"f86sabre" (f86sabre)
05/29/2018 at 20:15 • Filed to: Work
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"f86sabre" (f86sabre)
05/29/2018 at 20:15 • Filed to: Work | 2
| 13 |
I have worked in the engineering and maintenance world of our small Atlanta based people moving enterprise for what qualifies as “a long time”. I am starting to contemplate making a change.
I have no intention in leaving the company. They treat us well and the benefits are amazing. I’m just thinking that it may be time to explore other aspects of the business. I’ve been lucky enough to be in smaller group discussions with some of our C suite folks about their career. The common thread has been getting out of your comfort zone and how that leads to development.
The big trick is jumping from one silo to another. Lots of talk in the business world about not having silos, but they exist. You can’t escape the fact that opportunities tend to go to people the hiring manager knows. It’s just nature. You give opportunities to those you have confidence in. So, to counter that I’m thinking of putting in for some crazy stuff. You never know. One of the conversations we had with a VP had him telling a story that he recently posted an MD spot, two levels above me, and only 4 people applied. Blows my mind. Sure, pressure and responsibility goes up substantially, but you old think there would be more people down for it.
One of my old teachers used to tell us that we needed to risk and grow. Might be time for that.
Also, F-104 and X-15 combos are awesome.
ttyymmnn
> f86sabre
05/29/2018 at 20:36 |
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Or, as my trumpet teacher said, “You will not win 100% of the jobs you don’t audition for.” Good luck.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> f86sabre
05/29/2018 at 20:44 |
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Doing new stuff is a good thing. I tried a different job at 37 years old, did it for a year and it didn’t work out now I’m back to what I was doing before.
I think long term i would like to to do a tv show where I drive a vintage car around the US sampling local diners and hole in the wall restaurants. Oh wait someone already did that...
Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
> f86sabre
05/29/2018 at 20:56 |
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An MD spot? Wait... lemme guess... You’re gonna try your hand at being a proctologist, right?
RIGHT?
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f86sabre
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/29/2018 at 21:23 |
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Yes, but you could do it better. Ever see Alton Brown’s Feasting On Asphault?
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f86sabre
> Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
05/29/2018 at 21:24 |
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Ah, different acronym. Managing Director.
John Norris (AngryDrifter)
> f86sabre
05/29/2018 at 21:34 |
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You give opportunities to those you have confidence in.
Of course hiring managers are people too. The last thing they want to do is hire someone that fails and makes them look stupid for hiring them. Thus you are correct, they want to hire someone they have confidence in. And of course that can help you or hurt you if the hiring manager knows you or not, or knows the candidates competing against you, or not.
First you have to get selected for an interview. And that is the first confidence hurdle. Second you have to beat out the others being interviewed by providing the interviewers adequate confidence in you.
Should be easy enough for you.
Jayhawk Jake
> f86sabre
05/29/2018 at 21:41 |
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I have been bouncing around outside of engineering a bit now. Spent a little time in marketing, currently in a rotational program in customer service.
Honestly I’m much happier outside of engineering, but that’s beside the point. Even just spending 2 months in marketing I learned so much about our business I don’t think I would ever have been exposed to in engineering. And in customer service, I’ve spent a good amount of time with customers giving me a different perspective on what we make and what we do.
I truly believe that diversity is vital in the workplace, and that includes diverse experiences. Leaders I’ve worked with who have branched out of their silo have generally been better to work for and more nuanced in how they approach problems, and I think people that stay in one silo too often become bitter and disillusioned about the realities of the wider business.
Every company has a different culture, but I suspect you’d be taking a minimal risk even if it feels challenging and risky. After all, if you’re valuable in your current role the company is far better served putting you back in it should a new opportunity not work out than laying you off completely.
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f86sabre
> John Norris (AngryDrifter)
05/29/2018 at 21:44 |
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Truth. I interview pretty well. It doesn’t stress me out. I have good examples and I’ve paid attention to technique. It’s just getting past the selection stage and hoping they don’t have some one queued up.
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f86sabre
> Jayhawk Jake
05/29/2018 at 21:49 |
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Those are good words. Glad to hear you are enjoying your time away from the slide rule.
I think I could do a passable job at most anything, so the thought of crashing and burning is not holding me back.
WilliamsSW
> f86sabre
05/29/2018 at 22:49 |
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Even if you don’t get the first thing you apply for, you’re going to make an impression with people you might not know yet, and they’ll remember you as someone who impressed them and is looking to get out of their comfort zone - so you win either way.
Good luck!
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> f86sabre
05/30/2018 at 04:26 |
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All the best. I only know you from Oppo, unfortunately, but damn you seem like a good guy with a great perspective. Perfect for a leadership position.
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f86sabre
> WilliamsSW
05/30/2018 at 13:08 |
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Thanks!
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f86sabre
> NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
05/30/2018 at 18:05 |
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Very kind of you to say. I try not to be a jerk.