how would you go about this?

[sir_digalot]

okay there has come a time in my short life, that i need to make a decision...

first some background..

i started my current job, basically needing a job, (mouths to feed etc) so i took the best offer o nthe table at the time i.e. not quite what i wanted to do ( well not at all really) and a wage that really just kept us bobbing just below the surface...

1.5yrs later, i have changed the job around me into something i much more enjoy, i have more responsibility and generally do not mind the job, i also really like the people i work with in my dept, we are a great team.

the issue, despite having an A+++++++ with merit and little gold stars review, my direct boss really likes me, (he is also a family friend now too) they have promised a pay rise, but, my review was in August it is nearly january, i was told that the owner does not like to make pay decisions until end of year, they have dangled a carrot in front of me to keep me there a little longer..

my direct boss i know has worked hard to try and get me a decent raise, because he appreciates me and relies on me alot.

but, i do not think the raise will be all that considering what everyone else gets paid ( our tech dept staff are the lowest paid in the company, there is only 1 other person that gets less then us, and they are pretty much useless to the extreme)

so, my buddy who is marrying a member of the bank we share the building with hooks me up with this interview via her for an ISO ( Information Security Officer) i am not qualified for that job, but they did not know what they were looking for, but, i really impressed probably one of the hardest to impress people in the Bank ( the current ISO) and they want me to have an interview with the bank President for a position they may well create for me, although i am not sure what this position is.

i know nothing of the pending position, i just know that i turned heads somewhere, which is a good thing i guess.

my quandry is this, and it may seem trivial to some but i appreciate the help.

my interview is VERY short notice i found out today it is wednessday this week at 4pm, so i would need to take the afternoon off, normally i do not think it would be an issue but..

that very day a project i have been working on for the past month ( the installation of a new email server for the compnay) also is scheduled and there is no chance of a reschedule of that either...

i have time off to spare so that is not an issue.

my direct boss is usually a nice guy, and i know he has worked hard for me, although no mention of pay raise has been forthcoming, and i am wondering if the carrot is a bit mouldy..

anyway i have to tell my boss tomorrow..

what do i say? how do i say it? he knows NOTHING of my interviews or anything, for all intents and purposes the bank approached me

do i wait? blow off the interview and stay in this job and hope i get a living wage at the end, or do i tell him i have an emergency and lie ( i hate lying) do i tell the truth and hope he is not a major dick about it?

he says he will not stop me if i can get a decent job elsewhere but i know he also wants me to stay where i am, the problem is in my compnay there is him then his boss is the Cheif Information officer it is like 2 rungs to the top of the ladder and both people need to die to get the promotion!
Also we are about to open up about 5 new offices in the company and my role now is very important in the setup and configure of the entire company domain and network config.

maybe this is a bit one sided the way i have told it..

the facts:

interview for a job i have no information on but potential better pay outlook in the long run.

major project in current job that cannot be rescheduled and is VITAL to current operations

short notice for time off

lots of current responsibilities

boss likes me as a friend and an employee and does not want to see me go.

help!

[GroovyDude]

I would speak to the bank offering the ISO position and explain the situation about the project and see if they can reschedule. That shows that you're serious about your job responsibilities and wouldn't just blow something off. If the new bank gives you a hard time about it, or will not reschedule the interview, then your probably better off staying where you're at. You wouldn't want to work for someone who isn't considerate of your other obligations, be it work or family.

By the way, I'm an ISO myself at a bank. Unfortunately, my bank is merging with another and my position is getting the axe soon, so I'll be out looking for a job myself...

[fellik]

I would speak to the bank offering the ISO position and explain the situation about the project and see if they can reschedule. That shows that you're serious about your job responsibilities and wouldn't just blow something off. If the new bank gives you a hard time about it, or will not reschedule the interview, then your probably better off staying where you're at. You wouldn't want to work for someone who isn't considerate of your other obligations, be it work or family.

By the way, I'm an ISO myself at a bank. Unfortunately, my bank is merging with another and my position is getting the axe soon, so I'll be out look for a job myself...
i'd have to say that he has the best option that you can get... wish i had thought of that...

[Blis]

I wouldnt want to let down my current employers (if i liked them) to go to an interview for a job i know nothing about.

One in the hand is worth two in the bush and all that.

I agree with groovy,explain the situation to the people you have the interview with.

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Yep, I also agree with Groovy entirely.

[Multiplex]

I would go to the interview...

I would try to get out of your position if you've been there for 1.5 years. It seems that most contractors and IT guys need to move companies to get any kind of decent raises... unless you're happy with the regular inflation raise every year.

[sir_digalot]

hehe i found out they need this position filled by new years, and the president is going out of town

[sir_digalot]

i am going to talk to my boss today as a friend

[GroovyDude]

friends and work don't mix (at least they never have for me).... just my 2 cents. Let us know what happens.

