Accepting a Semi-Unrelated Job Opp?

Some quick cliffs about me... MIS graduate, currently working as a Technology Assistant/Mortgage Processing role, was initially hired as an IT assistant (IT Guy) that quickly migrated to a processing role once projects slowed down etc. It is VERY light on the IT side... this is a Temp position, with perm most likely in the future... have been applying/interviewing for entry level Desktop/HelpDesk type roles since graduation with ZERO luck, currently studying for A+.

I initially applied for a Desktop Support position for a small startup company near me which I didn't land due to lack of technical experience, culture seems very cool, the company basically produces a "Cloud Operations Manager."

The ***** Operations Manager appliance is easily installed on the hypervisor platform of your choice and within minutes enables you to:
Automate control across your virtualized environment

Prevent problems and intelligently tune resource allocation

Ensure Application performance and meet QoS requirements

Accurately plan for cost effective infrastructure growth

Basically they left it that if any other positions opened up they would contact me and also mentioned that Business Development/Sales positions were opening in the near future. One has and I was contacted if I would like to interview.

My question is basically, should I take the interview, and worst case scenario keep up with my goal of breaking into the actual field, best case scenario maybe become friendly with those who actually WORK in the IT section of the company and express my interest and goals (this is also a perm salaried), or stay where I currently work as a "IT Assistant" doing barley any IT work and maintaining temp status.

I suppose there is no harm and interviewing, and although this is not something I am totally against, they $ is would obviously be better, and they love the MIS degree because they can take a business person who isn't "tech illiterate" and mold them, but it's not really my primary interest. I would not even give this the time of day but considering it is an IT software company, and an employee there and myself have a mutual contact, I am considering interviewing.

Sorry if this post is all over the place but lack of being able to land ANY entry-level position has my thoughts scattered.

Thanks for any feedback.

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Comments

paul78

I generally fall into the category of always taking the opportunity to interview even if the job may not be seem to be a perfect fit. You never really know until to have the conversation. And it could open unexpected doors. Good luck.

burfect

paul78 wrote: »

I generally fall into the category of always taking the opportunity to interview even if the job may not be seem to be a perfect fit. You never really know until to have the conversation. And it could open unexpected doors. Good luck.

Thanks for the response, this is in line with my logic for at least taking the interview, especially when considering the $ aspect.

lsud00d

I agree with paul78 but to extend his response--you can never have enough practice interviewing. You'll get different questions, be interviewed by different personality types, probably encounter different interview methods (technical, whiteboard, discussion)--practice makes perfect! Good luck burfect, let us know how it goes.

burfect

Just wanted to follow up. I was offered this job and I accepted. Essentially, it is a sales position in an IT computer software startup that I beleive has the potentional to explode. Im excited, and the culture and company seems like a really cool place to be a part of, but at the time not sure how I feel about working in a business development/sales type of role. It is defenitley a step-up from where I am now (pay, benefits, etc) but I am still dissapointed after all this time I was unable to land even a simple entry level desk job.

I guess what I will do is see where this takes me but at the same time I still plan on completing the A+ just to keep my options open, maybe I will persue another cert after that but won't get carried away with certs and no experience to back them up. Appeciate any feedback/insight guys.

N2IT

Awesome work IT Sales can pay A LOT.

Please do me a favor and give it a chance. I would also consider dumping the A+ and focusing on the ITIL V3 Foundation 2011. The terminology will go along way when talking to customers. This IMO would be the best certification you could focus on right now. I know so many GOOD account managers and sales consultants who lack the "new way" of speaking IT in a enterprised environment. The beauty of ITIL is it is so high level it benefits C levels all the way down to break fix techs.

Just my two cents and something to consider.

burfect

N2IT wrote: »

Awesome work IT Sales can pay A LOT.

Please do me a favor and give it a chance. I would also consider dumping the A+ and focusing on the ITIL V3 Foundation 2011. The terminology will go along way when talking to customers. This IMO would be the best certification you could focus on right now. I know so many GOOD account managers and sales consultants who lack the "new way" of speaking IT in a enterprised environment. The beauty of ITIL is it is so high level it benefits C levels all the way down to break fix techs.

Just my two cents and something to consider.

Really appreciate the positive feedback N2IT. I will definitely research and look into the ITIL.

paul78

Wow.. That's great to hear. Congrats on the new job. And if you can do the role, sales can really be a great and lucrative career. What will you be selling? ITIL is a good thing to know if you are selling ITSM type services. You could also explore non-technical training like negotiation and business writing too.

Good luck.

burfect

Just wanted to see if anyone else had any other advice/input to add.

Figures days after accepting this job I have had 2 phone interviews for desktop positions, apparently one of them really liked me and want me to come do an in-person. Having said that, I think I am going to give this a try and see how I like it, I think it's a great opportunity in a great company.

Any other thoughts on certs, I still feel like I may get the A+ just to have it in my backpocket should I not like the fit of Business Development/IT Sales.

N2IT

Burfect the great thing about ITIL is it applies to both positions. It has more value in the business development // IT side but it still can provide a lot of value on the tech side as well.

Do what your heart is telling you to do, but ITIL is a very nice (easy) certification to get that can make your resume pop.

Thomas Elliot

Congratulations on the new position.

If you feel like the company is a great fit then I'd say go for it.
I've been in sales most of my life, but that was from a B2C position. Being new to the industry overall, I understand that sales are more B2B. Our BD person told me that most times his potential clients know more about the subject matter, industry and even product capabilities than he does.
In my mind, the skills you gain while engaging in a sales capacity are transferable to most any profession. From a resume standpoint, employers like to see benchmarks that they can compare as well. It takes a lot to be in the top 1 or 5% of a company.

At my company a lot of the BD staff have many certs, so just because you take this position doesn't mean you are pigeonholed. If anything I would argue that it makes you more diverse and stepping up for a challenge.