Transition @ 47

At some point in time, you start ignoring the head hunter requests for connecting. I reached that point long back, primarily because I was content with my role. It was a high profile architecture position, working with a leading telecommunication service provider in Europe. I was owning the overall blueprints for the next generation BI systems. It was challenging & interesting, I was learning something new each day.

When I received a notification from a recruiter, before my regular initial dismiss, I noticed it was not just a head hunter from the countless unknown headhunter companies. It was different. It was a major player in the industry. It was not Microsoft. So how is it, you are working for Microsoft now? Well, what about other questions, such as how can you move from your comfort zone? working so many years with the same organization, must be crazy to move now?

The decision to quit my 19 years employment with Amdocs, which was practically my second home was not easy to say the least. However it was one I felt, and still feel was required for me. My brother who I trust, discussed with me the different angles of this transition, other than just the career diversity. What about the bucket load of credits you leave behind, what about all the networking, the know-how, the politics of the organization you were part of? Yes, indeed all are valid factors in the decision making, however, the way I see it, I enjoy challenge and learning something new is an essential aspect of my day-to-day.

I went through a parallel interviews, it was super hard. Not because I had to learn two technology platforms, rather the emotional burden. When I arrive to an interview, I need to be focused, eager to take the job. How do you do it in two different places - well there is no single answer to that, but the lesson is clear, unless you arrive to an interview with intent to pass to the next step, chances are you wont.

The process in both, was similar in high level. Learn the platform, showcase you can drive technical sessions, ensuring your personal skills meet the organization. There was however one very significant difference - Microsoft provided a very warm and personal journey. It was to me very important, knowing who is my manager is, hearing from him first hand, how my day would be, was a crucial factor in my decision.

Change is vital in my view, it ensures growth, one needs to seek new areas to master. I am learning, almost a week into the transition, I feel energized.