Edited by user 30 January 2020 22:26:57(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Originally Posted by: inspector Gadget

Go for whichever one that pays the most which is also closer to home, has the best company perks, good colleagues, a chilled out boss and does the better coffee...

...seriously do you expect a useful answer from this forum? are you really the sort of person who takes important career advice from strangers?

A lot of people are working in different industries in here and they might have had the same dilemma at some point, so I don't think it is of any harm to ask for opinions and thoughts.

Originally Posted by: inspector Gadget

...seriously do you expect a useful answer from this forum? are you really the sort of person who takes important career advice from strangers?

We may be strange (who would seriously want to be involved with OHS?) but we are not strangers - the majority of this forum are associated with or employed in Health and Safety at work which makes us a peer group with the relevant knowledge, background and understanding that entails.

Not every decision is down to money there are many other factors and personal circumstances to consider.

For example I have taken a position with a lower headline salary (paid LESS) because:

1) It was closer to home so less time wasted commuting

2) At the time the family was young so I got to see more of my children growing up

3) It was closer to home so commuting costs reduced significantly

4) The reduction in commuting costs meant my disposable salary increased significantly

Travel whilst initially attractive can be wearing due to the hours in transit, overnight stays away from home and a lot of time spent in your own company. It can also impact upon your social and celebration events in extended family life.

I have turned down opportuntities because they involved relocation - that extra £5K on salary really does not go far against a mortgage and living costs in London.

Advancing years tend to shift your priorities so softer aspects - pension, life assurance become as important as the salary which does influence the size of organisation you chose to work for.

So as to your next step draw up a list with the relative positives and negatives from your personal perspective and circumstances for current manufacturing, possible manufacturing and construction. The list with least negatives and most positives would be the logical choice.

Good advice from Roundtuit following IG's unnecessary wind up. Reported for another posting.

Many thanks for your replies.

The only reason asking is because I am currently a Coordinator, probably it would be better if my next role is not another Coordinator one but something that sounds a bit better / higher / more senior, e.g. Specialist. The role is in manufacturing, so hands on etc.

However, I am keen to develop new skills and be involved in construction too, hence why I am interested in the construction role. The actual job title though for this one is Coordinator once again. It also seems like there will be a lot of compliance / admin tasks as well, trackers, scorecards, documentation etc.

The above hopefully explains why I am a bit confused and not sure which role I should choose.

Pay is similar, benefits and package pretty much the same.

Definitely! But when it comes to another sector? I mean, my whole experience until now has mostly been within manufacturing. And I am in a good level to get a HSE Managers role in a manufacturing site.

If I accept the HSE Coordinator role in the construction sector, isn't it a step backwards? Doesn't it feel like I am starting again from the beginning? Would I still be able to go back in manufacturing at some point if I want to? These are all the questions that I am currently struggling to answer....

Don't fret over titles - even within construction co-ordinator means different things at different employers at one it is the main advisor to the business at another it is the administrator filing the paperwork.

Any position (and title) is what you are allowed to make it.

If you start as H&S Manager what scope is there for a larger (than inflation) pay rise when you prove how good you are? Moving up grade scales is what you are after.

Employers will invariably ask you what your previous wage was to see if you are in the right league and sometimes offer just above that, so take care about getting too much of a pay cut, even if closer etc.

However, look at each jobs spec to see which will give you the best additional skills / experience for you to carry on to the role after that one. So, as well as wage you are gaining better experiences ie handling more sites, involved with more corporate decisions, Differing industry knowledge etc. Only you will know what each one may be able to offer to you personally.

Chris

The advertisment for a position typically reflects both what the employer is expecting from the position holder and the amount of salary they are willing to offer as translated by the advertisor.

It is only when you negotiate with the potential employer apects such as holidays, pensions, car (allowance), and job title become finalised. If your psyche is so reluctant to remain a co-ordinator propose an alternative - employers are guided by the professional advisors they engage.

Just be prepared that any recruitment consultant involved may have set their rates based upon a title so the recruiter may decide not to pay for what may be a higher value invoice- you may need to wait for the period of the consultants contract to end.

I have always found that variety is important in your career. Some may argue that its better to become a specialist rather than a generalist, and that may be true. However, as some of us grow closer to the twilight of our career, the aim may be to become a consultant and work how you want, where you want etc. Again, whilst there will be a demand in some specialist industries, there are also a great deal of SME's that require general advice and support. I notice a couple of members made the point regarding accepting smaller roles but took the decison to embrace a good work life balance. Some also said about chasing the money, and I can tell you from personal experience having worked in the Middle East for many years that there is always a trade off. Sure the money is great but often rotations are 8 weeks on and 3 weeks off and that can be a strain equally for those at home and away. Whatever you choose will be right for you and as long as you still love the profession and the work, you'll be fine.