Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;992185]Actually I've heard gay animal husbandry porn is about to explode onto the job markets. It's got both the bulls and the bears excited.[/quote]

Actually, wolves work cheaper than bulls...

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/xigXT.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

Thanks guys for your responses, all are much appreciated! Here's my thing, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to say, "let me talk it over with my wife and I'll give you an answer..." although I think what I would do is give them a specific day and time that I would notify them of my situation either way. I currently have a job, so if they decided that they couldn't wait, then so be it, it wasn't meant to be, I'm still employed.

As far as the specific position at the college, I'm not necessarily down playing it. At the time I applied, I was thinking in terms of how "fun" it would be working in a college atmosphere, and I still do think that way. However, when I went back to revisit the job openings, the college had posted another I.T. job that was much closer to what I was looking for AND the pay was nearly double! Part of me thinks MAYBE if I take the lesser job, I could easily move into the other I.T. position. HOWEVER, the I.T. department is made up of three people, and I tend to find by my own experience of working in a three man department that you may have to wait years before that job comes open. It's very similar to my situation now: one guy is the supervisor, other two are support staff. Really, the only difference would be driving 15 minutes to work rather than 50. I do like the idea of the state benefits, although I currently work for an agency with state benefits and it's not all what it's cracked up to be, except for the vacation time is pretty nice.

I got really good vibes from the advertising company, and I really liked the people I inteviewed with, and it's just as close to the house as the college. The position would have me doing more in development than what I'm doing now, which is something I wanted to get back into and at least have on my resume.

I may not get either job and it may all be a moot point, but I have only been in this situation once before and it was an easy choice back then. I took a job working for a furniture company and called by a rehab center (was in social services) and left the first job after three days. This one is a bit more complicated, because I'm wanting to advance on in my career, the sky's the limit in my mind, but I also want to do what is best for me, my wife, and our future kids.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=skinsguy;992311]Really, the only difference would be driving 15 minutes to work rather than 50.[/quote]

That is a huge reason, quality of life, more time with the family.

[quote=skinsguy;992311]I got really good vibes from the advertising company, and I really liked the people I inteviewed with[/quote]

A word of warning regarding 'Advertising People' or creative types: They can be a little hysterical when it comes to technology and the failure of something around a deadline (which is the only time it seems to happen). Just as long as you can deal with '[I]Pelo en fuego[/I]' types.

Either way, good luck.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=RedskinRat;992312]That is a huge reason, quality of life, more time with the family.



A word of warning regarding 'Advertising People' or creative types: They can be a little hysterical when it comes to technology and the failure of something around a deadline (which is the only time it seems to happen). Just as long as you can deal with '[I]Pelo en fuego[/I]' types.

Either way, good luck.[/quote]

Thanks Rat, and I DO agree with you on the second point. Being that I'm married to one of those types, I know what you're talking about. I think one aspect of being a good I.T. professional is always being one step ahead of the possible failure.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=skinsguy;992314]Thanks Rat, and I DO agree with you on the second point. Being that I'm married to one of those types, I know what you're talking about. I think one aspect of being a good I.T. professional is always being one step ahead of the possible failure.[/quote]

Obviously you need to decide between the two offers you have now but I think you should seriously consider IT sales positions in the somewhat near future especially considering that your current decision is between advertising and IT administration.

Companies are always looking for "geeks" that can communicate with decision makers in IT departments and talk tech with them. A lot of IT guys kind of dismiss the sales route in part because they think to succeed in sales you got to be a "work a room" type of guy but study after study shows that the top performers in sales are usually introverts which coincidentally describes a lot of IT grads. This is mainly because success in sales is usually about developing relationships and trust as well as listening, all of which are key assets of introverts.

Plus in IT sales the sales cycles are typically pretty long so you usually don't have to worry as much about hitting quotas every month. Base salaries are pretty high and if you get commissions off a big sale life gets even better. Best of all though legitimate IT sales positions offer a lot of flexibility in regards to work hours.

Anyway something to think about, not now obviously but in the near future it's a very realistic possibility.

