Interviewing for a pretty nice looking gig

blargoe

You have recently seen me fretting about my issues with my current job in the forums (http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/71779-abrupt-realization-today-time-move.html). I cleaned up and updated my resume and put out a couple letters and a couple of anonymous profiles on the Internet.

I recently had an extensive technical interview over the phone with a company that went really well, and I am going in for an face-to-face later this week. The situation I would walk into would be a newly created Sr. level Microsoft systems admin/engineer position with a relatively new and rapidly growing manufacturing venture, which is expected to double or triple in the next two years. They need someone who has experience wearing a lot of hats and does it well. The IT staff works on average 45 hours/week, but they get paid for overtime... and the base pay for this position is going to be, I expect, 15-20% better than what I earn now (I already know the range for the position).

Pros: $$$$$; Continue working with VMware; get to learn NetApp storage; would be able to get Jr. DBA duties off my plate; constant pipeline of new projects; company willing to invest in enterprise class technology; benefits offered are second to none; financially strong global corporation

Cons: Longer commute, combined with extra time at work during the week I lose some time with the kids; I would have just gotten EMC specialist cert for no reason; would be working on another "skeleton crew" and would likely spend a lot of unscheduled time working on supporting a less self-sufficient Tier 1 and 2 than I am accustomed to.

I have support from my wife, but I would have to figure out how to shuffle things around to get enough time with my kids. If that works out, I have already gotten feedback from the IT manager and the peer engineer for the new position that I am "hands down, the best qualified and the candidate that they feel fits the corporate culture best", and they have had the position open for over 3 months. So I would think that I have a reasonable chance to land a position assuming I get past HR and I don't get unexpectedly low-balled. Time to dust off that suit that I haven't worn in about 5 1/2 years!

So anyway, please wish me luck, feel free to offer advice, and thanks for reading.

sina2011

all the best mate.

onatechmission

best of luck...even though it might be a longer commute, it seem like the pro's works out the best. go for it !!!!!

earweed

Best of luck!
The only real con that is really a concern is time with the kids. The best thing to do there is try to make what time you give them quality time.

ptilsen

Clarify longer commute. To me, this can actually be a deciding factor. Even a 20-minute one-way increase is effectively working 3 1/3 hour more a week.

Otherwise, go for it.

blargoe

ptilsen wrote: »

Clarify longer commute. To me, this can actually be a deciding factor. Even a 20-minute one-way increase is effectively working 3 1/3 hour more a week.

Otherwise, go for it.

Currently 25 minutes, would increase to 35-40 minutes.

N2IT

Good luck!

jamesp1983

Go for it and good luck!

effekted

The key thing is your wife is supporting the longer commute and it doesn't seem to be that bad of a commute so I'd go for it. And your EMC cert is knowledge so it wasn't a waste

ipchain

You have two things going for you: You have thought this through, and also have your wife's support. I wish you the best of luck in landing this gig, but I doubt you need any. Aim high and let the pieces fall where they may.

Everyone

Sounds like a good opportunity.

You need to turn the cons you perceive into pros for the hiring manager to see in you at your face to face interview.

If you think (i.e. they've identified this as an issue they're working on) their Tier 1/2 support isn't handling things on their own as much as they should, escalating too many issues up to Tier 3 (team you'll be joining)... Highlight what you bring to the table that will help resolve that. Maybe you can improve a process or documentation that would help shift things that should be handled at the Tier 1/2 level but are currently handled at a higher level back down to them. Or talk about how if an issue is escalated to you that could have been handled at a lower level, how you'd work with the person who escalated it to try and train them on how to handle it on their own next time the issue comes up.

Good luck.

vCole

effekted wrote: »

The key thing is your wife is supporting the longer commute and it doesn't seem to be that bad of a commute so I'd go for it. And your EMC cert is knowledge so it wasn't a waste

Agreed. Also, you never know if they may switch to EMC from NetApp. (However, I'm pro NetApp so I hope that doesn't happen ) But it's good knowledge to have, or if they acquire a company that has EMC products. You never know!

down77

Could be a great new opportunity! I'm a NetApp storage fan like vCole so I hope they don't migrate... I've ran my fair share of EMC storage in my past and man do they kill you on licensing/maintenance

ptilsen

blargoe wrote: »

Currently 25 minutes, would increase to 35-40 minutes.

It's going from quick to not that bad. I wouldn't consider it a big factor, personally.

vCole

down77 wrote: »

Could be a great new opportunity! I'm a NetApp storage fan like vCole so I hope they don't migrate... I've ran my fair share of EMC storage in my past and man do they kill you on licensing/maintenance

Indeed they do. Also, I've worked at NetApp - FANTASTIC place to work as well!

blargoe

I had my interview today, I thought I did well. Hopefully, I'll know whether I'm getting a tentative "offer" sometime next week.

Ever had the feeling of "what the hell have I gotten myself into" when getting ready to accept a new job? Like you're walking into a dark tunnel and hear the train whistle and you just keep heading right for it anyway?

vCole

blargoe wrote: »

I had my interview today, I thought I did well. Hopefully, I'll know whether I'm getting a tentative "offer" sometime next week.

Ever had the feeling of "what the hell have I gotten myself into" when getting ready to accept a new job? Like you're walking into a dark tunnel and hear the train whistle and you just keep heading right for it anyway?

Can't say I have for jobs that I ended up enjoying. However, might just be that you're comfortable at your current position.

blargoe

I was offered and have accepted this position, and was offered more salary than I was expecting Also I was told by the recruiter that no bonus was paid out, only to find out later directly from the company that I would be eligible for a 10% bonus on top of the overtime.

Now, to break up with my current company... or at least it feels like a break up. But it's for the best.

blargoe

cyberguypr

Congrats!

bryanthetechie

Grats, man!

TLeTourneau

Congratulations!!!

vCole

blargoe wrote: »

I was offered and have accepted this position, and was offered more salary than I was expecting Also I was told by the recruiter that no bonus was paid out, only to find out later directly from the company that I would be eligible for a 10% bonus on top of the overtime.

Now, to break up with my current company... or at least it feels like a break up. But it's for the best.

blargoe

Congrats!!

Essendon

Congrats!!

LinuxRacr

Congrats!

Psoasman

Congrats! Good for you!

blargoe

Thanks, guys.