Too soon to move on...?

[Stevehewitt]

Hi everyone,

My career history goes as so:

4 years (Small biz)
8 months (huge enterprise)
2 years (medium biz)

And now 5 months at my current position at another small biz.

Problem is that It's not great - advertised as 'Network admin' but actually I don't run the network or anything, the Operations Manager does. So trying to get us legal with licensing, trying to get developers onto a custom security group (LUA) instead of full administrator rights etc. - all ignored.
I even setup workstation for temps, get them ready to upload as a ghost image before holiday and I come back to the workstation being wiped with Windows 2003 Server installed!!!

So whilst the work type is great, I lack any authority or control. Senior management are annoyed at the lack of progress but as I don't control anything it means I am waiting 3-4 weeks on 'sign off'.

Basically I'm looking at moving on. However when I look at my track record for being with companies it doesn't look good. It would make my last three jobs be 8 months, 2 years and 5 months. Almost looks like contractual work!

So my question is how viable is it that I start looking? When I love a job I will stay with it - but I won't hang around if it's not for me. (4 year job I loved, but outgrew the role - same with the 2 year job - got great references from them but just time to move on)

Will a 8 month and 5 months look too bad? Should I just stay here for another 6 months / year to help things or will it not really matter?

Cheers,




Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

 

[JCreamerII]

Steve,

Whomever is looking at your resume will draw their own conclusions. If they are looking at a pinch hitter who can fill a role it won't matter. If they have a long term position and they want someone that will fit in and stay awhile your resume may not make the right impression. You will get a chance to discuss this issue in an interview, but you'll end up fighting that stereotype. I don't know if 3,6,9 months will make any difference. It helps that your references are good and you can try to explain it the way you have in this thread but be careful. Can you look while still employed, that way you can find the one your looking for and still show that your able take care of business. I would explain it as positions that were short term or just a way to pay your bills until you can find the right position. Try not to get negative about the other companies just be positive about your goals.

Jim C.

 

[LadySlinger]

Who is your manager? The operations guy? Find out from the person that hired you, if you can, what their goal with hiring you is...and do it in a way that keeps your job.

Otherwise if this OM guy is your boss and he's not giving up any of his accesses, then I would do what Jim suggested, look while still working. It looks a little better on the resume when you're still working (despite the time length) then just quitting and looking for a job.

 

[SQLSister]

Most hiring managers I know worry about resumes with work history of less than a year particularly if it happens multiple times. I would stick for a year if you can. Why give yourself a possible negative when a year isn't really that far away? Heck we are getting close to the holiday season when nobody does any hiring anyway. By February when hiring starts up again you will have 9 months, may as well stick for three more.

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[kHz]

I would agree that a number of full-time jobs that are less than a year will not look good. Even possibly less than 2 years. There wouldn't be any concern if you were a contractor or consultant though, but you aren't so you should stick with it.

 

[rosieb]

Steve, what do you have to lose by applying for jobs? They can only say "No". You have a history of staying places for a decent while, plus a couple of short employments - just make sure you can explain those positively.

However, if you do move on, make absolutely sure it's for a job you will want to do for a while, or your cv may start to look a bit suspect!

Rosie
"Don't try to improve one thing by 100%, try to improve 100 things by 1%

 

[Stevehewitt]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm planning on staying for another 6 months at least and then reconsidor. (Had some good feedback recently from my manager through to the directors plus some very interesting project ahead...!)

Thanks again everyone - input has been appreciated.




Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

 

[rouge03]

Hi!

Interesting topic so I thought I might post a question of mine too.. hope you don't mind.

I've worked as a software engineer for 2 years, full SDLC and all that and worked with different PLs and platforms. It was truly a great learning experience for me. But after the 2 years, i felt that it was time to move on. Thought I'd go from development to mostly support and maintenance work in IT.

After a month of working here in my new job, I've found that I'm starting to really dislike it. I miss working in dev, mainly programming. I have no complaints with the pay and my colleagues. But there are days that I'm looking for ways to ditch work.

Also, I was thinking that if i choose to stay a bit longer so that my resume wouldn't look questionable; I'm worried that when the time comes that hiring managers look at my resume and find that I wasn't involved in software development work for say 3-6 months, they'd think thay I'm not anymore qualified.

Any input(s) would be greatly appreciated on this. Thanks!

 

[Stevehewitt]

Jump mate - always discuss it with your boss to see if he can help, but if not give them pleanty of notice and ensure that any recuritment consultant you talk to (if you can't go direct) knows why you left (rather than being booted in the probation period!!!)

2 years one place then 2 months at another - odds are 50/50 that you could be at a new place for 2 years, which isn't bad...

My 2$'s!

Good Luck,




Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson