Can staying to long hurt my options to move on? 1

[Provogeek]

Been with my current employeer for about nine and a half years now and I am now thinking of moving on, mostly because I am getting burned out from the consulting feild. Started as a young kid fresh to the industry able to work at all hours and eager to do so back then. Now, much older and with family and with the kind of "unknown" schedule the consulting field brings, I am longing for a set schedule with a known commute day to day instead of the every changing commute and schedule I currently have to deal with.

My question is, will the long emplyment hurt my ability to move on? I have been told in the past many employers won't hire someone who was with a company for a long time like I have been because they are viewed as "untrainable". Being set in the ways of the previous company that getting them to do things the way the new company does them is thought to be difficult. Is this type of thing true?

I already know I will have a difficult time getting the kind of position I want, a simple IT manager or Network Manager due to the higher skill set I bring. One company I already talked to doesn't think they can afford me since I bring more to the table than what they "think" they need.

All I want is a network to run and manage, a chance to focus all of my skills on one network instead of spreading my time and focus around 4 to 20 at a time (depending on project load). I have never done IT and want to give it a try, I know I can do it, but will companies really see me as un hireable because of my long standing with my current company?

 

[CasperTFG]

I would think the Opposite to be true. Most companies would sooner higher someone who has been at the same company for 9 years, than someone who has been at 9 companies for a year each.

Though the one thing you may be lacking is depth of experience as you said. 1 Company straight out of college for 9 years may be a little much.

When my company hired me they made a point of telling me that with any new hire they are basically an expense for the first 6 months as that is how long it takes away from productivity to train them.

Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[chiph]

Since you were a consultant, it's not like you were doing work for your company, but rather for your clients. That's not the same as being pigeonholed in one firm for 9.5 years.

One question though -- were you only using one technology for that length of time? I would think potential employers would prefer to see someone who kept up with changes in the industry.

Chip H.


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[Stella740pl]

It might help if you put on your resume a list of your most notable clients (and what you have done for them) somewhere under your consulting company name. You will show both, the loyalty to your employer and the wide range of companies (or even industries) you were working for. I don't know about the depth of your experience, but you certainly have the width - so show it.

 

[Provogeek]

chip

Experience is actually pretty wide ranging from network design to deployment to up-keep using both technologies from Microsoft and Novell. Focus has been primarily with Novell (by choice), so pretty much if Novell published it, I have installed it, used it, fixed it. Many customers I was a one stop shop supporting the entire network from server to workstation to router to switches to PDA to documentation.

One of the key things I need to figure out how to put in my resume was one of my functions as a replacment IT guy was to "figure out" the network. Many times I would get deployed to a site that just fired their IT guy or were about to or their IT guy walked on them and lef thtem high and dry. It was my job to figure it out, crack any admin passwords not noted and still needed, and keep the client going with zero interuption in business. Just wording that one for a resume kinda eludes me right now.

I think I am mostly scared because I have never looked for a job, they always came to me. First one I got out of school was from mom who talked to her companies consulting group to get me a jobas a PC tech, second I was hired by a friend who wanted me to write BIOS test code simply because in school I came to him for help in programming with a compelted program, I just wanted to make it "better". I am were I am at now because a coworked from my first job like my skill set and my fast growth in figuring things out and wanted me on his team. He's long since quit, but I stayed because networking is what I like, and this companies commitment to Novell is what kept me here.

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[andrea96]

I worked for one employer for over 7 years straight out of college. Last year, I moved to a new employer, my second out of college. In my experience, prospective employers tend to view you as a stable employee (one that is not as likely to leave soon after hired) if you have that length of employment with one company.

Andrea

 

[MasterRacker]

I spent 16 years with one company and even though I had a half dozen different titles (and job descriptions) it has been a little bit of a drag on my resume. To emphasize your variety of experience, if you haven't already, do up a functional resume, or at least a hybrid, at see how that looks. A strictly chronological one will definitely make you look stale.

<sub>Jeff
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[langleymass]

Do NOT do a functional resume. When I tried that, employers actually complained about it.

 

[aarenot]

Ever considered putting yourself out there, and consulting? Sounds like you could easily get some references from your client contacts. If there is a lack of people with your skill set in your area that might be the way to go. Remember , if you signed a non-compete, you should steer clear from any business with clients you established a relationship with at your tenor with your current employer. Wait at least 5 minutes past the time your non-compete states, during that time, you can pursue new relationships, or any training or certification that might benefit you. If you have not signed a non-compete, then go see the clients you have worked for and offer your services independently, and drop a business card with every one you have worked with. After all, business is business, not personal, and if they did not require a non-compete document to be signed, their loss.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.

 

[LadySlinger]

You can try submitting a functional resume to potential jobs, but I remember when I did that it actually hurt me more then benefit. If I did receive a call back, the potential employer would ask me to send a resume that "Made more sense" to him (i.e. chronological).
One thing that I have added to my chronological is that instead of just listing my job duties, I added successful projects and deployments that I had worked on. You may want to add in this type of stuff if you haven't already.

I wouldn't worry about the number of years spent at the company though. That actually benefits you as you are shown as a stable employee.

 

[kHz]

The type of resume should be dependent on the job you are tyring to obtain. If you have 20 years in the IT field and you are looking for a job in IT then a chrono resume would most likely be your first choice. However, if you have 20 years in IT and went back to school and are now trying to get a job in marketing research (i.e., statisical work) then a functional resume may be your better choice.

 

[paterson]

I agree with kHz. I usually do a combo of the two depending on my particular strengths for the job. Your best info should be in the first half of the first page. By that time, your potential employer will have already made there mind up about whether your resume is worth reading further.

If I am doing a functional resume as the main type, I will also put a chronological list later in the resume. If I am doing a chronological resume, I will also include a listing of my "transferable/soft" skills that the employer may find helps.

 

[mmorancbt]

Your years at an employer, consulting, will not hurt you. However, to bolster your resume, I would include reference letters from past client - testimonials that are geared specifically to the type of skills a network manager would mean.

Also, if you can write up a couple position papers, this will help separate you from competition. Convey an understanding of the value of a robust network, one that runs without interruption, and your ability to provide a great customer/client experience.

Also, set an income goal and work environment goal. Make this very clear to your employer based on the value you bring.

In your cover letter, make your transition goals very clear. It is very understandable that after years of a volitile and more driven environment, you want to find a home where your talents can make a long-term and ongoing impact.

Matthew Moran
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