which job would you pick?
 

which job would you pick? i have two offers in front of me right now. i know it really depends on what I need and what I find more important. but my question to you is... if you had these two options before you, which one would YOU pick and why given your circumstances. (ie, take me out of the equation)

Job #1: higher level, more responsibility, slightly more pay hourly, no benefits, no vacation/sick pay, no stability (contract position)

Job #2: slightly lower level, lotta responsibilities but less than job#1, pay is slightly less than the other, full benefits, stability (full time employee)

Both jobs are lead positions in their respective areas and career level jobs.

i'm curious to see how others weigh out the two options.

Me, I would go for #2... Benefits are a HUGE plus. It costs a ton for medical coverage if you have to pay for it, plus the added bonus of something stable means a lot to me.

#2 absolutely. Benefits are very important to have and Insurance is so costly now a days.
Stability is important too but I stayed with a company for 33 years worked my way up to director of Claims and was laid off, so there is no sure thing.

Definitely job #2. Stability and benefits cannot be emphasized enough - unless........ you hate the job, then nothing matters - because a job you hate, can kill you.

Benefits are such a safety net. You may be in great health now - but you never ever know what can happen and of course, we can't live our lives in fear - but if you have the option for benefits, and you like the job - then benefits would tip the scale for me.

My husband was self employed for years and liked it - didn't make a great deal of money, no benefits, of course, but it was enough money and he was his own boss. But then the market changed and he took a job that he sorta liked and sorta didn't like - it had benefits. Thirteen years later, he woke one morning in heart failure and has not been able to work since then. Thank goodness for the job that he sorta liked and sorta didn't like and the benefits that it provided. His hospital/medical bills have been well in excess of $250,000.00 in the last 2 and 1/2 years. We have spent about $10,000 out of pocket to cover co-insurance and the like - but that is so much better than $250,000 we would owe, if not for the job with benefits. He was healthy as a horse before this - who would have ever expected such a change in health. Again, you can't live your life scared, like something will always happen. But that is the concept of insurance - to try to plan as best you can.

Good luck in your decision - you are lucky to have 2 jobs to choose from!

Agreed
 

Job #2, no question, for all of the above reasons. :thumbup:

I would pick #2. I am working with no benefits and it is freaking me out! I had a co-worker who thought she would be ok without insurance and she ended up breaking her ankle. She had to pay out of pocket for all her expenses and she couldn't work (we are nurses and on our feet 12 hour shifts) I am just afraid that something would happen. I like the idea of stability! But that's just me! :D

#2 Insurance is definitely needed, and Stability is good. If your not stable, you'll be right back to square 1

well like everyone else I too would go for #2....
Reason's being:
1. Yes, Job #1 pays more,but whats the point of getting more $$$ if it is going to go to your medical bills if go forbid you get so much as a fever or cough.....
2. Vacation.... is a BIG thing.. after maybe 2 years w/ none you will want it....
3. As a hourly employee you also have benefits if you get laid off or fired.....I work in the employment industry and well Unemployment isn't great.. but from something to nothing ..well you get the pic!!

Good luck w/ whatever you choose~

Well like everyone else so far, I would say job #2 also. Slightly lower pay but you might get a raise in 6 months..also stability is nice but even nicer is the vacation and sick time. It is soo nice to get paid for when you are sick or need to go to the doctors etc. Also places who offer vacation time all will understand taking vacation wheras this other job #1 people may never take vacation and give you a hard time or the guilt trip if you want to take a vacation day or 2.
Good luck with you choice. :)

I too would choose job #2. Benefits and stability are so important in my book.

I'd go for Job #2. :thumbup:

Well I was in the navy for a while, and I met A LOT of contractors. Most of them did get paid a lot but there were many drawbacks. The biggest was no benefits, it doesn't matter as much if you are single, but if you have a family the lack of medical benefits can really hurt. You would also have to save up for your own retirement, which is harder. They would have to work at the drop of a hat, they would get paid fat bank, but it would be really crazy like being on call and working in the middle of the night or weekends to traveling around the world and being gone weeks on end.
If you have a family I would definately say #2. My husband was just offered a job like #1 and I told him to turn it down. Benefits are such a big deal when you have a kid.
good luck in whatever you decide!

