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Resigning Monday morning... (self.sysadmin)

submitted ago by kynovSysadmin

So I recently moved to another state and took a Sysadmin position that was pretty much offered to me on the spot. Long story short, the job was not totally what I expected. Extremely dilapidated infrastructure, misguided ownership and unwillingness to spend money to improve the infrastructure. Not to mention the commute can be damn near an hour some days depending on the traffic.

Anyway, I had an interview and was offered (and I accepted) a job offer at a place that is only 15 mins from my house and pays more. The place I am currently at, I have only been there for 4 weeks. I honestly don't know the best way to convey my reasoning for leaving without sounding like a complete dick. Could I say something along the lines of, "The Company's goals do not appear to align with my personal career goals"? Suggestions?

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[–]anaxx 51 points52 points ago

Four weeks? I think you're well within the statute of limitations for "I have been grateful for the opportunity, but I don't think that this position and I are a good fit."

[–]kenplaysviolaI play the viola 18 points19 points ago

At my place we have a probation period. The probation period is 6-months. We try you out, and you try us out.

[–]DSMRick 17 points18 points ago

Also, the less said the better. This is your career, you don't owe them anything. Silence is the best way to avoid saying something that pisses an unreasonable person off.

[–]BlackyChanSysadmin 1 point2 points ago

THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS.

++++ Plus honesty about new position. It pays more and is closer to home. Signed Sealed Delivered.

[–]cryonine 3 points4 points ago

This. Additionally, offer to stay for two weeks if they need time to find a replacement. Chances are since you're new they won't, but they may and will take it as a great and professional gesture either way. Don't say anything negative and don't lie (ie. "I'm homesick and going to move away") because can easily bite you in the ass.

[–]ejh907 12 points13 points ago

"I have been offered an opportunity to advance specific career goals in another position, and I regret to inform you I will be unable to continue in my position with your company."

[–]honestbleeps 7 points8 points ago

I mean no insult to you. I do need to say though that this should not be the response if op is trying not to look like a dick.

You've put together a well written response for someone leaving a company after a year or two.

He's been there 4 weeks. Your statement basically implies that from the moment he got the job he was already looking for another.

Maybe he was, but he shouldn't say that. The top voted response here is the right one. Respectfully saying that it's not the right fit is a better strategy.

[–]ejh907 0 points1 point ago

I by no means claim to be an expert on the subject, so I can see what you mean.

[–]kynovSysadmin[S] 3 points4 points ago

Just posted some pics of what I had to deal with Friday. This should help illustrate just how poorly this place is run. http://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/pbfpm/how_bad_is_the_mess_at_your_place/

[–]DrGirlfriend 2 points3 points ago

Was that a server set up on a stack of bricks? It looks like they have some serious infrastructure problems. If they were willing to spend some $$ on fixing that, then it may make for an interesting job/project. However, if you are being confronted by the "spend-no-money" monster, then you are well entitled to take your talents wherever they are needed/wanted.

[–]kynovSysadmin[S] 2 points3 points ago

Yes. Its an old Compaq server running Windows 2k sitting on a cinder block. The IT dept was given a total budget of $60,000 for the entire year. Keep in mind, that has to cover 2 new servers to host virtualization, an Exchange 2010 transition, 200 enterprise CALs and an entry level SAN. $60k can NOT cover that... and even if I swapped out the SAN with a 'certified' NAS appliance that would still leave no money for desktops, networking equipment, etc.

[–]drunoConsultant 2 points3 points ago

I think that response would be sufficient. As long as you put in two weeks notice I doubt they'll get to bent out of shape about it.

[–]MadMonk67Sr. Sysadmin 2 points3 points ago*

Its simple. Just be honest and tell them that you feel that this position wasn't what you thought it would be and have decided to move on to something else (don't specify reasons unless they ask). They would do no different if you weren't working out for them.

[–]kynovSysadmin[S] 2 points3 points ago

I pretty much came up with this--

Please accept this letter as resignation of my position of Systems Administrator at XYZ Co. While I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me, I believe a mutual fit is not there. I have been given an opportunity elsewhere that aligns better with my personal career goals and I have chosen to pursue it.

[–]UKDude20Architect 5 points6 points ago

Nope, don't mention the new job, they'll think youre job hopping.

