Do I take the job?

FrenchMob

Let me first apologize for the long post..lol. I kinda feel weird posting this, but I just need some potential view points that I might be missing. Here's the story;

My background is civil engineering - mostly in new developments (subdivision designs, roads, etc). I was suddenly unemployed from March to about mid May when the company (eng. consultant) I was working for decide to "restructure" and close that office. I was offered the same position at a different office 6 hrs away, which I kindly declined. Anyhow, found a project management position in May for a renewable energy company. They own a bunch of hydro electric dams that often need maintenance to their civil work components...and that's what I deal with. Sort of out of my element, but manageable.

Cons:

->Long commute - 150 miles/3 hrs a day
->Lots of travel to the sites - usually 50% of my time during the summer/fall months
->It is a company on the stock exchange so stability could be in question, although they haven't laid anybody off since they began and company is growing - but you never know.

Pros:

->Flexible hours - meaning they only care that the work gets done - I don't have to punch in/out
->Good money, benefits and pension
->People seem competent and friendly, but I've only been there 5 weeks

Now today I got a government job offer for a local municipality with a population of approx. 132,000. Now, here's the differences;

->I'd be taking a 6% pay cut for the first year, then it's the same (fuel savings for shorter commute already factored in)
->I'm losing 1 weeks vacation
->but the commute is 1/3 of where I am now so 1 hr a day vs 3 hrs
->Obviously more stable - once you pass the probation period you pretty much have cash for life

But there's also some bad like, more rigid hours, union dues, and the work can be somewhat repetitive.

So recap:

Current job - Like the work, place & people but hate the commute & travel

New job offer - Like the stability, predictable hours, practically no commute, definitely no travelling, work could be boring sometimes

What would you do?

lauleipop

You're really young. What are your career opportunities at both positions? Is there an opportunity to move up, or is this a dead-end position?

couponfun

I'd go for the stability. Did you factor in the gas/time spendings when looking at both jobs BTW? And also, with the gov't job do you get more paid holidays/holiday pay?

In this day and age, stability's a big one. You can always make temporary adjustments for a mild pay cut, but worrying about getting fired or laid off all the time...not good.

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

LorinaLynn

I would run like hell from any job with a 3 hour commute. Or move so it would no longer be a commute. A job is something I do so I can enjoy my life. If I'm spending an extra 3 hours each day in travel time, that's cutting into my life.

annahiven

TIME IS MONEY.

I would never spend that much time commuting.

SammieGetsFit

I agree with the posts about commute being prohibitive. One office I worked in had a 45-mile rule for hiring because they'd seen over the years again and again that people who commuted from farther than that got more and more resentful of the commute and less and less dedicated to the job.

I say, flip a coin. Heads - stay, tails - take the new job.

If you get and answer and you're like "but......" then you know you really want to go with the other.

Best of luck! :flowerforyou:

lsjd2000

why dont you move closer to the job you like? If the commute is one of the main factors that you dont like. Is it 3hrs one way or up to work and back home - that makes a difference I currenlty drive alittle over an hour one way to work but its worth it cause if I moved closer my cost of rent would triple-so there are also those things to look into.

Tree72

It's a matter of your personal priorities. I can't even handle a total of an hour a day commuting; just feels like I'm wasting my life and don't have time for anything but work. So if I were in your situation I'd either move or take the city job. The first job definitely sounds more fulfilling. Your description makes it sound like you really enjoy your day-to-day work. But that's a lot of your life to give up to commuting that you could spend doing other things you enjoy.

NoAdditives

TIME IS MONEY.

I would never spend that much time commuting.

This.

Ocarina

As others have said. I would not even question the job that is 3 hours away plus its unstable sounding...

It doesn't matter how much you make in the long run.... stability is all. Plus you want to have a life outside of your job.

I could get a better paying job but I won't because mine is stable (government) plus its a 5 minute walk to work.

bzmom

I think it all has to do with your priorities. I have a state job, I work for a non-profit organization. I know for a fact I can get paid more working in the city. My priorities right now are my kids I have 3 children 3, 11, and 14 years old. Where I work right now I have flexibel hrs, vacation, persnal days, and sick days. I am able to request half day anything and If I need to leave early 9 out of ten there is no problem and Im only about half hour from my home. So I choose to stay here. It really depends where your life it taking you right now and what best suits it. Good luck!

FrenchMob

As far as moving, I really like where I live now (Niagara Falls area) and moving closer to the current job means the real estate is more than double, which I'm not interested in.

FrenchMob

Just to update; I took the government job. It was hard to leave the other place because they're a great bunch, but the commute just took its toll.

So far so good at the new place. People seem pretty nice, and even though it's government, it's quite busy compared to other government jobs I've had, which is good.

Back to work.