[Discuss] Looking for work

[gaf at blu.org (Jerry Feldman)]

The most important thing is that (1) you find out as fast as possible
about available jobs, and (2) you sell yourself as best as possible.
Since I have been a contractor for many years I always kept my resume up
to date. I always structured the resume so that the top 1/3 effectively
says who I am, what I am looking for, and what skills I have. HR people
are mostly jerks, so you need to use the right buzz words that they are
looking for, but once you get off their pile, then you go to the hiring
manager who is generally looking for more stuff. But, most people are
only going to take a quick look. If they don't see the skills they want,
the resume may not get into the right hands. Interviews can be
challenging. Don't volunteer anything and don't be negative. I've had
what I have thought to be great interviews and have been turned down and
have had what I thought were poor interviews and I've got the job. I
also dress in a decent jacket and tie for an interview (even at Digital
where I knew everyone else would be in jeans). The other thing is don't
lie. If you don't know something, tell them so. I remember a case where
a guy (hardware guy) took credit for a circuit board design.
Unfortunately the hiring manager was actually the guy that designed that
board.

On 07/01/2012 11:13 AM, Jay Kramer wrote:
> Jerry,
>
> Thanks for the advice.  I will follow your suggestions.
>
> Jay
>
> On Sat, Jun 30, 2012 at 10:13 AM, Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org> wrote:
>> On 06/30/2012 09:59 AM, Charlie Bennett wrote:
>>> On Thu, 2012-06-28 at 23:47 -0400, David Kramer wrote:
>>>> On 06/28/2012 10:20 AM, Jay Kramer wrote:
>>>>> BLU members,
>>>>>
>>>>> Due to a downturn of billable work at my present place of employment,
>>>>> I am on very reduced work schedule and looking to supplement my income
>>>>> until things pick up.  I am a long time Linux user with web and
>>>>> programming experience.  If you have a little extra work on your hands
>>>>> and would like some help please contact me.  I will consider all
>>>>> offers.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for considering my request and I apologize if I am
>>>>> out of line for posting to BLU's listserv.
>>>> You will have a lot better odds of getting help if you tell people what
>>>> you can do and what kind of job you're looking for.  "Web and
>>>> programming experience" can mean anything between "HTML with a bit of
>>>> JavaScript" to "Developed multi-tier enterprise website using
>>>> J2EE/Spring/Hibernate".
>>>>
>>>> Also, BLU has a separate list, position-available at blu.org, for jobs.
>>> Being visible on LinkedIn doesn't hurt either.
>>>
>> Networking is also effective. If you want to explore networking, try the
>> WIND group. WIND meets on Wednesdays, David can give you the details.
>> Additionally, The Career Place sponsors some networking meetings. While
>> I was between contracts I did attend these, but I was called back to HP.
>> I did find out about a job at the IRS through WIND.
>>
>>


-- 
Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id:3BC1EB90 
PGP Key fingerprint: 49E2 C52A FC5A A31F 8D66  C0AF 7CEA 30FC 3BC1 EB90