Three years latter... and finally got an interview..

Update required! TE needs a C level floating among the ranks.

jones551

Well Done !!

Still no news... The suspense is driving me batty

I did get an email from the CEO that he is traveling and that he would connect with me when he gets back. But no hints on a decision.

Thanks for the well wishes.

eugene_86

This is brutal, I was certain that by the end of this thread I would be reading a happy ending with lots of congratulations. The suspense is eating away at me, I cannot imagine what its doing to you Paul, hang in there!

HailHogwash

Some Humour... "just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him" ...I don't know why I thought of this following this thread..either way hope they decide soon.

Argh!!!

HailHogwash wrote: »

"just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him"

Bob??? Is that you???

ROFLOL - thanks for the chuckle. I needed that.

HailHogwash

No its Bob 2 ..lmao., glad you got a chuckle out of that.

I got a call today from the search firm. There are no more meetings planned. Apparently the board needs formally approve any decision. We briefly discussed compensation. I'm starting to feel a bit more confidence but I couldn't quite tell if a decision in my favor is a foregone conclusion.

I realize that I'm very fortunate to have this opportunity and even if I don't get the job, I am still employed. I know it's must seem weird to be so anxious about trying to get a job where I know I will be paid a lot less but I have a gut-feeling about this company. My research strongly suggests that the potential out-weighs the risks.

Hopefully, I will have a concrete answer next week. Thanks for everyone's support.

eugene_86

The suspense continues, good luck, please keep updating the status, I get anxious from cliffhangers.

ARGh. I hate waiting.

Hey Paul, while we are waiting why don't you share with us your story of how you rose to compete for a c-level position?

JoJoCal19

I second that --chris--. Would be helpful to others who aspire to reach that high of a position one day.

kurosaki00

C'mon Paul, give us the confirmation (hopefully!)

--chris-- wrote: »

while we are waiting why don't you share with us your story of how you rose to compete for a c-level position?

I've held 2 other C-level positions with smaller companies - a CTO and CISO position. This current position is also with a smaller company. I have a preference for small startups with high growth potential although I've worked at several large Fortune 1000 companies as well - including my current job. In bigger companies, I usually reported to a CIO within a line-of-business. To be honest, I really have zero interest in being a CIO since I'm generally not interested in enterprise IT roles.

My background is in software engineering. I started my career over 25 years ago in financial service technology. I worked primarily as what could be considered full-stack software engineer these days - essentially a JOAT. I also worked on developing low-level software, i.e. software that is used by other software developers and/or system administrators. Because of my background with systems software development, I also ended managing network and systems teams as well as software engineering teams.

I probably got to where I am because I had a broad range of technology experience. And I had a good foundation in software engineering. I also entered management early in my career so having breath of management experience helped a lot as well.

One thing that I would add is that I always aligned myself with the business. Meaning that where-ever I worked - I learned as much about the business and customers so I can add value through application of technology. I specialized primarily in financial services - for example, I've always avoided working for MSPs.

An observation that I would share, companies at different maturity levels and lifecycle have different leadership needs. For me, I'm motivated by fast-paced and hard-driving small companies that a business model for growth. So to be successful and reach senior management levels, I think it's important to know what motivates you.

BTW - as for an update - I did get a note from the CEO that he wanted to have another meeting this week

- Well at least he still wants to talk with me.

I hope that would be enough meeting with the CEO. Good grief, it is like water torture!!

paul78 wrote: »

I've held 2 other C-level positions with smaller companies - a CTO and CISO position. This current position is also with a smaller company. I have a preference for small startups with high growth potential although I've worked at several large Fortune 1000 companies as well - including my current job. In bigger companies, I usually reported to a CIO within a line-of-business. To be honest, I really have zero interest in being a CIO since I'm generally not interested in enterprise IT roles.

My background is in software engineering. I started my career over 25 years ago in financial service technology. I worked primarily as what could be considered full-stack software engineer these days - essentially a JOAT. I also worked on developing low-level software, i.e. software that is used by other software developers and/or system administrators. Because of my background with systems software development, I also ended managing network and systems teams as well as software engineering teams.

I probably got to where I am because I had a broad range of technology experience. And I had a good foundation in software engineering. I also entered management early in my career so having breath of management experience helped a lot as well.

One thing that I would add is that I always aligned myself with the business. Meaning that where-ever I worked - I learned as much about the business and customers so I can add value through application of technology. I specialized primarily in financial services - for example, I've always avoided working for MSPs.

