Bracknell to the city commute -been offered double my salary
Discussion
Mr Pointy said:
To be honest I think your biggest problem is going to be adjusting to the work culture, given the tone of your posts. You can't go into this with the attitude that you're going to be keeping track of how many hours you have done so it's your right to slide off at 5pm when everyone else is still working; the private sector just doesn't work like that. The attitude of your colleague pretty much sums up everything I wouldn't want in a member of my team & if you behave like that then I don't think you'll last as you'll be passed over by colleagues who are prepared to put the work in. Your comment of "when do they eat" pretty much sums up how little you understand about the commuting life. Getting home at 6:30 is early for a huge number of people who work in London.
I also think you haven't truly experienced what commuting is like as you've picked a quiet day to test it. You'll probably get a seat at Bracknell but coming back is whole different story as you are travelling at the same time as everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if you get delays most weeks coming out of Waterloo. I've been held up by snow on the line, trackside fires, buckled rails & a train hitting a deer.
Sorry to be a bit blunt as I think you should take the job, but you need to be aware that your cosy public employee attitude needs to change or you'll have problems.
I agree - for a salary of £75,000 plus bonuses of 10%, they will want your blood I also think you haven't truly experienced what commuting is like as you've picked a quiet day to test it. You'll probably get a seat at Bracknell but coming back is whole different story as you are travelling at the same time as everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if you get delays most weeks coming out of Waterloo. I've been held up by snow on the line, trackside fires, buckled rails & a train hitting a deer.
Sorry to be a bit blunt as I think you should take the job, but you need to be aware that your cosy public employee attitude needs to change or you'll have problems.
They won't expect you to leave early so you can get home and have a nice evening.MYOB said:
Mr Pointy said:
To be honest I think your biggest problem is going to be adjusting to the work culture, given the tone of your posts. You can't go into this with the attitude that you're going to be keeping track of how many hours you have done so it's your right to slide off at 5pm when everyone else is still working; the private sector just doesn't work like that. The attitude of your colleague pretty much sums up everything I wouldn't want in a member of my team & if you behave like that then I don't think you'll last as you'll be passed over by colleagues who are prepared to put the work in. Your comment of "when do they eat" pretty much sums up how little you understand about the commuting life. Getting home at 6:30 is early for a huge number of people who work in London.
I also think you haven't truly experienced what commuting is like as you've picked a quiet day to test it. You'll probably get a seat at Bracknell but coming back is whole different story as you are travelling at the same time as everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if you get delays most weeks coming out of Waterloo. I've been held up by snow on the line, trackside fires, buckled rails & a train hitting a deer.
Sorry to be a bit blunt as I think you should take the job, but you need to be aware that your cosy public employee attitude needs to change or you'll have problems.
I agree - for a salary of £75,000 plus bonuses of 10%, they will want your blood I also think you haven't truly experienced what commuting is like as you've picked a quiet day to test it. You'll probably get a seat at Bracknell but coming back is whole different story as you are travelling at the same time as everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if you get delays most weeks coming out of Waterloo. I've been held up by snow on the line, trackside fires, buckled rails & a train hitting a deer.
Sorry to be a bit blunt as I think you should take the job, but you need to be aware that your cosy public employee attitude needs to change or you'll have problems.
They won't expect you to leave early so you can get home and have a nice evening.
Having spoke to the head of this new team they're making he states:
I am first in the door on the team. First 3-6 months is getting people in, equipment, training etc...
It's an incident Response, malware analysis and digital forensic team.
He wants my ideas and thoughts on skills we need and training
New members of the team will have skills that we don't have and so the idea is we each gain more knowledge from each other
He states company are very flexible and WFH 1 day a week is an option... so too is 2 days a week if there's nothing happening that needs me there for that day.
It doesn't seem too ruthless a company, but then again I guess that's very difficult to judge
I am first in the door on the team. First 3-6 months is getting people in, equipment, training etc...
It's an incident Response, malware analysis and digital forensic team.
He wants my ideas and thoughts on skills we need and training
New members of the team will have skills that we don't have and so the idea is we each gain more knowledge from each other
He states company are very flexible and WFH 1 day a week is an option... so too is 2 days a week if there's nothing happening that needs me there for that day.
It doesn't seem too ruthless a company, but then again I guess that's very difficult to judge
DanL said:
Sounds like a start up? Could be good, but may mean hours in work as it may be too small an operation to not work like that...
No it's not actually - it's a Business Intelligence company. (Whatever that means haha). They offer crisis management services
Risk and compliance
Some cyber security like pen testing
.... the new part is incident Response. That includes digital forensics and malware analysis.
They have around 200 employees in London. Also offices in about 5 other places including Switzerland, South Africa, New York and others. They've grown loads in last 5 years.
Moonhawk said:
You need to factor in the fact that the private sector work ethic is substantially different from the public sector.
Why do people keep propagating this myth?Edited by Moonhawk on Wednesday 23 May 23:54
Most people work hard in the public and private sectors. I have worked in both and have seen this. Some people are also incredibly lazy in the public and private sector.
Camelot1971 said:
Why do people keep propagating this myth?
Most people work hard in the public and private sectors. I have worked in both and have seen this. Some people are also incredibly lazy in the public and private sector.
I'm really glad you said that actually, as I hadn't actually picked up on it. Most people work hard in the public and private sectors. I have worked in both and have seen this. Some people are also incredibly lazy in the public and private sector.
But I had some of the hardest working days of my life in the public sector. Twice I've worked a 26 hour day, and about 5 times I've done 20 hours+ and that includes about 4 hours rest and coming back in for another 8+ hours.
I think I forget sometimes that although I am in the public sector, and I'm not working for rich companies, I am still working hard and at times I am stressed and under pressure, particularly if court is involved or sometimes safety/life.
