I'm a talented IT guy with ten years of experience in a wide variety of roles, and a degree in International Business. I've been offered a position that seems too good to be true. How do I investigate the offer and make sure I'm on solid ground?
The CEO of the new company is someone I've known for a long time, but have no particular reason to trust. He does trust me, especially from an ethics standpoint which has been a major pain point for the organization recently.
I've managed IT for a 150 person consultancy for 7 years. The IT staff consisted of only one other full time employee, and a full time co-op. The new position is Director of IT for a 400 person attorneys office with 20 full time IT staff. This is in line with my talents and career goals, but I am aware that I'm unproven in managing such a large office.
Pros:
We want to move out of Ohio to a warmer climate, the new position is in Dallas.
We wouldn't mind a bigger 'stache. The new job at ~110k is 45% more than I make currently, and we're comfortable on half of what I make now!
The new job has much better benefits, including relocation, car stipend, free rent in a company-owned house, and spousal education credits.
Job hours are flexible, and include at least two days a week working from home. I'm not on the clock for any particular amount of time, I just need to get the job done.
Red flags:
The CEO is my only point of contact. He claims HR is actively trying to avoid hiring anyone for the position in hopes of scoring a nepotism placement. They've claimed to emailed me paperwork on multiple occasions, but it has never arrived. They sent him a doctored screenshot "proving" I was sent the information. What kind of circus are they running??
The CEO is never in the office during business hours, he works the night shift doing international stuff.
Turnover rate for the IT department that I would head is currently over 40% annually.
Without a current director (the last being let go for ethics issues), the IT infrastructure is currently in shambles. The email servers have been failing randomly, and the only offsite backups are at the CEO's home.
... The working from home and reduced hours might be quite a ways off while I sort out the mess. I'll be expected to pull 50-60 hours 'as needed', and it will most likely be needed a lot until I can get things settled.
The company restructured less than 12 years, shedding its name and attempting to hide its past when one of the partners got convicted of severe security fraud. Apparently the SEC is satisfied now, and no one else knows the history. The rebranding was very successful, I couldn't find a hint of a trail from the old name to the new one.
I'm capable of the position, but my resume doesn't prove it. My acquaintance seems to be taking an big gamble in selecting me for the role. The general incompetence throughout the organization is a bit scary.
I could be looking at an offer and paperwork as early as this weekend. What do I need to address to protect myself and my family from the chaos? We really want to get out of Ohio, Dallas looks like a great place for us, and the new job as described would be both challenging and satisfying.
Open to any and all thoughts, including face punches for considering something 'too good to be true' could be for real.
Thanks!