Boring job, no flexibility and 45 min. commute v. Interesting job, flexible but 1 hr commute

[Anonymous]

If you had to choose between these two jobs, which would you take?

1). Boring job, monotonous work, where no telecommuting is allowed, micromanaging boss, fun coworkers but everyone is miserable looking elsewhere and your commute is 40 minutes straight commute on metro line.

OR

2). 70% interesting job (other 30% is dull), boss is great, telecommuting is allowed, older but very nice coworkers that have been at job for years but commute is usually 1 hr - 1 hr.and 15 min. involving a metro transfer.

Pay at job number 1 and 2 would be the same but there is a better chance for a higher salary at job #2. Thanks.

Now that I have typed this out #2 is better.

[Anonymous]

#2 without a doubt

[Anonymous]

2 for sure. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

it's hard even to know what the issue is here - obviously #2 is better. that's not much of a difference, commute-wise, and the job sounds HEAPS better.

[Anonymous]

15 minutes is nothing especially if you can time your commute or find alternate roads.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely #2!

[Anonymous]

2

[Anonymous]

Are there differences in the variability of the commutes? Is one of the commutes more likely to balloon into 1.5 hours in bad weather? Otherwise, #2 for sure!

[Anonymous]

#2. When you factor in the potential to telecommute even one day a week at job #2, the commute time starts to even out. Also from experience I can tell you that a miserable work environment really wears on you and the commute there feels twice as long.

[Anonymous]

Can you find a job thats both boring and has a long commute? That would be the worst of the three.

[Anonymous]

What is your real issue here? are you judt braghing that you have two offers. obviously, a day of telecommuting would make up for a slightly longer commute.

[Anonymous]

Definitely #2. The quality of life issue raised here is obvious on the face of it, but there is an interesting aspect that goes a bit deeper. It sounds like you might miss the great co-workers at job #1. Perhaps you feel a bit guilty leaving them in their misery. Great coworkers can make up for a lot, but not for the soul drain of a dead end boring job.

Its = better to have a job that builds esteem in you than to have coworker relationships that prop it up through a dull day. Coworker relationships can shift and change. People can leave. But if you are building up a career with greater promise you will feel better about yourself and all your relationships will feel better.

My sense was the commute was not the real issue in this case, but it is an obvious factor. I would say if you are happier, you can easily use that extra 15 minutes to catch up on reading or some form of meditation. Then its time well spent.

Good luck at the new job!

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thanks for all of your advice. I will hopefully know something in a couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

Neither

[Anonymous]

#2!!

Lucky you - after you start your interesting job OP, please come back and post what industry you landed in. I want an interesting job too!