I need help in job decision...

[Thefumigator]

Hi everyone,
I'm a software developer, I worked in Microsoft .net tech for more than 5 years in a small local software company, where my salary was OK I guess but not enough...
Another company offered me a job as .net developer, this company is a big one and has international presence, and they are also in NYSE.
The salary they offered me was much higher, so I accepted, and I quit the small company where I was working.
The problem with the "big company" is that they threw me to the talent pool. So yes, I'm waiting to be assigned to a .net project or something. So I'm not doing much, and I'm being payed anyway.

This is not what I expected. I like to be working, I want to face a project, a challenge, or something. But every time I have an interview for being part of a particular .net project in the "big company", they underestimate my capabilities, and I end up in the talent pool.

So I decided to write to a job agency and I sent my CV there. They called me and I had an interview. There are open positions for .net developers in the national energy company, a state company that is responsible for all the electricity service in the whole nation. The problem is, the payment is a bit lower.

Some friends tell me not to leave my actual job in the "big company". Because I'm being payed anyway.
Some friends tell me to get into the state company, because most likely it will be good for my purpose of growing professionally.

Guys, I actually don't know what to do. What do you think?

 

[Vario]

One thought is you don't want your skills to atrophy if you are sitting idle at the large company. Government and state businesses tend to be a stable source of employment even if you are paid less. However you might find you are even more idle there than you are at your current job. A possibility might be to stay where you are but find a side hobby/business that you can work on. Some employers have contract terms that allow them to claim credit for anything you produce even if it is purely your own and unrelated to that business so make sure you aren't subject to that I guess.

 

[kapone32]

Working for a utility usually means job security. There may also be better advancement possibilities as the employee market will be different in terms of talent pool due to diversity of departments.

 

[Vario]

Working for a utility usually means job security. There may also be better advancement possibilities as the employee market will be different in terms of talent pool due to diversity of departments.

He might also be more idle than he is presently at his current job.

 

[natr0n]

Stay were you are. Maybe create some handy .net softwares in free time or something.

 

[moproblems99]

I recently went through this and looked at each job as a means to end. Does either job provide you something that you can use for your next job? I have stopped looking at each job as being the job I am going to be at forever. In other words, what do each of these jobs do for me on my path to where I want to go?

Does either job provide a chance for some sort of clearance? A certification? Particular skills? Start thinking about the jobs down the road that you want.

 

[Tatty_Two]

I would stay where you are, enjoy the income, in 20 years time when you are working yourself to death you will remember back to today and think how lucky you were . Many of the big companies just plan ahead based on contracts won and try to recruit qualified decent quality staff in advance of commencement, I completely understand you like to be active and involved but that will come in time, it sounds like where you are at the moment might offer the best long term opportunities, there is a saying in the UK...…"never look a gift horse in the mouth"".

 

[kapone32]

I would stay where you are, enjoy the income, in 20 years time when you are working yourself to death you will remember back to today and think how lucky you were . Many of the big companies just plan ahead based on contracts won and try to recruit qualified decent quality staff in advance of commencement, I completely understand you like to be active and involved but that will come in time, it sounds like where you are at the moment might offer the best long term opportunities, there is a saying in the UK...…"never look a gift horse in the mouth"".

If the company is still in existence. That is why I said a Utility would be better, we have no idea what the business world will look like in that time but Utilities will always be needed. I was actually using my own experience as an example. I started working for a utility in 2001. Got a hit from a headhunter on my resume (or CV) for a big company making more money in 2006. 5 Years pass and the company is closing my work center with no guarantee of further employment. I call my friend at the utility and 2 weeks later I get an interview and rehired. That was in 2011. Due to the fact that it is a public utility I get perks like stock options, pension and a decent rate of pay.

 

[r9]

Hi everyone,
I'm a software developer, I worked in Microsoft .net tech for more than 5 years in a small local software company, where my salary was OK I guess but not enough...
Another company offered me a job as .net developer, this company is a big one and has international presence, and they are also in NYSE.
The salary they offered me was much higher, so I accepted, and I quit the small company where I was working.
The problem with the "big company" is that they threw me to the talent pool. So yes, I'm waiting to be assigned to a .net project or something. So I'm not doing much, and I'm being payed anyway.

This is not what I expected. I like to be working, I want to face a project, a challenge, or something. But every time I have an interview for being part of a particular .net project in the "big company", they underestimate my capabilities, and I end up in the talent pool.

So I decided to write to a job agency and I sent my CV there. They called me and I had an interview. There are open positions for .net developers in the national energy company, a state company that is responsible for all the electricity service in the whole nation. The problem is, the payment is a bit lower.

