Job decisions.

[SoulKiss]

As posted, last Friday I got made redundant.

I am left with a choice.

I have an Interview tomorrow evening for a job that's a great opportunity.

Is a chance to move out of Coding/SysAdmin and into Data Security.

Downside, I don't have much experience in the field, so it means taking about a 10% pay-cut.

Now the redundancy settlement I am getting will offset this at least for a year or so, in which time I would be expecting to have a pay-rise to at least my current level.

Jobs in the SysAdmin field are showing up at about a 10% increase from what I am on.

So the decision,

1) Continue as I have been, take a modest pay-rise and keep going.

or

2) Take the cut, offset it with the settlement and move into something more interesting with potentially better prospects.

Oh and option 2) comes with the eventual job title of "Penetration Tester"

i'd say something more interesting to be honest, although you'll take a cut too start there is scope to earn a very good living

Depends what 10% equates to really.
But id take the hit based on the redundancy pay evening it out.
After all, being a penetration tester is quite an ice breaker.

[Bibio]

i would just for the chatup line

girly, what do you do

you, i'm a Penetration Tester

winner i my book

do what you do best and know what to do unless you are board with it. plus you get a pay rise = more shiny toys.

Forget the money, for the moment. Which would you rather be doing?

I suspect that your long-term prospects, once you've experience in data security, would be better.

[dizzyblonde]

If an opportunity comes along to gain more knowledge and experience, that could benefit in the future, its a no brainer.

Life's opportunities shouldn't be passed over for safety of the comfort of the known sometimes

[Paul the 6th]

Fizzwheel must be getting on a bit now, if he's thinking of retiring soon you could take over this place SK? It's basically the same job as what you do now I guess?

data security is a huge growth industry and it wont slow down or go away
take the hit mate ,future prospects over the here and now will bode well you you i think

[Littlepeahead]

I took a pay cut of 15% for the job at MCC. But I wasn't enjoying advertising and soon after the agency got taken over. I've never regretted the decision. I now earn a good wage but more important is that I am doing something I love. Sometimes doing something new is worth the risk in the long term. And you'll always have the experience from your first role to fall back on.

[andrewsmith]

SK

I'd take the cut and the new career direction.
I cut my loses with mine this time last year (not much work and not much chance of it) and I'm doing something that I get some satisfaction out of (Construction and property is thankless except between peers).

I'm working for just above minimum wage (took a 4k cut to what I'd earn as a graduate surveyor) and best decision I've made in last few years