Leaving Govt Job!!!
RouteThisWay
Member Posts: 514
So as some of you know, I have been trying to get OUT of my government job. Contrary to popular belief- it is not what it is all cracked out to be. I was fortunate enough to get it and my clearance, but it really does work extremely backwards.
I don't want to spend too much time railing on it, but there are some things that are not true to the real world and govt waste is up big time lol. Price is not an issue, why buy one when you can have another for twice the price, etc is all true. It is also true we have no product, no service, etc.. Everything you are working for is.. intangible.
So I started hunting for a job. I have about 2 years experience doing tier 1 help desk/desktop support and another year doing tier 2 administration server side. Did some interviewing, turned a few offers down that would have been a lateral move or a step back down to tier 1.
Last Friday I was finally offered the job I have been waiting for... for a very long time. My first system administrator job
Although I have been doing the work of one, I will finally have the title and more responsibilities that go with it!
It is a 21% pay increase, a 5k a yr car allowance that is tax free, I get to drop my personal cell phone and save $100/mo since I finally get a corporate fully paid for instead of a small stipend, and a huge increase in knowledge/responsibility, etc.
I had a phone screen, in person interview, a second in person interview, and a final phone interview before the job was offered.
One thing that stood out to me, and the reason why I wanted to share this, was that I didn't meet all of the qualifications for the position. But I applied anyway. After interviewing all those times, they finally came out and told me that they were a bit concerned because they had dozens of resumes with people having 2 or 3 times the experience I had. But what I was lacking, I made up in ambition, enthusiasm, and technical aptitude. They basically told me anyone can learn the technology, they just wanted to make sure they got the right cultural fit for the company, someone who was passionate about technology, and someone who knew how to find the answers when they didn't know them (ala you guys
). It is funny because 2 of the 3 references they contacted (one of them being my current manager- I am always open when I am seeking a new job) and they both said I have a high technical aptitude and can learn pretty much anything thrown at me. I think that helped tremendously.
Anyhow, I will be managing about 40 windows 08/03 servers(a significant % virtualized.. awesome!) across 6 locations. Their main distribution warehouse HQ'd here, a plant they have about 40 miles away... and then their hub locations in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Charlotte. Then the parent company also owns another business I would be responsible for. So I will get to do some traveling! I will also get quite a bit of Cisco networking experiencing, in addition to Cisco VOIP technology. Hurray! I will be working under a senior guy, who after gets me trained up on all of their systems and processes/procedures,is going to pretty much do all of the strategy/design and I will be doing a lot of the implementation and day-to-day operations. They want to eventually hire one or two Tier 1 guys to do entry level help desk work who would work under me as well. That was actually one of the selling points of the job- they said they would like to give me some management experience.
I am just glad to be back in the private sector/small business world. Being able to physically see the products we are supporting, interacting with other staff members who support the same product such as sales people, drivers, etc... are all things I really missed from my old job. Plus, I started feeling stagnant in my current position. It was getting me slightly depressed and my interest in technology started to dwindle a bit. Nothing like a new job offer (which came on my birthday lol) to get you rejuvenated and excited again.
I have always wanted to start a blog.. so I was thinking a may set one up before I start this job and use it as a way to chronicle what I am working on, problems I have having, etc. It will serve the purpose of organizing my own thoughts, giving others an insight into my work, and giving me something to look back on in a few years and just shake my head and laugh about how green I was then- which I seem to do at every job! Anyone think this may be a good idea?
I don't want to spend too much time railing on it, but there are some things that are not true to the real world and govt waste is up big time lol. Price is not an issue, why buy one when you can have another for twice the price, etc is all true. It is also true we have no product, no service, etc.. Everything you are working for is.. intangible.
So I started hunting for a job. I have about 2 years experience doing tier 1 help desk/desktop support and another year doing tier 2 administration server side. Did some interviewing, turned a few offers down that would have been a lateral move or a step back down to tier 1.