[EdrrakNolat]

I would speak to the bank offering the ISO position and explain the situation about the project and see if they can reschedule. That shows that you're serious about your job responsibilities and wouldn't just blow something off. If the new bank gives you a hard time about it, or will not reschedule the interview, then your probably better off staying where you're at. You wouldn't want to work for someone who isn't considerate of your other obligations, be it work or family.

DING! Groovy has stated it best.

[KAstickboy]

wow that a toughie!

New job op boss leaving town so he cant reschedule, your project cant reschedule.... id at least talk to your boss as a friend and explain that you don't want to miss an opportunity but you also feel strongly about your work. If he can cover for you as a friend you would greatly appreciate it and return the favor somehow down the line. Thats about all i can think that i would do if i was in that position. then again im not so take what you will out of it

good luck!

KA

[wihadmin]

While I agree with Groovy, I also feel that company loyalty is over-rated. The company will have 0 qualms with kicking your ass out of the door if they're short on cash. So you gotta do what you gotta do for yourself.

[papasan9]

I would speak to the bank offering the ISO position and explain the situation about the project and see if they can reschedule. That shows that you're serious about your job responsibilities and wouldn't just blow something off. If the new bank gives you a hard time about it, or will not reschedule the interview, then your probably better off staying where you're at. You wouldn't want to work for someone who isn't considerate of your other obligations, be it work or family.

By the way, I'm an ISO myself at a bank. Unfortunately, my bank is merging with another and my position is getting the axe soon, so I'll be out looking for a job myself...


i hire alot and im most impressed by those that show their current employers courtesy while they are transitioning from the old job to my outfit.

i agree totally with groovy as far as how to handle this on short notice.

but wihadmin is right. i had a friend in similar situation recently and we boiled it down to crotch's message.

[sir_digalot]

well the update is simple i talked to my boss, and he was very understanding, he does not want me to leave, and said as much, also he said, should i get an offer, get an official offer in writing, and he can then go to the owners, and shove it under their noses, he knows what i am worth, but also knows if there is room for growth and a better paycheck then the company can supply then i should go for it, he was very supportive, he also said i do not have the job yet *L* luckily also, he talked to the powers that be and posponed the install until thursday morning ( which actually makes more sense since there is a teaching session along with it and i will not be itching to get home *L*)

he basically said the interview is something i have to do.

i guess in many ways i an very lucky to actually have an understanding boss, and a friend, and luckily have not burned any bridges in the process the only people who know the real reason are him myself and the guy who's future wife called me... we will all keep it secret, if i do not get this job, i still get a pay raise, so all is not lost.

thank you all for your input though it has helped alot, and, i can use the advice ( as i hope others can) in the future should a situation arise.


on a slightly different note, approximatly 1 week before all this transpired my wife was on my case about getting a better paying job, she said and i quote

"companies just don't call up out of the blue and offer you an interview"

she is now pissed off at me because the bank did just that *L*

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Wise words WiHadmin.

EDIT: good to hear digalot :thumbsup:

[KAstickboy]

glad to hear it went well for you sir_dig! Good luck on your interview tomorrow! :rockon:

KA

[wihadmin]

You are very lucky sir_digalot. Things like that don't happen very often. Often times, we have to compete against multiple other candidates for the same position.

[GroovyDude]

I'm glad it worked out with your boss. In my experience, work "friends" tend to push you under the bus first chance they get to save their own ass, that's why I tend to keep my friends and work separate.

As for your interview.... Banks are highly regulated by the federal government. Back before the whole merger thing (when I had work to do), I spent most of my days ensuring we were complaint with all these regs. The ones that affected me the most were probably GLBA (Gramm Leach Bliley Act), which deals with safeguarding customer/consumer information and of course everyone's favorite --- Sarbanes Oxley.

The annual federal exam was also a biggie. Expect high stress levels from upper management during that time.

Here's a link to the FFIEC Examiner's handbook, the Information Security Chapter. http://www.ffiec.gov/ffiecinfobase/html_pages/infosec_book_frame.htm Essentially, this is the handbook the regulators use to audit your Information Security program. Take some time to look through it before your interview and ensure you are familiar with the topics covered.

If the bank is organized properly (Information Security should idealy be it's own department outside of IT and the ISO should be a C-level or report to a C-level executive) and you have good support from executive management for the Information Security program, the job can be highly rewarding. If you don't have those two items, the job can be extremely stressful.

One last thing.... Make sure you have no quams about public speaking. Aside from coordinating security awareness training for employees and speaking here and there at meetings, you are required to report to the bank board of directors at least annually (as per federal regs).

[Nelle]

Cliffs?