Should I take this job?

[YTProphet]

Mentioned my situation a bit in "The art of not working at work" thread, and thought I'd drop this here.

Fast facts:
-Make $120k at current job, would make $136k at new job.
-Commute 40 mins for current job, new commute is 2 or 3 miles from my house.
-Would be one less week vacation at new job (4 to 3).
-Current job I do maybe 2 hours of work a day but have to stay due to face-time requirement; new job would likely be full 40-45 weeks.
-I've jumped around a bit so I'd have to stay for at least 3 years at new job.

[mxt0133]

If they paid the same which job would you prefer?

Have you reviewed the benefits in detail how much is your health insurance going to be, 401k match and options.

Need more details.

[YTProphet]

If they paid the same which job would you prefer?

Have you reviewed the benefits in detail how much is your health insurance going to be, 401k match and options.

Need more details.

If pay was the same, I'd probably stay since my current job is a known quantity. However, my current job isn't ideal for my resume. It's a bit of niche area and the new job is definitely better for my resume long-term.

As to health insurance/401k/etc, my current employer is terrible on all those fronts so the new job has nowhere to go but up.

[James]

Mentioned my situation a bit in "The art of not working at work" thread, and thought I'd drop this here.

Fast facts:
-Make $120k at current job, would make $136k at new job.
-Commute 40 mins for current job, new commute is 2 or 3 miles from my house.
-Would be one less week vacation at new job (4 to 3).
-Current job I do maybe 2 hours of work a day but have to stay due to face-time requirement; new job would likely be full 40-45 weeks.
-I've jumped around a bit so I'd have to stay for at least 3 years at new job.

I would go for the new job. The increase pay with decrease commute is huge and compensates plenty for the additional hours at work (45 instead of presumably 40 currently?)

Regarding the 2 hours of work a day but having to stay for requirements, that probably isn't good for you long term. It builds a "normal" that just doesn't exist at most jobs, and it's good to get real work done when you are at work, even if it is more work. The better benefits and better impact on resume just makes it seem like a good idea to switch.

Having said all that, there is much we can't know, so look into it as much as you can before making a decision. Get actual numbers on benefits. Find out if there is options for taking additional time off work unpaid if the lower vacation days ends up being difficult. Talk to a few workers there to get a really good sense of what the job is like, don't just look at numbers.

Good luck!

[OutBy40]

I think it depends on when you want to retire.  Your current job is costing you money with your commute.  You're still making decent money, but you're spending some of that just to get there and back.  But, it's also relatively stress free.

Your new job would pay you more, while simultaneously costing you less in your commute.  But, it wouldn't be nearly as stress free.

The question that you need to ask yourself is what you value more: stress or more saving.  We can't answer that question for you because only you know what you want and what your future goals look like.  If you want out of the rat race as fast as you can and you don't care about some more stressful years NOW, if it means retiring earlier THEN, then you might want to take it. 

[Sibley]

Depending on personality, having to be a work without work can be a stress as well, and sometimes a more powerful one. Personally, I'd take the higher paying job, better (hopefully) benefits, better for resume, and shorter commute. If you're not happy, save money and retire faster. Or find another job.

[Schaefer Light]

Regarding the not working at work part, if you've got to be at your current job for 40 hours a week then the new job isn't really going to take up any more of your time.  In fact, it may actually take up less of your time due to the shorter commute.

[Comp281]

Is it a similar role that's being offered? Do you know anyone at the company that can tell you what their experience has been? Overall morale at a company can make a night and day difference in your own experience.

Overall, I'd probably take the job because I like to be busy at work. Being idle or doing personal things at the office isn't as rewarding as problem solving and accomplishing a task. Plus you'll be getting all that travel time back. That will give you some extra time to relax outside the office if you feel like you need that.

[MooseOutFront]

More money + significantly less commute + looks better on resume means I would take new job.

[mtn]

I'd ask them if there was any way to include an extra week of vacation.

But even if they said no, I'd probably take it. I hate commuting, or at least driving.

[LibrarIan]

Do it.

[retired?]

For the pay increase, much better commute and actually having something to do, which will generally make you feel better, I'd say go for it.

However, I am a little concerned that you wouldn't take it for the same pay.  Says to me that you aren't that upset with your current situation or you are fairly cautious with changing jobs (tho you said you've hopped around some).

As suggested by others, I'd ask for 4 weeks vaca to match current.

Also, I usually figure I can do anything for 2-3 years.  Dig around to learn more about the working environment.  Would you be replacing someone who left?  If so, why did they leave?  Unless you have your radar warning going up, I'd go for it.

Presumably, if you were applying to both of these jobs now, you take the new job (higher pay, lower commute).