[url=http://www.prospects.ac.uk/technical_sales_engineer_job_description.htm]Technical sales engineer: Job description | Prospects.ac.uk[/url]

[url=http://www.datamation.com/columns/smit/article.php/3785356/Software-Developers-Dilemma-Is-Being-A-Sales-Engineer-a-Cop-Out.htm]Software Developer's Dilemma: Is Being A Sales Engineer a Cop-Out? - Datamation[/url]

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

So just to update you guys. The college called me today and offered me the job. They are offering a lower salary somewhat, but the benefits appear to be comparable to what I currently have. I really don't know about the comparison between payroll tax in NC to VA, I'm assuming it's not a HUGE difference, but I really would have to see I guess. It's closer, which is great, but you have to pay to park everyday. So, that's going to be a bit of a cost each month. I would figure staff and facility wouldn't have to pay to park, but we do. They do offer two free classes a year, so I could continue my education free as long as I'm employed with the college. I might take advantage of that.

Anyway, it's kind of a hard decision, because they won't tell me any more details in terms of the employee benefits until I agree to take the job. I'm leaning toward taking it, but I guess I would have felt better if my salary didn't change any. It's kind of a wing and a prayer as to if there will be any type of career advancement there. I really would like to stick with I.T., but I'm also open to advancement in other avenues if this opportunity offers me such.

I have to let them know tomorrow.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=skinsguy;993375]So just to update you guys. The college called me today and offered me the job. They are offering a lower salary somewhat, but the benefits appear to be comparable to what I currently have. I really don't know about the comparison between payroll tax in NC to VA, I'm assuming it's not a HUGE difference, but I really would have to see I guess. It's closer, which is great, but you have to pay to park everyday. So, that's going to be a bit of a cost each month. I would figure staff and facility wouldn't have to pay to park, but we do. They do offer two free classes a year, so I could continue my education free as long as I'm employed with the college. I might take advantage of that.

Anyway, it's kind of a hard decision, [B]because they won't tell me any more details in terms of the employee benefits until I agree to take the job[/B]. I'm leaning toward taking it, but I guess I would have felt better if my salary didn't change any. It's kind of a wing and a prayer as to if there will be any type of career advancement there. I really would like to stick with I.T., but I'm also open to advancement in other avenues if this opportunity offers me such.

I have to let them know tomorrow.[/quote]

The bolded part seems very sketchy. Benefits should be something that are up front. Will the parking costs and lower salary net you less money, per month, than your previous job? I also look at the basic commute and put an hourly figure (same as my job) on that time to figure out which position is best. Good luck either way, but not disclosing the entire benefits package seems very suspect.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=Daseal;993379]The bolded part seems very sketchy. Benefits should be something that are up front. Will the parking costs and lower salary net you less money, per month, than your previous job? I also look at the basic commute and put an hourly figure (same as my job) on that time to figure out which position is best. Good luck either way, but not disclosing the entire benefits package seems very suspect.[/quote]

I was thinking the same thing Daseal. I mean, I was able to go on their website and look at some of the insurance benefits and so forth, but usually I would think that a future employer would call you in for another interview to talk specifics about all of your benefits. Then again, maybe that doesn't happen everywhere.

Here's what I'm thinking in terms of the cost to commute. I suppose I would spend less on gas, but gasoline in NC cost a good 20 to 30 cents more per gallon than VA, and I always fill up my tank in VA. Parking at my present job is free, where as I'm paying out an extra $60 a month just to park. So, that is on top of getting paid a lesser salary than what I have now. However, the two things going for this job is getting the opportunity to take free classes twice a year, and only being a 15 minute drive. I wished I could have given myself a few extra days to think about this, but I told her I would let her know one way or the other tomorrow. Part of me thinks it could be a great opportunity, and I think I would love working for a college, the part of me is thinking that me and my wife are already strapped for cash, and taking a cut in an already low pay would put a strain on us. Then again, I might have an opportunity to move up within the college, so I don't know what to do.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

My opinion, and it's just personal feeling nothing more, is that if the new job doesn't provide a clear advancement path then the other parts don't make up for the pay cut. If it were a foot in the door type opportunity I could understand taking a flyer and going for it but it doesn't sound like it has strong potential that way. Gas and commute sound like a wash to me, and for me the free courses would be a thing that given two otherwise equal situations it would tip the balance, but they wouldn't make up for a major difference like less pay.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;993394]My opinion, and it's just personal feeling nothing more, is that if the new job doesn't provide a clear advancement path then the other parts don't make up for the pay cut. If it were a foot in the door type opportunity I could understand taking a flyer and going for it but it doesn't sound like it has strong potential that way. Gas and commute sound like a wash to me, [B]and for me the free courses would be a thing that given two otherwise equal situations it would tip the balance[/B], but they wouldn't make up for a major difference like less pay.[/quote]


That right there is exactly how I'm feeling right now. Problem is, my wife is so eager for me to work closer to home, that I don't think she's considering all the financial details. She just wants me closer to home so that I'm not having to drive so much, which I understand. I do have nights where I come home tired and not wanting to do much. However, she also knows that I worry enough about money that taking a pay cut would probably have me tied in knots.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

[quote=skinsguy;993375]So just to update you guys. The college called me today and offered me the job. They are offering a lower salary somewhat, but the benefits appear to be comparable to what I currently have. [B]I really don't know about the comparison between payroll tax in NC to VA,[/B] I'm assuming it's not a HUGE difference, but I really would have to see I guess. It's closer, which is great, but you have to pay to park everyday. So, that's going to be a bit of a cost each month. I would figure staff and facility wouldn't have to pay to park, but we do. They do offer two free classes a year, so I could continue my education free as long as I'm employed with the college. I might take advantage of that.

Anyway, it's kind of a hard decision, because they won't tell me any more details in terms of the employee benefits until I agree to take the job. I'm leaning toward taking it, but I guess I would have felt better if my salary didn't change any. It's kind of a wing and a prayer as to if there will be any type of career advancement there. I really would like to stick with I.T., but I'm also open to advancement in other avenues if this opportunity offers me such.

I have to let them know tomorrow.[/quote]

I'm not sure but if you live in NC the employee may have to pay NC state taxes for you and not VA taxes.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

skinsguy - Try to negotiate the parking into your salary (60*12, $720; see if they'll go up $1000 on your starting salary). That can help make up for the loss in salary, knowing that you've made up for having to pay to park. And even without the career advancement, on-the-job experience plus any IT classes you can take will help make the jump elsewhere if you can't advance at the college.

However, I would really sit down and figure out the salary difference between your current job/commute and your new job/commute before making a final decision. Especially since you said money is tight.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

Lots of good advice here already.

I've hired a lot of people over the years and never "judged" somebody for taking every great opportunity that passed their way, as long as it was ethical and legal. Two me, that's a two week notice unless you're managing a dept, region, division, etc or strictly in sales. Then you get to walk the eff out :)

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the good advice you have given me. After talking it over with my wife, I realized that I need to just call the college up and ask for more information before I decide either way. There are a lot of pros and a lot of cons to this decision, but some of the cons are things that I think directly effect me and my wife's financial health.

Having worked in the I.T. field for almost eight years now, and just a couple years away from hitting the big 4-0, I feel that at this point in my life, my career needs to be moving forward, not restarting back to square one. At times, you do take a step back to move two steps forward, especially if it's with a company that is offering you the job you have always wanted, but maybe it starts you out at a much lower pay scale, with a promise that you can move up quickly. In the case of this college position, my responsibilities would actually be reduced from what they are now, and so would be the pay. After doing a little more digging, it seems like this job might be more geared toward being a data entry type of job, with a few minor responsibilities above that, but nothing like the responsibilities that I have at my present job.

Having said that, I'm not sure if this situation falls under the category of taking a step back to move steps forward, or if it's just plainly taking a step back, merely to have a closer drive. I am thinking about all the great things that the college can offer that is indirect of "benefits", such as a place to workout, play tennis, college atmosphere, discounts on events hosted by the college, the free classes, etc.... I don't know if those things are enough to sway me. I DO think if they offered me equal pay as I'm making now, then the thought of the free classes would probably be enough to make it work.

But anyways, I think I just need to call them back and ask some more detailed questions. If it was just me, and I was a few years younger, then it would probably be an opportunity worth taking the risk. But, I'm getting close to 40, I'm now married, will start a family soon, and I feel this point in my life and career, I need to look for opportunities that give me ways of growing in my career.

Re: Crazy Job Situation: What Would You Do?
 

If the school has a better IT job that just opened up why don't you ask to interview for that job or am I missing something.