Your Job

[Teri C.]

Question: You have a job you like - not love - but you are somewhat at the glass ceiling where you are. Someone comes along and offers you the perfect job with room to advance, 25% pay raise, will pay for all of your expenses, but....its not really where you would choose to live if you could pick.



Would you take the job or stay where you are at?

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

Depends how much you like where you are Teri. I'm a homebody and get homesick when I go on vacation I also have family in the area and wouldn't want to leave though the increased wages and perks would be really tempting.

It also depends on how secure the new job would be. I would hate to take a new job and re-locate and then have something happen that would terminate that job.



Think Hard, Bill

 

[Bob Robinson]

I'd take it. Living where you want to live is what you make it. You can always make where you live better, but the job side stays the same if you don't move.

Questions is, are you happy with the job you have? Could you find something like the new job where you currently live?

Good Luck...

 

[TrepMan]

Teri - I'll probably be a bit out of left field on this one, but I'm with my 7th company in 15 years, all choices made to change by me no layoffs. I have left (and in some cases moved) for the exact reasons you mentioned. Unlike Bill my family (and Beka's) are scattered all over the US, so we are not tied to any city/state. I have a motto that I go by "if i can not get up 75% of the time over a 6-12 month period and say to myself - Since I have not won the lottery and I HAVE To work, the job i'm going to today I can find a way to enjoy, learn, grow and have fun!" When i've found I can't do that 75% of the time I start looking for a new job!



For me, as long as the location is not somewhere I hate or have been to and know I won't like, i'd do it. For example, I was working for Indiana Bell in Indianapolis, i HATED Chicago (the city and suburbs) as a place to live. 3 months into the job, the Chicago suburb office (long story short) offered me a raise, free move, better job/promotion and a substantial amount of $$ to move up to Chicago. I took it, and have not regretted it. Now I was only in Chicago for 18 months as I got engaged and both of us did NOT want to live/raise a family in Chicago, and back to Indy I came, again to a better job and more $$. And so it went till I ended up at IBM 4 years ago.



It all depends on your priorities. To me, with my family shrinking every year at this rate, happiness in the job is very important, I do not want to make $$ (more or less) if i'm not enjoying what I do, life's too short. SO, if your family/friends and the life you have now outside of work is GREAT, and the job is good keep looking locally. If the job offer is GREAT and you want the challenge or a new place and enjoy trying new places, go ahead.



Another example is 4 years ago I turned down a lot more $$ in a job that sounded GREAT but would require me to be away from my wife/kids too much, and decided my family was more important. I can always drive used cars, and take less trips, I can't get back the time my kids are growing up!!



Trep

 

[Teri C.]

I am trying to move south because I like warmer weather. I have great friends here. I have lived in Indianapolis all my life. The company I work for is the cream of the crop in Indy....for everything but Information Technology. In the 4 years I've been here, they are outsourcing everything in IT. It is about the bottom dollar for them and IT is just not important.



The job I was called about is in Omaha, Nebraska. Like I said, I am the perfect fit for what they need right now. My mom and alot of family lives in Lincoln, Nebraska which would be one hour away. I have been there many times and I never thought of it as a place to live.



Part of me says keep trying other places. If I found this, I will find something else but man is that alot of money to pass up (for me any way).

 

[Pat Goff]

Not meaning to sound crude but...

Life is like a sh*t sandwich.

If you've got enough bread you can put up with a lot of the other.

 

[Mad Kayaker]

I have worked in technology for over twenty years. The one thing that I have always found to be true is that the grass is always greener on the other side ... at least until you actually step foot on the other side.



You need to attach a value to both jobs and try to think objectively. If you are still in the interview process with the Nebraska job, I would talk to some of the people you might be working with or for and ask how long they have been in the group and what they like about the job. If they are all recent hires, I would try to find out what happened - is it a place where the job is so demanding that there is alot of churn? Are the people you interviewed with "A" players or will they be boat anchors that will create another type of ceiling for you.



Depending on the level you might be going in at, I might try to understand the CIO's strategy when it comes to supporting the business side of the company. It seems as though your current CIO or CFO has looked at the cost per user and made a defensive decision to outsource as a cost savings measure. Some CIO's take a more offensive position to invest in tools and people as a way to position for company growth.



Finally, realize that this isn't the only company that is out there and depending on how you play your cards with them, you can always leave the door open where they may make another offer to you.



Obviously, there is much more to this that none of us can see and only you can really evaluate. Hope it all works out!