Explain that you don't believe you'll be able to make the difference you want to make, that the company's goals don't match your own and you think its better to tell them before either party makes significant commitments.

[–]anaxx 0 points1 point ago

Agreed. Drop the third sentence and replace with "My last day of work will be $GTFO." Your resignation letter is not where you talk about other jobs.

[–]jehahnSegmentation Violation (core dumped) 2 points3 points ago

I'm sorry but this just isn't going to work. Best of luck.

[–]vindvioSecurity Admin 1 point2 points ago

It's probably best to try and not burn bridges. Keep the door open because who knows, in the future they may need a contractor.

[–]titanicxCCP, Chief Computer Psycologist 0 points1 point ago

I would tell them the truth, maybe they will see what is happening and do something about it for the next guy, IMO.

[–]iamadogforreal 1 point2 points ago

This is what happened at my last place, which I worked at for only about 10 or 11 months. After I and another person left, management (which was a terrible married couple who owned the business and saw all IT spending as money out of their personal pockets), decided to give raises to the existing staff and do some basic reforms. Sure, that place is still a nightmare, but I like to think that I had something to do with fixing the working conditions there by leaving. Heck, before me there was zero documentation, zero backups, and the place was falling apart.

[–]iamadogforreal 0 points1 point ago

Look they'd fire you without thinking twice, why do you feel so much loyalty for them? The power relationship is on their side. You're just an employee. Just put in your 2 weeks and say this job wasn't what you thought it was. They still have warm resumes from the job hunt and will hire the guy who was 2nd. I'd say leaving early is the least stressful for all concerned.

[–]kynovSysadmin[S] 0 points1 point ago

Got into work this morning... boss is out today. Looks like I will have to shoot for tomorrow.

[–]darksim905Hot Spare Windows Sysadmin 0 points1 point ago

I would've tried to stay there a little longer than a month or two. At minimum you want to stay at a job for 3 months unless you have no choice but to move on, but that's just me.

An hour commute is nothing to me, though. Then again, I busted my ass to change my commute from an hour and 15 minutes, to 5 minutes. Something as simple as that, in this case your new job will make you so fucking happy in and of itself. :)

[–]jaywalkkerStandalone...so alone 0 points1 point ago

Had you interviewed with the [new company] concurrently as the [current company] and they just took a while to make decision and offer you position or did you step foot inside [current company], say, "nuh-UH" and throw your resume back out there?
Either way, they sounded desparate to replace the last guy quick, who was probably like you, so I'm willing to bet whatever good advice you accept from other commenters here, will be something they've heard before. It really does sound like this job epitomizes the parable of the two letters.

[–]kynovSysadmin[S] 1 point2 points ago

I actually applied for the new job BEFORE getting this one. They just so happened to call me about 4 days after I started the one I am at now. I explained the situation to the new company and they were very understanding of the situation. I tried my best to assure them that I am not a job hopper (which I am not, I enjoy stability).

To add to what you are saying, I found out that the Sysadmin before me only lasted 6 months. My current boss hates working here and has said constantly that he will put in his 2 weeks as soon a good job offer comes along.

[–]kynovSysadmin[S] 0 points1 point ago

So I turned in my resignation and I was shown the door. Oh well, new job starts in 11 days :-) Happy to move on to greener pastures!

[–]moktarinoUnhelpful Ass 2 points3 points ago

Just say, "It's not working out. I feel that I would have to work against far more than mere technical and organizational problems to succeed in this environment, and that I am not interested in that work."

Your talent gives you the ability to find a place that you can do your best work in. If there's anything you should feel bad about it's that YOU didn't vet THEM well enough. Tom Limoncelli has a great list of questions you can ask a prospective employer to suss their attitudes on certain issues. If the hardware is old and the practices bad, and they don't tell you something along the lines of, "We have money lined up for upgrades and are 100% committed to a modernization of the system", I would head for the door.

[–]bshacklett 0 points1 point ago

While I agree with most of your statements, I think that communication would be a bit verbose and unnecessary (not to mention somewhat insulting). In all likelihood, they either do not realize that their environment is subpar, or they realize it and are not proud of it. Either way, bringing attention to that will do little more than hurt their pride and cause frustration.

[–]moktarinoUnhelpful Ass 0 points1 point ago

You're absolutely right.

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