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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > May 2002 > finding a job
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| AnyKey 2002-05-24, 8:30 pm |
| Hi Guys!
It's been a long time since I was here. This site really helped me so I wanted to share a few things. I have my MCSE and 1 year of real world experience to back it up, but even that didn't seem like enough. I was out of work for 5 months although I admit I didn't really look the first 2. Even still, I only sent out 53 resumes electronically. I had no contacts here in Houston. Also I had several other things working against me: 49 years old, female (sorry but true), and in my mind, a little overweight. It shouldn't matter, but it all does. Given the plethora of techs, due to layoffs here and schools shooting out technical people, I decided to fall back on my office skills in my search. I found a job with a computer consulting firm working in their office and working on computers as well. They want to groom me to become a Systems Administrator which will mean more money for me. Plus, I'll be making some contacts in my field. I guess I have several points I'd like to make. First, if you have any other skills, use them if you can to get your foot in the door. Second, keep your resume simple and don't fluff it up. I looked at over 100 to find my replacement(when I left Dallas) and I couldn't believe how terrible most were. Do your research, maybe even make up a couple to fit different situations and most importantly, don't have ANY typos or other mistakes. This semms harsh, but I know (from others) that if something is misspelled or not capitalized, you can kiss that job goodbye. Third...the interview... the worst social interaction ever invented. Here is a site that really helped me. It's geared toward college grads, but so much of the information was useful to me that I read almost the entire site:www.collegegrad.com. Fourth, my resume was picked out of 50. They interviewed 3 people for the job. They told me they decided to hire me because I was the only one out of the 3 that sent a thank-you email. That's kind of scary. I used to send a thank-you via snail mail, but I read recently that that is too slow. Guess I read right. Fifth, find some very local job boards. I found mine on a county job board. Plus the big ones take too long to sift through and there are too many recruiters and staffing agencies. Still check them, but concentrate on the local ones. And CHECK EVERYDAY! You don't want to miss anything. Sixth, keep a log. I made a simple Excel spreadsheet. You don't want to go into an interview blind. You want to be able to back track and research the company if possible. OK seventh, don't give up!! It's really tough to avoid feeling like no one wants you. I felt like that, too. But don't give up, even if you have to adjust your expectations. You will find a way!!!
PS. Freak's site was very helpful to me in the past.I will be persuing other certs and will visit his site and this one for help. Thank you and keep up the good work!!
PPS. Sorry so long...good luck!!
PPS. I'm sorry...one more thing...don't say that your objective is to find a position at a fast-paced company that utilizes your skills and education while offering the opportunity for advancement and etc. It's what everyone says and so boring. Try to be original, it's the only way to cut yourself out of the herd. | |
| Zaraspook 2002-05-24, 10:31 pm |
| Best of luck with the new job and thanks for the great info!  | |
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| very interesting
good post
and yes the age thing does come into play even for a man I'm 52 and find that when I show up for interviews it does play a factor
I always seem to get to the second interview and short list but lately have been coming up short ah well
Like you say never say die
Ed
A+ Question of the Day Guy
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| onoski 2002-05-26, 6:55 am |
| Thank you, for the interesting post and insights. I very much agree with you as nothing is easy in life, don't give up regardless of age, race or interview disappointments etc. The point is you gotta keep searching and striving. Who said it was ever going to be easy anyway Best of wishes in your new job and thanks once more again for the insight. Cheerio | |
| TxBear 2002-05-26, 3:08 pm |
| Wow small world, hello meighbor. I live 20 miles north of the Woodlands  Congratulations on getting the job and I hope it works out for you.
Bear | |
| AnyKey 2002-05-26, 5:43 pm |
| Thanks everyone!! It is a small world, yet I have the whole world right here at the tips of my fingers. Still amazing to me. |
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