Working extra hours may seem like a bad thing but if you enjoy the job then you won't mind. Appreciate this isn't always the case but I do the fun stuff on the "overtime" hours so that I can leave the dull stuff for the 9-5 hours.
I think you'd really regret not taking it in the long run.
I think you'd really regret not taking it in the long run.
MYOB said:
OP - did you accept or not?
Not yet...Recruiter was off on Friday so I have until Tuesday to make a decision.
I think it's an offer I have to take, it's too good an opportunity and I don't think I will get a similar offer anywhere else at the moment. I hope to make it a stepping stone to a job more local to home.
Will let you know what happens though... thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts
It does sound to be a really interesting opportunity which I hope you take it & it goes well for you.
If you're having a day off I'd go for Friday as it gives you a feeling that you've only got to get through four days of commuting & splits your life into two blocks of time. If you have Wednesday off you'll spend the evening thinking"s
t I've got to get on that train tomorrow".
If you're having a day off I'd go for Friday as it gives you a feeling that you've only got to get through four days of commuting & splits your life into two blocks of time. If you have Wednesday off you'll spend the evening thinking"s
t I've got to get on that train tomorrow".Mr Pointy said:
If you're having a day off I'd go for Friday as it gives you a feeling that you've only got to get through four days of commuting & splits your life into two blocks of time. If you have Wednesday off you'll spend the evening thinking"st I've got to get on that train tomorrow".
Or have the best of both worlds and WFH on Wednesdays and Fridays! That's what I used to do.t I've got to get on that train tomorrow".Mr Pointy said:
It does sound to be a really interesting opportunity which I hope you take it & it goes well for you.
If you're having a day off I'd go for Friday as it gives you a feeling that you've only got to get through four days of commuting & splits your life into two blocks of time. If you have Wednesday off you'll spend the evening thinking"st I've got to get on that train tomorrow".
Thanks Pointy, really appreciate that. I did think a Friday would be perfect. I'd have to just see how things go. It may be that they have a meeting on Friday, so I'd WFH on a Thursday instead.... or I would work all 5 days due to a work commitment, but the next week if it's a bit more chilled I would work 2 days at home. If you're having a day off I'd go for Friday as it gives you a feeling that you've only got to get through four days of commuting & splits your life into two blocks of time. If you have Wednesday off you'll spend the evening thinking"s
t I've got to get on that train tomorrow".MYOB said:
Or have the best of both worlds and WFH on Wednesdays and Fridays! That's what I used to do.
That sounds perfect! I could easily do that. Would allow time to rest and not worry about commute, also time to exercise and also have a nicer evening finishing right at home.
I work from home one day a week and choose to make this Thursday. After 3 days commuting you really appreciate the day at home and Fridays have a different feel about them (casual dress, the team go for breakfast first thing).
You have to be pretty committed to work at home on a Friday. The temptation to start your weekend early is strong!
You have to be pretty committed to work at home on a Friday. The temptation to start your weekend early is strong!
OP, as someone who is of a similar age to you, also public sector (ish), I would say go for it!
I’m ‘pension trapped’ for a few years yet, but I plan to make the move to a city job in the not too distant future.
I’ve previously worked in central London and I loved it. Combining that with a significant rise in salary as well as better future career prospects (which will provide for your family) is a no brainier IMO.
I’m ‘pension trapped’ for a few years yet, but I plan to make the move to a city job in the not too distant future.
I’ve previously worked in central London and I loved it. Combining that with a significant rise in salary as well as better future career prospects (which will provide for your family) is a no brainier IMO.
wiggy001 said:
I work from home one day a week and choose to make this Thursday. After 3 days commuting you really appreciate the day at home and Fridays have a different feel about them (casual dress, the team go for breakfast first thing).
You have to be pretty committed to work at home on a Friday. The temptation to start your weekend early is strong!
That's a good idea and breaks the week up a lot. Thanks for the suggestion! You have to be pretty committed to work at home on a Friday. The temptation to start your weekend early is strong!
ben_h100 said:
OP, as someone who is of a similar age to you, also public sector (ish), I would say go for it!
I’m ‘pension trapped’ for a few years yet, but I plan to make the move to a city job in the not too distant future.
I’ve previously worked in central London and I loved it. Combining that with a significant rise in salary as well as better future career prospects (which will provide for your family) is a no brainier IMO.
Good plan, it's good to know what you want. Do you live near London at present?I’m ‘pension trapped’ for a few years yet, but I plan to make the move to a city job in the not too distant future.
I’ve previously worked in central London and I loved it. Combining that with a significant rise in salary as well as better future career prospects (which will provide for your family) is a no brainier IMO.
I'm a bit hung up on the train. It's an hour journey to Waterloo but about 9 stops, could be pretty soul destroying in the winter or if there's delays and cancellations.
Also not sure how I'd fit into a corporate/professional environment. I'm used to a very relaxed atmosphere where people have a laugh. I know it's stupid but when I went to the interview I just wanted to leave as the office and environment didn't look very appealing. I know they're moving office in August as they've run out of room so maybe it will be different and more spacious.
Lastly I'm just concerned I hate it and can't then find another job closer to home.
This company take on a lot of ex military and police. The interview was ridiculously easy. i virtually walked into the job.
I'm meeting my dad today so will talk it out a bit more with him.
redrabbit29 said:
I'm a bit hung up on the train. It's an hour journey to Waterloo but about 9 stops, could be pretty soul destroying in the winter or if there's delays and cancellations.
It's true that the Waterloo train isn't exactly inspiring but you can always find something to fill the time, either an audiobook or even a real book. Don't forget Crossrail is coming on line in the near future & you'll be able to pick that up at Reading, Twyford or Maidenhead.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff