RE: MIDRANGE-JOBS Digest, Vol 5, Issue 61

If you have an oppty to learn .net why wouldn't you do it?

I can only think of a couple of a few reasons that might be valid:

* you were near retirement and didn't want to go to the trouble
* you were planning on exiting the computer business sometime soon
* you are so in love with RPG/Iseries you would never consider doing
anything else even if that makes you less marketable over time

Right now, the 2 hottest skills in the industry are 1) java and 2) .net.
Doesn't it make more sense to learn a skill on the way up if you can (.net)?
ALL computer languages eventually become more and more obsolete.  Demand for
RPG skills is on the way down.  .NET is on the way up.  It would seem like a
great oppty to get a chance to get one of the newer in demand skills. 

As far as a counteroffer, I have very rarely seen that work out.  Once you
got used to the money the REAL reasons you would leave (stagnation, dislike
of a boss, etc) are generally still there.   If you have to blackmail a
company to get a raise or promotion, is that someone you really want to work
for?  What would happen on the 1st layoff - wouldn't they question your
loyalty and lay you off first?  Was the counteroffer given so they could
find a replacement?  They would always question your loyalty in the back of
their mind.  Bad business. 


Brian Whitfield

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Subject: MIDRANGE-JOBS Digest, Vol 5, Issue 61

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Today's Topics:

   1. Decision to make? (James Blunt)
   2. Re: Decision to make? (rob@xxxxxxxxx)
   3. Re: Decision to make? (DANIEL WARTHOLD)
   4. Re: Decision to make? (rob@xxxxxxxxx)
   5. BANKING AS400 PROG/ANALYST (frank thomas)
   6. AS400 SYSTEMS TESTER (frank thomas)
   7. JAVA J2EE DEVELOPER (frank thomas)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

message: 1
date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 03:11:49 -0600
from: "James Blunt" <bluntparallel@xxxxxxxxx>
subject: Decision to make?

I have been working in the iseries market for 10 years.  I have read the
discussion thread that happened a few weeks ago here and found it very
intersting, some insight from you guys would be appreciated.

What am I?  I am an average and yet enthusiastic programmer, not overly
aggressive, not great at office politics.  I cant get reimbursed for
training on the iseries or new skill sets so have taken classes/conferences
on my own.

My current position is at a good organizaiton in a support role with some
programming in RPG.  I have expanded my skill set with some knowledge of sql
server and .net.  I am very busy with my day to day activities and have not
had time to really get in depth in these new areas.  I applied for a
Sr.RPGposition at a different firm in the area and they did not want to pay
more then what I am making, so I didnt take it.  Im not terribly happy at my
current position due to the politics and certain bosses are self-cenetered
and difficult.  I do seemingly have job stability/security.

A new opportunity has come up with a similar type of organization to my
current one that requires someone with sql server and .net plus service
skills.  They like me even though I do not have a full backgrand in the
specific skill set.  They claim they have not been able to find anyone they
like as much.  The offer will be around 5% more than what i make now,
similar benefits.

What would you do?  Do I leave the iseries behind?  Do I try to renegotiate
with my current employer to expand/change my day to day activities, possible
money adjustemnt from them?


------------------------------

message: 2
date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 14:15:33 -0500
from: rob@xxxxxxxxx
subject: Re: Decision to make?

- Money
- Job satisfaction
- Ratio of effort to money
Not necessarily in that order.

There's a balance between Money and Job Satisfaction.  Well, the first is
that you have to be making enough for food, clothing and shelter.  But after
that, if one job pays more and you look at it like it's just a job and you
can get your satisfaction elsewhere, downhill skiing for example then you
may pick between two jobs by the money involved.  Then again, if you then
get offered a job as a pro at a downhill ski resort with only a minuscule
cut in pay but free skiing for you and your family (and in a region with a
comparable cost of living) then you may take that cut in pay.  Some people
like to code like others like to ski.

Ratio of effort to money.  If you have to work 80 hours/week to make 10%
more than what you'd make at a 40/hours week job, what do you do?  Do you
still enjoy the job that much?  Do you need the 10% so bad that if you
switch your kid's going to die from lack of medical treatment?

Renegotiation.  The headhunters will tell you that you can get by with that
once, and only once, in your employment lifetime with a single company.  And
they mainly mean that if you go to the boss and say "pay me x% more or I'll
go to ... who has already offered me the position" then don't ever try that
again with your same employer replacing ... with an offer of employment from
yet another company.  Granted they may be biased because they just lost a
commission but I still think there's some truth to that.
Didn't you already try to talk to them about changing duties?  What makes
the ultimatum carry any more weight?  You gave them enough time to think if
there is a possibility, right?  Granted, this may take months, after you
planted the seed.

Does anyone know of anyone who went to the dark side (SQL Server and .NET)
of employment, who was there long enough to have given it an honest try, and
who has come back to the iSeries?

Rob Berendt
--
Group Dekko Services, LLC
Dept 01.073
PO Box 2000
Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com





"James Blunt" <bluntparallel@xxxxxxxxx> 
Sent by: midrange-jobs-bounces+rob=dekko.com@xxxxxxxxxxxx
03/07/2007 01:47 PM

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Decision to make?






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I have been working in the iseries market for 10 years.  I have read the
discussion thread that happened a few weeks ago here and found it very
intersting, some insight from you guys would be appreciated.

What am I?  I am an average and yet enthusiastic programmer, not overly
aggressive, not great at office politics.  I cant get reimbursed for
training on the iseries or new skill sets so have taken 
classes/conferences
on my own.

My current position is at a good organizaiton in a support role with some
programming in RPG.  I have expanded my skill set with some knowledge of 
sql
server and .net.  I am very busy with my day to day activities and have 
not
had time to really get in depth in these new areas.  I applied for a
Sr.RPGposition at a different firm in the area and they did not want
to pay more
then what I am making, so I didnt take it.  Im not terribly happy at my
current position due to the politics and certain bosses are self-cenetered
and difficult.  I do seemingly have job stability/security.

A new opportunity has come up with a similar type of organization to my
current one that requires someone with sql server and .net plus service
skills.  They like me even though I do not have a full backgrand in the
specific skill set.  They claim they have not been able to find anyone 
they
like as much.  The offer will be around 5% more than what i make now,
similar benefits.

What would you do?  Do I leave the iseries behind?  Do I try to 
renegotiate
with my current employer to expand/change my day to day activities, 
possible
money adjustemnt from them?