Career question.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:54 pm

Sidney different thought process to consider.

You lose most of your employment rights if you have been at a place less than 2 years. Hiw secure is the job? Could the family cope without your wage for a period? What is the notice period on both sides?

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:58 pm

Sidney1st wrote:McLaren.

3- I was amazed and chuffed to make final 2 last time and its the only job that's scared the crap out of me.

Sounds like you've got a great cv. And, I guess you've got a question for any prospective employer: what opportunities are they offering for your further development?

As before, the best of luck.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:58 pm

Sidney1st wrote:McLaren.

3- I was amazed and chuffed to make final 2 last time and its the only job that's scared the crap out of me.

McLaren is in Woking isnt it? I know the chief exec of the woking council and they love having mclaren there.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:01 pm

dpinsussex wrote:McLaren is in Woking isnt it? I know the chief exec of the woking council and they love having mclaren there.

Yes it is.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:02 pm

Sidney1st wrote:Yes it is.

No then. Thats far to close to me:)

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:03 pm

dpinsussex wrote:Sidney different thought process to consider.

You lose most of your employment rights if you have been at a place less than 2 years. Hiw secure is the job? Could the family cope without your wage for a period? What is the notice period on both sides?

I'd walk into another job quite quickly and easily, I'm that good at what I do.

As for how secure, this is part of a 6 yr plan at McLaren that they're putting real money into to enable them to compete with other and older supercar manufacturers.

The vacancy has arisen because the bloke who got it ahead of me last time has switched jobs within McLaren.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:04 pm

If you are striving for career goals go for it. If you value work life balance and more time with your family (particularly with a youngster which is a cherished time) you would be mad to change. A youngster without a family would do the former and an older more fulfilled person would do the latter typically.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:10 pm

I'm 37, do I still qualify as a youngster?

Please say yes, its my birthday today

BennyD · Post by **BennyD** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:40 pm

I once went down to London for a job interview with Virgin Atlantic. Whilst passing Heathrow after 3 hours on the road in heavy traffic, I wondered why I wanted to do the same thing before and after every flight for less money. In the end I didn't get the job, but I was so relieved I doubted I would have taken it anyway. If you think you will regret not taking the McLaren job in years to come, go for it. If you think you might regret the time spent on the road in years to come, stay where you are. If you think you are going to regret both, flip a coin.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:48 pm

Sidney1st wrote:I'd walk into another job quite quickly and easily, I'm that good at what I do.

As for how secure, this is part of a 6 yr plan at McLaren that they're putting real money into to enable them to compete with other and older supercar manufacturers.

The vacancy has arisen because the bloke who got it ahead of me last time has switched jobs within McLaren.

That said woking is a cracking little town. Really ambitious council that want to see it lead the way with development much to the envy of Guildford.
There are as many people commute OUT of London to Woking as commute in.
Move house is the sinple option, massive expense tho

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:54 pm

Moving isn't an option, it would cause to much damage to my missus, my daughter and her grandparents who live nearby and help us out everyday with pick ups from Nursery and/or babysitting etc.

Our daughter has made her grandparents lives complete pretty much, in a way they didn't realise until she came along.

Brunlea · Post by **Brunlea** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:34 pm

Travelling time is always ok at first especially if you feel it's for a job with higher kudos and potential but from my experience after a while you start to resent it. If you are good at what you do and I am sure you are then by nature you will spend more time at work and all that leads to. If you are happy where you are now and you have good workmates then stay it's a cliche but better the devil you know etc etc life's too short etc etc. Cliches are cliches for a reason......god I am getting old!

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:38 pm

That's a good point about working extra.

I'm contracted 8am -5pm but I'm usually in work by about 7.10am everyday!

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:12 am

Rail season ticket costs £3300...

That's pretty much the total of the increase in pay.

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:19 am

Work to live Sid don't live to work

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:45 am

Personally I would stay put, the slightly higher wage isn't worth it. I currently commute 90 mins each way everyday and its a killer - I arrive at work p*ss*d off and arrive home p*ss*d off. The missus and the kids know to stay out of my way until I've had my first cold beer.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:11 am

Just talk with your partner about it, she'll give you the advice you need.
Might be better to move to Kent or East Sussex property there is cheaper and the commute easier.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:16 am

Not moving house, I've already explained why.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:22 am

You never get to see your children grow up twice.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:28 am

Ask yourself if you are happy now?

