Go for more $ and more Stress or stay with less $ no growth

[sheila3]

Ok, I need some kind of higher guidance. I have my 4 years of college, I went as an adult so I am still paying it off. There is a job open that is way more $ but it it also the type of job tied to the phone, so much so that you can not even get up and go to the bathroom without letting some one know so they can pick up your calls. It is high stress very structured. My husband, said it would be the job from hell for me.  On the other hand my sister said so if you did it for 2-3 years make higer pay it could lead you to other higher paying jobs outside of that department, you need to look at putting your degree to work and making more $ to pay it off.  The catch is I have a job that is not as high pay and does not look like any place to move up, but I have a good boss, flex time, am left alone to do my work, have no trouble taking my vacation time off when I want, no stress. Both jobs are a long commute. I want more $ but not sure about the stress level. 

[gee4]

Hi Sheila,

This sounds like a good move, however I always think it's difficult to step outside our comfort zone into a more frantic environment, but sometimes we have to push ourselves to that next level.

I would say I am probably somewhere in between...low stress levels, good pay and the freedom to take flexi and holidays whenever I choose.

I suggest you list all the pros and cons and see where that takes you.  At the end of the day only you and/or hubby can decide what's best to fit in with your lifestyle and whether or not that would mean additional stress on you both, even for a couple of years.

[Rocket]

I would concur with Gee's opinion, here.  It all depends on how ambitious you are and where you want to get to and why, or how desperate you are to pay for your study. 

I am ambitious and have always taken advantage of every opportunity to gain prestige in my work. Ambition, of course, is not the same thing as being competitive.  The latter is about trying to prove you are better than other people and not very pleasant.  I have always had very demanding jobs with quite high stress levels, and maybe that isn't such a good thing.  However, the rewards, status and prestige are good.   

Choosing to stay where you are is not an indication of LACK of ambition; it is recognition that what you have is good.  If you do make that choice, then it may take you a while longer to pay off your study fees, but you may have more job satisfaction. 

Only you know what is important for you, as a woman, wife and professional.  It isn't easy fitting work into that mix.

All I would say is that while I have a challenging job, no amount of money would tempt me to take a job where going to the lavatory was a problem for my employers.  As one of my former colleagues said to me once "up with some things I will not put". 


Regards,

Celeste

[Katie G]

Frankly, I tend to take a rather dim view of organizations that tout themselves as being so "busy", "fast paced", and "lean and mean" that something as essential to your physical well being as being able to use the lavatory when necessary is problematic.  My first assumption is that something is seriously WRONG there -- either a workforce stretched too thin, poorly managed policies and procedures,  or just plain chaos.

Now, the situation you decribed may have been exaggerated to you, so that you would "get" that things may be drastically different than what you're used to, but I would be careful.  I'd try to find out as much as I could about the department, including your specific duties, before committing. 

I say that because nobody really knows what the economy holds from one week to the next right now, and if it were me, I'd hate to find myself coming to the end of Year 2 or 3 in the Job From Hell, with no prospects for escape.....

[Cathy S]

I would offer a word of caution - if that job, tied to the phone and without the flexibility is paying way more $, there is a reason.  I would suggest you carefully consider whether a job that tethers you that tightly is going to allow you to grow all your skills evenly - if not you may become highly paid in a niche area and find that actually it does not leverage the longer term promotion you desire.

Cathy

[msmarieh]

If you know the job would make you miserable, pass on it. You have the luxury of taking your time to find a job that is well suited to your personality. I can tell you from experience that the euphoria of receiving higher pay fades into obscurity in no time, but the drudgery of a boring job is with you every single day.

[peaches2160]

I would not take a job that I know I will be miserable in.  Keep looking for the right fit.  There will be other opportunities that will be challenging and let you step outside of your comfort zone to stretch and grow.  Why take a role you will not be miserable in, so much so you may not want to go to work. 

[silvergirl]

Oh gosh, Sheila, I really have to urge you to pass on the high stress job.  The money will not be worth it. 

One of the other posters mentioned being wary of places that advertise themselves as "fast paced" or "high energy".  I agree completely with her.  These places usually have a high turnover, and for a good reason.  Employees burn out fast in environments like that.

You can't really put a price on a having a job you like, with a good boss, flex time, and job autonomy, but your life will be much happier.

Elaine

[gee4]

I work in a fast-paced environment and have done most of my working life, so I tend to disagree with you silvergirl on that front.

If you are going to be wary of every job description advertised in this way, you will limit yourself in progressing your career.

Sheila, you mentioned in your initial posting, "it is also the type of job tied to the phone, so much so that you can not even get up and go to the bathroom without letting some one know"...can I ask how you know this for sure?  Do you know someone who works there already?

I wouldn't jump to conclusions or listen to hearsay...apply for the job and if you get an interview then you will see for yourself.  There is no harm in doing so and if you are offered the role you can always turn it down.  It will give you some experience at interviews especially if you are actively seeking a move.

[gee4]

Sheila,

What did you decide?