Decisions, decisions

Hey guys!

I have a bit of a choice here, and maybe you guys can help?

I have decided to leave my current job. I'm leaving, because I've stopped growing professionally. There is no way upward here technically, or in position.

After putting the word out and speaking to some people, I have 3 possible jobs lined up:

A large vendor has an SE position open in my area. They have expressed interest in me, but nothing official has come of my submitting my resume. This is going to be a presales job. I've been told you consult with customers, address questions about the tech/design/intergration points, and give presentations.
A small VAR/MSP has expressed that they will offer me a job, as long as the company I'm leaving is good with it. This is tenative, because the VAR/MSP doesn't want to hurt any potential business with the company I work for by grabbing me. This is going to be 100% implementation of infrastructure (R&S, Wireless) and Net Security.
A telecom has also expressed that they will offer me a job. This is a remote support position. It's ticket-based, mostly VoIP. I have decent experience with VoIP, but my strengths are R&S and Sec. This is going to be a stretch skills-wise, but they are willing to work with me.

To anyone who has worked these types of jobs, do you have any insight or advice on potential career development of these opportunities? Do I wait out for the large vendor? Need more info?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments

Nemowolf

There are two deciding factors in any choice like this:

1. Quality of Life - Do any of these get you more money, shorter commute, and in general provide a less stressful environment. All these types of things improve the quality of your life outside of work.

2. Professional Goals - Do any of these jobs line up with your career objectives and provide you with the growth or even limited ability to continue practicing the skills you are passionate about.

Figure out where each one lays between those two and see if one of them shines.

iBrokeIT

I think option #2 is going to be your best choice as long as they offer you a salary you find acceptable. VAR/MSps typically offer lower salaries compared to businesses but they will challenge you professionally and you will get to touch a lot of technologies.

If you are leaving your current job now due to lack of professional growth what sort of growth does option #1 offer once you learn the ropes?

Sounds like you are not very interested in #3 and if you passion isn't into VOIP I say don't make the jump.

dehgrah

I just left my job for the same reasoning and I'm currently interviewing for a couple jobs but I was not growing professionally at my last job as a Senior Technician. I believe growth is one of the major pieces that keeps us Tech Guys fresh and sharp!

dirtyharry

Nemowolf wrote: »

There are two deciding factors in any choice like this:

1. Quality of Life - Do any of these get you more money, shorter commute, and in general provide a less stressful environment. All these types of things improve the quality of your life outside of work.

2. Professional Goals - Do any of these jobs line up with your career objectives and provide you with the growth or even limited ability to continue practicing the skills you are passionate about.

Figure out where each one lays between those two and see if one of them shines.

1. I think the option with the best quality of life (if they don't expect me to commute hours to work, which is a possibility) is #1.
2. I think the option to best realize my professional goals in option #2.

iBrokeIT wrote: »

I think option #2 is going to be your best choice as long as they offer you a salary you find acceptable. VAR/MSps typically offer lower salaries compared to businesses but they will challenge you professionally and you will get to touch a lot of technologies.

If you are leaving your current job now due to lack of professional growth what sort of growth does option #1 offer once you learn the ropes?

Sounds like you are not very interested in #3 and if you passion isn't into VOIP I say don't make the jump.

You're right. I'm not that interested in #3. Have you worked at a VAR/MSP? Was it a mad grind where all of your time was considered billable, and they wanted to work you every minute of it? That's my fear of #2.

PsychoData91

dirtyharry wrote: »

1. I think the option with the best quality of life (if they don't expect me to commute hours to work, which is a possibility) is #1.
2. I think the option to best realize my professional goals in option #2.

These sound like accurate statements from what I've seen/read/heard.

Personally, I like moving forward. I see no point in staying in one role once you've gained what you can. #2 definately will have you growing and probably getting into implementing things you havent before as well as some stuff you already understand. #1 might have you growing, but I wouldn't say thats definite. #3 doesn't sound bad if you want to be more VOiP in the future.

My thing is that #1 would probably be a longer term type position, #2 could be long term though people can have a tendancy to get burnt out as these positions and change to something more like #1, and #3 sounds like it can go either way - probably shorter term.

And last but not least, my experience with these things is that - unless you purposefully adjusted the order - you lead with ones that you are most interested in. By that logic, I say large vendor. If it's been a little bit since you put in your resume with the vendor, touch base with the HR rep/recruiter. If you didn't go full hog and put in a cover letter the first time and just sent your resume (or you just clicked one of those "apply now" buttons, which sends them a notification with your resume as an attachment most times) write up a real cover letter. Send it in. If there is an applicant tracking system, then by all means use it, but if not then find out where you can contact HR/the hiring manager.

dirtyharry

dehgrah wrote: »

I just left my job for the same reasoning and I'm currently interviewing for a couple jobs but I was not growing professionally at my last job as a Senior Technician. I believe growth is one of the major pieces that keeps us Tech Guys fresh and sharp!

Definitely agree.

dirtyharry

PsychoData91 wrote: »

These sound like accurate statements from what I've seen/read/heard.

Personally, I like moving forward. I see no point in staying in one role once you've gained what you can. #2 definately will have you growing and probably getting into implementing things you havent before as well as some stuff you already understand. #1 might have you growing, but I wouldn't say thats definite. #3 doesn't sound bad if you want to be more VOiP in the future.

My thing is that #1 would probably be a longer term type position, #2 could be long term though people can have a tendancy to get burnt out as these positions and change to something more like #1, and #3 sounds like it can go either way - probably shorter term.

And last but not least, my experience with these things is that - unless you purposefully adjusted the order - you lead with ones that you are most interested in. By that logic, I say large vendor. If it's been a little bit since you put in your resume with the vendor, touch base with the HR rep/recruiter. If you didn't go full hog and put in a cover letter the first time and just sent your resume (or you just clicked one of those "apply now" buttons, which sends them a notification with your resume as an attachment most times) write up a real cover letter. Send it in. If there is an applicant tracking system, then by all means use it, but if not then find out where you can contact HR/the hiring manager.

I think you're right about the ordering of the jobs. Thanks for the food for thought!