If yes, don't put yourself in a position where you might jeopardise that

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:33 am

get the job then worry about it.

HelloHiGoodbye · Post by **HelloHiGoodbye** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:40 am

ablueclaret wrote:You never get to see your children grow up twice.

You do if you're bog-eyed.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:01 pm

"The only issue is its approx 1 half- 2 hours drive each way everyday and the pay isn't much more than I'm on now.
It is however a prestigious company with all the pressures that would entail, including longer hours where required."

Well if the above is correct what on earth makes it worth anything more then you have right now?

Please don't fall into the trap of thinking that the grass is always greener on the other side... especially when the word "prestigious" is in a sentence.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:06 pm

Horrible little journey that Sidney, I'm guessing Wallingford - Henley - Marlow - M25. My friend / partner lives in Didcot and commutes to MK each day, 6 months later shes permanently tired, earlier to bed, earlier leaving in the morning etc.. Has employed a dog walker and is now thinking of doing a travel lodge each wednesday near work to break the week up.

I'm in Wantage and 'commuting' to Oxford Airport does my head in, takes best part of a hour to get home.

Nothing doing at Williams or is that a different kettle of fish?

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:22 pm

You have to consider whether you're at the top of your tree at your place now, and will you ever get paid more in the future by staying there?

The guy at McLaren got that job and has then progressed upwards. Is that not something which appeals to you? Within a few years that could be you - getting an even more prestigious position in a company you already admire. On loads of money.

It is a huge decision, and if it was me I'd be putting pressure on the missus for us to move house. I think I would hugely regret not taking the job.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:58 pm

Holtyclaret wrote:Horrible little journey that Sidney, I'm guessing Wallingford - Henley - Marlow - M25. My friend / partner lives in Didcot and commutes to MK each day, 6 months later shes permanently tired, earlier to bed, earlier leaving in the morning etc.. Has employed a dog walker and is now thinking of doing a travel lodge each wednesday near work to break the week up.

I'm in Wantage and 'commuting' to Oxford Airport does my head in, takes best part of a hour to get home.

Nothing doing at Williams or is that a different kettle of fish?

Nah Williams are still just Formula 1, this jobs at McLaren's road car department.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:59 pm

South West Claret. wrote:"The only issue is its approx 1 half- 2 hours drive each way everyday and the pay isn't much more than I'm on now.
It is however a prestigious company with all the pressures that would entail, including longer hours where required."

Well if the above is correct what on earth makes it worth anything more then you have right now?

Please don't fall into the trap of thinking that the grass is always greener on the other side... especially when the word "prestigious" is in a sentence.

It would be worth more because of the potential future doors it could open career wise.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 3:05 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:You have to consider whether you're at the top of your tree at your place now, and will you ever get paid more in the future by staying there?

The guy at McLaren got that job and has then progressed upwards. Is that not something which appeals to you? Within a few years that could be you - getting an even more prestigious position in a company you already admire. On loads of money.

It is a huge decision, and if it was me I'd be putting pressure on the missus for us to move house. I think I would hugely regret not taking the job.

No I'm not top of the tree here, simply due to someone else already being here which is fair enough.

Yes it does appeal, being in McLaren and possibly moving within.
It would also open the door to other companies.

Moving isn't going to happen, I won't do that to the missus, her parents and our daughter.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 3:20 pm

Can you start early?

When I had a 90 minute commute I'd set off so I missed the significant parts of the traffic, getting to work just after 7, and then leaving at around 3. That way I was home and not missing out on family life in the evening.

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:11 pm

I value time more than money, long commutes are a no go for me. If you really want the job, moving 30 minutes closer shouldn't be an issue for your missus and her family. Share the pain of the commute between you, especially if it'll benefit the family in the long run.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:25 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:Can you start early?

When I had a 90 minute commute I'd set off so I missed the significant parts of the traffic, getting to work just after 7, and then leaving at around 3. That way I was home and not missing out on family life in the evening.

So long as I fulfilled a set amount of hours in a day then yes I can start and finish at odd times, they allow this due to travelling distances for people.
I did this when I worked in London as a teenager.