Bill, The Mad Kayaker

 

[Al Greco]

Teri, I moved from NY (where I lived for 21 yrs) to NC because of the opportunity to work for IBM and also wanted a warmer climate where I could fish year round. It's always a little scary but only YOU can make the right decision. Once you make your decision you must go with it 100% and never look back only look forward. All of my famlily is still in NY except for my twin who is 2 streets away. You will miss your friends but will make new ones if you decide to move. Weigh out the pros and cons and you'll make the right decision. Our company too is sending many jobs over sees to cut cost but heck I think I would still stay in NC because it's an awesome place to raise a family and the job market is better than most places. Heck, send me your resume I'll see what I can do if your interested in this part of the country. Good luck with your decision!

 

[TrepMan]

Teri - Any chance it's Mutual Of Omaha? I did consulting work there about 10 years ago, LOVED the place!!! They had one of the best culture and treated their employees GREAT!!! OK So the winters were better then Indy but NOT as nice as Houston, but a very nice place to work and a great community!



Bill - the mad kayaker - One thing I've also found, and one of the reason's i've changed jobs a few times, is that CIO's are VERY mobile in the last 15 years. 3 of the companies I left were because the CIO who was there when I hired (I worked directly for 2 of them) had the right vision, balance and integrety in the company and people, each of the 3 new ones that came A) started replacing management with their OWN friends immediately and if you were "associated" with the outgoing CIO you were toast! So while yes, the CIO's strategy and direction are key, that too can change overnight. I also look at the companies history in IT, one of the companies I joined had NEVER in 100 years of service laid off an IT (or non-union) job/person. That sounded GREAT till i figured out that means all the DEAD WEIGHT was still there waiting for retirement!!!

 

[Teri C.]

Hey you IBMers.....that reminds me.....they had a job posted on Monster or Dice for an SAP Trainer for FI or BW in Indianapolis. Never heard a word from them.



Al, I just returned from Charleston, SC. I love that part of the country. I would definitely consider it, never hurts that I am a huge DUKE fan. I'll send you my resume tomorrow just for kicks.

 

[Al Greco]

Teri, Send your resume to me at [email protected] As you know my brother Steve is a Team Leader for IT Specialists and knows many IT Directors that might be looking for someone with the right skills. I also made a ton of connections being a manager for three years so I'll ask some of my former peers.....Al. BTW. NC State is 15 minutes from my house, UNC is 20 minutes and Duke is just 35 minutes away. I got tickets for the NC State -- FSU game in November. Should be a good one.

 

[Michael Snow]

Hey Al, y'all wanna Exchange Admin with 6 years of experience from 5.0 to 2003 in a Fortune 500 (I think 100) company? West TN would be great

 

[Teri C.]

Mike, good communication skills is a requirement.

 

[Rich Stern]

Teri, it's all an adventure. Unless you truly want to be settled, why pass up a good opportunity? You can always go back to Indiana if you don't find what you are looking for in Nebraska.



But...south is the way to go.

 

[gone bye bye]

I agree with Rich OR start your own IT company, bid for the outsourced work from your current company and in 5 years you can live in the south in the winter and still be in Indy for the summer!



Mini

 

[JR F]

Take the job Teri....Heck, I quit General Motors with 22 years to become a golf course superintendent, I have never looked back...It's sort of fun to accept the challenge..

I am planning on going someplace else to live soon...I just stay here now because of the kids....JR

 

[Teri C.]

Mini, thats a good theory; however, I must be from India to work here now.



The comany already called at 7:00am this morning to schedule a flight out there. I just let that one go to voicemail to gather my thoughts. I think I will at least go visit. That may help alot.

 

[Rich D]

Teri,



I say go for it. Even if you don't like it, nothing will keep you from continuing your job search in a southern region.



Rich D

 

[Texas Transplant]

I've moved quite a bit. Out to California (from Texas), back to Texas, then out to the Carolinas. Also had a number of moves the past 5 years in one locale.



I did not (neither did my wife) like California. I took that job for opportunity, not money. Didn't really help at all.



The last 15 years in Texas, put me in position to do what I'm doing now. I took the move to the Carolinas for money, and the chance for my wife to return to the area that she grew up in (no family present). Moving here was the best financial move that I have ever made, many times over. We basically have created our own environment here (with no family close), and are comfortable. Now, we are doing some planning so that we can move back to where we want to be. In short, I'm willing to do what I'm doing now, so I can be where I want to be later.



Just remember, you always have the option of turning them down.



Tex

 

[fatrap]

Hey Teri, Don't forget the BPS right across the river from Omaha. That's a plus if you move here.

fatrap

 

[Donald Fruge]

Teri,



Go while you can. One day there will be ties that bind you to someplace and you will have wished you took those opportunities when you had the chance. I for one am settled and perfectly happy with my situation. However I wonder where I would be today if I would have taken jobs in other parts of the country when I first got out of college.



You can always go back to the place you call home and settle later in life.



