but only for a week, by my choice! 
Two years ago, the company I worked for was bought by a VERY large firm, that wanted to get into our market; midstream oil & gas. They bought us at the peak, and paid a pretty penny. 65 million dollars worth of pennies, to be exact. They had no experience, in our market, except for the 4 other times they tried to buy a midstream company, and run it like they'd been running their downstream companies. Apparently, they didn't learn from their mistakes and were headed down the same path of self destruction. About half of our clients just flat out refused to do business with them. The other half couldn't tolerate their excessive billing of non-essential people, so all of those finally fell by the way-side. They've restructured us three times in the last two years.
About 3 months ago, I was contacted by a guy that I'd worked off and on with since 1995. He was being promoted from Piping Department Manager to Project Manager, and wanted to know if I'd be interested in his old job. At the time, I told him that I was willing to hear more.
Three weeks ago, they announced the 3rd restructuring. I knew that it was only a matter of time that the place would fall off into oblivion, and it was my time to move. In a matter of days, I had a face to face interview with the VP of operations of the other company. I think he'd already made up his mind that he wanted to hire me, based on the recommendation of the guy that originally contacted me. He spent more time selling me on the company than I did selling myself to him. The lunch ended with him asking me how much I'd need to make the move.
The next day, he accepted my requests and got the paperwork rolling. He warned me that their HR department would be kinda slow. I got the official offer letter today and turned in my notice. Since I'd just finished my two last projects, literally, today, when I gave my notice to my new boss of three weeks, I could tell he didn't see a need for me to stay around with no billable work. I told him the notice was just a professional courtesy and that I'd gladly go home today with no hard feelings. We had a short discussion about why I was leaving and he explained that normally he'd be finding a way to get me to stay.
I'd already packed all my stuff so I spent a few hours talking to the people that were worth talking to, and about an hour talking to my old boss (from the bought out company). Then I wheeled the cart with all my boxes down to my truck.
This is the obvious next step in my career. I'll be the Piping Department Manager at a small engineering firm in the Energy Corridor. There's lots of room to grow, and I know I can take a lot to the table.
Knowing that I got off the ship, before it sank, feels like a truck was lifted off my shoulders.
I think I'll get drunk tonight!
Two years ago, the company I worked for was bought by a VERY large firm, that wanted to get into our market; midstream oil & gas. They bought us at the peak, and paid a pretty penny. 65 million dollars worth of pennies, to be exact. They had no experience, in our market, except for the 4 other times they tried to buy a midstream company, and run it like they'd been running their downstream companies. Apparently, they didn't learn from their mistakes and were headed down the same path of self destruction. About half of our clients just flat out refused to do business with them. The other half couldn't tolerate their excessive billing of non-essential people, so all of those finally fell by the way-side. They've restructured us three times in the last two years.
About 3 months ago, I was contacted by a guy that I'd worked off and on with since 1995. He was being promoted from Piping Department Manager to Project Manager, and wanted to know if I'd be interested in his old job. At the time, I told him that I was willing to hear more.
Three weeks ago, they announced the 3rd restructuring. I knew that it was only a matter of time that the place would fall off into oblivion, and it was my time to move. In a matter of days, I had a face to face interview with the VP of operations of the other company. I think he'd already made up his mind that he wanted to hire me, based on the recommendation of the guy that originally contacted me. He spent more time selling me on the company than I did selling myself to him. The lunch ended with him asking me how much I'd need to make the move.
The next day, he accepted my requests and got the paperwork rolling. He warned me that their HR department would be kinda slow. I got the official offer letter today and turned in my notice. Since I'd just finished my two last projects, literally, today, when I gave my notice to my new boss of three weeks, I could tell he didn't see a need for me to stay around with no billable work. I told him the notice was just a professional courtesy and that I'd gladly go home today with no hard feelings. We had a short discussion about why I was leaving and he explained that normally he'd be finding a way to get me to stay.
I'd already packed all my stuff so I spent a few hours talking to the people that were worth talking to, and about an hour talking to my old boss (from the bought out company). Then I wheeled the cart with all my boxes down to my truck.
This is the obvious next step in my career. I'll be the Piping Department Manager at a small engineering firm in the Energy Corridor. There's lots of room to grow, and I know I can take a lot to the table.
Knowing that I got off the ship, before it sank, feels like a truck was lifted off my shoulders.
I think I'll get drunk tonight!
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