When I interviewed for %dayjob%, I made it clear that I moonlight with my own biz. However, I also made it clear that %dayjob% would have priority during my scheduled work hours, and that %moonlighting% would actually give me areas of work that would improve what was required by %dayjob%.
When I first made up my resume that included the moonlighting gig, I wasn't sure if it was going to be beneficial or not, but it turns out - in my case anyway - that it was a huge plus as it directly showed experience and initiative. On the notice thing, I'm a bird of a different feather as I'd feel compelled to keep them in the loop so they aren't too surprised when you give notice. Technically two weeks is plenty, but depending on your relationship you might consider full disclosure. In fact, at one point I did exactly this with my current biggest %moonlight% client. I thought I was going to have to drop them in July a few years ago, in January of that year I let them know it (leaving in July) might be a possibility, but that March it turned out to be unnecessary. They appreciated it and there has been zero fallout because they appreciate my work. Perhaps that's just me. If I am alone and see a motorist pulled over with apparent car problems I will stop to help - my desire to "do right" outweighs my paranoia of being burned by it. Am I likely to get burned someday? Sure, but I will sleep well knowing I did right by my own standards. YMMV. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of William Robbins Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 7:15 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NTSysADM] OT - tips on job change etiquette I'd caution you against that. It sounds nice, and may look good on your bank statement. But it will wear you down faster than you think. You won't be giving your best effort to either company in that scenario. I advise making a clean break if you accept another offer. Most companies frown on 'Moonlighting' for a reason. :) - WJR On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 9:07 AM, Don Kuhlman <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice! And if this actually happens, then it would be kind of a win/win if they would let me work weekends on current stuff - that's very nice. Much appreciated! Don K ________________________________ From: "Kennedy, Jim" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> To: "[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:56 AM Subject: RE: [NTSysADM] OT - tips on job change etiquette It's not easy, nor fun but you have to answer every one of those questions in a way that serves your best interests. Don't do any unneeded harm to your current employer but assume the worse and take care of yourself. Heck no you don't say anything. Never ever, once you do that they will always be looking over their shoulder. Hopefully you have expressed several times you want the contract converted to full time. Once you get the gig, you tell them as best you can. You love them, you love it here but you need a real employment commitment for your own personal protection/career. You promise (and deliver) that you will help them finish projects after hours....document everything..help them find someone....all of those kinds of things. The hard part will be if when you tell them you are leaving they offer you more money and the conversion to full time. I usually advise people to turn that down unless there are special circumstances. From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>] On Behalf Of Don Kuhlman Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 9:52 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [NTSysADM] OT - tips on job change etiquette Morning all. Just curious as to thoughts from some colleagues in the field. Say you were in a job as a contractor at a smaller firm, and the job was supposed to convert to full time in a few months, but that didn't happen. However, your contract is extended several times so you are still at the position. it may end in 6 months after being extended 18. The people at the place are really great and the environment is laid back and casual with very low stress. So you keep your options open and along comes what may be a very good opportunity with a large well established place that is insourcing and building a new team right in your preferred geography. It is also a 6 month contract to start out, but the company wants to make it permanent based on all information given. Do you share with your current gig that you are checking into this? Or if you don't share the info, and you get the offer, how do you tell your current gig so as not to burn any bridges? And if the new gig was a go, they want an immediate start time (within 2 weeks) because their outsourced people doing the support are going to be gone in that time. However, you are working on finishing up projects for the current gig. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks Don K
