Would you accept this job offer?

Polymorphic28

I was just offered a job that is located about two hours away from me. The job title is "Cyber Network Defense Administrator".

I'm currently working in a help desk role earning about 65K. I'm trying to get out of the help desk role and get my foot in the door towards IT Security. They are offering me about 55K for the position. I know it's lower, but I'm willing to accept that just to get out of the help desk field. Would it be a bad move if I accept this position? I just purchased a house so that means I would have to rent it out to someone and move somewhere closer. Does this seem like a good move?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

koz24

Wow, if it wasn't for the whole house thing I would say take this position and don't look back. The job title doesn't seem to correlate with the pay though, so what's the catch? There has to be one right?

If I had to guess, it sounds like this will be entry-level network security, yes? You get the cool title but just make that the job responsibilities line up with it as well.

Also, if you are hesitant to move and have nothing to lose, ask for another $10K. They may give it to you because it sounds like you are getting lowballed big time because you're coming from help-desk and they (rightfully in this case) think you will take it just to get out of help desk.

Polymorphic28

That's the thing, I'm not sure what the catch is. The manager did tell me that it will be entry-level network security. It's a contract position lasting from 6 months to 5 years. There's always that chance of being let go at a moments notice. I just don't want to quit my job and accept this position and find out that I won't have the responsibilities that line up with the job title.

TeKniques

I agree with koz24, the pay doesn't seem to line up with the job role imo. $65k for help desk is pretty good. Are there no opportunities to move up in your current company? That $10k extra may not seem like much when you add in a 4+ hour commute and stress; if you have a family that could be very difficult as well.

What is your current background and experience in IT?

Polymorphic28

There are no opportunities to move up in my position right now. I currently have my B.S in Information Systems with a few certifications and about 9 years of experience. I'm trying to get out of this help desk role and move towards IT Security.

I would have to move instead of making the 4 hour commute. The employer offering the position is asking that I do this all in the next two weeks.

koz24

Polymorphic28 wrote: »

That's the thing, I'm not sure what the catch is. The manager did tell me that it will be entry-level network security. It's a contract position lasting from 6 months to 5 years. There's always that chance of being let go at a moments notice. I just don't want to quit my job and accept this position and find out that I won't have the responsibilities that line up with the job title.

Ahh, there we go! That's the catch then. They could want someone to come in and do a bunch of grunt work for 6months and then let them go. You never know. Or, they just want to feel someone out for 6 months before investing further.

So in your case I think it's risky taking a position like this but then on the other hand, if you are employed "at will" you could be let go at any time too. I say ask for the moon and if it doesn't work out, oh well. In other words, ask for a number where the risk would be worth it to you.

TeKniques

I would pass. A lot of risk if you ask me ... lower salary, non-guaranteed FTE status, have to move. Your 9 years experience and a BS degree should be enough to get you out of help desk. Not sure what certs you have, but I think you can do better.

GreaterNinja

Sounds like really low pay and it sounds like Helpdesk for cybersecurity. If you want to get in Security do the new CeH and learn the tools via lab. Then go for CISSP. Thats an instant 100k/yr easily.

Cybersecurity pays a lot these days...I see jobs come in $60-100/hour all the time. Hell I got offered 150k in writing and turned it down because my time is valuable and the job was not so interesting.

TheFORCE

Dont do it, keep looking. There will be other options to get the money and the experience.

Polymorphic28

That's what I'm afraid of. The manager did tell me that he could offer me more because of my background but I doubt it will be more then what I'm making now.

Polymorphic28

TeKniques wrote: »

I would pass. A lot of risk if you ask me ... lower salary, non-guaranteed FTE status, have to move. Your 9 years experience and a BS degree should be enough to get you out of help desk. Not sure what certs you have, but I think you can do better.

You are right that it's a huge risk. That's why I'm leaning towards denying the offer.

Polymorphic28

GreaterNinja wrote: »

Sounds like really low pay and it sounds like Helpdesk for cybersecurity. If you want to get in Security do the new CeH and learn the tools via lab. Then go for CISSP. Thats an instant 100k/yr easily.

