Career Advice

[walrus]

I urgently need some good, solid and reliable career advice, so I thought what better place than the TEF?!

I'm 24 and a graduate who struggled at first to find their feet.  I began, as most do, in a call centre selling insurance.  After just over a year, I left to join an insurance broker, which I absolutely detested.  Immediately, I knew I'd made the wrong choice and desperately sought ways to leave.  However, no longer living at home, I couldn't live until I found something better.

I went for two jobs.  Job A was in a very big shiny office for a good insurance company doing a job with a bright future and plenty of potential.  Job B was in a bit of a manky office, for a less established but good company.  Job B was also twice the distance from my flat (25 miles as opposed to 12).  They were both roughly paying the same.

Job B treated me well and offered me the job.  Job A messed me about, although it was one I wanted badly.

Three months after starting the brokers, I took job B, as job A were having HR issues and had pulled the vacancy.  Six weeks later I am extremely happy in Job B and glad I made that choice.

This week, the recruitment agents of Job A have contacted me, saying Job A is back on, and they're willing to pay 20% more.  Would you:

A).  Ignore them and tell them to fuck off

B).  Have a butchers, see what you can squeeze out of them, but unless they offer something rediculous tell them to fuck off

C).  Bite their arm off, attend the interview and take any offer that's forthcoming


I should emphasize Job A is working with comparison engines (Go Compare, Compare the Murkin etc.) so invariably has a bright future.  What I am doing now is not a dying trade, and I do enjoy my current role, but money talks.  Job A would also mean I can get another car.......

However, since leaving the call centre in August, I have had two jobs, so moving again may not look good in the future.  What a naffing dilemma...

[Samdy Gray]

I should emphasize Job A is working with comparison engines (Go Compare, Compare the Murkin etc.) so invariably has a bright future.

What makes you say that? In my opinion it'll only be a fad until the some geek dreams up the next way of buying insurance.

[DiV]

I'm far from any sort of career expert. I've had 3 job interviews and 3 jobs!

I'd be wary, messed around once shame on them, messed around twice shame on you sort of thing. I do also think you'd be silly not to at least listen to them.

See what they offer, could even use that to force your current employers hand

[Lumps]

Were you interviewed for Job A the first time around? If so did it get to the stage of an offer before they pulled it?

If so I'd be a brassed necked fucker and just ask them what their offer is. No need to interview you again is there?

[walrus]

Buying insurance on the Internet is the way forward.  My guess is it'll progress by allowing people MID (Motor Insurance Database) checks etc. so they can ensure they're putting the right information in.  The smaller brokers are already really struggling, and the rise of Swinton's swallowing just about every broker in sight is a sign of the comparison engines success.

My job at the moment involves looking at what people declare and then finding anamolies, before deciding whether to charge them more money or kick them off cover, which I do find a bit cruel.  It is also quite interesting as its a company that specialises in bad risks - people with terrible convictions (i.e.: some that have killed people as a result of bad driving), footballers (all of STFC) and other celebs.

Last time around I got to the second interview, but then the job was pulled.  No offer was forthcoming, but they were slow to tell me.  I was fed some line about a HR reshuffle meaning the job was no longer up for grabs.

I was pissed off last time around, but so grateful to get the other job it kind of passed me by.  I was so fucking relieved to be out of the broking market.  I've only been at Job B for six weeks so I'd have to be a cocky bastard to use this opportunity as leverage...

[DMR]

No brainer.

Job A.

More money, better prospects, closer to home.

[Dazzza]

Have a chin wag with Job B tell them you have been offered 20% more plus its closer to home if they're a good company to work for they're not going to beat you around the head for what at the end of the day is a better package.  Tell them you like working there throw in a few platitudes about wanting a long term career and progression within company B and see what they come up with.

20% in Job A may turn out to be a drop in the ocean if you stick at job B for a few months.  6 weeks is pushing it a bit so don’t lay it on to thick about wanting mopre wedge but see if they’ll commit to some sort of review in a few months.

[Simon Pieman]

What Daz man says. Also bear in mind that the taxman will chop down your extra earnings.

[Doore]

I'm far from any sort of career expert. I've had 3 job interviews and 3 jobs!

Perhaps just an interview expert with that record! 

Job A seems to make the more sense.  Money talks - and a shorter journey, which over time makes a big difference to both your finances and your lifestyle.  It takes me an hour and 15 mins to get to work.  Avoid commuting at all costs.

[london_red]

It takes me an hour and 15 mins to get to work.  Avoid commuting at all costs.

Seconded.

[sonicyouth]

i'll third that. there is a direct correlation between how far you commute and how much you hate your job.

[@MacPhlea]

Have a chin wag with Job B tell them you have been offered 20% more plus its closer to home if they're a good company to work for they're not going to beat you around the head for what at the end of the day is a better package.  Tell them you like working there throw in a few platitudes about wanting a long term career and progression within company B and see what they come up with.

20% in Job A may turn out to be a drop in the ocean if you stick at job B for a few months.  6 weeks is pushing it a bit so don’t lay it on to thick about wanting mopre wedge but see if they’ll commit to some sort of review in a few months.

Agree with this - 20% more isn't that much when you break it down into monthly payments after tax & NI and certainly wouldn't make me jump from an existing position.

[Ginginho]

i'll third that. there is a direct correlation between how far you commute and how much you hate your job.

Agreed, I work about 1.5 miles away from home and it takes me almost 10 minutes to cycle to work every day!

[@MacPhlea]

i'll third that. there is a direct correlation between how far you commute and how much you hate your job.

I love my job as it takes me 10 seconds to walk from my bedroom to my office - in fact somedays I take my office to bed with me because I love it so much

[MichaelPook]

Id probably go with Job A