Take career advancing job with more stability but long commute?
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Anonymous
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I moved from the DC area a couple of years ago to a smaller town in the South. I am currenty employed but another opportunity just popped up for me and I'm torn about what to do.
Current job - Private company with about 400 employees - Company is in good financial health. Majority stake in the company was bought two years ago by private equity firm. - I'm a middle manager making about $100k - 30 min commute, decent flexibility and family-friendly hours (8:30-5:30) Recently someone I know took a CEO position and has offered me a rare opportunity. New opportunity - In the public sector - Would be VP-level position making $140k. Would advance my career. - 1.5 hour commute - yes 1.5 hours - but would work from home 50% of the time - Family-friendly hours (9-5) I like my current job but my number one worry is my role in it's future. I fear in 2-3 years the private equity firm is going to want to cash out and sell the company. I fear massive layoffs at the time and then there will be scores of people like me looking for similar work in a small town. New opportunity provides more stability and a chance to advance my career. I should also note that while my DH is employed I am the primary breadwinner and it would be very tough to live on his salary. Two children in elementary school and family in the area that are very helpful. Moving closer to the job is not currently a possibility. What would you do if you were me? |
Anonymous
| Well, if you will really be able to work 50% from home, I'd say take the new job. Maybe you can even increase the proportion of working from home over time. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| 1.5 hours each way? That's a long time everyday. Can you rent a room so you can be close to work for a couple days, at least in the beginning. And then, as PP said, see if you can increase your time working from home. |
Anonymous
OP here - yes 1.5 hours each way. |
Anonymous
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Get some private stock options and make some real money in 3 yrs, then go back to your old place with more experience and value to add.
PE backed companies are a real way to make wealth. |
Anonymous
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OP, if you'll be working from home 50% of the time, that essentially means that your commute will be on average 45 minutes. Your current commute is 30 minutes. A mere 15 minute difference/30 minutes a day/2.5 hours a week. For a more advanced position and an extra 40K per year. Seems like a no brainer to me.
Besides, the job insecurity of working for a company owned by a private equity firm would keep me up at night. |
Anonymous
| Get the new job, and be careful on the road. |
Anonymous
| How many days a week do you have to go into the office? Does 50% mean 2 days or 3 days in the office? 2 long days is a lot different than 3 long days. I commute 1.5 hours once a week to another office and its exhausting, but I'd do it twice a week for a better opportunity. Not sure about 3 times. |
Anonymous
I do it once a week too - but in my case, I can do it on my own hours (i.e. go at 9am, arrive at 10.30am) - and I stay overnight in a hotel next to the office, so I end up with: M: WFH T: Drive to other office, stay in hotel W: Work in other office, leave at 4pm, drive home TH: WFH F: WFH Think about that as an option. In my case my firm pays for the hotel, but I'd probably do it even if they didn't. |
Anonymous
| That long commute negates the family friendly hours. But if you can work from home 50 percent of the time, you might be able to balance things out, especially with a supportive husband and family in the area. |
Anonymous
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No way.
I did that commute for nearly two years and it killed me. And to be there at 9, you have to leave by 7:30, or earlier, and you would be home past 6:30...or later if traffic is bad. That's a long day. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Sounds like you all are as undecided as me! Thanks for the insight; keep it coming... |
Anonymous
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I wouldnt take the new job.
It depends on how old your kids are and what our child care arrangements are. Can your spouse pick them up on days where you commute? |
Anonymous
| Yes, assuming you don't have a bad back where it is tough to drive, and assuming you would only have to do the doj trip twice a week. Either negotiate to two days a week in the office, or spend a night a hotel near the office a few times a night. |
Anonymous
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My guess is you work for Asurion or Newcorp.
100 to 140 is a big leap. Its a step-function in your career. Take the job, get a hotel near that office, spend 1 night a week there, work from home 3 days a week. |