Which job/what to do?

bud08

When it rains, it pours.

I had an interview w/ a great company for a fulltime Helpdesk gig, but I am only in the 2nd phase of a 4 phase interview process. My goal is to get into networking and they said there is room to grow in this position but I have to stay on the Helpdesk for 12-14 months (their rules) before applying internally for something else. This pays a little more and is the farthest commute.

My dilemma is that I am in the final stages of two other positions.

I have the final interview with Best Buy tonight. It is a part-time Geek Squad position. I have another interview tomorrow for a part-time position with a small tech shop. Both pay relatively the same but the tech shop is a farther commute and fewer hours, but they are willing to train me in about everything (networking, repair, installs...they do it all). I expect offers from one or both at these final interviews.

Ideally the Helpdesk is the one I want, but I don't want to be left w/o a job if I don't get the helpdesk position. The Helpdesk position will take a month or more to go through the process and there is no guarantee if I will make it to the end.

What would Techexamers do?

networker050184

Take the job that is a sure thing. If you end up getting the job you want then you can cross that bridge when you get there. You won't be the first person that's jumped ship for a new job, trust me.

kriscamaro68

Like networker said take the better job of the two now and if the helpdesk job pans out leave the other job behind. Its not like its going to hurt you in the long run. You wouldn't even need to list it on a resume because of the small amount of timie at the previous job.

bud08

Thanks, I did receive the offer. I am still going to go on the other interview. I plan to turn them down. I didn't want to burn bridges because the supervisor also runs in the same social circles as I do.

Right now, that 2nd part-time job can't beat the hours, pay and commute of the Geek Squad job. The only thing it had going for it was it wasn't Geek Squad.

effekted

I was going to recommend the small tech shop over Geek Squad since you ideally want to get into networking, but if the pay is better and you just need a job right now I see your reasoning. Hopefully you get the offer for the Helpdesk position, because correct me if I'm wrong but likely what you're going to be doing on Geek Squad would be virus removals, attempting to restore lost data, and possibly data transfers to new computers? Maybe setup or help with wireless home networks, which wouldn't help in landing a networking role.

bud08

effekted wrote: »

I was going to recommend the small tech shop over Geek Squad since you ideally want to get into networking, but if the pay is better and you just need a job right now I see your reasoning. Hopefully you get the offer for the Helpdesk position, because correct me if I'm wrong but likely what you're going to be doing on Geek Squad would be virus removals, attempting to restore lost data, and possibly data transfers to new computers? Maybe setup or help with wireless home networks, which wouldn't help in landing a networking role.

W/ the small shop vs Geek Squad, yeah the small shop wins for exposure to networking, but they could only offer me 10-12 hours. It is basically assisting the shop owner. W/ the commute, it wouldn't even pay for the gas.

I am pretty confident unless the small shop changes their criteria, I'm going Geek Squad and then hold my breath, cross my fingers and toes for that Help Desk.

Please somebody come in here and say working for Geek Squad isn't that bad.

zenhound

I worked at a bestbuy tech desk for a while (this was pre-geek squad). It wasn't awful. They try to get you to up sell your customers but it wasn't an badl place. The only thing I didn't like about it was when they started having us replace salespeople when they were short. Oh and black Friday. Ugh.

Ch@rl!3m0ng

bud08 wrote: »

W/ the small shop vs Geek Squad, yeah the small shop wins for exposure to networking, but they could only offer me 10-12 hours. It is basically assisting the shop owner. W/ the commute, it wouldn't even pay for the gas.

I am pretty confident unless the small shop changes their criteria, I'm going Geek Squad and then hold my breath, cross my fingers and toes for that Help Desk.

Please somebody come in here and say working for Geek Squad isn't that bad.

Dude its a Job and it pays Bills! As a wise man once told me the best time to look for a new job is when you have one. So if you take the geek squad one nothing to stop you looking for another one.

bud08

I actually turned Geek Squad down. I got a last minute buzzer-beater offer from a mentor. He didn't think he could pay me what I was looking for so he never asked. I had asked about his thoughts on Geek Squad and he offered. I took a little hit to the wallet but still make a lot more than Geek Squad was offering. This job also has growth. I am so happy in this new job. I have learned so much already. I'm finally employed!

Thanks to all who listened to me vent and whine.