Dial Emma. What should I do?

[PaulB]

I know, I know, you shouldn't ask advice from strangers on an internet forum but sometimes it helps if someone with no fore-knowledge of the situation chips in with their tuppenyworth so here goes;

I have a steady job in the medical industry. It's well paid and easy as easy can be. Basically, it's money for old rope. The downside is, it's incredibly and deadly dull. In fact, it's dull with a capital D. And a capital U and two Ls as well! It does allow me to run another company with my son though and leaves me lots of time to indulge my hobbies such as, erm, cycling, running, learning languages and watching football. I've now been offered another job.

The new job is very interesting with a very interesting company. It will mean harder work and more pressure (I don't mind pressure; in fact, I think we thrive on a reasonable amount of it). It's a bit more money but that's not the issue as I have no real financial commitments and a wife who's a well-paid senior exec.

So my dilemma is; should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay where it's deadly dull (I mean, seriously and tediously dull)but gives me loads of free time or should I go for the stimulating interest and challenge of the new position?

Help!

 

[Jim_Noir]

I am in the same sort of boat as you. Work in IT doing pretty basic boring stuff, but get paid a fair bit as I work nights. I also get great time off, I work 4 nights and get 2 weeks off. I got the offer of a job as the lead devopler on a share site project a few weeks back, not much more cash... but not only the fact I'd need to work for the money, it was back to 9 to 5 5 days a week.... fook that. So for me it's work life balance that wins every time... I have a job but I have loads of spare time... suits me

 

[Shaun]

If you really value the free time your current job allows - stay.

If you would rather have the challenge - then go.

If there was a massive salary difference and the new, challenging job would give you muchos dosh for your increased hours/stress/effort, then I would say jump at the chance - however it sounds like the current offer is to forfit your free time, to make your work day more interesting - enough of a reason to go?

You're right, it is a dial emma

 

[vernon]

I know, I know, you shouldn't ask advice from strangers on an internet forum but sometimes it helps if someone with no fore-knowledge of the situation chips in with their tuppenyworth so here goes;

Make a table with two columns headed pros and cons.

Complete the table with everything that you think is pertinent no matter how trivial it seems and make your own mind up.

FWIW 25 years ago I walked out of an unchallenging job, took a £4,000 pay cut and took up teaching as a career. I'm still teaching and although it's had its moments I'm still enjoying the job.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

There's a few of about in the same situation by the looks of it.

My job is Dullsville Arizona, probably because I've been doing it for so long now, but it's well paid and much as I'd welcome a new challenge we like where we live and my kids are settled so I'm toughing it out for the moment.

Plus if I move jobs I might not get the opportunity to waste so much of my day on here!!

So don't give up the fringe benefits for nothing...

 

[got-to-get-fit]

Like admin said ....how much do you value your outside pursuits and other company interest.
If you got the new job it may well be that you cannot continue doing the things you enjoy on such a frequent level.

If you think you would not mind ditching some of the outside interests in favour of the new job then go for it.

You need to assess what is most important to you. Your free time or the reward from stimulating work.

 

[4F]

I know, I know, you shouldn't ask advice from strangers on an internet forum but sometimes it helps if someone with no fore-knowledge of the situation chips in with their tuppenyworth so here goes;

I have a steady job in the medical industry. It's well paid and easy as easy can be. Basically, it's money for old rope. The downside is, it's incredibly and deadly dull. In fact, it's dull with a capital D. And a capital U and two Ls as well! It does allow me to run another company with my son though and leaves me lots of time to indulge my hobbies such as, erm, cycling, running, learning languages and watching football. I've now been offered another job.

The new job is very interesting with a very interesting company. It will mean harder work and more pressure (I don't mind pressure; in fact, I think we thrive on a reasonable amount of it). It's a bit more money but that's not the issue as I have no real financial commitments and a wife who's a well-paid senior exec.

So my dilemma is; should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay where it's deadly dull (I mean, seriously and tediously dull)but gives me loads of free time or should I go for the stimulating interest and challenge of the new position?

Help!

How long would it be for the interesting part of the new job to become dull and effectively all you have done is lost your free time and added to your pressure for not a lot more money ?

If it was me I would stay put.

 

[PaulB]

How long would it be for the interesting part of the new job to become dull and effectively all you have done is lost your free time and added to your pressure for not a lot more money ?

If it was me I would stay put.

Cracking point!

 

[yenrod]

If you really value the free time your current job allows - stay.

If you would rather have the challenge - then go.

If there was a massive salary difference and the new, challenging job would give you muchos dosh for your increased hours/stress/effort, then I would say jump at the chance - however it sounds like the current offer is to forfit your free time, to make your work day more interesting - enough of a reason to go?

You're right, it is a dial emma

 

[PaulB]

Sorry, should also have said, I've got to have made the decison by Tuesday next week (with it being a Bank Holiday).

 

[trustysteed]

I've never been career driven to climb the corporate ladder or earn loads, just want to get paid a reasonable wage for what I do and be able to have plenty of spare time to do the things I enjoy, one of which is cycling.

I was made redundant back in April and luckily found a job in May. It was £2kpa less than what I was on before but the time off work made me realise that the only important things to me were still being able to pay the mortgage and still have that spare time outside of work.

I'm cycling more than ever because I'm much more relaxed in my new job which is a lot less stressful than the firm of lawyers who made me redundant. I also get fresh fruit every day, and a jammy donut on fridays!

Unless you're specifically driven financially or by your position on the ladder, I don't think you can ever put a price on the value of spare time.

 

[Aperitif]

So far we have vernon, Admin Shaun and 4F Tony giving excellent tuppenceworths.
I have a sometimes interesting job that consumes a 'full' amount of my time for one reason or another. (Gets me on here though...as others have also mentioned)
Not very well paid - young business etc and I suppose it is 'loyalty' that keeps me put.
If you were in my shoes you would jump - if I were in yours, I'd stay put as you have an abundance of the most important currency - time.
Possibly there is scope within the existing 'rut filled road' to 'develop' interest? Rather let it be optional and selectively time-consuming on your part, than compulsory via your future employer.
Good luck.

 

[Mr Pig]

I'm in a similar situation, but personally, in this climate, I'll stick where I am (even though it's dull).

Inclined to agree. How secure is the new job? What if you hate working for these people? What if they don't love you?

 

[papercorn2000]

Some sage advice from people there. In contrast, I can only quote the greatest Rock n Roll band ever and tell you that if you stay, there will be trouble. However, if you do decide to go, it will be double....

 

[PaulB]

if you stay, there will be trouble. However, if you do decide to go, it will be double....

So come on and let me know. Should I cool it or should I blow?