Hard Decision: Opinions Please.

DeathmageDeathmage Banned Posts: 2,496
Hi Guys/Gals,

As some of you have followed over the past month I've been hard pressed with finding a new home to work.

Well three jobs have gotten back to me and now I can't decide upon two of them. Job 3 was in East Hartford but it was 120 miles away and the pay just didn't equate to me.

Job 1:

IT Security, Support, and Hosting Services by Webjogger Internet Services
Company: MSP that services small/medium sized companies that is also a ISP for directional based wireless (they own a 475ft tower) for DSL/Dial-up prone areas
Company Size: 20 employees
Company Age: 20+ years
Title: Network Engineer (but will basically be a System/Network Engineer)
Job Role: Design, Implement, Maintain and Document all aspects of customer Network and Systems while supporting Cisco, Microsoft, VMware technologies (along with certifications) with Sonicwall and other current security practices while being the primary field engineer for the company of Sales for new/existing customers. Would be working along side owner and one other employee that are CCNP Engineers. In the long run I would be the primary VMware Engineer as-well as Sonicwall specialist.
Monetary: $50k
Distance: 40 minute drive.
Benefits: Only Health, no dental. Mileage Reimbursement for Customer Travel.

Job 2:

IES | Integrated Enterprise Solutions Inc.
Company: MSP that services small/medium sized businesses
Company Size: 30 employees
Company Age: 20+ years
My Title: System/Network Engineer
Job Role: Design, Implement, Maintain and Document all aspects of customer Networks and Systems while supporting Cisco, Microsoft, VMware technologies (along with certifications) along with Sonicwall and other current security practices. Primary role would be lead Network Engineer that works along side owner that is the sole Network Engineer to recommend and then implement network/system upgrades. The rest of the company are System Engineers/Help Desk Professionals.
Monetary: $55k
Distance: 10 minute drive.
Benefits: Health and Dental Included, 401k, Pension, Mileage Reimbursement for Customer Travel.

The Choice is hard because the roles are so similar, but the only thing is one would be more experience in one field while no so much in another from the time being. Like Job 2 doesn't really have a VMware person yet but Job 1 has one VMware Engineer but are looking for more. Both of these companies are growing over the next 5 years hence the reason for expansion in both of them. Right now I drive 1 hour and 10 minutes to work and make 45k base with OT that brings me to 50k if I worked 60 hour weeks; I spend roughly $850 a month in gas and another $900 every 7 months on tires; both of these jobs are shorter distances, Job 1 is 40 minutes because its country roads but it's 21 miles away while job 2 is 6 miles away.

Both are supportive of certifications and continued education; both have positive cultures and atmospheres I could get along with well; their all nerds, comon my own kind!!!! ... no more glazed eyes in the office after the Greek starts coming out of my mouth!

it's just such a hard choice....

Feedback please!!!!!

Comments

  • aftereffectoraftereffector Member Posts: 525 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Job 2 wins on distance, base salary, and benefits. Job 1 wins on VMware. Which is more important to you?
    CCIE Security - this one might take a while...
  • HailHogwashHailHogwash Member Posts: 87 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Job 2 wins on distance, base salary, and benefits. Job 1 wins on VMware. Which is more important to you?

    I agree with aftereffector..Id choose 2 just based on overall pay and benefits unless vmware is was something I specifically wanted to pursue
  • DeathmageDeathmage Banned Posts: 2,496
    I want something with more money while maintaining my health/dental benefits. I'm currently doing my VCP5-DCV Pursuit ontop of my CCNA so VMware is something I'd like to do long-term. Both are supportive of me getting these certifications and my MCSA/SE...

    I guess the next step is how ot write an email to the other company telling them I'm no longer interested. I've never had more than one offer at a time before...this is all new to me. MY current employer of 3 years has been my longest employment to date and the one with the most personal growth and knowledge gain.
  • Jon_CiscoJon_Cisco Member Posts: 1,772 ■■■■■■■■□□
    I would suggest job number 2.

    Just keep pushing the VMware at home and encourage it at work.

    Good Luck!
  • TybTyb Member Posts: 207 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Job 2 would be my choice, once you add the pros it wins out.
    WGU BS:IT Security (March 2015)
    WGU MS:ISA (February 2016 )
  • DeathmageDeathmage Banned Posts: 2,496
    Will be taking Job 1 on Monday.

    Job 2 did something shady and it rubbed me the wrong way.

    I told them I put in my notice two weeks ago on Wednesday and then come Friday I told them it was offical Friday was my last day. They sent me an email says that now that I'm no longer with the company they would start me at part time at $20 an hour for 4 weeks to "see if I'd work out"....

    Needless to say I declined the job, since the 4 interviews were all about full-time and then they offer that... rubbed me the wrong way, the other company wanted me to start 3 weeks ago but I waited a week and then did my notice so they have waited 3 weeks and still held onto the original offer. Kind of shows that they don't want to screw me over...
  • Danielm7Danielm7 Member Posts: 2,310 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Smart move, that is shady, congrats on the new job.
  • JoJoCal19JoJoCal19 Mod Posts: 2,835 Mod
    Had you signed an offer letter with company 2 spelling out the original terms? I have no direct knowledge of the labor laws but I think them suddenly changing the terms could be in some kind of violation.
    Have: CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, eJPT, GCIA, GSEC, CCSP, CCSK, AWS CSAA, AWS CCP, OCI Foundations Associate, ITIL-F, MS Cyber Security - USF, BSBA - UF, MSISA - WGU
    Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
    Next Up:​ OSCP
    Studying:​ Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
  • Jon_CiscoJon_Cisco Member Posts: 1,772 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Good Choice! That's definitely not the way you want to start a job.
  • DeathmageDeathmage Banned Posts: 2,496
    JoJoCal19 wrote: »
    Had you signed an offer letter with company 2 spelling out the original terms? I have no direct knowledge of the labor laws but I think them suddenly changing the terms could be in some kind of violation.

    yes they did make an offer and then when I got the offer letter the next day it said part-time in the 1st sentence and I was like wooow! [insert red flag]... emailed then questioned them about it and the above response was there answer in the original post.

    I was nope, sorry taking other offer. I didn't tell them about my other offers so they probably felt they could shizter me...
  • TLeTourneauTLeTourneau Member Posts: 616 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Yep, shady. I think it was a good call moving to option 1.
    Thanks, Tom

    M.S. - Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
    B.S: IT - Network Design & Management
  • DeathmageDeathmage Banned Posts: 2,496
    Well it's legit, day 1 is now complete; signed the contract this morning.

    the commute is nearly cut in half and the company atmosphere is awesome. Will take some time to get use to it all but I see myself fitting right-in in no time.

    Really liking the fact everyone is a IT nerd and I'm not doing it alone anymore...
  • lsud00dlsud00d Member Posts: 1,571
    Glad to hear you got out of the old spot and into something new and challenging, thanks for the update!

    Also, dental isn't that expensive, I can't believe that was a deciding factor icon_razz.gif
  • DeathmageDeathmage Banned Posts: 2,496
    So far, I'm glad I took Job 1.

    I replied to my original post about moving on, so no need to double-post.
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