Wolf

 

[TrepMan]

Teri - NEVER turn down a chance to SEE what the job is all about. When I was working that first job in Indiana Bell, the Chicago office Director came to our "new employee training" class and discussed the type of jobs available and asked if any of us (there were 12) would be interested in a trip up to see and interview. Of the 12 only 4 of us took the trip. The other 8 said 'I like Indianapolis, I don't want to move" but while 2 of us got offers and the other 2 who went did not, those other 8 have no idea what they missed, just the chance to (as a new employee) meet with the highest ranking exec in a city for an interview is a GOOD thing!



Take the trip, do it over a weekend, check the place out and see what happens.

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Never have a closed mind about moving jobs. I am a machinist/toolmaker by trade for 18 years working on and off at different places then got a job with the gov't here at WPAFB as a toolmaker/R&D machinist until 1995 when I was caught in a RIF(Reduction in Force). I am now in Accounting and have been for 10 years now. If I had my choice...No way would I have actually chose it at the time but, have learned it and do a pretty durn good job at it if I say so myself You look at my resume....and questions are usually asked,"Is there anything you cannot do? Nope! Not if I set my mind to it......Good Luck regardless!

 

[Jim B]

Teri,

You have to do what you feel is right for you. I would for sure go check out the job and the area, if its not right you dont have to go. Whatever you do just make sure you have no regrets.



Years ago I turned down a promotion that would have me relocated to North Carolina to open a new store. While the cash was nice I decided not to go because I was giving up too much here, family and friends are far more important to me then money or moving up the ladder so I decided it wasnt the right move for me to make. Looking back im glad I didnt take the job because I wouldnt be where I am today if I did. Im now blessed to work for a great company and I have a job that i go to every day and truly enjoy.



BTW if you really want to make a move we are looking for a senior level Sap analyst/developer

 

[Teri C.]

Jim, that's right up my alley but aren't you in Mass?

 

[Jim B]

Yep i sure am Teri, and some of the best smallie fishing in the world in only a two hour drive away. Boston also has a great nightlife. After traveling the counrty i dont think i could live anywhere else, except maybe New Hampshire or Maine.

 

[Teri C.]

I am probably not a senior level developer. More of the analysis and design than dev.

 

[Jim B]

Here is the job desc



As a Senior SAP-BW Systems Analyst/Developer, you will be responsible for assisting in the expansion, support and operations of our SAP Business Warehouse. This senior position requires in-depth, hands on experience in all design and coding aspects of SAP

 

[Teri C.]

Funny that it is BW because that's what I worked on here. It sounds like they want a back end developer from the ABAP statements and the performance tuning. I have all the other stuff but I was a front end (actual reports) developer. They will have a hard time finding all this in one person because if that person has all of these skills, they will be a contractor and make big bucks. That's what I should do but I don't want to travel.

 

[Donald Fruge]

Jim B,

Uh, could you send us the decoder? I don't think I understood any of that....LOL



You IT people are strange....just kidding



Wolf

 

[Jim B]

You know how it works, id bet they would take someone who has some but not all of the skills mentioned. I dont know much about SAP other then installing the client im a desktop OS guy.

 

[Teri C.]

You did describe about 75% of me. I will keep that in mind but Mass is a bit far from where I want to be but it sounds better than Nebraska. ha!

 

[JR F]

Heck Teri I'll hire you to play on my computer all day..

How much do you need to start????????? No Insurance....BWhahahahahahahahah JR

 

[Teri C.]

Just got a call from Deloitte in Nashville. Does anyone know much about this company?

 

[Michael Snow]

Yes, I had a job offer there a few years ago.



They are a privately-held company, Limited-Liability Partnership, so no perks like stock options (which I don't get now anyway -- but did when I turned down the offer). Their retirement plan is great if you're older. They contribute more as you get older as opposed to a flat rate. At 30 or so, it was tipped against me than for me.



They're located kinda in NE Nashville. There is at least one lake about 10-15 mins away. Housing costs weren't that great compared to Dallas (about the same actually).



They had some "workspace designer" come in and design the place. They seemed to like "openness", which bothered me some. I like my privacy.



All in all, if I had it to do all over again.... I might just be there.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Deloitte moved up a couple of notches when Enron brought Arthur Anderson down... Big accounting and auditing firms are notoriously hard on their IT people... You may find yourself slotted as a consultant and end up traveling for a salary and non of the benefits ($$$$$) of being a hired gun...

 

[Teri C.]

This is their corporate IT not consulting. The office in TN supports their company's info with SAP. The other offices support clients.

 

[Donald Fruge]

Deloitte, is the firm that is working with the company I work for, overseeing the implamentation of the new internal controls required now due to Enron. Thanks Enron....bunch of plugs.



Wolf

 

[JR F]

I was offered a job today as manager of a resort In Alabama..Also Has a Golf Course..I may take It I have to send Carlos an E-Mail..Scotsboro On Guntersville.....So Teri think about It......Jr