If it be your will · Post by **If it be your will** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:23 am

If it be your will · Post by **If it be your will** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:25 am

sleeperclaret · Post by **sleeperclaret** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:50 am

Sidney - I don't live far from Chertsey but that's not really relevant to the question! Personally I'd take it. I move jobs regularly, looking for different and better experiences. Think not about your next job but the one after it and work out how this job will get you to the next step. My daily commute is between 1 and 1.5 hours a day each way. I barely notice it and it's good thinking time or chatting to people or just winding down. Just go into it knowing what you want and deciding when you will leave i.e. after you've attained something, delivered something, learned something. And stick to it. Apathy breeds complacency and it's far too easy to settle and never develop.

You described it as a dream job. Nobody should give dreams away for the sake of an easy life.

TsarBomba · Post by **TsarBomba** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:16 am

Have you commuted long distance before? I think you are perhaps underestimating how much of a daily grind it becomes.

I used to drive 100 miles a day for work, for 2 years, and in the end it was killing me. I note your hours could be flexible, which is a bit of a plus.

I've skimmed the thread, but what about fuel costs? The wear and tear on your car? The wage increase will be offset by your travel costs, surely?

If it was me, I wouldn't. I've done 2-3 hours sat in traffic on the m25 after work. I've had to pull over numerous times for a sleep, or coffee, because I was too tired to continue, and to let the traffic die down. It was utterly ******* miserable, and no amount of money would get me doing that again.

Good luck in making your decision.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:19 am

I used to commute to both Salisbury and Banbury from Didcot, I did the Salisbury trip for a year and Banbury for about 5months.

I'd look at doing the journey by train mainly I think, because from memory the car deal that's available through various link ups via the company has a restricted mileage attached to it.

Season ticket on the train is approx £3k though so any pay rise would be swallowed up by that.

Financially I wouldn't be better off, experience/knowledge and future opportunities wise I'd be far better off.

LS7 · Post by **LS7** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:30 am

Can't believe all the 'stay put' advice.

As you said yourself - it's your dream job. Go for it.

SammyBoy · Post by **SammyBoy** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 9:57 am

If it be your will wrote:Every job becomes boring after about a year anyway. So I'd always just go for the easiest, least draining one.

I can definitely relate to this

Not a chance I'd be commuting for hours daily for no extra money. I recently tripled my daily commute but only for a 30% increase in salary, and it's still only 30 mins each way - any more and I'd be ready for going home before I even start the day!

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:26 am

: mclaren.JPG (39.7 KiB) Viewed 2240 times

Thank you for all the replies, it gave me lots to consider and things I hadn't thought of before, I spent a fair while thinking about this one and I've decided to give it another go.
One of the reasons is because I found another job on their site that I think would be better suited to me, but we shall see what happens.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:29 am

Sidney1st wrote:
mclaren.JPG
Thank you for all the replies, it gave me lots to consider and things I hadn't thought of before, I spent a fair while thinking about this one and I've decided to give it another go.
One of the reasons is because I found another job on their site that I think would be better suited to me, but we shall see what happens.

Road cars or F1?? - the F1 division could certainly do with some help....

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:31 am

Good luck Sidney

ClaretEngineer · Post by **ClaretEngineer** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:31 am

Sutton-Claret wrote:Road cars or F1?? - the F1 division could certainly do with some help....

They probably use Solidworks

A French cyber attack.

Good work Sid, keep us posted.

I also applied a while back (Engineering Design Role).

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:33 am

All the very best Sidney. If Mika Hakkinen pays you a visit, for old time's sake, please could I have his autograph?

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:59 am

Sutton-Claret wrote:Road cars or F1?? - the F1 division could certainly do with some help....

Road cars.
It is in the same building as the F1 cars though and you can see inside their workspaces.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:37 am

Stick to the road cars sidney.

My wheely bins got more potential then their F1cars

Jeremy_Bentham · Post by **Jeremy_Bentham** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:32 pm

. thinks it was wise to apply. The decision may be made for Sidney anyway if his application is unsuccessful. He thinks at least if Sidney applied and didn't get it Sidney could say he gave it a go and not look back years from now wishing he'd applied and wondering what could have been.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:20 pm

Interview next week...

ClaretEngineer · Post by **ClaretEngineer** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:30 pm

Sidney1st wrote:Interview next week...

Yes my man.

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:38 pm

Good luck, Sidney1st.

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:46 pm

Good luck, however it turns out.
you know you want it, just get your head around the commuting.