Often working moms face a dilemma of choosing between two job options with different pay and career offers. While a working mom can have a job meeting both their financial goals and career goals, it is not always the case.
For most working moms, there is a dilemma and uncertainty of choosing between the below:
- A job meeting their career goals- poor pay/benefits
- A job meeting their financial goals –no career development/progression
Often a job meeting career goals may not necessarily be well paying or have a good benefits package. On the other hand, you may have the option of a well-paying job hence meeting your financial goals but not your career goals.
In this post…
Reasons for Choosing a Job Meeting Financial Goals for Moms
The Downside for Choosing a Job Meeting Financial Goals for Moms
Reasons for choosing a Job Meeting Career Goals for Moms
The Downside for Choosing a Job Meeting Career Goals for Moms
Step By Step To Choosing Between A Job Meeting Your Career Goals Or Your Financial Goals
Reasons to Choose a Well Paying Job but does not offer Career Progression
- It leads to high pay perks/benefits- you will get a good pay and other perks/ benefits to sustain the lifestyle that you want
- A well paying job enhances your life- The high pay you are getting will enable you to enhance your life, more so by facilitating your work-life balance
- Focusing on financial goals keeps you motivated at work- Some moms are motivated by the pay and other benefits because of what it allows them to achieve. Choosing a job meeting your financial goals will help you maintain motivation
Read: Reasons to take a Career Step Back
Reasons to Not Choose a Well Paying Job but does not offer Career Progression
- It may lead to a poor career development – you are likely to have fewer career development options in a job that focus more on financial over career goals
- The job may limit your learning and other opportunities . You may not have learning and development opportunities as your job is not aligned with your career but your finances.
- Focusing on financial goals and not career goals is less fulfilling. The job is likely to be less lively and fulfilling as your career goals are not met
Reasons to Choose a Career Focused but Poorly Paid Job
- Choosing career goals is beneficial and fulfilling. It is a job that you genuinely love and is aligned with your career hence very fulfilling
- The job has many advantages of positive career development progress. In a job aligned with your career goals, there are many development and personal growth options
- Such a job leads to more learning opportunities/ exposure . In a job more aligned with your career goals you have more career opportunities and exposure than in others
- The job has the benefit of intrinsic motivation to a working mom. In a job aligned with your career goals you are motivated intrinsically from within. Your rewards are career progress and growth and you are motivated by what you can achieve career-wise
- Such a job supports work-life balance. A job aligned with your career goals meets your work needs. You are therefore happier and generally fulfilled in both your work and personal life.
Read: The Most Effective Way of Asking for a Pay Rise
Reasons to Not Choose a Career Focused but Poorly Paid Job
- A job meeting your career goals is likely to have poor pay/benefits. The job may not pay well to meet your financial needs.
Simple Step By Step Guide for Moms on Choosing the Right Job
Steps 1: Set Your Priority- Career Goals or Financial Goals
As a working mom, you need to decide which is your priority between finances and career progression. The decision will significantly dictate the direction your job choice may lean towards.
Making a priority does not mean that one is not important. Both are important to a working mom. However one must take precedence over the other.
The priority ranking is dictated by your current situation and other different factors in your life. Different working moms go for finances or career options based on their current needs and current situation in life. Consider the following questions as a working mom
- What are your current needs?
- Is it money or career progression?
- Is this likely to change in the long run?
The above questions may help you tie your current needs to your first priority. As a single working mom of young children, for instance, finance may take priority over career goals.
If you have a partner, on the other hand, finances may not be a significant need as career progression.
If you are looking to clear off debt, finance goals take more precedence now but may change in the future.
Read: Benefits of Working for Moms
Step 2: Weigh Short Vs. Long Term Benefits & Risks of Both Options
Once you have set a priority rank in the step above, do further analysis. You need to weigh the short-term and long term benefits and risks for both job options. Start with your priority and list down both benefits and risks in the short term and long run.
Consider the following questions;
- Does this job meet my needs?
- Does this job affect my work-life balance? What are the work hours and commitment required for this job?
- Is this job fulfilling? Is the work environment enhancing?
- Are adequate resources available to do the job efficiently and effectively?
- What is the downside of taking this job? Is it far from home?
- Is this a one-time opportunity? I am likely to get a similar offer in the future?
Do the above for the second priority job as well.
After getting your answers, check if your initial priority ranking still holds. If you find that the weight from the above answers has changed your position, you may realize now that your priority may change.
Read: Why to Accept a Job that is not your Dream Job
Step 3: Consider Work-Life Balance Elements
As a working mom, there are other critical factors that you need to consider as well in making your decision. To make a conclusive decision, you need to consider other factors that are relevant to your life as a working mom such as work-life balance, working environment, among others. Consider the following questions;
- How flexible is the job in meeting my work-life needs?
- What are the available work-life balance options offered?
- How is the company culture? Does it allow me to meet these goals efficiently and effectively?
- What are the mom-friendly resources available?
Add more questions on the personal concerns that you have as a working mom.
Read: Best Mom Friendly Jobs and Careers
Step 4 : Choice between the Career or Financial Focused Job
Answer the above questions for each of the two jobs. Decide which job offers you the best match to your needs as a working mom. Even though the main focus is career development or financial goals, there are other factors too that determine the outcome of your choice.
Therefore your answers will determine if your job on the priority is still worth it. After this step, your rank may change or alter again. By the end of this step, you should be able to conclusively decide which job your need to take.
Read: Reasons Why you Should Keep your Job
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