A Fork In The Road Up Ahead

A interesting situation has developed.  This afternoon, I spoke with A from I in Cali, who gave me a technical interview over the phone.  He asked me several conceptual questions regarding multi-threading and multi-processing, as well as a brain teaser involving dropping two glass balls from a tall building.

Interestingly, I had just spent last night and this morning reviewing material about multi-threading and multi-processing.  Of course, I had absolutely no idea these would be the topics of the exam today, but something compelled me to study these.  I had encountered questions about them during my interview process with I (the one nearby) and N, so I knew this was an area I was weak in, which I needed to really study more.  Lo and behold, A’s questions dealt with the exact same topics.  It was quite a coincidence, and a very fortuitous one.  Had I not studied them last night and this morning, I probably would not have done well enough in A’s estimation to justify flying me out there for a full interview.

But I did do well enough, and they do want to fly me out there.  So, I have dug myself into another ditch with regards to options.  I already have N in hand, and it looks like that barring anything really strange, I will also offer.  N’s deadline to make a decision, though, is this coming Tuesday, while the earliest I can go to I is Thursday, because its chief technology officer will be there, and they want me to meet him.

Essentially, if I pursue this opportunity with I, then I must forego N.  I could ask G for an extension of the deadline to next Friday, and he will probably say yes, but I feel bad having to delay N about this.  I should be able to just say Yes or No without excessively more deliberation.

So, an upcoming fork in the road looms.  To one side is N, and staying local.  To the other side is I, and moving out-of-state.  The pro’s and con’s for both are compelling.

I:

Pros:

- financial sector
- extremely competitive and successful business model
- warm Cali, Silicon Valley
- within my sphere of knowledge, experience, and expertise
- international scope
- tremendous upside growth potential, possibly explosive in the upcoming years
- knowledge and skill sets sought after by financial institutions

Cons:

- small, relatively unknown company
- fewer benefits
- cost of living substantially higher

N:

Pros:

- international presence
- internationally recognized brand with over 100+ years of history
- telecom giant
- extensive career opportunities
- cutting edge technologies which are in high demand
- won’t necessarily have to move
- fantastic benefits

Cons:

- 1+ hr commute each direction, 2+ hrs per day, worse in inclement weather, especially in winter
- different technology sector, requiring a steeper learning curve
- possible volatility in job security, due to hyper competitive nature of the telecom industry

I think those are the main points.  I can probably simply flip a coin, and I will enjoy a long, successful career working at either.

So, the question is, do I accept I’s offer to fly me out there for a full interview?  I’ve never been to the Bay area, so it would be a nice, mini-vacation to see someplace new.  But doing so will probably result in an offer, and I don’t know for sure whether working at I would be something I’d truly want.

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