Is this job worth leaving current one?

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I recently received a job offer from HP for a position which would include a secret level security clearance. It is a ITO service rep III position. I currently work in a Credit Union as Help Desk II, which may eventually have opportunity for promotion to Network Admin.

The salary is the same, but I do have a desire to work overseas, which HP may be able to offer me in the future. Does it seem worth it to make the move to this position? I like my current job, but am feeling overwhelmed, basically having to take care of not only help desk/system administration, but setting up new ATMs and other large projects which I feel are beyond my scope of ability and job title as well. It sounds like a good move to me, but I wondered if anyone else could offer me their opinion into my situation, so hopefully I won't make any decisions that I come to regret.

 

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Hi mate,

I currently work for HP, as an ITO Tech Solutions Rep III. Where would you be based?

Good company to work for imho. I will have been here 4 years in January, and I started on the helpdesk / 1st line, so that shows there are progression opportunities. Good benefits etc. plus with them being a huge multinational corp, I think their prestige looks good on the CV as well.

Hope this helps mate. Keep us posted.

 

I have a former work colleague of mine working at HP in their virtualisation team (VMware and Storage) and to all intents and purposes it is a good company to work for, I would add tho that unless you already have the vetting that it can take a while to get it, it took me 7 weeks to get CTC approval, in that time I had to be escorted everywhere I went, and I mean EVERYWHERE.

As far as your current role is concerned, sometimes all it takes is a word in the right ear for the work to be lessened, sometimes people throw as much at you to see what you can do. As far as being thrown these large projects, if the company didn't think that you could handle it I am sure you wouldn't be getting them, the fact that you're able to deliver them is testament to their belief in you.

As the end of the day tho, you have to be happy with your decisions, it's no good listening to anyone elses opinions when the only person you need to listen to is YOU. We all have great ideas but you have to live with what ever YOU choose.

 

On the other end of the spectrum I personally hated working for HP (I suspect the same place James works as we are both from Newcastle) and walked out on the job which I have never done before. I thought the managers I worked for were incompetent and I was lied to and told it was the same bs they gave everyone that they would be trained on the setup and they instead just threw you in to sink and it wasn't the kind of place you had the luxury to find your way. I kid not my training consisted of a pamphlet giving instructions on how to add users to AD and that was it (The guy who gave me it even apologised).

Don't get me wrong the tech guys were very very good and knew their stuff as well as being a good bunch of lads but it's a very strange sterile environment. I sat for 5 weeks staring at a TV screen and found it excruciating whilst I waited for my SC clearance. Also a tip I was told is make sure you negotiate the most money you can as that is what you will stay on period. I was on £10k more than some of the guys for doing the same job which I found shocking. I was also told I would have to go abroad to potential war zones and was told when I joined that was bs as well oh and they forgot to mention the change to 12 hour shifts. I literally got up and walked out saying I was ill as the last straw was being told about a rota to clean the managers desks.

I know that all sounds very negative and I really don't mean to put you off but I personally think you need to be a certain type of person to work for HP and work in a secure environment and I did find it very difficult on top of the section I worked for being run by clowns. I was told by people that EDS/HP were a bad company to work for but I saw the £ signs and regret that so don't take the job based on the salary. If you do take the job just be ready for a culture shock. But as Simon points out it's your decision. I really want to point out as well I haven't said all of the above due to sour grapes as they offered me to go full time and when I left I dropped initially £16k from the next job but don't regret trying HP. i think I may of been unlucky working in the job I did.

 

I personally never worked for HP but I do have a friend who does and he likes it, he's been there for 5 years now and is a Team lead for a desktop computer QA dept. Honestly, you'll know right away when you're presented with an opportunity if its worth it or not. When I left the place I was at before, I did not have any hesitations, and did not feel bad because I knew it was the right move and it was time for me to move one because I knew a reached a peak at where I was at before. I understand that the work can be overwhelming and sometimes we can look at the wrong way, but like Simon said, communication is key in any place you work. You could go to HP and be in the same boat.

At the end of the day you need to do what you feel is best for you, do what your gut tells you, it's never wrong and believe me, there will be many more opportunities out there. Having HP on your CV looks attractive, but you have to be happy where you work. Maybe you're going through a tough time at work right now, we all do, but you have to be sure that its what you want and not because you're having a hard time, after all, everything can be worked out. Either way, good luck with whatever choice you make!

 

@ Michael78

Must be the same place (Cobalt) and I'm presuming you worked on the Atlas account? My experience differs greatly as I work on the DWP account, so there was less need for the high-level security clearance, etc. the training was good and progression opportunities are good too.

Strange how the 2 accounts differ so greatly. But there's been a few people who have requested moves from Atlas to DWP account because of the stringent conditions.

Sorry your experience wasn't better.

 

Yeah it was Atlas mate. I have never seen so many miserable people than I had on the top floor in my life. I do think that at such a big company it's probably luck of the draw but I got put in with managers who were ex military and one who was in the TA and they ran the place like they were still in the forces. I dropped a lot of money leaving but was the best thing I did. I didn't want to give a total negative view on HP only another side to working there. It sounds like you got the best section working at HP as I would rather clean toilets with my tongue then work for ATLAS again.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. I went ahead and put in my 2-week notice, as (after talking to the CIO), it looked as if they had no plans to give me a promotion in the near future, so I am going to go for this HP opportunity, and believe that it will give me a good chance to further my career.

This would actually be based in the US, Southeastern Connecticut. I feel like getting HP on my resume will be advantageous, and also having a security clearance will open additional doors, so I believe it was the right decision. I am looking forward to it...hopefully the background check will go smoothly!

 

Good luck with it all I'm sure your experience working for HP will be different to mine.

 

Congrats and good luck Let us know how it goes!

 

I thought it was Atlas
Worked with a partner of there's and on that very same contract.
Clearance is good, but I've found the experience in multiple roles quite limiting as a large number of things is locked down - what role is it? As in 1st, 2nd line? etc.