I had a meeting with a client this morning. I work as a consultant, in the field portion of their operation (I work a weird, on-call schedule where I can work anywhere from 5-28 days on, with 2 days to a month off in-between jobs). My client told me that they are looking for an operations manager in the office (no field work, and a regular 9-5 gig, 3 weeks vacation, commute to downtown-type deal).
He asked me if I am interested in the position. They only have it posted internally right now, and I think his recommendation of me, would weigh heavily on the hiring committee. (This is a new position they are creating, and they've temporarily put someone in it, who has never worked in the field, and isn't particularly happy with the job).
Anyway, I'm torn. I always thought that I wanted to return to an office job at some point, but I am not sure that I am ready for that yet. I LOVE my current job, and I love the freedom I have, not working a regular schedule.
And because no analysis would be complete without looking at the financial aspect, this would be a cut in pay, likely by 30-40%. My working expenses would be a lot less (no more need for a truck) as well as other things I pay right now, like liability insurance, WCB, healthcare etc. Our budget could easily adapt as well, so a new, lower pay wouldn't be a big adjustment.
Right now, when I'm not at work, I don't usually have too much work to do (the odd client meeting, or bit of paperwork) but with the new position, I would be the on-call first call person to field operations (which run 24/7/365), which means I might never be able to shut my phone off.
It is the ideal bridge-job between field consulting, and office work in my career, but I'm not really sure I'm ready to make that move yet. It isn't necessarily a promotion (as I supervise people already) but just a change in working scope, and environment.
I am making a few assumptions about what the job would entail (based on how I've seen other companies set up their field-managers) but I don't have the actual job posting to look at. I think I am going to send my client an e-mail, and ask him to send me the job posting, so I can check it out.
But here is the WWYD: Would you apply, and then (provided you were asked in for an interview) feel things out, and then decide from there? Have you applied to jobs you weren't decided that you'd accept, if offered to you?
It would be a chance in employment, from essentially being self-employed to being a regular, T4 employee, and all the benefits that come with that.
Thanks in advance~