Guys help here! I have 2 offers one from NHS for £100k and the other from consulting for £70k. Which one should I choose?

neither

what are the 2 roles and how do they fit with what you want to do in future?I'm guessing the NHS role is closer to what you have been doing, and having not been a consultant before, you're going in at a sllightly lower level and therefore lower salary. What are your promotion prospects in consulting?- have you discussed how long to the next career level?They will be very different - consulting isn't an easy option - it's competitive, challenging, and you're only as good as last week (performance wise). That said, it's hugely varied, constantly pushes you to do new stuff, you get to work with bright, motivated people and it will give you a very different experience / perspective from what you might have had previously.One other thing, consulting firms are almost always recruiting, a salary of £100K with the NHS doesn't come around very often!

steady (9-5?) job on 100K in a stable industry esp. in this climate vs. 10-12 hour days, nights/weeks away from home delights, competitive back-stabbing miserable bonus culture, possible redundancies around the corner - what's the question again?

I don't believe the original poster.£100K roles in the NHS are banded at VSM for non clinical roles and are typically board appointments. 70K in consulting would put you at principal / associate level - and I can't see most consultants working at principal level in consulting being considered for a VSM banded job.

why are you breaking balls, he ain't going to lie is he? You need to check yo self sunshine.

The role in NHS is actually VSM and haven't worked in consulting before, the appropriate grade in consulting will be confirmed after 6 months on the job.

"the appropriate grade in consulting will be confirmed after 6 months on the job"Ho ho ho. We've all heard THAT one before. You can guarantee you will be disappointed with the grade they come up with. Are they also perchance the kind of company that likes to keep people on their toes, constantly 'proving themselves'? Who is this outfit that dangles such a carrot with such a lack of commitment on their part as to the end reward (if it ever materialises)? Please name and shame!

I reckon that Cynic's reading of the situation here is spot on.Beware: Once you've joined, you'll find out that the promises to "review the situation" are worthless because you're locked into their internal promotions process.EC

Cynic & EC are totally right!If you wish to go ahead with this, you will need any agreements written into your contract. E.g. if you are going to perform a sales role, have a written agreement on what level of sales represents what grade / salary.In my 10 years of experience, you will be shafted unless everything is in writing and you get an independent 3rd party (e.g. a cynical mate) to review the wording and make sure you understand what's in your control and what the co can make up.In my opinion, the best case scenario is that the co means what they say and upgrades you by 10%. That still won't happen unless it's contractual.I also agree with the general thrust of the views on this thread. If this is the 1st really senior NHS role you've had, you may well be more valuable to a consultancy co after you've done it for a while.What type of consultancy role have you been offered? Is it NHS related? The only reason I can see for you taking a consultancy role now is that you are bored rigid with your current job and don't want to do the new NHS job or don't think you can do it comfortably.If you've been offered a £70k consultancy job now, it'll still be on offer in 6-12 months, unless the market falls. FWIW, my advice would be to take the NHS job and reconsider in 6 months.Good luck!

Thank you all for the valuable contributions, I have taken your advice. You have mentioned things I never heard before or considered. Thanks so much.

That's great, but what are you going to do. Have you decided yet, have you, have you????Despite all of the great contributions (I totally agree with Derek and the others), my money is on you taking consulting. Some people, once they get the bug, just can't help themselves no matter how many people tell them it's the wrong decision! Good luck doing those 14 hour days...

Which one?

Will choose NHS and maybe go back to industry or consulting later focusing on business development in public sector. Maybe by then I can join as a partner. What do you think??

Maybe you'll join consultancy at Partner level in the future, but mostly my money is still on the NHS role being a figment of your imagination unless you're an IT Geek - and even then £100K would put you on more than the 10 regional CIOs.