Some friends tell me not to leave my actual job in the "big company". Because I'm being payed anyway.
Some friends tell me to get into the state company, because most likely it will be good for my purpose of growing professionally.

Guys, I actually don't know what to do. What do you think?

Work less - Good payed more - Good.
I'm reading the other opinions and both sides have some good points.
I would keep the job and get some projects on the side that way you get even more money and you are sharpening your tools as well.

 

[Thefumigator]

Thank you guys, you are awesome, any other idea would be greatly appreciated.
I have an estimation to make a desition next week most likely

 

[Vario]

Work less - Good payed more - Good.
I'm reading the other opinions and both sides have some good points.
I would keep the job and get some projects on the side that way you get even more money and you are sharpening your tools as well.

Your first sentence sounds good in theory but if you are sitting around at work with nothing to do but getting paid for it, it isn't an ideal situation. Its extremely boring and your skills will atrophy from it. It is also depressing as you do not feel useful.

 

[the54thvoid]

Ignore both jobs and set up a Beer shack on a beach somewhere. Live the dream.

But seriously, I couldn't work a job where I was bored. So, if I was getting paid more but felt I was a non-contributing member of society, I'd be a little jaded. Conversely, if I was paid less but felt valued and was doing something that helped--I'd feel better as a human. But, it depends on what sort of person you are. Do you seek fulfilment or do you seek material wealth?

The other, very pertinent consideration is... what income do you require? If the lower paid job still ticks your financial boxes--don't be greedy, be useful instead.

 

[Vayra86]

Interesting question. I work in IT consultancy too so In the exact same boat. My company has a LOT on offer when idle (certification, training, special trips, focus groups internally, even some IP one might add to, etc etc) so first look into that. Those are all great ways to expand your network and find opportunities. Doesnt even have to be .Net...

Reason for that is you get paid but you also have an opportunity to expand your knowledge in your bosses time. Quite a unique thing tbh, use it!

Consultancy firms are in a great position on todays marketplace, trading that for a smaller dedicated company is definitely not a career move, but rather one out of personal desire. And there is NOTHING wrong with that IMO - but be aware that is what it is.

You have a low risk high reward position now, make use of it, you can always leave and if you are idle for too long you will get booted at some point regardless.

My target for billability is 95%... so idle time definitely will not last long! Try to employ yourself ASAP, so you can keep hold of the initiative.

 

[moproblems99]

My target for billability is 95%

One of my last companies targeted 80-85% billable time.

 

[dorsetknob]

Improve your Spelling and or use a spell checker for a start
having said that.
I would be inclined to stay where you are and fill any unproductive time with learning/qualification.

 

[Tatty_Two]

If the company is still in existence. That is why I said a Utility would be better, we have no idea what the business world will look like in that time but Utilities will always be needed. I was actually using my own experience as an example. I started working for a utility in 2001. Got a hit from a headhunter on my resume (or CV) for a big company making more money in 2006. 5 Years pass and the company is closing my work center with no guarantee of further employment. I call my friend at the utility and 2 weeks later I get an interview and rehired. That was in 2011. Due to the fact that it is a public utility I get perks like stock options, pension and a decent rate of pay.

Of course, but over here, most utility companies are now capped on what they can charge the consumer now, it's no surprise that staffing levels have dropped considerably in the last year since this law was introduced, in my experience there is no such thing as real security just different degrees of it. I completely get that in many areas of "IT" contracts/projects that companies win come and go, often with lifespans of just 2 - 5 years, damn my youngest daughter who is just 27 is a self employed consultant in the field of systems architecture earning a fortune with a 1st Class honours degree and pretty much every professional certification relevant to her field along with high level clearances and even she is aware that the future is uncertain...……. although granted utilities I agree is likely to be a safer option I would ask the question, which platform will give me the best CV should that security leave me...……….. but to be fair, I am recently retired so I have possibly forgot the uncertainties of the labour market as I have only had 2 jobs

 

[phanbuey]

Sounds like a great problem to have.

Spend some time sharpening the skills you're great at and enjoy doing; or work on your tool-set/code repository that you use to solve problems. Or spend some time beating that new videogame .

So many options.

Conferences are great too - the best way to improve your career is to meet people. Especially if you find people that you can learn from or people who have an opportunity that you would be a good fit for.

 

[bonehead123]

Having almost reached retirement age, and having had many jobs throughout my lifetime, I can tell you that in the end, feeling useful, being able to contribute, and feeling appreciated are worth as much or more than a few extra $$ here & there........

Assuming of course that your salary is appropriate for your skill level and will support your lifestyle, and that your employer is one that recognizes your talents for what they are, then accept whichever position makes you feel the best about yourself.