Cybersecurity pays a lot these days...I see jobs come in $60-100/hour all the time. Hell I got offered 150k in writing and turned it down because my time is valuable and the job was not so interesting.

They did mention help desk and I'm trying to avoid that. The employer did say that there are many opportunities to grow within the organization but that's only a possibility.

GreaterNinja

Thats what every employer says. From the sounds of it you will be in a Security NOC or SOC / Helpdesk. Ask for 35k/more year...you got nothing to lose.

Polymorphic28

GreaterNinja wrote: »

Thats what every employer says. From the sounds of it you will be in a Security NOC or SOC / Helpdesk. Ask for 35k/more year...you got nothing to lose.

LOL I will do that when I call him back tomorrow just to see what he says.

DatabaseHead

No way I would take a 15% pay cut and have to give up the house you just purchased. Renting it out will destroy it, I've done it before......

Polymorphic28

DatabaseHead wrote: »

No way I would take a 15% pay cut AND drive 2 hours AND have to give up a house I just purchased.

Well, the only reason why I stated that I would accept the pay cut was to get my foot in the door in the Cybersecurity field. It was going to be a sacrifice but more than likely I will decline this position.

dhay13

Also consider benefits. I assume you have them at your current employment? Does the $55k include any benefits? Sounds risky.

CE1028

I would say no to think. To have to rent out the house you just bought and move for a position that's not even permanent, just seems too risky.

Plus the pay cut (I know you're saying for the experience).

Also, if you rent your home, and something happens with the tenant, you'll need to be able to afford both your rent and mortgage. That's a risk to consider

DatabaseHead

@Poly, I've seen way to many people get to where they want to go continuing to go forward financially not backwards.

anhtran35

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Study and get more certs = more $$$.

Trucido

What help desk makes 65,000 a year? :P Must have high cost of living?

koz24

Trucido wrote: »

What help desk makes 65,000 a year? :P Must have high cost of living?

I think it's possible if you have 9 years of experience in it like he has. In my area the average help-desk salary is like 50K so with experience and raises etc it's not all that crazy.

Welly_59

USA helpdesk wages seem a lot higher than in the UK. For instance my company pay the equivalent of $19-21k

IaHawk

Don't do it. Keep looking. Are you actively looking or did this position just come about? I would focus on your immediate area so you dont have to worry about renting or selling your house as well.

sj4088

Nope. Too risky. Would I take a $10k pay cut to gain certain experience? Most likely. But it would have
to be a full time position. And it would need to be a lot closer than two hours away. All of that and you
would have to rent out your house? This a no brainer for me. This is a definitely a no for me. The only way
I'd take this job was if I was unemployed, or on a job I HATED, or this was going to be a HUGE pay
increase(I'm talking like 30k).

kiki162

HELLLL NO - That's way too much risk for you at this time.

You are already have second thoughts by posting on this forum. Get yourself more certs and then get something more local.

IronmanX

Welly_59 wrote: »

USA helpdesk wages seem a lot higher than in the UK. For instance my company pay the equivalent of $19-21k

Is that for like a real IT Help Desk Position on a Call Center?
Even when converted to US dollars assuming your talking about pounds that is really low for an IT Help Desk position. A call centre would pay about that though.

SpetsRepair

If its not direct hire it doesn't sound like it is worth it. I would also ask for a larger salary, you know what your skills and work ethic bring to the table, don't let them pay you less.

TechGromit

Polymorphic28 wrote: »

That's what I'm afraid of. The manager did tell me that he could offer me more because of my background but I doubt it will be more then what I'm making now.

For a position that may only last 6 months, I would demand a premium pay, not a pay cut. I would consider a pay cut for a Full Time position with benefits to get ahead in my career, but to take a pay cut and lose job security for a contract position, no way.

IaHawk

TechGromit wrote: »

For a position that may only last 6 months, I would demand a premium pay, not a pay cut. I would consider a pay cut for a Full Time position with benefits to get ahead in my career, but to take a pay cut and lose job security for a contract position, no way.

Another great point.

scaredoftests

Usually I say 'Go for it', but not this time. Hang where you are.