Last Friday I was finally offered the job I have been waiting for... for a very long time. My first system administrator job
Although I have been doing the work of one, I will finally have the title and more responsibilities that go with it!It is a 21% pay increase, a 5k a yr car allowance that is tax free, I get to drop my personal cell phone and save $100/mo since I finally get a corporate fully paid for instead of a small stipend, and a huge increase in knowledge/responsibility, etc.
I had a phone screen, in person interview, a second in person interview, and a final phone interview before the job was offered.
One thing that stood out to me, and the reason why I wanted to share this, was that I didn't meet all of the qualifications for the position. But I applied anyway. After interviewing all those times, they finally came out and told me that they were a bit concerned because they had dozens of resumes with people having 2 or 3 times the experience I had. But what I was lacking, I made up in ambition, enthusiasm, and technical aptitude. They basically told me anyone can learn the technology, they just wanted to make sure they got the right cultural fit for the company, someone who was passionate about technology, and someone who knew how to find the answers when they didn't know them (ala you guys
). It is funny because 2 of the 3 references they contacted (one of them being my current manager- I am always open when I am seeking a new job) and they both said I have a high technical aptitude and can learn pretty much anything thrown at me. I think that helped tremendously.Anyhow, I will be managing about 40 windows 08/03 servers(a significant % virtualized.. awesome!) across 6 locations. Their main distribution warehouse HQ'd here, a plant they have about 40 miles away... and then their hub locations in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Charlotte. Then the parent company also owns another business I would be responsible for. So I will get to do some traveling! I will also get quite a bit of Cisco networking experiencing, in addition to Cisco VOIP technology. Hurray! I will be working under a senior guy, who after gets me trained up on all of their systems and processes/procedures,is going to pretty much do all of the strategy/design and I will be doing a lot of the implementation and day-to-day operations. They want to eventually hire one or two Tier 1 guys to do entry level help desk work who would work under me as well. That was actually one of the selling points of the job- they said they would like to give me some management experience.
I am just glad to be back in the private sector/small business world. Being able to physically see the products we are supporting, interacting with other staff members who support the same product such as sales people, drivers, etc... are all things I really missed from my old job. Plus, I started feeling stagnant in my current position. It was getting me slightly depressed and my interest in technology started to dwindle a bit. Nothing like a new job offer (which came on my birthday lol) to get you rejuvenated and excited again.
I have always wanted to start a blog.. so I was thinking a may set one up before I start this job and use it as a way to chronicle what I am working on, problems I have having, etc. It will serve the purpose of organizing my own thoughts, giving others an insight into my work, and giving me something to look back on in a few years and just shake my head and laugh about how green I was then- which I seem to do at every job! Anyone think this may be a good idea?
"Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture." ~ Vaclav Havel
Comments
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ODNation
Member Posts: 48 ■■□□□□□□□□
congrats man - you gotta be happy with your job and it definitely seems like you made the right decision for yourself
good luck with your new position! -
Hypntick
Member Posts: 1,451 ■■■■■■□□□□
Where in TN are you located if you don't mind my asking. Just curious as a fellow TN resident.
Congrats on the new spot, sounds awesome.WGU BS:IT Completed June 30th 2012.
WGU MS:ISA Completed October 30th 2013. -
networker050184
Mod Posts: 11,962 Mod
Awesome man! Good luck on the new gig.An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made. -
RouteThisWay
Member Posts: 514
Thanks guys! I am absolutely pumped. Never has a 2 week notice been harder to work through lol.
Hypntick, I am located on the other side of the state in Knoxville."Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture." ~ Vaclav Havel -
lenell86
Member Posts: 75 ■■■□□□□□□□
awesome congrats! I liked this thread so much I rated it a 5:)
I just want to add that your post has given me the confidence, in the future when I apply to sys admin jobs, to not worry about meeting ALL requirements. When I was looking over the summer, I never even bothered to apply to the sys admin positions for fear that they would just toss it aside because I didn't have the 4-5 yrs they were looking for or that I had experience on 20 different things they listed.
