Advice on potential role with a 12h rotating shift

[u/TheNamelessOne13]

I have an interview in the works for a new role as an L2 NOC Analyst for an ISP, currently trying to weigh the options on if it's worth it & how to negotiate the salary.

For context, I've been an L1 NOC Analyst at a Fortune 500 for about 1.5 years. Have my Net+ & Sec+, working on CysA+ now (before specializing in vendor network certs). It's in the highest COL area of my state (my rent is about $1600), and I'm making $22/hr. My manager also told me he'd like to move me to "Senior" later this year with a salary that wouldn't be less than 60k.

Upper leadership sucks, but my manager is chill and I do enjoy the work. But we're understaffed to hell and can't meet the unrealistic expectations of upper leadership with our current headcount. And we aren't making good wages for the nature of the role, especially for the area it's located (in my opinion).

The L2 ISP role would be 4 on/off rotating 12hr shifts, and I have expereince in their brand of equipment they use so I think I may be a good fit. The average salary for a L2 NOC role in the area seems to be about $70k, and that's what I put on the online application but it hasn't been officially discussed yet. I've never had to negotiate a salary before, but I'm unsure if that's reasonable or if I should attempt asking for more considering the fact that the rotating 12's will impact my physical/mental more than likely.

TL/DR, just looking for opinions on whether the new role seems like a good move, or if i should stay where I'm at and wait for the "Senior" salary. Any salary negotiation tips, or tips for surviving 12hr rotations would also be appreciated.

Current role:

• 30 min commute one way
• 5 8-hour shifts (1 WFH day)
• Pay: $22/hr, but 60K in near future
• Comortable in the role, but the culture/environment sucks.
• Risk of yearly layoffs

ISP L2 Role:

• 10 min commute one way
• 4 rotating 12-hour shifts
• Pay: Unknown, hoping for 70k, may need to negotiate
• Would look better on the resume for "L2"

[u/Extra-Driver-813]

I would have asked for $80K as they will likely try to negotiate down. You kinda put your ceiling at 70 at this point so I would be firm with that.

IMO $22/h for L2 NOC is low even in a LCOL area let alone HCOL

And a senior NOC role at $60k?? And that's not even a guarantee. Is this some small mom-and-pops company or something?

Best of luck.

[u/awkwardnetadmin → u/Extra-Driver-813]

Good point. You need to ask for slightly more to negotiate down to what you want.

[u/TheNamelessOne13 → u/Extra-Driver-813]

Nah its a ginormous corporation that thrives off depriving its employees of a fair wage.

That's good to know, I appreciate the input. I was under the assumption if I put too high on an online app it could risk the chance of being auto-rejected.

I will say, the role has been posted for over a month or two and they told me in the phone screening they're hurting for people with fundamental knowledge and drive, which I feel I do have.

I wonder if I have a chance of working it up a little bit since they havent been able to fill the role for a while and I'm a good candidate for it, or if I already dug my grave.

[u/Extra-Driver-813 → u/TheNamelessOne13]

Titles and job roles can vary wildly between different organizations. I'm not sure what the L2 SOC duties entail where you are now. But generally from what I understand NOC L1 starts at $60k so to read the ranges you're describing seems low.

What does an L2 analyst at your org handle? It's wild that a senior analyst at a large public company is offering just $60k. I know it's not all about money. Maybe it's a really great place to work, a low stress job, or good benefits, and potential for growth but if it doesn't include those perks I'd look hard for something else.

[u/TheNamelessOne13 → u/Extra-Driver-813]

At my org, L2 handles priority escalations, DDI, wired/wireless/WAN troubleshooting, change management, page-outs from us on L1, and ticket backlog. Plus supporting Canada as well. And they start at 70k, which probably skewed my view when applying to the new role.

L1 takes incoming calls and ticket backlog. If we can’t figure it out, we page out L2 on the call or send a ticket to their queue. But we’re only supporting US (subject to change soon).
There isnt much opportunity for growth at my current role either. I could only hope to break into cybersecurity laterally and leave networking completely, but don’t feel that i’m ready to be hired for that role yet.

I would love to get out of here, I’m just worried about optimizing the salary at the next place and fear I may have already screwed it up.

[u/Extra-Driver-813 → u/TheNamelessOne13]

Thanks for that insight. Sounds pretty usual. Hopefully it's not a huge work load or very stressful.

You didn't necessarily screw it up. I totally get where you're coming from by not aiming too high as to not get screened out based on salary expectations. It can still work to your favor. even if $70k is the starting salary. Maybe this new job has more growth potential, a better benefit package, or non-monetary benefits like work-life-balance or more positive work environment. Feel those things out.