I am currently in the process of interviewing for two jobs. I am confident that I am the top candidate for both jobs and am basically just waiting for the detailed offer at this point. (A detailed offer doesn't mean a whole bunch in my field, though, because pay is production-based.... so basically I'm waiting for a base salary, vacation, etc. but I already know expected yearly income to some extent.) So, there's some info that I don't yet have, but I need to be prepared to make a decision pretty quickly because these are both small businesses in a small professional community, where dragging out a decision wouldn't really be seen as professional/appropriate.
For some quick background, I'm a mom with less interest in racing to FIRE than giving myself more flexibility. Not necessarily in the short-term (although that would be nice).... what I really, really want is for us to be able to relocate to a higher-COL area in a few years with me able to work less. (We currently live in a very LCOL area that I don't enjoy, so free time isn't worth as much to me here as it would be in an area where I would be able to enjoy more of my hobbies, more friendships, etc.) Although it certainly isn't set in stone, my daydream for the future involves squirreling away cash and/or paying off our house in the next 5 years, so that we can move to a coastal area at that time. The cash would be used to put a big downpayment on a house, allowing us to move from LCOL to HCOL area with the same mortgage payment that we have now (or, better yet, an event lower payment). It is more difficult for my husband to find a job than me, so we'd probably move based on a job offer for him.... so we need to be able to not rely too much on my income in order for that to really happen. Again, this may all be a pipe dream, but it's what we're working towards at this time.
Current net worth is approx $250k which, by my calculations, would give us enough to retire at 65.... so while I'll keep contributing, I feel okay backing off a bit to fuel this alternative dream. Current salary is $80k, but I also make approximately $20k in freelance income right now.
Also, I should add that either of these jobs would be an improvement over my current job for a number of reasons. Each has a few pros/cons, but I really don't have a clear favorite in work environment, leadership, etc.
Job A: Expected pay ~$80k/yr. Work 3 days/wk. Scheduled work hours are 8-5:30, but it is common to work through lunch and stay until 6pm or later (so 10-hr days are the norm). In addition to these scheduled work hours, occasional weekend trips in will be required to check on patients - this clinic rarely refers patients to the emergency clinic for 24-hr care due to cost, so hospitalized patients on the weekends are common. There is currently no set schedule/rotation for weekend coverage - it's kind of decided 'on the fly' but the other associate suggests she goes in a couple of times per month. No health insurance, but a 401k is available. (I didn't originally think they had a 401k, but apparently I misunderstood.) Commute is 23 miles (30 min) each way. I have spent two full days working at this location and feel it would be a good fit.
Job B: Expected pay ~$110k/yr. Work 4 days/wk plus every 3rd Saturday. Scheduled work hours are 8:15-5:30 on weekdays, 8-12 on Saturdays that I work. Working through lunch is a very rare occurrence, as is staying more than a few minutes past closing (so 8hr days are the norm). Weekend duty is on a set rotation, every 3rd weekend, though the current associate states that she has not actually made a trip in on her weekend in 2-3 months because hospitalized patients are typically referred to emergency clinic for 24-hr care instead of being kept unsupervised in the clinic. Health insurance available (cost is not covered by the company, though) and 401k. Commute is 34 miles (40 min) each way. I worked at this hospital 11 years ago, loved one of the owners but had personality conflict with the other owner.... but the bad owner has since left. Was asked to return by the owner that I enjoyed working with.
Both jobs have their pros and cons and this is an incredibly tough decision, so I'm trying to determine if one is clearly better or worse in a 'practical' sense.
Job A advantages:
- Only 3 days/wk, leaving me more time with my kiddo.
- Only 3 days/wk, leaving me more time to work on building up my freelance business. If we do relocate, my freelance business could be a significant source of income (either long-term or at least until I find a regular job). If I take Job B, I could probably maintain my current freelance load but not really add any capacity.
- 10 miles/minutes closer to home. Yes, I realize the commute still sounds insane, but we live very close to family, husband's job, and daughter's daycare. Moving doesn't make sense. The commute to Job A is almost exactly the same as my current commute in miles, and 10 minutes shorter in time (due to different traffic).
Job B advantages:
- I've worked there before. It feels less risky, because I know what I'm getting into. (Granted, I worked there 11 years ago... but the three management people are the same as when I was there, except for the one that I didn't get along with.)
- Better pay, obviously... by ~$30k. When I do the math, I think the pay per hour is better.
- Even though it's 4 days/wk, the days will likely be shorter and I'm much more likely to get a lunch break.
- Health insurance. If it is true that it isn't employer paid, we'd probably get our insurance through husband's job instead.... but I like having the option to get it through my job in case something ever happens with his job. (This is probably paranoid. If he lost his job, surely he'd find another.... but I've always been the one to carry health insurance and it seems weird not to have the option.)
- Fewer (and more predictable) weekend trips to the clinic.
What am I not thinking of? Obviously, I'll take base salary into account... if one of them offers a crazy-low guaranteed base compared to my expected production, that would be an issue. Ditto for vacation time. But unless I can clearly rule one out based on that criteria, I'm totally stuck. Thoughts?