Trying to decide whether to apply for a job

[Brictoria]

I'm currently between jobs, having been a victim of my previous company's latest "reorganization" earlier this year, but have been fortunate enough to pick up some occasional short-term contract work between then and now.

Recently a role has been brough to my attention (applications close in a couple of weeks) that fits with my previous experience/recent roles, and is also in a geographical location that I would love to live in. The main potential issue with this role is that it is over 150KM from where I currently live, so I would need to "relocate" to the area as it is on-site, rather than "work from home"/"hybrid". I do, however, have relatives that I could stay with, returning "home" on some weekends\holidays (My wife and adult Daughter have health issues which prevent them from living too far from major hospitals/specialists, as well as visiting\staying in the area), so accommodation shouldn't be an issue. My primary concern is that (for several reasons) I may be unreasonably internally "hyping up" the role/making it seem better than it is, as it would allow me an escape from a number of ongoing personal issues where I'm living, rather than considering it in an objective manner, which is stopping me from making the decision as to whether I should apply for the role or not.

From what I can tell about the job (from the advertisement), it is very close to (the same as, although maybe slightly less "advanced") what I have been doing for the past 15+ years, and the salary is the same/slightly more than my previous role, but I'm worried that there may be other factors that I am not considering\ignoring and was wondering if anyone may have suggestions about anything else I should be looking at?

It's quite likely I'm overthinking things (Wouldn't be the first time I've done something like that), but I believe that having a "second opinion" regarding the factors I should consider is what I really need, hence this post seeking advice/guidance/suggestions.

 

[Tuffsy]

I think putting it down in writing like this is a very positive step, if only to help you see things as clearly as possible. I decided to not take a really great job which would have required staying in rented accommodation during the week and coming home on weekends and I regret it to this day. Then another decade later I accepted a job where I had to travel to another country during the week and home for the weekend. It was definitely worth it but it was very hard on my then wife and 2 small children. I don't know if that helps at all. But your decision should consider the important people in your life.

 

[Masked Man]

I'm currently between jobs, having been a victim of my previous company's latest "reorganization" earlier this year, but have been fortunate enough to pick up some occasional short-term contract work between then and now.

Recently a role has been brough to my attention (applications close in a couple of weeks) that fits with my previous experience/recent roles, and is also in a geographical location that I would love to live in. The main potential issue with this role is that it is over 150KM from where I currently live, so I would need to "relocate" to the area as it is on-site, rather than "work from home"/"hybrid". I do, however, have relatives that I could stay with, returning "home" on some weekends\holidays (My wife and adult Daughter have health issues which prevent them from living too far from major hospitals/specialists, as well as visiting\staying in the area), so accommodation shouldn't be an issue. My primary concern is that (for several reasons) I may be unreasonably internally "hyping up" the role/making it seem better than it is, as it would allow me an escape from a number of ongoing personal issues where I'm living, rather than considering it in an objective manner, which is stopping me from making the decision as to whether I should apply for the role or not.

From what I can tell about the job (from the advertisement), it is very close to (the same as, although maybe slightly less "advanced") what I have been doing for the past 15+ years, and the salary is the same/slightly more than my previous role, but I'm worried that there may be other factors that I am not considering\ignoring and was wondering if anyone may have suggestions about anything else I should be looking at?

It's quite likely I'm overthinking things (Wouldn't be the first time I've done something like that), but I believe that having a "second opinion" regarding the factors I should consider is what I really need, hence this post seeking advice/guidance/suggestions.

I think there are a few things you need to take into consideration here:

1. The new salary
2. Cost of living in the new area
3. Will the move advance your career to make this move worth it

There may also be other considerations - will the commute back and forth be better, how will the work culture be, etc.

As an example, at my current place of work, I make a pretty decent salary, live about 3 miles (5K) from work, and have the option to work from home on occasion. About a year ago, I was offered a position in a city about 150KM from me that would have advanced my career and the salary was also more. However, the salary bump I would have gotten was not much more, and I would have had to move to a larger city, thus likely increasing my commute time/usage of gasoline/wear and tear on my car. All in all I could not see that it would have been worth it. That's not even getting into what the work culture would have been because I feel like I really like the people I work with and I have no idea what I would get into because once I leave my current job... it would be gone and I would not be able to get it back.

For me, it was about recognizing all the good things I have and appreciating them.