An observation that I would share, companies at different maturity levels and lifecycle have different leadership needs. For me, I'm motivated by fast-paced and hard-driving small companies that a business model for growth. So to be successful and reach senior management levels, I think it's important to know what motivates you.

BTW - as for an update - I did get a note from the CEO that he wanted to have another meeting this week - Well at least he still wants to talk with me.

So you think the broad base of knowledge in technology combined with moving into management early on helped move you to where you are now?

Did education/pedigree play any part in this? I don't know what you education is, but I am curious how that played into the process. Its not often I see "Seeking CTO for startup" on indeed, I am curious what they look for in candidates.

scaredoftests wrote: »

Good grief, it is like water torture!!

Yeah - it's probably about the 4th time that we have met. Each meeting is interesting. I admit that I do appreciate the opportunity to get to know his style, philosophy, and learn more about the company. My meeting today went as well as I could hope. I got the sense that the decision was already made and he was just wanting to do one more meeting. It's a big commitment on both our parts so in many ways I can understand the numerous meetings. But it is grueling.

--chris-- wrote: »

So you think the broad base of knowledge in technology combined with moving into management early on helped move you to where you are now?

I think so. That's just a gut-feel. I admit though I do tend to put in a lot of hours and I've always been very focused on adding value to the business. I'm not necessarily the smartest technologist out there but I do listen well. And sometimes I'm just more willing to work a little harder. One of the ways that I have always personally measured my own success is by whether I was able to make my own management successful.

--chris-- wrote: »

Did education/pedigree play any part in this? I don't know what you education is, but I am curious how that played into the process. Its not often I see "Seeking CTO for startup" on indeed, I am curious what they look for in candidates.

Hmm - that's a very thought-provoking question. For me, education/pedigree does not play a role. I actually don't have a degree. If I was being introspective, I think my lack of a degree has introduced an inferiority complex which I carry in every job that I have - I have always assumed that I could be the next one laid-off or fired.

I should add that pretty much every job that I've had is because I knew someone. Or I was referred by someone that I knew.

paul78 wrote: »

I think so. That's just a gut-feel. I admit though I do tend to put in a lot of hours and I've always been very focused on adding value to the business. I'm not necessarily the smartest technologist out there but I do listen well. And sometimes I'm just more willing to work a little harder. One of the ways that I have always personally measured my own success is by whether I was able to make my own management successful.

Hmm - that's a very thought-provoking question. For me, education/pedigree does not play a role. I actually don't have a degree. If I was being introspective, I think my lack of a degree has introduced an inferiority complex which I carry in every job that I have - I have always assumed that I could be the next one laid-off or fired.

I should add that pretty much every job that I've had is because I knew someone. Or I was referred by someone that I knew.

I find it amazing that you were able to progress without a degree. For someone just entering the market like myself, there is a huge emphasis placed on it. It lends credence to what you said above about long hours and adding value.

Being that LinkedIn is relatively new, how did you build your network for these referrals prior to LI? Was it simply a matter of your co-workers moving on then saying to their new employers, "hey I know this guy that will kill himself to better the company, lets call him for this position."

Can we finally get multi-quote functionality!?

--chris-- wrote: »

I find it amazing that you were able to progress without a degree. For someone just entering the market like myself, there is a huge emphasis placed on it. It lends credence to what you said above about long hours and adding value.

Don't forget that I'm a lot older than you. When I started out - computer technology was a lot simpler. There was no internet, IP was in it's infancy, and a GFLOP of computing cost over USD$10 million (today its less than 10 cents USD). Most computer technologies relied on having knowledge at the metal. And more importantly, there were not a lot of software engineers or computer engineers. So people like me that had a knack for computing technologies were able to get a start.

--chris-- wrote: »

Being that LinkedIn is relatively new, how did you build your network for these referrals prior to LI?

Back in the old days before the Internet, like most people, I used a Rolodex. (Hopefully people still know what that is.)

--chris-- wrote: »

Was it simply a matter of your co-workers moving on then saying to their new employers, "hey I know this guy that will kill himself to better the company, lets call him for this position."

Yup - you got it. LinkedIn is not a way to build a network, it's a way to track a network (at least for me). Over the course of a career, you will meet and get to know a lot of people, and you never really know where that relationship can take you.

Yes, I know what a rolodex is!