Choosing between Two Jobs

halfaznpersuasion on 05/01/2016 - 12:01
Last edited 06/01/2016 - 00:10

I am an electrical graduate and currently work as a Project Engineer in a very small renewable energy company. I admit the job is fun (which is hard to say about most jobs I have come across) and relaxed, although there is little to no electrical engineering work involved.
I don't have much contact with the manager as he is currently on holiday for a couple weeks. I am not too sure if the job will be permanent as it was initially a casual position. I am currently full time (no contract).

Just recently I received another job offer for a graduate electrical position with a 3 month trial period (had the interview around the same time as the first one). The company is twice as big. They seem to be very enthusiastic about having me on board mentioning the training, learning more on the practical side of electrical engineering etc.

The pay is the same but has a chance to grow with the graduate electrical position.

I need to make a decision by this week which is a little stressful because I don't have contact with my current boss.

Pros with current job: Position title, no trial period, fun & relaxed, design work
Cons with current job: Little electrical work required, no contract (not sure what will happen after the project is completed)

Pros with other job: On the job electrical training, chance for greater pay, larger company?
Cons with other job: Trial period, position title

I don't have anyone to discuss this with so I turned to ozbargain. I appreciate all the help and support.

EDIT: Hey guys.

I made my decision stayed with my current job despite the majority of you saying to move to the other job. I feel like I am learning a lot and I want to finish this project from start to finish. I believe opportunities will come and go so I'll keep my head up high and stick with my decision.

Thank you all so much for your input, I really do appreciate it and love this community

Education & Work

Comments

  • cypher67 on 05/01/2016 - 12:10
    +1

    I have a general rule when selecting a job. It has to meet 2 of the follow 3 criteria. Career development, Pay & Enjoyment. Specifically in that order.

    If the pay is good and leads to a better job after it, I would be prepared to do almost anything. Based on this I would take the new job

    However I would want to get more information about the trial period. I have heard of places using the trail period as a cheap way to get a 3 month piece of work done. If it was a probation period and its a full-time gig you should be fine, just make sure you trust the person hiring you.

    Alternatively try and use this new off as leverage in your existing role for more money or responsibilities, ballsy but can be done.

    • spackbace on 05/01/2016 - 12:13
      +1

      Alternatively try and use this new off as leverage in your existing role for more money or responsibilities, ballsy but can be done.

      Flipside to this is negotiate on pay with the new job offer to ensure you get a higher rate :) EG "I'm currently on (you current salary + 10%), what could you do?" :)

    • halfaznpersuasion on 05/01/2016 - 12:37

      Appreciate the informative answer cypher!

      The trial period was a little iffy in their description, along the lines of "if you are decent we will keep you on full time". They do have a current project going on so there is a chance for them to give me the sack once that's done. It is really a hit or miss.

      I do know most graduates if not all have a 3 month trial period.

  • 01011010 on 05/01/2016 - 12:31
    +3

    I'd say the two out of three rule applies in this order - enjoyment, career development, pay. as long as the pay is enough to live of course.

    • ExtraSalt on 05/01/2016 - 13:49
      +1

      i agree. If you cant enjoy your job, how can you grow as a person and develop your career? I think 1 definitely leads into 2, then pay is a different thing altogether. Negotiate , study the company and see what the company lacks and show what you can bring to the table.

  • Ryanek on 05/01/2016 - 12:37

    Just going off your pro's and con's list, I would personally lean towards the new role. The fact that there is no contract with your current employment leaves a lot of uncertainty.

    The 3 month trial period is a common standard so don't be put off by that. You have an opportunity to work for a bigger company which appears to have better prospects.

    But you know what?… at the end of the day you're still young and we all make right and wrong choices when it comes to our working life. I say, choose the one that will give you the less regret if it doesn't work out :P

    • halfaznpersuasion on 05/01/2016 - 12:44

      You are 100% right. I just don't want to be left without a job in the end.
      I do know the current job market is terrible especially for graduates and I should be very grateful of my position.

      If I do keep my current position I will bring it up to the boss to set up a contract for a permanent position.

  • GourmetFoodie on 05/01/2016 - 21:49

    I would go with the second one in a bigger company with a contract. It sounds like it has greater scope for training and development, not to mention scope to move up the ladder. 3 month trial periods are common for many graduate positions - mine was 6 months in the financial services sector.

    The fact you are not on a contract at all in the current job suggests they don't view you as a serious employee…i see the job security as being far less in that situation.

    In my experience fun working environments come and go…the most important thing is gaining skills that enable you to easily move to new positions if you end up not liking the environment. I have a relative who focused only on having fun jobs where they had to do the least amount of work possible….needless to say they were first to be made redundant and have been without a job for over 12 months now as no one will hire them.

  • halfaznpersuasion on 06/01/2016 - 00:10

    Hey guys.

    I made my decision stayed with my current job despite the majority of you saying to move to the other job. I feel like I am learning a lot and I want to finish this project from start to finish. I believe opportunities will come and go so I'll keep my head up high and stick with my decision.

    Thank you all so much for your input, I really do appreciate it and love this community

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