However, I can also tell you that there is not really much REAL job security left, at least in the US, nor companies that actually place any REAL value to their low & mid-level employees, and therefore will rarely show you no more consideration in job assignments, rewards, or compensation than they will for that other person that sits across from you who is also twittling their thumbs....

So in summary, if you are being ignored, are bored, and/or just not that interested in "hangin around doin nuthin" then by all means move on to something better as soon as you can. You WILL thank yourself later on.....

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

[Vayra86]

One of my last companies targeted 80-85% billable time.

There is more to it though than just the cold hard number. Its not like, if I don't get 95% they will say 'cu later' at once. And what matters more I think is how the company approaches recruitment. Ours is set up in individual BUs that each work like a tiny company on its own. Very close team that is constantly on the lookout for opportunities with all of our clients. So it has the characteristics of a small company in flexibility, but is backed by the (financial) power and advantages of one of the world's largest consultancy firms. The network is... immense.

Its different when you work in a smaller consultancy firm though. The national/local ones over here, every time I see those consultants and talk to them, its like we live in different worlds to a certain degree. There's a huge spread in company culture and how it's set up and it influences the way consultancy works for you massively.

If OP is in a company that seems a bit stiff and stagnant, not very pro active in offering and finding opportunities... yeah, I don't know if I'd stay either. Then its just a glorified way to post workers. There are definitely greener pastures... (and if you need one... PM! we're everywhere ). And that's enough of my advertising Just wanted to say though, working in a nice consultancy firm with good atmosphere can be really quite great.

However, I can also tell you that there is not really much REAL job security left, at least in the US, nor companies that actually place any REAL value to their low & mid-level employees, and therefore will rarely show you no more consideration in job assignments, rewards, or compensation than they will for that other person that sits across from you who is also twittling their thumbs....

Yep, that's that Anglo-American company culture right there. Its a necessity, but a good company keeps it under control, very strongly, and tries to play it nice instead. My advice: look outside the US for companies that work across the border... it makes a real difference. What you're describing here... I see none of that. And I fall in that category.

Only start your move to a new job when a new opportunity is really confirmed.

So much this, too.

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

Frankly for me getting a job and having them is good enough. For me where I have trouble getting jobs myself, the pool of people with talent is just too big and add to competing with people with experiences. Be thankful for whatever you have, I am forced to take anything coming my way. Hell even minimum wage is good enough for me because it is really really hard for me to even get one job.

It is really hard to be certain whether your new workplace can fit you or not, judging by how you say about your workplace getting boring I would suggest stay awhile until maybe you have plenty of cash reserve. Boring is a blessing than having to work like a cow taking the jobs of few people. I work like that getting paid close to peanuts. Only start your move to a new job when a new opportunity is really confirmed.

 

[moproblems99]

@Vayra86 as we were software dev, numbers can mean totally different thing. It was merely just throwing a number out.

That said, if you repeatedly didn't hit 80% when you should have...

 

[Beertintedgoggles]

Sorry if it's been mentioned, but what are the benefits like? You know, the part besides salary.... Does the state job give you a pension that you don't have to contribute to or have 401k matching? What are the health benefits (insurance)? Those are often overlooked and can make up for quite a big gap in salary.

 

[64K]

My 2 cents would be to look for a job in government. Where I work I get paid decently but the benefits are ridiculously good. I've been here for 13 years and so I get 17 paid vacation days a year, 3 personal leave days, 12 sick days a year and it rolls over so I don't lose any of it. When I retire they will pay me out whatever days I haven't used. I also get 11 paid vacation days and the health insurance is the best around. I only pay $100 a months for Blue Cross and they cover 90% of my medical bills after meeting my $400 deductible. Maximum out of pocket expenses per year are $1,700. I can continue the insurance for $100 a month after I retire until age 65. I also get a pension where half of it is paid by my employer.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

But seriously, I couldn't work a job where I was bored

Thats what Im doing now. I work doing desktop support and currently been doing Win10 projects floating here and there between companies so it's not exactly stable but the pay is amazing for this type of work. Currently where I am at, they only have me building the Win10 machines and 1 other guy deploys it and he's slow as shit doing it. Im 4 departments ahead of him and I started in June and he's barely done deploying the first department I worked on.

I prefer to be busy. I just dont want to be bored, but there is just so much mind numbing work I can handle. Id prefer to stay at home at this point but alas there are bills to be paid.

 

[Beertintedgoggles]

For anyone that is bored as all hell and want to "better" yourself or just have something to do: https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm As stated on MIT's site: "MIT OpenCourseWare is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity."