Topic: Employment Question

Hello,
It has been a while since I have posted here, though occasionally I browse around.
I have been super busy. Working..taking care of 2 little ones. I don't have much time
to read all the details of what goes on here anymore.

Anyway, I have a predicament.

I am currently a CAD Manaager at my job. I do pretty good, financially and technically speaking. I am well
respected at my current job and have a lot of responsibility. I am a super hard worker.

There is a software company whose product we use, that I have won an award with, and have given
presentations of improving their software thru the use of custom vba's to create user applications.
They want me to work there. It will be many new challenges, around 10K more financially, which
at my current position would take around 2 years to get thru raises.

The thing that worries me is that I am entering a new place. I will have to gain new respect from new people,
I also know little about what I will be doing, just that it is a really good company to work for. The job description
has all these strange terms and acronyms I know nothing about. I will be basically training for the job for about
3 months. They know I know nothing about the position, but they are still really excited. Which is good.

This is a very hard decision for me to make, and you guys always seem to have such knowledge, so I figured that
though it has been a while, I would just post something up. I'm really not to worried about learning something new
since I am a quick learner, but with a new job, comes new worries. "What if it doesn't work out?" "What if they decide
I am not right for the position?" It is a hard choice, and I figured; as usual, you guys could shed some light on the situation.

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I don't think you should make any decisions based on what I say but I'll speak from my experience and understanding.

I don't think you should worry.
Be friendly, work hard and if you have achievements to show/talk about people will start respecting you immediately but don't brag too much. Treat all people with equal respect (superiors and coworkers). Try to learn stuff more quickly than you are expected to and be eager to start working on real things. Still don't expect to master the subject in 3 months. Take advice from and listen to other people. Also try to leave your current employer on good terms. Explain your situation. This is an interesting career opportunity for you. Every normal person should understand this. Don't leave overnight. Finish what you can and if possible introduce your future replacement (whatever the right word for this is) to what you have done. I think this is a good way to leave a company. That last month or two may be difficult but it should leave you with a good reputation.

You'll say that this is common sense and you already know all that but this is exactly what I'd like you to understand: you just need to be more confident in yourself.

Well this is my theory. I'd also be interested in what other people think.

As Arthurio said, you probably don't want to make your decision based on what I have to say. As a consultant, I'm constantly switching jobs and working with new people, so I don't really identify with some of your concerns. However, I find that it's usually pretty easy to fit in to a new company.

Keep in mind that they want you to be the right person at least as much as you want to be the right person for their job. It sounds as if this new company is aware that there is going to be a learning curve and are excited to have someone with your talent come to work with them. That's a big plus.

Many companies don't want to admit that any time they bring someone new into the company, there is a learning curve before the new person will be productive. That is the reason most companies advertise for jobs by saying they want someone who already has all the experience they need. The thing is, even if you are doing exactly what is required for the new job, there is still a learning curve while you get used to the new environment.

The advantage you have with this new job is that they are aware that there will be a learning curve and are willing to work with you while you and they get through it. You say that you are a fast learner, they understand that you will be learning what they need done, and they are willing to pay you while you learn it! It all sounds pretty good to me.

I think the more important considerations are: "How will this new position affect your family?" Will the new company expect you to work overtime? How will it affect your family to have you away from the home more than you are now? Is the new company willing to allow you to have time with your family and is your relationship with your family as important to the new company as it is to you? These are the kinds of questions I consider when approaching a new job. As a matter of fact, I always discuss any new job with Bobbins. She has occasionally said, "I just don't have a good feeling about this new company." That's all it takes for me to say, "OK, I'll look for something else."

Good luck, I hope things work out for you which ever way you decide to go.

.



-- not necessarily stoned... just beautiful.

Once more, take what I say with a grain of salt.
Ask yourself:
If I can't cut this new job, will I be on the street? Will I ever work again?
If the answer is no, yes, you're in great shape.

Now ask yourself:
What are the chances for promotion at my current job? Why not discuss your career path with your current manager? Do I want to do what I'm doing for the rest of my life? Can i progress at my current job or not?

This is very good news for you. You have to make a choice to keep on with what you are doing or move on to something that could be very challenging and rewarding. Unless you feel you will never get another job if the new one doesn't work out, then you have nothing to lose. Just do your homework. Find out what the new jargon means and decide if that's what you want to to.

Good luck - it's nice to have choices!

SW

Nature & Travel Photography
Visit the Sleeping Wolves

(Edited by SleepingWolf on 10-20-2007 22:06)

All very good advice. I decided to take the job. Like you guys mentioned, I discussed almost everything you mentioned with by my new employer and my ex. It turns out my old company has also offered me a position as a consultant, so I can help them out with some code I have written and other things I have done there, that after I leave, will be apparent to them. I have discussed family with my new manager, and his priorities are, "Family, work, God." He is an interesting guy. He actually said "F'ing God" and it actually sounded respectful towards God. He is quite a character and it should be a fun work environment. His favorite word appears to be F$#k. And there will be some travel, about 1 week away every 2 months. This will be hard on my little ones, of course, but for me it will be good. I am trying to finish up a book, and this will give me time to work on it. It is so hard at home....

And like mentioned by Hyperbole, it is very true and something I did not really think about that they are very understanding and supportive of the fact that I have a lot to learn. I am actually quite excited, its just that when I wrote the initial post, I was a bit worried. I have been with my current company for 5 years, and that is a long time.

But after weighing all the pro's and con's I am pretty excited and can't wait...

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Congratulations on that decision! Good luck!

It sounds as if it worked out really well. Good luck!

.



-- not necessarily stoned... just beautiful.

Here I am too late to save you from the devil. =)

I'm just kidding man. I work for a VAR that deals with AutoDesk Products. As a specialist in particular software applications and the like I've watched for offers from the parent company. A friend of mine went that route in the not too distant past and has seen great benefit from taking that opportunity. If I've learned one thing my entire life is that the only regrets you really feel are things you ought to have tried but didn't.

Good Luck in the transition and remember... Firms of this size don't always have an immediate application for you. Don't get upset by feeling underused for a while. Just take the opportunity to learn the firm dynamic and get to know the people around you. When they find your niche... you won't have time to do that.

GD

(Edited by GrythusDraconis on 10-25-2007 20:37)

quote:

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GrythusDraconis - Good Luck in the transition and remember... Firms of this size don't always have an immediate application for you. Don't get upset by feeling underused for a while. Just take the opportunity to learn the firm dynamic and get to know the people around you. When they find your niche... you won't have time to do that.

---

Thanks for the advice. From what they have said, I get that general feel. They seem to be planning on training me for several months. The fast paced constant work environment I am in now makes this seem strange. Where I work now is all about production and deadlines. This is what I am used to. And the lack of understanding at what exactly I will do at my next position has been weighing on me. Your input helps make it clearer. Thanks.

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Just to let all of you know, this place is really great.
I am going a bit crazy with info over-load, but it is really fun, and I have learned more in the last
week about xml . database queries . pulling info out of databases using xml transform files . Jesus . it's a bit of an over-load on my poor feeble mind, but I think I will pull thru.

It's crazy how this stuff works. One second it is like, "Oh S**T, I am not going to make it, what have I got myself into." The next second... (Jumping up and down) "I'm the F'ing master!!!."

:-)

Anyway, it's been an adventure so far.

Just thought I would update you guys.

Jeff...

By the way, here is a great site in case you don't know already... tek tips . com

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