I got a job interview #2 coming up...

[Shyatic]

Here's the job description... it is in New York, Times Square to be more exact.



The Systems Manager will report to the Director of Web Operations and be responsible for managing design, upgrades, rollouts, daily management, monitoring, and on-call support of the production network serving millions of e-commerce users. The candidate will be part of the team which defines operational procedures and will then be expected to abide by the exact procedures in a rigid fashion.

SKILL SET:
The ideal candidate will be team focused, detail oriented, extremely hands-on and have excellent knowledge of Windows 2000/XP/2003, Windows Security Policies, Linux (limited exposure is fine), Anti-Virus, Backup Software, IIS, SQL Server, Deployment Tools, Bug Tracking Software, Wiki Software, SNMP Monitoring, E-Commerce and Payment Processors, Basic TCP/IP Routing, Firewalls, SLA Commitments, Building Procedure, and Disaster Planning.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Spineshank]

Looks like a Google advertisement......salary is hard to say without any knowledge of your background.

 

[mugs]

I'd expect a lot more than if you were working in NJ. You couldn't pay me enough to commute into Manhattan

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: mugs
I'd expect a lot more than if you were working in NJ. You couldn't pay me enough to commute into Manhattan

Yea I work in NJ now doing something similar, and I make around 63k/yearly (with bonuses etc).

I'm expecting a bump... and a signifigant one as I feel I'm underpaid (doesn't everybody?). Anyways, lemme know

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: mugs
I'd expect a lot more than if you were working in NJ. You couldn't pay me enough to commute into Manhattan

Yea I work in NJ now doing something similar, and I make around 63k/yearly (with bonuses etc).

I'm expecting a bump... and a signifigant one as I feel I'm underpaid (doesn't everybody?). Anyways, lemme know

What's your age, experience, and the title of that position? Have you figured out how much time you will spend commuting every day and how much money it'll cost you to commute there every day? (tolls/parking or train)

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
Looks like a Google advertisement......

I was gonna say the same thing haha

 

[toekramp]

hey that sounds like a job i'd be interested in.... what's the name of the company

 

[Shyatic]

I'm 25 years old... about 4 years experience in the field. The title of that position is Systems Manager, with the responsibilities laid out above.

Monthly, it will cost me about $300 to get to and from work. It's about $230 for the train to NYC (monthly pass) and then $70 for a subway card that lasts me a month. In addition to that, obviously meals will be more expensive and such, so that is taken into account.

 

[ATLien247]

Originally posted by: toekramp
hey that sounds like a job i'd be interested in.... what's the name of the company

I was thinking the same thing... if it weren't in NY, that is.

 

[zoiks]

Tell them that you want to get the average salary for that position in that area.

Use www.salary.com as your calculator.

 

[Cal166]

I work in a similar environment...E-commerce as a systems engineer. My manager probably makes over $100K, mainly because he's been here for over 3 years, he started out as a systems Engineer also.

I would say around $85-95k BUT please take this into consideration, being ON-CALL 24/7 will really kill you. After my manager took over the position, he's here till 8PM everyday answering e-mails and catching up his work because most of the day he's in meetings.

So is it worth the communte and staying late everyday?

EDIT: You are getting UNderpaid, depending on you bonus...

 

[Shyatic]

Bonus isn't very high... I make 60k base, and work a lot of overtime. Bonus is maybe $1000 a year based on performance -- which they leave very vague. I did get employee of the year this year so I expect a bump but the company is cheap and everything is so structured... that it's hard to get ahead.

Question is now, how would I argue for an 80-85k range when the company I am interviewing with requires salary disclosure? Puts me in a tough spot, but I know they are enamoured with me.. i got a call back for interview #2 at 9am the next morning -- so I have a good sign from that.

 

[torpid]

How many of the skill sets listed do you actually have? And when I ask this I am not an interviewer so you can answer honestly. A director of web ops has a lot of responsibility if it's supporting a big ecommerce site. You need to really have a solid foundation to demand any real salary for this. By solid foundation I don't mean just having passed an MCSE or reading a lot of books. I mean having supported a production web environment for years.

I think the 85-95 suggestion sounds right.

 

[Shyatic]

I can do everything that's listed minus the routing. That's not an exaggeration or anything... I know I can do everything in that list. I support 600 users right now in an e-commerce business too, in a financial industry (where downtime = money lost). This is a media company so their downtime is not as valuable but nonetheless, I'm familiar with supporting a 24/7 operation.

 

[torpid]

Supporting "millions" of users is a lot different than 600 users. Have you ever supported such a large-scale operation? I don't know what you mean about downtime. If there are millions of customers, I don't see how you can conclude that their downtime is not as bad or worse.

 

[SilentZero]

What is the highest level of education you completed and in what?

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
What is the highest level of education you completed and in what?

Bachelor's from a good university -- Business management information systems.

As far as the 'millions' of customers... it's a bit of an exaggeration. It's a media company so their 'customers' are all non-paying. I am not making their downtime 'worth' less, but I know the hurry there is versus financial loan processing and a non-paying 'customer'. Either way, I am familiar with a no-downtime, 24/7 type of environment.

 

[Cal166]

Is it me or the Skill Set does not match the "Manager" title. The skill set is more of a Systems Engineer title.

A Systems Manager is suppose to over see/lead a team of Engineers, no?

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: Cal166
Is it me or the Skill Set does not match the "Manager" title. The skill set is more of a Systems Engineer title.

A Systems Manager is suppose to over see/lead a team of Engineers, no?

That's my guess too -- which is why when I went to Salary.com I looked up the Systems Administrator/Engineer titles instead of the manager one.

 

[Cal166]

In that case, try to get atleast $80K. $85-95k would be ideal.

 

[Shyatic]

Yea it would be ideal... but how do you negotiate your salary up from a lower point... this company (as many do) will probably require prior paystubs for verification of pay. It makes it difficult to say "Yea, I made 63k last year but now I want 85k." It gives them great leverage in how much they will pay.

Any tips on this are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[torpid]

The only reason they would ask why you want a pay hike is if they don't feel your 4 years at your current job have added any value to your career. That's what I've been trying to assess. Seems like you are confident that those 4 years relate directly to the job you are applying for. I don't see why you wouldn't expect a pay hike.

 

[spidey07]

whatever you do, never ever give a number first.

and in no way shape or form would I EVER tell an potential employer my current or previous salary. that is none of their business.

let them make the offer and negotiate up from there.

 

[creedog]

You may meet the technical requirements for the job, as that is all they listed in the requirements, but going just from the title of this postiion alone. Director sounds as if they want someone with management experience,

 

[spidey07]

That actually sounds like a "NOC" position. Or basically a level one technitian in a data center.