devil you know)

Side note - that's a name of a Frieda Mcfadden book!

profdanger said:

LGBTQ+ CLIENT SPECIALIST

maybe ask for more information about this one, like what the hours are if you're expected to work evenings and if there will be any flexibility with that as you have kids. you could also ask what the office environment is like and if you could get a desk away where the noise and traffic are less, or even work from home some times.

profdanger said:

One big difference is the LGBTQ+ one is part-time, so less hours for the same net pay.

If you feel the hours you are doing at the moment maybe consider applying for this job, as it's the same pay but with lower hours

I hope you do what is right for you, but I would consider more information about the client specialist if it's something you feel is right for your needs

B said:

Maybe that tips the scales a bit?

Oh it sure does. As things stand, I believe I’m staying with the current job due to that. The interview might tip the scales the other direction, though.

That's a difficult one.

I've changed jobs a lot in the past, including full time to part time.

A part of me would be wanting to stay in the job I know and am settled in (the devil you know) but the fewer hours (of the new job) is a big bonus.

profdanger said:

My wife is leaning towards employment specialist because we know it works and she is worried about me being absent four nights of the week.

Maybe that tips the scales a bit?

All the best.