Repeat a question from before... same answers?

[HornTootinEE]

I've asked a similar question before, need some input again.

I worked for a utility company. Left said utility company after 5 1/2 years for several reasons-all pretty valid. Company that lured me away for an "application engineer" position as "we need an engineer to support our customer with our technical products" Anyway... point being, I had alot of concerns about this "sales support" role namely, travel and how much engineering vs. sales. I asked the questions many ways and many times and came to the conclusion I was going to be going in the engineering direction and would be ok. Also, was offered a 10% straight wage cut with the promise of "commission will make up for that" Well, to make long story short-commission as it turns out won't make it up, I'm getting burned out of some of it, and I will be traveling a ton and doing 90% sales, 10% engineering.

Now, I have a local consulant that is pretty diverse in Civil/Construction that has some existing work and ongoing work as an electrical utility consultant, but wants to get some inhouse expierience to run with this type of work. They are working on me. I haven't even agree to an interview yet, but they really like the background I have with the utility. I do have a PE also by the way.

So, to boil it down:

I hate my job now-Bait and Switched... grrr.
I prefer utility work, but our area utilities likely aren't hiring soon
I have never done consulting, and the horror stories (hours, travel, lay offs) scare the crap out of me.
Seeing as this would be at just above ground level of their electrical utility department, I'd have opportunity but also some risk.

Any advice? Direction? If/When I interview, what questions do I need to be asking about workload, backlog, contracts, etc?

Thanks in advance.

 

[StevenHPerry]

No use beating around the bush. Just ask the hiring manager (at an appropriate time during the interview/offer process):

1) What are your expectations for hours per week?
2) How do you compensate for hours worked in addition to your __ hour expectation?
3) How much travel is expected for this position? How do you compensate for additional travel?
4) Try to get a termination statement in your offer letter... might be difficult, but worth a try. E.g. You can terminate my employment at any point for any or no reason, but you must give me __ months notice, or failing that, must pay me __ months salary.
5) Ask about backlog, but don't expect anything but a positive, upbeat answer. Search the web for announcements of new contracts. Then check the competition. Adjust for relative size. Is someone winning significantly more or less work?

To prevent another bait-and-switch:

1) Don't fall for the "opportunity" dangle. Consultancies can be very flat. 400 workers, 8 project managers, 4 department managers. You can have progressive responsibilities, but don't expect progressive titles. Worker bee 2, worker bee 3, worker bee 4, worker bee 5 are the most likely oppportunities for you, just by the odds.
2) Get it all in writing in the offer letter.

 

[FreddyNurk]

Whilst as you say, the 'Appplications Engineer' involves a heap of sales and travel (and thus very little actual engineering), to me at a first glance it'd seem like a better option even if you had to put up with extra hours and travel at the consultancy.

Having worked for a consultancy (and now in a utility position), there are some risks in terms of overtime and travel, though generally theres a company policy for that, and depending on the company it can work out reasonably well. Location and scope of transport providers can make it interesting though (not everyone is a fan of flying in a 6 seat Cessna, something I get to do every so often).

Also consider (again, very location / utility based, and I'm coming from a very small pond perspective, I'm in Australia) that if you're working with a utility and there are job openings coming up, then you're in a good position as they already know your experience. It has also been possible for utilities to hire consultants in for large projects, which again means that you're well placed.

From your summary I can't see too many reasons why you'd not consider it, but StevenHPerry has some very good points that need to be investigated first.