Career question

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by guildhall, Nov 29, 2015.

  1. guildhall

    guildhall Bit Poster

    11
    0
    7
    Hi guys,

    Need some advice here, I have a tough decision to make, my company is looking to promote me to IT Support Team Leader but my ambition is to leave support and move into system administration or network security. I've been doing IT support at my company for 6 years and the team leader role is going to be more of the same but I will need to manage a small team, keeps users happy all the time and attend video conference meetings at my 11pm once every month.

    I have been told to think about it but here are the options:

    • I reject the promotion, stay on as senior tech and wait for an internal opportunity to move into system admin, data centre or network security within the next 6 months. Possible danger: No offer on the table in 6 months, I'll be bossed around by the newly hired team leader and will hate coming in to work everyday. Regret not taking team leader role when offered.
    • I take the team leader role, manage a small untalented team, sweet talk users for good support ratings, attend monthly online meetings at 11pm. Possible danger: Closes the door to other internal roles, will not be given any technical training - stuck with support/customer service. Regret not rejecting the team leader role and the system admin/network security role being offered to someone else.
    I really don't know what to do here. There is no way I can take the promotion for now and then move away from support if the roles I wanted becomes available. On the other hand If I wait there are no guarantees. Catch 22 situation here.

    Been thinking of this non-stop for days, would love to know what you guys would do in my situation.

    Cheers
     
  2. krrishone

    krrishone Bit Poster

    18
    1
    8
    I feel that it all goes down whether you want to develop further technically or management side of things.

    See no harm in taking up the Team Lead role even though you may move on after 6 months. It would certainly give your good/bad experience and its something that can be added to CV to prove to future employer.

    Taking up the new role should not mean that you will be shutting yourself out of other technical roles within the company.

    The way i see it:
    - Take up the role
    - Learn management skills
    - Speak to other teams and see what is available
    - Request for better training allowance, being senior etc ​

    - Reject role
    - Do same what you are doing for next 6 months
    - New roles may not crop up during time waited
    - No new skills gained​
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2015
  3. guildhall

    guildhall Bit Poster

    11
    0
    7
    Thanks Krrishone,

    That's my dilemma, if I take the promotion it is made clear that it will be highly unlikely for me to move on to security and networking. Training will only be related to management/customer service. This is going to be a massive gamble either way but I want to be technical rather than being non-technical.
     
  4. krrishone

    krrishone Bit Poster

    18
    1
    8
    Ok in this situation i would personally reject the offer and wait for better technical roles. I would rather grow technically till i feel its time to take things steady and move on to management.

    Will you be getting a bump in pay if you were to accept the offer? If you have dependents and want to move on to other technical roles then its a risk you have to weigh up.
     
  5. guildhall

    guildhall Bit Poster

    11
    0
    7
    Hi,
    Yes i believe there will be a salary increase but to be honest I would be happy to stay on my current salary if I can move on to another technical area. To reject the promotion I would also be taking a gamble, life under a newly appointed team leader (while waiting) could potentially be hell. It's a terrible situation to be in.
     
  6. crazy horse

    crazy horse Byte Poster

    199
    15
    24
    Hello,

    I've got a couple of questions for you:

    1. From your original post, it sounds like you want to remain on the technical track in the future. So looking ahead to 3 years time, do you want to be managing people/ an operation or hands-on technical?

    2. What keeps you working for this company? Could you move now to another company to build your technical skills in a different role?

    3. You seem quite certain that whoever they hire with boss you around and you'll hate it. What gives you this impression (is that usual management style in your company)?

    Cheers
    Crazy Horse
     
  7. guildhall

    guildhall Bit Poster

    11
    0
    7
    1 - I'd prefer to be part of a team doing hands on technical stuff in 3-5 years time. If I take the team leader role I can't help but feel it will hold me back in terms of my ambition.

    2 - I have been working at my current company for 6 years and made a few good friends along the way, I am well regarded by the IT management and also by office managers/users. 6 years in support for the same company is a long time and I feel it is time to leave my current department but leaving the company is a last resort, hopefully I won't have to.

    3 - My IT department in support is very customer focused, we are pressured to achieve the best performance ratings from the end users. I am sure there are many companies where users fear IT but at this company it is the opposite, I've never seen a company where end users have so much power. The team leader will just chase us to sweet talk the users for a good rating instead of focusing on IT issues and technical resolutions.

    I just wanted to see what other people would have done if they are in my shoes. I appreciate everyone's opinion on this.

    Cheers
     
  8. crazy horse

    crazy horse Byte Poster

    199
    15
    24
    So based on those answers and your original post, I'd suggest respectfully declining their offer of the Team Leader position. You obviously want to be clear with them on the reasons why and it gives you the opportunity to share what you think your next role is - which by the sounds of things is with your current company but potentially in another department.
     
  9. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

    10,718
    543
    364
    Based on that I would talk it through with the management. Don't decline the offer yet - have a meeting to discuss what you have posted here and see what the options are.
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  10. Mr_Cellophane

    Mr_Cellophane Nibble Poster

    88
    1
    24
    You missed
    Reject the TL role and be marked down by management as lacking ambition.
     
    Certifications: MCSE, MCDST, MCNE, PRINCE 2 and ITIL
    WIP: MCSE 2003
  11. crazy horse

    crazy horse Byte Poster

    199
    15
    24
    Maybe......I think it depends on the manager and the company. I know a couple of technical people who could have become good technical managers who opted to stay as engineers; In both cases it has not harmed their future progression down the technical route.

    I personally find it baffling that a manager would see someone wanting to be a technical specialist in IT as "lacking ambition".
     
  12. Apexes

    Apexes Gigabyte Poster

    1,055
    78
    141
    Talk to the management about it, and air your concerns. you never know, it may actually help you with regards to that more technical role you really want.
     
    Certifications: 70-243 MCTS: ConfigMgr 2012 | MCSE: Private Cloud

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.