Job in Mayo - how to answer this question in interview?

Hi all
I'm going for a job in Mayo shortly. At the moment I work in the public service in Dublin as a Grade 7. The job in Mayo is Grade 6 but my reasons for moving (if I do!) are quality of life for myself and my husband. We've always wanted to live more rurally - esp not on an estate as we have done for many years - and I've been thinking about this for a long time.
It would be a huge upheaval but we could never afford to move house to Wicklow/Kildare and retain our present jobs - then there would be the horrible commute!
My question is - when it comes to the interview and they ask me why I'm applying for a grade below what I'm at at the moment, how do I answer?

ShouldI be honest and tell them it's a quality of life decision? I won't lose out hugely financially as I'm a long time in my present grade, I'm more concerned with being happier where we live - which we're definitely not at the moment.

My husband hates his current job and reckons he would find something in Mayo - even painting/decorating. He earns much less than me as it is, tho it's a permanent job it's totally screwing him up. It's a big risk but it might be worth it in the long run.

So, any advice welcome, esp if you live in Mayo!

Thanks

sounds striaght forward... you have an ambition to live rurally & this is providing you with the opportunity to fulfill it. Its a drop in grade but nevertheless you are taking that step & may in time increae your responsibility again.

Good luck with it.

ninsaga

Thanks, Ninsaga
So that is an acceptable and valid answer? Been a while since I did an interview so I wasn't sure. I've been 15 years in my current post and tho I like it and would probably have to do work I'd find less appealing, if our home environment was closer to our dream I think I could live with that.

It also means I have to move further away from my elderly parents who will be upset, but I can't put my life on hold, tho it feels horribly selfish.

Well, I'll go for the interview and see... any other other thoughts welcome.

Has anyone else ever been in this position ie taken a drop in grade/pay to have what they hope will be a better quality of life (less traffic, a bit of peace at night, less noisy, drunken neighbours...!!!)?

Love to hear of other experiences.

Sophia

For what it's worth I know of a couple particular individuals who decided to cut it & move out of the Pale & move westward for similar reasons - both were in good high earning positions - the didn't do to bad out of the move... lower pay yes but..

- sold up in Dublin & bought better houses & had more cash in the pocket
- enjoying rural life.

It is not a disqualifying item in any interview ie. wanting to change your surroundings - as long as that is how you truely feel then you have nothing to worry about in any interview situation.

ninsaga

I think that the key concern of the interview panel would be that someone working below their level might get bored or resentful and be less effective as a result. You should show them that this is not the case by stressing your work ethic. In every job, there are routine or less pleasant duties and you have carried out those with the same diligence as the more challenging parts.

Don't avoid the issue at the interview. Stress that you and your husband have considered all the aspects of the whole package and are in full agreement on the move. You accept that you are taking a step backwards, but you have made the decision after considering everything.

Good luck with the interview.

I think you should be open & honest on the quality of life issue, but also find reasons as to why you will like the new job, and why you will be good at it. Don't go in cocky that you can do it easily because it is one grade lower.

Thanks a million, everyone.

This advice is even more useful now as there's another post advertised in Westmeath and I know of one coming up in Kilkenny, all Grade 6, so I'm throwing my hat in the ring for all of them!!!

Kilkenny would be better as nearer parents. I don't know Westmeath at all but I think a little trip might be in order. I hear Athlone is pretty nice.

Don't worry, Rainy, it's far from (oops, word was deleted ) I was reared. I'll be shaking in my boots as is proper!

Great forum
Sophia

Sophia,

Living currently in Mayo now again for the last 2.5 years.
I lived away for 10 years, driving every weekend home to see my family and girlfriend, living in cities and seem to spend most of my life driving @ 100mph!!

So then 2.5 years ago we made a decision that we had enough, I took a pay cut of near 15k euro and my now wife about 5k.
But we now have our own house in the country (well we will in a months time when I have finished building it!!!!), no traffic, the sea is near, our families are near and are friends are close if we need a night out.
So all in all the decision has been excellent. Yes the pay cut is a pain but sure there is more to life than money.

You seem to be concerned about moving away from your elderly parents. My own experience is that elderly people are very capable and can look after themselves but are also capable of passing on "feelings of guilt" to their children. Maybe your situation is different?

Thanks, yop, great to hear a 'good news' story. gives me hope. Well done to you.

Grizzly, my parents are 80 and 83 and have had a few scares in the last year so it is a factor for me.

And my mum is world champion at pressing the guilt buttons.
It's trying to make that decision-if I'm offered a chance to move now do I grab it and live with the guilt (they could live another ten years) or do I put my life on hold for them and leave my sister to shoulder the burden?

This should probably be in a 'family problems' forum!! Thanks for the concern
It's not an easy one.

Mullingar is lovely town and great social scene. There are some fab lakes for bathing,fishing and there's golf courses also and of course our one and only Joe Dolan hails from there. Good luck with the move

Thanks, ClareG, you've given me heart this morning as the Mayo interview is on while I'm out of the country bringing young relative on holiday - all paid for etc and the date of interview cant be changed as it's a panel and all set up.

So have to concentrate on Westmeath now and good th read your comments.

Love Joe, bless him

Is the housing scene expensive? looking for detached house in rural setting - miles away from our 240-house estate!!!!