[ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?

[Jeff Hubbs]

Here's the thing - and a large part about why I've left IT as a career:  
ask yourself, how much influence can/do I have over the *need* for 
60-hour weeks?  If your and your colleagues' 60hr/week availability is 
taken as a given, the computing environment is sloppily managed, poorly 
designed, and ill-considered, and resources are so pinched off that 
"scaffolding around" problem areas to be able to actually fix problem 
areas is impossible, then you are looking at a miserable working life.

In my view, the absence of overtime or at the very least comp time 
policies in many (dare I say most?) IT shops has made the nightmare 
scenario I described the rule and not the exception. Ships where it 
costs nothing to ride on the backs of the IT staff aren't incentivized 
to be tight ones.



On 8/30/12 9:13 AM, Lightner, Jeff wrote:
> Once again totally unrealistic advice for most people looking for a job.
>
> The real fact is that in most IT jobs you are salaried because you are classified as a "professional" and just like salaried managers "professionals" are required to work "until the job is done".   This means usually you're NOT going to work only 40 hours a week because there is always more work to do.   While SOME organizations do have structured compensation for additional hours or on call (or at least "comp time") the reality is that MOST do not have official policies because being salaried means you're "exempt" from overtime by law.   Usually comp time is an understanding between you and your manager.  If you're salaried and had to work 60 hours because something was down or something critical was due then most managers recognize it and will allow for time off in the following week.    "Insisting" on things during the interview process is a good way to have interviewers simply think "Next!"
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Bob Toxen
> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 6:54 PM
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> Subject: Re: [ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?
>
> For full-time (meaning not paid by the hour) be very VERY careful about how many hours a week are required!!!
>
> The American standard is 40 hrs/week.  It seems most Atlanta full-time computer job holders are expected to do at least 45 hours/week with no additional compensation.
>
> Since the economy went south in '08, many employees are forced to work
> 50 or even 60 hours a week for no increase in pay.  Thus ask and insist on some commitment in writing.
>
> If they won't give a written statement of job requirements, including average hours per week and how they handle exceeding that, they are dishonest and one should keep looking!
>
> Bob
>
> On Fri, Jul 27, 2012 at 05:41:06AM -0400, Leam Hall wrote:
>> On 07/27/2012 05:26 AM, Leam Hall wrote:
>>
>>> So deepen your strengths, broaden your base, and the jobs will be there.
>>>
>>> Leam
>> Caveat. Yes, there are jobs I'm not qualified for by skills or aptitude.
>> Learning what you're created to do is a part of that and one of the
>> reasons I put the Parachute and 7 Habits books on my 10 Vital Tips list.
>>
>> My new job pays a significant amount less than one I didn't pursue but
>> is much more in line with my career goals and personal drives. There's
>> no need to retire if you're doing what keeps you young.
>>
>> Hope that helps! ATL is a great job market.
>>
>> Leam
>>
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