With the 3 things you mentioned on being hired, it gives me hope that there are companies out there willing to see another side of a candidate in case they dont have a checkmark to something they want. Truly, an inspiration and a great boost in confidence for the next time I apply!Certifications complete: A+, Net+, Security+, MCTS 70-401, MCSA
Currently working towards: MCSE (70-293) -
TNT143
Member Posts: 33 ■■□□□□□□□□
Congrats! That's awesome and good for you for having the persistence to find what you wanted! I really hope its all you want in a career! WIP
Project+
MS: Info. Sys Mgt/Info Security
:thumbup: Achieved
Security+
ITIL Foundations v3 -
cyberguypr
Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
Congrats on your new endeavor. Sounds like a great opportunity.
I second applying for a job even if you don't meet all the requirements. Companies like to post looking for an utopian candidate that knows every single obscure technology they utilize. Heck, I've been to interviews where I ask what X or Y required system is and they say "oh, its an in-house custom application". -
RouteThisWay
Member Posts: 514
it_consultant wrote: »Government work blows. Welcome to the REAL IT world.
Haha thanks. I concurawesome congrats! I liked this thread so much I rated it a 5
I just want to add that your post has given me the confidence, in the future when I apply to sys admin jobs, to not worry about meeting ALL requirements. When I was looking over the summer, I never even bothered to apply to the sys admin positions for fear that they would just toss it aside because I didn't have the 4-5 yrs they were looking for or that I had experience on 20 different things they listed.
With the 3 things you mentioned on being hired, it gives me hope that there are companies out there willing to see another side of a candidate in case they dont have a checkmark to something they want. Truly, an inspiration and a great boost in confidence for the next time I apply!
Awesome, that was my goal man. I wanted to hopefully give some people the confidence to apply for jobs they don't meet every check box with. The biggest thing is... don't lie. They will ask questions above what you know and what you have experienced. They want to see how you will handle something foreign. Be honest, explain how you would find the answer, some steps you would take, etc.
I remember when I joined this board a few years ago like you, I was brand new to the IT world. I had just gotten my A+, and was trying to get from my warehouse clerk position to building/repairing desktops and servicing them. Time flies so fast.
Don't be afraid to shoot for the moon. Be honest and upfront. Many people will appreciate it. If you lack experience in certain areas, spin it around. Tell them you do not have the experience with that area, but you are more than willing to learn. Try to get them to see it is a positive: you don't have any bad habits developed and they can mold you into the type of technical asset they need."Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture." ~ Vaclav Havel -
phantasm
Member Posts: 995
Good for you!! I've been trying to get in but according to HR at the agency I work with 'm not even qualified to do my job as a contractor. I'm beginning to despise them."No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -Heraclitus -
RouteThisWay
Member Posts: 514
Good for you!! I've been trying to get in but according to HR at the agency I work with 'm not even qualified to do my job as a contractor. I'm beginning to despise them.
I'm not going to tell you not to, because I am sure it is great for certain people But it wasn't for me. A lot of writing. And I mean A LOT. Most of our IT guys spend a huge portion of time writing policy/procedures/CM requests, etc. A lot of red tape and BS to cut through to do anything. All in the name of some obscure mission statement and no real product. I guess that is my biggest thing... I like to see what I am contributing to.
But if it is what you want man, go for it. It does have it's perks. All federal holidays off (MLK, Presidents, etc etc). Good benefits. etc etc. So it does have its upsides. I just felt professionally it wasn't going to get me to the next level. Good luck!"Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture." ~ Vaclav Havel -
dmoore44
Member Posts: 646
Congrats! I know government service isn't for everyone. I currently work in government, and I have a lot of the same qualms that you do... but for me, it's about the mission. Anyway, sounds like a kick-butt job! Good luck!Graduated Carnegie Mellon University MSIT: Information Security & Assurance Currently Reading Books on TensorFlow -
tpatt100
Member Posts: 2,991 ■■■■■■■■■□
I worked for local government years ago and left. People there thought I was crazy since I had a pension. The only problem was to advance I had to cut some brake lines in the hope some people would not return to work. People got in and stayed there forever.
