One step back to take two forward?

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Hi All, I just wanted to get your opinions on a situation I've found myself in. I am currently a Senior Server Engineer at my place of work. I have an opportunity to become a Junior Solutions Architect, which is the way I would like to go, but I am concerned that I will either not succeed or that I'll struggle financially when I lose my overtime and on call, as SA's don't get this. I'm thinking I should go for it because it's too good to miss but at the moment I can work more hours if I need a few extra pennies for a holiday etc. I've also built up a decent reputation not messing things up in my present role. I'm hoping someone has been in this position who can offer me some advice please.
Cheers
Jim

 

Thanks guys and love the quote ha ha! I'm in my comfort zone at the moment, time to step out of that

 

Looking long term it might be the best option mate.

Would discuss at work though - any chance of a similar role at your current place?

 

Sorry mate this is with the same firm which would be my preference. I've resorted to asking people already in the role so have a meeting tomorrow for a warts and all account of what's involved. Thanks guys, I'll let you know how I get on.

 

Thanks mate. A full SA can earn well on average according to IT Jobs Watch which is decent for a permanent 9-5 job, the contract rates are definitely better than what I'd get contracting as what I do now. I've been in this boat before mate and it almost ruined me ha ha I am able to work as much OT as I can handle in my present role and as you do, you grow into it and when you don't do any you really feel it. I got paid my OT for Feb, the month I got married and went on Honeymoon, it almost wrote me off ha ha. It made me think about how OT is great but I don't really want to be working so many hours or have such big fluctuations in my pay. I have a call with an SA in work tomorrow to get the warts and all story but I think I'll apply for it, nothing ventured nothing gained. Appreciate your advice all

 

OK so phone interview to be arranged possibly week after next. I'm not going to give any more thought to the financials until I see how far I can get. I've heard that if I am offered the role, then at that stage I can negotiate with HR not the recruiting manager which is much better I feel as I wouldn't want to be cheeky with my new manager, HR however..... ha ha. I'll let you know how I get on. I'm going to be doing some swatting up on the role and methodologies. In our place the architects are all about TOGAF etc. Thanks for your advice all, Jim

 

Nice one Dave. I'm always liked being in the office and was hoping that my new role would be a mix of office and home. Who knows, it might be the way forward, certainly loads of advantages to WFH like travel reduction and work life balance improvements.... assuming I can keep out of the fridge ha ha

 

Ha ha you might just have had an idea for dragons den there mate!

 

How did your chats go, chap?

I think you should go for it. In the longer term, it's useless relying on OT for financial security. Whilst it's nice to be able to put in the hours to tuck away the cash for the wedding and honeymoon (pics were fab by the way, you beautiful pair) at the end of the day, if push came to shove and your hours were your base-rate hours, your income, as you've already said, would be... well... not enough. You also sound like you've hit a ceiling in your current role. They want to take the chance on you, and the "junior" tagged on to the role wouldn't last very long, not the way you operate. It's a definite one step back for two (or three, or four) forward.

Go for eet ;)

 

Dawn you are an inspiration, thanks mate, love ya. Cheers too to Monkey, I think we've spoken about your moves, you've done great. Thanks for your advice guys. I had a call from recruitment yesterday, phone interview on the 4th of May. I'll keep you posted. Really looking forward to getting grilled, I'm weird like that ha ha

 

Had my Solutions Architect interview today. I felt it went very well so it's just a waiting game now folks. Let you know how I get on