[Closed] Job interview but don't want it

New technologies to learn as I have stagnated.

As a contractor that changes gig very 6 months or so, learning is the most valuable thing you can do in a job. My advice would be to take the job and the plan your escape from PAYE as you learn the new skillz.

A 1hr commute door to door isn't too bad.

Sounds like are compromises you already know about, but I would be interested to go and talk to them.

Sounds like you are pretty clear in your head about what you want an employer to be like - so at the interview, remember that you are interviewing them, not the other way around - that should put you in a nice win win.

However, sounds like you will never be happy until you define what "the thing is that you actually want to be doing" - might be a good idea to focus on that in the short term. (focus on what you want/like/need/gives you joy from work)

You can try and be rational, but either the job tickles your fancy or not, the rational part is just you convincing yourself it is the right decision.
Soooooo that being said. Try and view the new job from a different position and see how you feel about it.

A 1hr commute door to door

= 10 hours a week. I know for many that is just part of their life but I've always avoided anything other than a bit of a bike ride as a commute.

Which job will improve your quality of life the most?

I've done similar. It was probably the best job i've had but it didn't cover the cost of commuting. I asked for more money and it was apparent it wasn't going to happen. I got sick of having to fix a car to get to work and trying to do things on a budget. I didn't want to relocate and move away from friends & family or affect my partners career. I worked out 1/6th of my salary was spent just getting to work, plus 10 hours a week un-paid commuting in all weathers.

I did learn a lot from that job though which got me into the job I'm in now, closer to home.

I'm not convinced contracting is any better either, when you factor in no holiday pay/pension/sick pay/death in service/job security/regular income etc

A 1hr commute door to door isn’t too bad.

?!!! Whereas I wouldn't touch that with as barge pole.

I have to agree with dogbone, although for some people it is acceptable and something they resign themselves to, my work has recently changed from 3 miles 15 mins to 17 miles and an hour if I'm lucky. I sodding well hate it and it wasn't my choice to change but the 4 interviews I've had lately means I wont' be doing it for much longer. For me two hours extra out of my day for work is unacceptable, I want to look back in 10 years time and not think of that as a waste of my life. If you already know you don't want it and you're going to be miserable there then don't do it, being happy is one of the most important things you can make happen IMO and being miserable is a long way from happiness.

Company looks interesting.
New technologies to learn as I have stagnated.

Treat it as a training course for a year or so.

A 1hr commute door to door isn’t too bad.

You're correct but the pay has to at least cover it. To be fair it's the fact that it's a permanent job with a 1hr commute => no end, no defined job done etc.

However, sounds like you will never be happy until you define what “the thing is that you actually want to be doing” – might be a good idea to focus on that in the short term. (focus on what you want/like/need/gives you joy from work)

Yep this is it. It's a case of find what I dislike the least!

Can the new job offer leverage new oppoortunities/responsibilities at yr current place?

Is there any opportunity for remote working / WFH? Two or three days in the office and the rest spent at home. Don't know what sector you're working in to understand if this is practical or not.

Do the interview, see how it goes, ask about flexible/remote working. If the offer you the job you can then negotiate, if they want you they'll meet your needs.

Then work out your two year plan and exit route whilst getting upskilled in new tech.

You applied for a job you don't really want, I'm not really sure anyone here can help with that.

My experience is you can learn a lot from going to a new job, but if you go in not giving a poop you won't really learn much. I did a much longer commute for a bit over 2 years, it sucked, but I learned a lot a then moved back to a job closer to home for a bit less money, but with a 30 minute bike commute.

You haven't committed to anything. Interviews are for you as much as the employer. Ask them about the things that matter to you, use the time to think about it.

Just wear a polo shirt to the interview.

Will see about WFH as some have said.

You applied for a job you don’t really want, I’m not really sure anyone here can help with that

I know sounds stupid, but it's because I don't like my current job but really I just don't like the industry / way the industry I work in errr.. works! So applying to see if anything is out there.

Then work out your two year plan and exit route whilst getting upskilled in new tech.

That was my plan on my current job!To be honest never had a job where the learning / development promise was anywhere near what was initially promised. I don't really have any trust in "you will get the chance to learn / xyz".

My current job had a 1hr each way commute (drive), did it for a year before I relocated - no chance I'd do it again on a permanent basis.

As for going to an interview for a job you don't want, part of me says don't waste the other company's time (at least one of the people interviewing you probably isn't HR so has better things to do), part of me says you may as well for practice (but that only makes sense if you are looking to be employed in a PAYE type role which it doesn't sound like you are so then you'd be wasting your own time).

Not sure how old you are and what sector you work in but IME in IT having new tech to learn only gives you a certain amount of motivation (which gradually declines with age). That said with contracting there's even more emphasis on keeping skills current but most of the costs of that fall to you. At least with PAYE your employer foots the bill.

1hr commute sound bloody awful. I'm about to suffer the same...8 mins each way to 1 hour each way.

If I could avoid that easily then I would without hesitation..plenty better things to do with the time than travel to/from work.

I don’t really have any trust in “you will get the chance to learn / xyz”.

I think even if meant sincerely during the interview, this often becomes "You'll learn xyz when there's none of the abc that you can already do available for you to pick up, and our normal xyz person is unavailable".

If that's the main reason for changing - i.e. if your normal abc will still be part of the job, think carefully.

All really good points thanks.

I am a developer of sorts, but not in the trendy data science aws docker £100k pa area ( unfortunately). 39 year on this earth.

Well it was definitely interesting place don't know if I am just putting off the inevitable of crashing out of my career or if the changing jobs every few years is my coping mechanism! It's something to consider if there is enough of a uplift to compensate for the travel.

In defence of random interviews (similar to what FuzzyWuzzy said):

* see what technologies competitors are using / directions they're going in / challenges they face (without divulging secrets)
* if you're fed up at work build confidence and remind yourself there are other options
* you might actually like the people interviewing you and the job... I indifferently turned up for a random interview 4.5 years ago and am still there.

If you're in an industry where headhunters do the leg work of pimping you out / getting you through the interview door at convenient time (e.g. sneaky long lunch) there's little to lose. I am against wasting people's time though.

I also want to escape formal employment (does anyone like being told what to do? :))

Don't dismiss the increased commute, that has a big impact

‘your leisure is my pleasure...’

This has been an interesting thread. I am in a similar position. I am currently in a job that is sometime very mundane, and the money is rubbish, and I have zero chances of promotion. However, its a great environment, lovely people and a nice 30min bicycle commute.

I am beginning to look for other jobs (as I need to earn more money, and develop my career), but I do know that my cycling to work will most likely come to an end..