Been offered an interview

[cr0ft]

Been offered an interview on Wednesday for a multi-skilled craftsman job with the NHS. £28k a year plus work van tools etc of course and the pension. I know the wage isn't brilliant for an electrician/gas engineer but there are genuine opportunities to progress into management within a year or two on a much higher wage.

Have made a fair bit more than that the last couple of years being self-employed but this year has been rather flat since January and only just showing signs of picking up again now.

Hadn't heard from them for a few weeks since applying so thought they had decided against me but got a phone call out of the blue on Friday asking what time I could come in on on Thursday.

Haven't had an interview for 8 years since I started my business.

Money isn't as good as I get in my business but none of the crap that goes with running your own business and 35 days of annual leave from the off.

Other plus is it's a good chance to get some commercial heating and plumbing experience too.

What to do??

 

[stani]

How old are you Croft?

 

[cr0ft]

37.

 

[stani]

30 years to go then, me, personally I would go for it,
1) the pension, whilst not important at this moment in time, it will be.
2) no collecting payments,
3) no collecting late payments
4) no worrying if work is slow
5) NHS I think pay if your sick.
6) you will get fast track treatment,
7) if you don't like, go self employed again.
8) no spending 1/2 your time doing estimates that you know will not happen.
Stani.

 

[turnpin]

Is it direct or with a facilities company...I worked for the NHS when it was all in house for 5 1/2 years you mention a van so expect on call arrangements...do what your heart tells you as said previously you can always go back to being self employed good luck whatever you decide....regards Turnpin

 

[ShaunCorbs]

tbh wage seems low unless its just plumbing

(bg are around 25k + just for plumbing or commercial gas engy around 33-40k higher with overtime)

after seeing these its peaked my interest

 

[mfgs]

Depends on what you want really, I would struggle to go back to being employed. I like the challenge and also the independence. Plus working for yourself in this industry is the only way you can make good money.

 

[cr0ft]

It's a really hard decision to make to be honest. I do think I could be on £45 there within a few years, and I know how hard I have to work self-employed there to make that cash.

 

[turnpin]

Croft I've followed you on here for a few years now all I would add is don't sell yourself short buddie....your a skilled and qualified man I get that it's tough being self employed but the job description states multi skill.....all to common now and a few plumbing jobs I've looked at recently all state..Plumber....not multi skill..but add the following must be able to patch plaster tile minor electrical carpentry and even slab laying and fencing ffs....you get my drift....its not always greener on the other side....sorry for the doom and gloom just feel I had to get it off my chest
Lol..regards Turnpin

 

[cr0ft]

TBH I'm on the fence on it tbh. Am going to go along to the interview first and see what I think. I know I could probably earn more with somewhere like BG (33k basic from what I see on their website) but then they pressure you to sell stuff to customers they don't need just to make sales targets. Not sure I want to get involved in that tbh.

I know I'm worth more than 28k but the NHS is the sort of place you can quickly rise up if you're good. They are screaming out for estates managers etc in the NHS trusts around my way and I could be applying for those jobs with a year or 2 of experience.

A wee health scare recently has got me thinking that even though I'm ok now, I won't be able to do this job forever and maybe I should start planning for a less physical career for my late 40s and onwards.

Wouldn't wrap up the business completely tbh, would probably still carry on the boiler servicing side of it only.