I Have a possible job opportunity available, but is it worth the distance?

Question

I may be getting offered a job making $2.25 more per hour than I am making now, however its also 26 more miles away from home than where I work now. Another issue is that I have a child in Day Care and he will be 25 more miles away, and I can't change daycare because I recieve a voucher for help with that. And the waiting list is very long so getting off would really be loosing the help, which I need desperatly. The job is in another county, so I can't transfer, I would have to start over completley. One upside is that my parents are only 2 minutes from Day Care so in an emergency they could quickly get there. Somebody give some advice, I need a better paying job, but not if it doesn't balance with the price of gas and the distance from home. (current: $9.75, new job: $12.00 to start possibly 15 in the end.)

Answer 1

You've done a nice job compiling all the data for the decision-making process.  Now, you need to lay it out in a manner that makes the analysis easiest.  I suggest taking a large piece of paper and dividing it in two sides vertically -- left side for old job and right side for prospective new job.  Then divide the paper again in half, this time horizontally.  The top half with be for capturing all the positives of each of the jobs (the "pros").  The bottom half will be for capuring all of the unfavorable aspects of each of the jobs (the "cons"). Fill in the grid with all of the monetary data you have for each job such as the compensation increase, the increase in fuel costs, the increase in auto maintenance, the difference in vacation, the difference in employee benefits, etc.  Then, jot down all of the favorable and unfavorable aspects that don't have a price tag associated with them, such as more upward job mobility in the new job, relative level of job satisfaction, time differential in the commute, etc.  Once your grid is complete, spend some time reviewing it.  The four-quadrant grid should be useful in concluding which course of action is best by closely examining the pros and cons of each.  At the end of the exercise, you will want to be able to use the grid to explain to a close friend or relative exactly why one option is better than the other.  This analysis tool will also help you to be comfortable with your decision because you will have proven to yourself that you systematically examined all aspects of both options.  

When you are reviewing the grid, pay close attention to your own personal values.  For example, if you are the kind of person who wants to spend every available minute with her child and doesn't have a need to spend a lot of income on accumulating material possessions, then that it is a significant factor.  Good luck with your analysis.  Regardless of the outcome, you can feel good in knowing that this prospective employer was seeking you out and that you, unlike many others in this country right now, have options.  That's fantastic!

Answer 2

Assuming that your vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon, you would be traveling 260 miles per week. At 4.00 per gallon you would be spending 65.00 a week to get to work.

If you get 12 per hour to start at your new job you would make 480.00 per week before deductions. In your current job you get 390.00 before deductions. So at the new job you will make 90.00 more per week before deductions. Subtract the gas expense of 65.00 and you will make 25.00 more per week before deductions.

Then there are the intangibles:

1. Daily  mileage and maintenance on the car.

2. Time spent on the road

3. Added time for the kids at  daycare

4. More or less benefits at the new job

5. More or less holidays /  vacation / time off at the new job

6. Daily wear and tear on you

7. Speeding tickets, and other travel hazards

After you consider all of this it will be easier to make a decision

Answer 3

Only you can make this decision but here are some things I would consider/ask myself:

1)  After taxes, depending on the mileage of your vehicle, you will be losing money.  Driving 52 miles per day round trip, depending on mileage.  $4/gallon for gas.  About 2 gallons per day.  $12 for the week is before taxes.  And that doesn't calculate the wear and tear on your vehicle.

2)  One less hour in your day each day, every day, because of the drive.

3)  The opportunities closer to home.  This may be the strongest argument, perhaps the only argument, for accepting the spot.  Is it a big company?  Would the position allow access to better opportunities in the future?  The promise of higher pay in future is only as good as the company that offers it.  Banks, for example, are always promising pay raises down the road but they don't follow through.

Look around and consider geography not only for this position but every time you put in for a job.  Save your time and energy for those that fit your life.  It's a hard road you're walking.  Good luck!

Answer 4

It looks like a tough choice. Look at other factors to determine your choice. Are the working conditions better? The people that you work with can make all the difference in the world. Also, what are the opportunities for advancement and how will staying v/s leaving affect your future? Will staying where you are make you look more stable on a resume for a job that you really, really, want. Or will the new job skills that you obtain in your new job benefit you more in a future job search?

Answer 5

I would choose $12.00

Answer 6

when you look at the pros and cons, your extra pay will be going directly to the gas bill. Is that what you want, your hard earned money covering your gas expenses? Just something to think about.