So I decided NOT to apply for the job I'm doing currently on a temporary basis, which is as a caseworker for an MP.
It was a 60-40 decision against, there were a lot of pluses of the job, but at the end of the day a very probably move out of the area early next year means this job wasn't something I can do going forwards.
As luck would have it literally the day I decided to not apply for it (something I was also grateful for because I've been ill the last week and in no mood for doing job applications!) another temporary job offer dropped in my inbox.
This job is actually quite similar, it's advising under HSF6 funding for Citizens Advice, up to March 2025, possibly for another 6-12 months after that, pretty much perfect for me.
The rub is that there's a pay cut.... $30K down to $25K, the later being basically minimum wage, but the later is fewer hours, 2.5 days compared to 3 and the money is sufficient with my other income streams.
And the next job is a lot less stressful...
The thing with being a Caseworker for an MP is that it's quite DEMANDING.
People write in and kind of expect you do SOMETHING.
A lot of the cases are technical and complex, there is often a lot of backwards and forwards between constituents and whatever public officials, and EVERYTHING is under scrutiny.
And it's also quite stressful having to basically write on behalf of an MP and broader political party, you are representing THEM and have to have a feel for what they think.
So there's a lot of communication going on, and cases to juggle.
I've only been working 3 days a week, but the job's in my head longer than this, it has that in common with teaching, it takes over.
But with the Citizens Advice job, having volunteered there before, there is none of this back and forth, you advise, you will probably never hear from them again, there's no backward and forth, or at least very rarely, and you are not representing any third party, you are just given objective advice.
£10 a day difference...
I'm dropping £300 a month, FTE or £10 a day, or £150 a month, or £5 a day part-time for switching jobs and what I get for that £5 a day is much more peace of mind, a much easier time, much less anxiety, and all for just giving up the cost of one take our coffee or pint of beer a day.
Come to think of it I go up the office in my current job twice a week, and pay parking, that's £20 a month right there and 8 hours a month. That alone is a significant claw back!
Second tier salary jobs in trouble...?
I have to ask myself whether these jobs that pay around £30K are worth it compared to minimum wage jobs...?
There are plenty of them out there, and they demand a lot of your mental energy, compared to many minimum wage jobs that simply don't!
OK the CA job is going to require some intellectual effort but nowhere near as much as the MP job, and I can't help but think jobs such as MP caseworking are in trouble.
Unless you do them for the career progression, which is partly why I did it, but 2 months in the job is enough for me to realise I don't want to go down that path, and it's certainly not worth an extra £300 a month staying in such a job compared to the relative ease of just cruising at minimum wage.
And then I'm fresher the other 2 days to do my own thang!
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There are some jobs they would have to pay me a lot more to do, but they expect people to work for little reward. I'm better at dealing with machines than people. Hope you find something that works out for you, but there's always some element of compromise.
What are they like? 😁
I agree, it's hardly anything for much less hassle and once you've factored in driving and parking, well, you're actually better off.
Which bit of London are you heading for?
London - Beckenham, it's technically Kent by around 300 metres!
I was taken aback to learn that Charles Darwin's old home - Down House - is now technically in London!
We've just got new offices in Holborn, about five minutes from Holborn Underground Station. Really looking forward to working there.
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