I got a contract!

[Richardk]

Congratulations!

For being so "unemployable" you did well. Did this ever come up as an issue? (Your background not being a good fit?)

[Carrie Cobol]

For this job, it wasn't a problem.  Because honestly 60% of my current job is business analysis and documentation, dealing with customers and end users, etc I was able to emphasize that part of my experience and de-emphasize the VMS.  They did insist on someone with a development background, but didn't seem to care much what platform the development took place on.  So here I am!

It did seem to be a problem for nearly all other jobs I applied for, though.  It seems like companies could always come up with some excuse...  "we want someone who's been doing business analysis 100%", one place felt that my work (with near-realtime critical systems) wasn't technically challenging enough to prepare me for a job with their hallowed group, and the ever-present "not a good fit".  I even applied to several OpenVMS jobs and was told I was not a good fit.  I think it was actually just that I wasn't local.

[Carrie Cobol]

I bet management at your current employer is going to freak out when you give them your notice.  My guess is that they will try to talk you into staying.  While they may be able to find a COBOL programmer to replace you, I believe what your current employer will miss the most from your departure is your extensive knowledge of whatever products/services that they happen to sell.

Yep, I'm not looking forward to that, although it's necessary.  And necessary to handle it in the most professional way possible.  They've been dogging me this past year and yanked away a long overdue promotion, so they're going to know that is why they lost me.  It's going to be a hard lesson for them.  I am pretty sure they think that we (coworkers and I) are pretty much locked into place because of our legacy skills.  Surprise, I don't take shit from anybody and if you think I have to suck it up and be a floor mat, you have a lesson to learn.  That will all be subtext, though, I won't state it aloud.

There will actually also be a few upset customers.  I'm sorry about that, but I have to look out for #1.

[Richardk]

You probably already know this but  just in case...

Before you tell them anything, be prepared to leave. Clean things out on your systems, desk, etc. Cut down your personal items to what can be easily collected and carried out in one trip. Be ready to go when you tell them. Sometimes they say, sorry to see you go and appreciate the 2 week notice others will walk you to the door and send you your stuff later that week.

Best of luck.

[JavaMouse]

Just signed the offer letter.  $55/hour, no sweat.

Congrats! Make mine a virtual rootbeer