Received a job offer, but I don't know if I want to take it

RedGaiter

So, here is my dilemma. I'm currently working in a helpdesk position for a small-medium sized company, and I received a job offer elsewhere where I would be a level 2 helpdesk that provides support to external clients. I'll explain the 2 situations below, and my apprehensions.

Current Job - IT Technician for small-medium company

• Salary: $41k. 3 weeks vacation, 5 sick days
• IT Staff: 3 people: Director of IT, IT Manager, IT Technician (me)
• I can't stress enough how easy it is to work with my boss. There is no stress whatsoever, and he is extremely patient with me.
• I'm currently a helpdesk in a company that runs primarily Mac and Linux Servers. All employees use Apple devices.
• I've always been a Windows guy, but I've really started to love working with the command line, and recently decided I want to pursue Linux+, RHCSA, and RHCE
• This fall we will be moving to a new building, which means good experience rebuilding our IT infrastructure. We are also migrating to 95% Ubuntu servers after the move, as well as Cisco Meraki
  • Pros:
    • I get to work with the physical servers, and handle (or try to handle) all tickets ranging from level 1-3. I have a good opportunity to really learn to be a Linux admin here.
  • Cons:
    • Some days are very slow, where I have hours to do nothing, and a lot of the tickets I handle are granting permissions to dropbox folders.

Job Offer - Level 2 helpdesk/System Admin

• I interviewed for this job last week, and they called me today offering a position
• Salary: $45k, 3 weeks vacation, 0 sick days (sick days are discretionary)
• This position will be 99% Windows Server 2008/2012 remote administration via email/phone, with some Remote Desktop support. Ie: I will not get to physically touch any servers, routers, or switches like in my current position.
  • Pros:
    • This company provides IT support to up to 100 different companies. I would be busy all day long, theoretically improving my IT skills
    • They provide paid training (40 hours/year)
  • Cons:
    • They keep their job posting for System Admin up on their website year-round, which could mean they have a high turnover ratio based on burnout
    • Every minute of every day is tracked. If you finish a task at 2:57 PM, you are expected to be on the next one no later than 2:59 PM
    • During my interview, I overheard a level 3 yell at a level 2. Supposedly the level 2 finished a ticket at 1:53 PM and had informed a client that they would call back at 2:00 PM to see if the issue had been resolved. The level 3 scolded them by sternly saying "So what, you're just going to do nothing for the next 7 minutes?"

My Concerns

• I'm afraid that I might see a few red flags with this new employer, and I would be considered cannon fodder until I get burnt out and replaced.
• It's hard to find good bosses to work for, and I currently have that. Yes, my position can be slow sometimes, but I use that time to study for certifications etc.
• I will get great experience helping to rebuild our current IT infrastructure when we move, and I am able to have access to all servers, routers, and switches.
• I'm really only chasing $4k extra, with the prospect of being busier. It will be in Windows Server 2008/2012, but I may be handling mostly monotonous level 1 tickets: password resets, creating users, granting remote desktop privledges, etc...

What do I do guys? My gut feeling tells me I should stay at my current position, but I'd like to have everybody's input.

zxbane

I didn't read all of that but I can say that the whole tracking of every minute and being yelled at like that wouldn't be anywhere I would want to work..

Bundiman

I would stay put. If you have free time you should be improving your skills. the new job sounds like a grinder and you do not want the stress of trying to fill every min while you are working. Now that I think about it sounds more like its just a call center were you will be a number and replaced at any given whim and at best treated like a used tissue after happy time.

jeremywatts2005

Got to agree with Bundiman. The pay is not really any different if you consider the sick days. Also the newer position with folks yelling and getting on you about time will wear you out. I know I used to have to be the guy yelling at folks and cracking the whip about every minute. I was a Dean at a for profit and we wanted maximum work from our guys and that meant leaning on them all the time. For instance if a class finished 5 minutes early then the instructor better be sitting at his desk for 5 minutes working. After all I am paying him for the 5 minutes. If they did not sit there than they owed me 5. This is how the operation was ran. Trust me it was miserable for me and miserable for the employees. I felt sorry for them but it was my job or their job. I will always take my job. Stay put study hard and find a place with a 10% or higher bump.

puertorico1985

From the information that you provided, I would RUN from position #2. I've been at a position where they track your work (not to the level of 2 minutes/nor did I get yelled at for doing nothing for seven minutes), it gets old fast and quick. Having time to study for certs would be reason enough for me to stay put until something better comes along.

