Accepted a job offer but now been offered another....

[Raymond Reddington]

Hi all,


I have just been offered a job I felt pretty good about, with a 45 minute commute.

I've now been made an offer from a company 5 miles away, the salary is less, but with the savings in fuel especially at current prices, it works out the same.

Job 1 is 6am till 3.30pm, 3 on Friday.
Job 2 is 8 till 4.30.

Overtime available with both but obviously I may be more inclined to do OT at job 2.

The company close by doesn't have a brilliant reputation in my industry, but this has generally come from people less experienced than myself who needed more involvement and direction from senior staff, so my experience may vary.

I've also been to places before who people have slagged off (I've been a contractor for some years so this happens a lot on the contracting "circuit") but I've actually found perfectly fine.

So I suppose my question is, is it in any way acceptable to now turn down the first offer I've already accepted if I decide to go for the other job?

Its a small industry and reputation is important, but the lifestyle difference being closer with more normal hours would be quite substantial I'd have thought.

I hate to let people down but I also want to make the right decision at this stage instead of having to make the change a bit further down the line.

Cheers

[Blackpuddin]

In this kind of situation it sometimes helps to project forward to imagine how you'd feel after making either decision. Given that you feel good about the existing offer and the other outfit sounds a bit dodgy I'd be inclined to stick with what you've got. Nothing is set in stone. Presumably the other lot will still be there if the first one turns out bad.

[Tim330]

Take the job that suits you best. Just contact the company that offered the job you accepted and explain you did several interviews and an offer that is better for you arrived and you plan to take this job instead. They will have interviewed other candidates and will offer the job to the runner up.
You won't end up on the blacklist.

[cowboyengineer]

One job is 12.5 hours less a week once you include commuting time. this is massive, that's 25 days a year more free time.

[Tyre Smoke]

Getting up at stupid o'clock clock every morning to be in work 45 minutes away at 0600 is going to be a killer. Not immediately perhaps, not even a few weeks. But sooner or later your early nights are going to curtail any weekday social life.

[Raymond Reddington]

Thanks for the comments so far... the early starts and extra hours compared to the second job offer is indeed why I'm so torn.. or perhaps its a no brainer

[55palfers]

Factor in months of winter darkness and grim weather on that 2 x 45 minute daily drive.

[MG CHRIS]

I would go closer to home and as late a start as possible unless you like waking up early naturally. I'm up at 6.30ish and do a 40min or so commute that's personally my limit 6am start no thank you.

[Raymond Reddington]

The hours in my line of work are generally rubbish/long so this one is more of an exception for me... but just because I'm used to long hours doesn't mean I want it, I usually feel knackered! Leaning towards letting down job 1.

[Hoofy]

Which is better for your career?

If you're fairly young and can hack the stty times then stick with the first job.

One of my mentees drives from Bath to London twice a week. I'd rather just rent a hotel in London but she's happy to do the crazyarse drive in the mornings she has to show up at the office.

[Raymond Reddington]

I am about as experienced as one ever needs to be for my role and I've tried management before, money is similar but stress a lot more. So either would be fine career wise, I'm happy doing what I'm doing. Both are fairly stable companies with money in the bank and a full order book.

[Zarco]

Tim330 said:

Take the job that suits you best. Just contact the company that offered the job you accepted and explain you did several interviews and an offer that is better for you arrived and you plan to take this job instead. They will have interviewed other candidates and will offer the job to the runner up.
You won't end up on the blacklist.

This. I've done it before.

It's not great but you have to look after number 1 sometimes. Employers certainly look after themselves in my experience.

[anonymous-user]

Tyre Smoke said:

Getting up at stupid o'clock clock every morning to be in work 45 minutes away at 0600 is going to be a killer. Not immediately perhaps, not even a few weeks. But sooner or later your early nights are going to curtail any weekday social life.

Yep, esp as I'd bet the 45min isn't guaranteed, so leave at 0500, get up at 0430. Sod that

[Hoofy]

Raymond Reddington said:

I am about as experienced as one ever needs to be for my role and I've tried management before, money is similar but stress a lot more. So either would be fine career wise, I'm happy doing what I'm doing. Both are fairly stable companies with money in the bank and a full order book.

fk it. Take the easier job.

[okgo]

Be assured if they needed to bin you for any particular reason they would. Do what works for YOU.

[Alex Z]

I'd definitely take the nearer job with better hours.
That makes a huge difference to your health and wellbeing.

Get confirmation in writing that everything is good with Job2, then politely explain to Job1 that you won't be able to take up the position as you've had a more compelling offer closer to home and wish them well with their recruitment.

They will be disappointed but it won't be the first or last time it happens.

[Collectingbrass]

Just as a counter point, companies have bad reputations for a reason and that reason isn't usually that the worker bees need more input / direction / guidance from the senior management. I would have a really good look at what is creating that reputation before you pick a job.

[Raymond Reddington]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, I'm trying to look at this objectively and not use your opinions to reinforce what I'm leaning towards... but it does seem like the answer is now obvious

[wpa1975]

I would go with the offer that is closer to home, better hours / start time

[Jasandjules]

You can either spend 1.5 hours a day travelling to and from work (assuming no traffic etc) OR about 30 minutes...

1 extra hour a day, 5 days a week, 20 hours a month or over 2 full working days. You work 11 months of the year so you are talking about 24 DAYS a year you will be travelling....