Ever had a situation where the new job isn't what you expected?

I've been a new position after a while and I've noticed that it's not all what I expected. I was hoping to do more network related task but instead it seems everybody on the team does..nothing but escalate issues. I'm considering putting my resume out there and finding another position maybe a Deskside or Jr Network role.. Have you guys been in a situation where the new job turns out to be not what you expected?

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Comments

networker050184

Yes I have. Things do not always work out form the employee or employer perspective. If you aren't satisfied with the job you need to find one you are satisfied with. You can guarantee they will find a new worker if you aren't what they thought you were. Don't make a habit of it, but sometimes things just don't work out and there is nothing wrong with that.

NetworkVeteran

I agree with networker, but would add that with only a Network+, you may not be qualified to do more than identify the proper person to escalate network issues to. The typical entry-level bar to do more is a CCENT or CCNA. It's thus worth considering whether there are other jobs you are eligible for that would allow you to dabble with the network, or whether you need to increase your eligibility. I suspect similarly a more desktop-y role would desire a Microsoft certification, but that is not really my area. With an A+ you do qualify for hands-on PC repair, if you would prefer doing that.

Chitownjedi

alexander77 wrote: »

I've been a new position after a while and I've noticed that it's not all what I expected. I was hoping to do more network related task but instead it seems everybody on the team does..nothing but escalate issues. I'm considering putting my resume out there and finding another position maybe a Deskside or Jr Network role.. Have you guys been in a situation where the new job turns out to be not what you expected?

Yes yes yes. I am finishing up my last week in a situation identical to that. I was brought in as a network engineer... and told that the opportunity for learning Cisco Networking (Routing & Swtiching) would be available once we stabilized some of the desktop issues. Well, those issues were stabilized about 5 months ago, and I reiterated the fact that I took the job for the opportunity to grow and have access to learn or be mentored for "Network Engineering". I was told that it would come soon.

When I put in my notice I was told when I put in my notice that my position was not expanded to take on Networking responsibilities and was designed to support Help Desk and that's why I had not gotten any Networking responsibilities. And then my Manager said "But actually, I was about to give you Networking task next week!" ( Contradicting everything he had said for 6 months up to that point.)

I would suggest you broach the subject. Let them know your passion, ambition, and your ultimate want to do that type of work. They may give you some work, they may give you a bs excuse, or say in the future we will have something for you. But I always make sure the people I express my goals to know exactly what I am hoping for and working towards, that way when you have to do what you have to do, you can feel at peace with whatever decision you have to make. Its your life, your career. If they will not provide the opportunity you seek, do what you can to make a transition and find an organization that will.

busines4u

Alexander - I currently am experience this exact thing. I walked into a new role thinking I would be doing a lot of administrative tasks (Cisco networking/server troubleshooting) and it is far from that. I am actually doing a lot of help desk support, software support and even some QA for this same application. (Click this button; does that button do what it is supposed to?) Not exactly the type of job I was hoping to land with the certifications I have and the Bachelor's degree I obtained in Cisco Networking.

As Networker said unfortunately this is something that people will run into and you are left with no choice but to move on. Gain as much as you can from this current experience and move on to a better role. For example I learned exactly what I want to do for the next job I land and to not always believe everything an employer will tell you. Things are not always as good as they sound and titles do not mean squat to some companies. I am a Network Administrator which is not very fitting for my current role.

Hope this helps and hopefully something better will come along for the both of us, until then keep that head held high and don't let this experience get the best of you!

alexander77

Thanks for the advice guys I forgot to update my profile but I do have the CCENT. I was hoping for a more technical role but like busines4u, I'm doing more of a somewhat help desk support role (password reset for specific applications). Are there specific thing I could look out for in an interview to assure that the next enviorment would be more hands on?

NetworkVeteran

Well, I'm in a different place career-wise, but I simply tell employers in my interviews what I am and am not willing to do. They know it would be a mistake to hire me and then have me spend >20% of my time doing something other than networking, because I would walk, and they would lose me. I quickly make my networking skills / relationships invaluable and edge away from or refuse projects that are outside of my core / desired core areas.

The conversation goes something like this.. "Can do! Can do! Can do! No, not that. I certainly wouldn't mind sharing my advice or filling in once in a blue moon, but I wouldn't be willing to do that on a regular basis."

(I leave in the mentoring/backup options--even that bit of flexibility is an asset.)

In your case, I would state your desire to utilize and grow your routing/switching skills in your objective statement and then again in interviews. I would not accept "In 5 months" or anything like that. A new employer may need to see you in action a few weeks before granting access, but that's about as long as it should take.

(Of course, earning a CCNA would still help stack the odds!)

kohr-ah

Yes unfortunately I am in the same situation.

I was told I would be doing cloud networking, vmware, and netapp. So far the projects keep getting assigned around me, I dont get invited to meetings, and they have me doing software deployment, solarwinds management, and writing reports for my Boss. This has been going on for about 6 months now.

I even mentioned in my review I want more hands on time and to work on the projects as I need to learn this besides out of a book and they have ignored me on it. Unfortunately because of it they are going to lose me due to it as the others above have said and I am going to go back to networking which is my passion. Get my CCNP and move on up.

jibbajabba

Last three jobs ended up like this. Hired as architect / project engineer and did more 1st line stuff than I did in my days as 1st line agent.