RedGaiter

Thanks for all your replies, everybody. I think I'm going to follow my gut reaction, and everybody's advice, and stay put where I'm at. 6 months from now, I'll probably be glad I did.

iBrokeIT

$4k isn't worth your sanity my friend. Keep looking.

petedude

iBrokeIT wrote: »

$4k isn't worth your sanity my friend. Keep looking.

The OP probably should be looking for a 15%+ raise before moving on.

MagnumOpus

iBrokeIT wrote: »

$4k isn't worth your sanity my friend. Keep looking.

Stole the words right out of my mouth.

NotHackingYou

I would stay put at your current job.

JoJoCal19

I wouldn't take the new position for double the $45k they are offering. Seriously. There are far too many jobs out there that do not micromanage to such a degree as yelling at their employees over 2 minutes. And I suspect you're right, the job posting stays up year round because it's probably a revolving door with employees working in that kind of environment.

And to add, you should absolutely be taking advantage of your down time at your current job to STUDY. Get a subscription to Safaribooks and start working on your next cert!

shodown

this sounds like a typical MSP who doesn't have there crap together. Stay AWAY you have been warned.

ande0255

+1 to feelings on time tracking, I had that at my last job, it was the worst downside I've ever had with a job.

RouteMyPacket

RedGaiter wrote: »

Ie: I will not get to physically touch any servers, routers, or switches like in my current position

There is nothing to debate, if this is in fact the reality of that new place. How can you seriously expect to advance yourself if you cannot touch or get hands on experience? There is no decision to make IMO. Stay put, $4k isn't even worth it..being able to manage and work with devices is worth more than a quick $4k bump.

To take that job would be short sighted IMO.

--chris--

zxbane wrote: »

I didn't read all of that but I can say that the whole tracking of every minute and being yelled at like that wouldn't be anywhere I would want to work..

Ive been in this situation, its no fun. If your current job is still teaching you new skills and you dont have to prove billable time/they trust that you are working during the day then I would stay put.

I think you may be on to something with the high turn over due to burn out...

N2IT

From what I read I think staying put might be the right move.

BradleyHU

petedude wrote: »

The OP probably should be looking for a 15%+ raise before moving on.

15% of $41K is like 6k...its still not a major jump, so $45K or $47K is not much difference...


but yeah, i'd look for something else, and not worry about that offer. I would never suggest putting off for 6 months tho...you never know what the job market will be like then.

LinuxNerd

Only $4k more? Just ask the new potential employer for $12k extra and see what happens.

TeKniques

RedGaiter wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies, everybody. I think I'm going to follow my gut reaction, and everybody's advice, and stay put where I'm at. 6 months from now, I'll probably be glad I did.

I think you're making the right decision based on the information you provided. Keep getting your experience and eventually the right opportunity will come along. The opportunity in job #2 sounds more like the coal mines to me.

Tom Servo

I could never work for a company that was that strict about knowing what I was working on / minutes spent on a task. Basic time tracking is one thing, but by the minute - forget about it.

thenjduke

Stay at your current position.

Danielm7

I had a friend who worked for a company that tracked them minute by minute like that, she hated her life working there. Eventually she started recording bathroom breaks and noting how much toilet paper she was using just to be snarky about the whole thing. Since no one ever mentioned it to her it was pretty clear they didn't even check the logs, just wanted to make sure you had something filled every minute.

Ether way, working every minute of every day without any downtime at all isn't really healthy, glad you are skipping on job #2.

Tyb

I agree with everyone else, stay where you are at.