Job offer from Porsche

[collegeguy]

Greetings, p-car enthusiasts. This is my first post here, but I've been around for a few weeks reading the archives. It's a great forum. I own a bone-stock black 1987 sunroof coupe, but that's not the reason for my post. I'm finishing up a 3-year program for HCI (Human Computer Interaction) and I've been interviewing with several companies over the past few months for a Web site interaction design position (not visual design, but designing the features and flow of the site). One of those companies is Porsche, specifically the company's sales and marketing division in Ludwigsburg. I'm not in Germany now, but I indicated to them that I may consider a relocation. On Friday I received a formal offer (despite my crappy conversational German skills) and I'm too excited to keep it a secret!! I only have a small circle of friends, and I've told most of them already. I don't know for sure if I'll accept; it's a long way from home, and I don't know enough about the country to make a decision just yet. Part of the interview involved me performing a critique of the existing Web site. That wasn't too tough. There are so many things I think a prospective customer would find annoying about the site. That goes for most automotive manufacturer sites. Anyway, I think there should be an area on the Porsche site that helps people looking to purchase a used Porsche. My interviewer seemed to like that idea. What do you think? Best, Alec.

[Wayne 962]

How about a big-ole link to Pelican?



-Wayne

[nostatic]

Congrats! I suppose you are steeped in Jakob Nielson's work? The Porsche site is a pretty easy target...it is so far from what it could be. If they put you on that project, be sure to check in here regularly for ideas and feedback...although you have to realize that the people on this board are probably *not* the target demographic for a Porsche sales site. If they could turn in into more or a Porsche portal/lifestyle site, then maybe there will be some possibilities.

[collegeguy]

Well, Wayne, maybe if it was a reciprocal linking deal and you let them use your Pelican mascot in a shiny new 996! BTW, I've taken a peruse of your site, and it appears as though you may have taken a course or two in how to design a great customer experience. Alec.

[collegeguy]

Thanks, nostatic. Yeah Jakob Nielsen, Steve Krug, Bruce "Tog", Mark Hurst, and the rest of the outspoken Web site design critics. I've often pondered creating a site like you suggest--a Porsche "lifestyle" site with great content and plenty of advertisers (like Wayne!). Rennlist is the closest thing, but it's missing some critical components. Hmm, maybe I should get on it...

[WydRyd]

Alec, what a FANTASTIC opportunity! I'm jealous

I say go for it

Congratulations and best of luck!

Merv.

[cary]

Numerous doors open in life. When you look back, there will be a couple you'll kick yourself for not going thru.
Don't let this be one of them. Way To Cool. .

Even if you don't take the job. Congratulations.

[collegeguy]

Cary, great advice. I love your RS project, BTW. What a beauty. For many of you (me included), there seems to be a mystique (maybe even magic) about this German car company. Does the same mystique exist for GM or Nissan? Not likely, but maybe Ferrari. What is it exactly? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I'm worried that I'll be extremely disappointed when I discover that there is no "mystique"--that Porsche is simply a very profitable corporation with a rich history but a focus on selling product (as they should be!). It might be like the day I discovered there really was no Santa Claus (hope there are no young ones reading this)...

[cary]

Maybe we can all hope, you'll stir things up............

Can't help you understand the mystique (maybe even magic) . I suffer from it bad.

I can gurantee you, you'll be disappointed. But, you'll be there in the Fatherland.

No matter what, 2-3 years with Porsche on your resume won't hurt. And maybe the Cayenne will be a great success. Then we'll go racing again. And you'll stay, put in your 30 years and get all those holidays.

[Kevin Stewart]

Go for a year or two, heck thats the length of a cell phone contract, and man the connections you can make and the places at Porsche you could see, then tell all of us here, yea, your like our inside man, I just wanna know if I can carry a Porsche out one piece at a time(old contry song), All fun aside its something most of us here would jump at, and the women over there seems to look good, what about all the Europe travels, buy a new Porsche then bring it home when you come, hey where can I apply, , Kevin

[collegeguy]

Ya, Kevin, you paint a nice picture. Maybe you should be working as a Porsche recruiter (if there is such an animal). Speaking of inside guys, I did a search of the archives and noticed old posts by someone named Stef, or 911racer. He seemed to always be on the defensive--addressing people's comments on the future direction of Porsche and of its latest models. Is he still around?

[Superman]

It's a no-brainer. Porsche experience will look good on the resume. You'd learn another language (big hidden benefits here). And you'd get a chance to get out of our beloved (but messed up right now) USA for an extended vacation.

Then there's the fast cars, fauleins and of course....THE BEER.

[Kevin Stewart]

Im 41 and passed a couple opportunities like that and have since kicked myself in the butt, I really try and not post or get involved on this board with the negative people, and im not saying he is or anyone else is, Just its not worth the hassle to me so i really havent noticed him, do a post and ask him to reply youll get his attention, Anyway what ever you decide good luck, but man we are talking Porsche here, ok, ok, ok, lol, enjoy the board there are a ton of great guys here and I think one gal, Kevin

[Emission]

Did he say there was no Santa Claus? Oh no, I am feeling lightheaded....

Congrats! You don't know how jealous I am.

[GoodMojo]

What, you're still here??

[Doug E]

Congrats.

On behalf of all of us on the board, I say TAKE THE JOB AND DON'T LOOK BACK!

For many of us it is a dream to work for Porsche and if you were to stay in touch via this board we could be living vicariously through you.

Life is too short so make the most of it.

[GeorgeM]

Alec,

Kevin's comment about connections is right. Look beyond the job at the opportunities and people you'll have the chance to meet there. If you're that passionate about the marque (like most are here), you'll enjoy working there.

If the job turns out to be not so great and you aren't able to change that, at least you'll have the benefits of an employee discount (I assume) and seeing the racing side of the company, free passes to events, time on the Nurburgring, etc.

As far as the moving overseas part goes, consider it an adventure. I hear the area has an excellent quality of life.

Besides, I'm moving to Stuttgart next year and it'll be nice to know a Pelicanhead inside the in the company. Okay, that's a little selfish, but I know we'll all benefit from the insight you'll have after being there for a while.

Congrats!

[Targa77]

Some guys have all the luck. Go for it!

[1970_Pete]

Congrats.

I'd take that job like there was no tomorrow. My brother works in IT for BMW in the UK - the guys working on the BMW website can afford to run 996's, I hear...:-)

You may be able to get a nice discount on a new Porshce, run it on finance, then sell it for a profit in two years when you leave - that's what the BMW guys do, I swear!

Did anyone mention sections of autobahn with no speed limit, driving the Nurburgring for a few euros, driving at Spa in Belgium, Le Mans in the summer...

Good luck
Pete

[Doug Zielke]

All good, but Alec, tell us about the perks...... (Huge discounts on parts, for example?)