Job advice needed

[Goddess FallenAngel]

Well, I'm not sure if a gaming community is the best place to ask for non-gaming related advice, but I'm in a real quandary...

For the most part, I like my job, and for the most part, the people I work with. However, I am an admin assistant, and there is no where up I can move in the company that I am interested in. It's not a dead-end job precisely, but if there's no where I want to go (not interested in the industry, really) then it might as well be.

Almost a year ago, I started school to get my Bachelor's degree, so that I can go into IT, which is what I really want to do. My workplace knows about it, and I spoke to my supervisors and the CEO before I started school, to let them know about what was going on. At the time, I was asked what my plans were, and was truthful in that it all depended on the circumstances at that point in time, and that "a lot can happen in several years".

Well, that was before the recession really hit. Now, everyone's struggling... and my place of employment is in real estate. Granted, corporate real estate, which is more stable then housing, but still not profiting.

Because my fiance has been only working off and on for the last year or so (because of health issues), and all the medical bills, we've been having to budget very carefully. We've been making it, but it's only been paycheck to paycheck. He's actually working somewhat steady now, but it is on temporary assignments, which means that we still have to budget very carefully because we never know how much longer he will be working.

Ok, that was really wordy to get to the point.

Anyway, this last Wednesday, my workplace instigated a salary reduction of 10% across the board. It was for everyone in the company, including the CEO and management, but it means that I am now making less then I was when I started working there 3 years ago. It's basically the same amount as my car payment. Imagine having a hard time meeting all your bills, and then adding another car payment to the amount due....

I can't afford this pay cut. So, on Thursday, I started sending out resumes for IT jobs. Today, I got an email from one of them asking for an interview, which will take place next Tuesday. It was a lot faster than I expected this to happen, and it surprised me a lot. I asked for a half a personal day from my current job to go to the interview, but I feel I have a moral dilemma.

Should I tell my current workplace that I am looking for other positions? Should I wait until I have an offer? I feel guilty, but at the same time, I am afraid to say anything in case I don't get another position.

Does anyone have any advice?

 

[LightPhoenix]

Should I tell my current workplace that I am looking for other positions? Should I wait until I have an offer? I feel guilty, but at the same time, I am afraid to say anything in case I don't get another position.

Does anyone have any advice?

In my opinion, you should keep it to yourself until you have an offer in writing. While it's nice to think that everyone is understanding and that there would be no repercussions, the reality is that is much less likely to be the case. If you do receive an offer, then you have something to tell them; otherwise, it's nothing they really need to know.

Honestly, I'd be a little surprised if they didn't assume given a pay cut some of their employees were looking for other jobs.

Of course, at this point I am assuming you are not using your current company as a reference. Otherwise, they're likely to find out sooner rather than later.

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

Nope, not using my current employer as a reference... not quite that naive, although I know there are some out there that are. I have them as "Company Confidential" on my resume as well, so that no one looks up the website on the internet and calls them... had that happen before.

 

[ProfessorPain]

Wait till you have an offer and don't say a word until you give your two weeks. You really need to look out for yourself and your Fiance; not the company you work for. I have made the mistake of being loyal to a company while eye other employment opportunities and paid the price. I lost the job I had (see I was being loyal, but the company wasn't being loyal to me, as they were interviewing to replace me without telling me) and I missed a key interview--one I know I would have aced-- that could have got me a job better suited to my skills for a higher wage, and more convenient commute. Definitely watch out for yourself, because interviews and jobs don't come very often in this economy.

And I hope your fiance's health improves.

 

[Umbran]

Should I tell my current workplace that I am looking for other positions? Should I wait until I have an offer? I feel guilty, but at the same time, I am afraid to say anything in case I don't get another position.

Does anyone have any advice?

Ethically, you have nothing to feel guilty about. You do not owe your current employer notice that you are looking for other work.

Consider it this way - you are not harming them in the least. In the current climate there's lots of people looking for work. Unless you've got some pretty specific skills, they can probably replace you fairly quickly.

 

[kibbitz]

Don't feel guilty. Go for the interview. Give notice once you've been accepted.

 

[Quartz]

There are very few circumstances when you should tell your workplace you're looking for other jobs. This isn't one of them.

 

[ssampier]

Congratulations on trying to move up in the world. I feel you have gotten enough advice about 'tell or not tell'.

IT can be a tough field to break into, especially with many skilled technicians laid off. However, since you're an admin assistant I bet you have some very good people-skills. People skills will prove invaluable. IT workers spend at least half the time dealing with people, the other half with machines.

The basic rule of thumb with i/t it is experience counts a lot, even if the experience is helpdesk at a company for 6 months or so.

If you don't get this job, don't fret. Try to volunteer at a non-profit for computer help somewhere and build up your experience level and resume.

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I feel less guilty now after having several people tell me, both here and on another board, to not give notice until I have something to give notice about. And thank you for the mention of getting an offer in writing - that was something that I hadn't considered, and it makes sense. Verbal contracts are only as good as the paper they are written on...

As far as IT experience goes, I am very lucky in that respect. I can claim 5 years of experience in support - not as dedicated help desk, but IT support as a secondary job function nonetheless. It doesn't hurt that I have a 2-yr degree in Computer Science, and am currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Business Info Systems, which beefs up my resume for not having dedicated IT experience.

I hadn't considered the people skills as a selling point. Thanks for the tip!

So... does anyone know of any job openings in the Indianapolis, IN area they could direct me to, that aren't already listed on the main job search websites?

 

[Quartz]

Funny thing is, I'm considering moving out of IT support as the market has completely tanked round here.