Same goes here for me on # 2 I would only consider # 1 if i was single.

Number 2 without a doubt. Benefits are very important but to not have vacation will break your spirit. You might make more $$$ on job 1 and save it but all it will take is one medical bill to wipe that out and a whole much more.

Go with the job that has the benefits ;)

I TOTALLY Agree - go with Benefits ! They add so much to your life and in the long run - you are really making MORE when you add them into the salary.

I say go with #2.

Depending on where you live and how big your family is, you have to factor in that the insurance alone from job #2 is worth thousands a year, and then there are all the other benefits that the stability has to offer!

I had a nasty fall a couple of years ago, and this is the second time I've been out of work for extended periods of time. In both cases, I got full pay for the first 3 months and then disability from the state after that.

As an independent you wouldn't have that. Let me tell you, you never know when something that happens in a split second can change your life forever!

Good luck in whatever you decide to go with. It's nice that you have options!

number 2 .. benefits and less responsibility for sure...no problems

#2 A job with FULL BENEFITS is hard to come by. And even though you might think you're as healthy as a horse. you just never know. It's good to be covered. Dental, Vision, GYNs & all! :thumbup:

No question #2!!!!!
BENEFITS :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I would prob go with number 2 as well but really it depends. #1 is a contract job, maybe that's something you're looking for. You may want to get your hands in this for a while, gain experience and move on. Also if that's something you're looking at (moving on soon) then number one may sound nicer on a resume since its a higher position. But if it were me with my luck as soon as I'd pick #1 I'd wind up in the hospital with no insurance.

Hmmm...are you like me and already have you're mind made up but wanting someone to agree with your decision?

Wow, everyone has said #2 and I agree, You must have benefits, being Insurance and retirement, 10-15, years ago It never entered my mind,, now a days it's a requirement.. One trip to the emergency room or a couple days in the hospital, can break ya, and without sick pay,, even worse.
And ya can not depend on SS to pay for your retirement, think we all know that.

I would go with Job #2. Benefits are a major plus!!!. I worked contracted before and you have to really watch your money. You have make sure you put money back for taxes and medical care if you need it (just in case). I was really a pain the bottom.

Nah, not yet. I'm still waiting to get a little more information on Job #2 before i make my final decision. I'm not really looking for someone to agree with me. I'd make my decision independent of the results of this poll, which is why the question is "what would you pick bed on your circumstances". But I was just really curious to know what would other people pick given their own individual circumstances and why. :D So the purpose of the thread is really "what would YOU pick" and not "help ME pick".

Thanks for all the responses so far!! KEEP 'em comin'

Unless you're related to either Bill Gates, or Oprah, go with #2. "Stuff" happens all the time. You're better off with less pay and full benefits. Not to mention vacation, sick time off etc.!! Course, if job #1 is one you love and job #2 is one you hate, go with the one that makes YOU happy!! There's nothing worse than being in a job you hate no matter the pay or the benefits! Been there, done that!
suz

Well I'd naturally want the job with stability. However, I am married so I am getting my insurance through my husband. You may lose out on 401k, but you could open up an IRA. If the higher level position is more interesting to you then you may want to look harder at that. You can gain the experience from and either go somewhere else in time, or maybe they even might hire you on a more permanent basis within time. For companies it is better to hire someone from within than retrain. That is a cost savings. Usually for contract employees they pay you more so that you will go out and get your own insurance...

I would go for job number two. Benefits go a long way if you fall sick. Plus the addition of the stability is a big plus. Nice to know that paycheck will be there so you can plan ahead for things.

#1, because you have the ability to move around more easily if you're unhappy w/ the place :P

Unless you have means for insurance through a spouse, I would go with #2. If you think about it job #1 is more without benefits, by the time you pay out of pocket for whatnot you are at income level of job #2 anyway. Otherway around would if you add in the benefits of job #2 then it probably equals job #1.

Good luck.

Job #2.