In short, I'm really seeking (at least currently), a Director of Engineering or Director of IT role. A Manager role would also suffice. I'd like to aim for the medium-size businesses, say from 100+ people, but honestly, any company with the correct culture would fit me well.
I have experience working on computers from the Mainframe to the Web, from Databases to User Interfaces, from System Architecture to Disaster Recovery. And I have dozens of stories to go along with exemplifying my experiences in each.
It is cliche for a candidate to say "I have the ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical business users and vice versa". I'm going to avoid saying that, as everyone says it. And they believe it to be true. Instead, I'll say this:
I've worked in Sales and in Information Technologies. Now, I don't mean I worked in one field alongside an expert in the other, as is often the case (although I have done that as well). No, I mean I worked in both fields as a career.
When I worked in Sales I was a salesman. I visited customers. I was physically at a customer site, giving sales presentations, and actively working to close deals. I reported to the Vice President of Marketing and Sales directly, not through a dotted line or as support. I had a sales pipeline which I was responsible for maintaining and nurturing.
When I worked in Development, I was a developer. I wrote code. I built software diagrams. I provided software support. I directed, guided, and coordinated the actions of others to build software. When disasters struck, I was in the thick of it working to reconstruct data. I reported to IT Managers, Engineering Directors and the CIO.
Where does that leave me? Simple, I've lived both these careers. I know what Engineers want because I am an Engineer. I know what Sales People want because I am a Salesman. I don't have to speak 'sales' or 'techie'...my experiences make me fluent in both.
That is what I bring to an organization: the combined experience of having lived both Sales and Development. Now, where is the organization that doesn't want someone like me? If you know of one, please leave it in the comments below and help me get in touch with them.
I can't provide a great variety of response. I've worked for the same company for the past 11 years, and I think you know which one. It's a bit bigger than you'd prefer according to what you wrote here, especially after having been purchased by Pearson Publishing, but it's a very good place to work.
ReplyDelete