Topic: Out of ideas. (Read 6131 times)

Demosthenes · « **on:** September 17, 2009, 12:11:16 PM »

Just as some background, I am an IT professional. More specifically in support, but I can build, maintain, and support desktops, networks, and servers. I can support, document, maintain, patch, and troubleshoot literally hundreds of applications, ranging from things as simple as PDF readers to things as complex as $150,000 electronic medical records systems for sprawling hospital campuses.

I started programming when I was 11 or 12. While programming isn't something I do professionally anymore (though I used to), it gives me insight into things a lot of server/desktop/network IT guys don't have.

I have a broad range of experience and expertise in technology that spans many platforms, applications, and hardware. There is very little that I have ever failed to understand, troubleshoot, break down and repair.

I'm also a leader. My most recent "real job" had me managing a helpdesk at a company that hosted hundreds of Windows Terminal Servers for thousands of end users. I liked that job, and I was very good at it. I didn't, however, like the company. They treated their employees like shit, and openly tolerated harassment.

I have been unemployed since November of last year. I have been applying for lots of different jobs. I have been applying for entry-level IT jobs, mid-range IT jobs, and senior level IT jobs -- any of which I am qualified to do. I have been applying for janitorial jobs, production/manufacturing jobs, warehouse jobs, bank teller jobs, generic office jobs, and customer service jobs.

In the past ten months, out of the dozens and dozens and dozens of jobs for which I have applied, I have had exactly four interviews for IT jobs that were all really good fits for me, and all four interviews went swimmingly well.

And all four jobs went to someone else. I just found out about the fourth about an hour ago.

And I'm utterly out of ideas.

If any of you far-flung geeks know of a job or a consulting gig for one of my talents to which I could telecommute, I would greatly appreciate being made aware of it. I've tried everything else I can think of, I figure I might as well see what some of you fine folks can think of.

Those of you with any serious suggestions or leads let me know.

Or even if you know someone that might be interested in someone like me, pass them my Linked In profile and let me know about it and I can forward them my resume.

ivan · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:17:21 PM »

I'll be on the lookout. Good luck.

xolik · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:22:39 PM »

That sucks.

We already had two rounds of layoffs at where I work and I know that IT hiring is a bit tight these days. These interviews may have already had the person they chose pre-selected but had to interview other people just for show. It's happened to me.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:28:24 PM »

Quote from: xolik on September 17, 2009, 12:22:39 PM

That sucks.

We already had two rounds of layoffs at where I work and I know that IT hiring is a bit tight these days. These interviews may have already had the person they chose pre-selected but had to interview other people just for show. It's happened to me.

Yeah. I'm positive that was the case in at least one of them, and I'm suspicious that was the case in one of the others. The other two though, I think I just didn't get them on my own merits.

One thing that's happening around here: any time an IT job opening is posted, said employer is getting FLOODED with resumes. In the odd chance I get called for an interview, I'm one among maybe a dozen that gets interviewed. In fact, that's one of the questions I typically ask, and I usually get an answer to "how many others have you interviewed for this or still have scheduled to interiview?".

So they're not all just for show. In my case, I think half of them were. The rest were just me trying to stick out in a crowd of really good, unemployed IT professionals.

pbsaurus · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:44:01 PM »

My last two jobs have been through recruiters. I don't know anyone around here who has obtained a job through any other means than recruiter or employee referral. I have a suspicion that in the current environment the former has probably dried up due to a heavy amount of supply and little demand. This leaves personal referral from an employee already in the organization.

If I hear of any telecommutable things I'll let you know.

Oh and just to make sure you have all of your bases covered, make sure you have a resume on dice.com which specializes in IT and Tech.

xolik · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:59:53 PM »

I used to think slave-traders were reliable, but like pb said, they're being overwhelmed with IT folks. When they shut down the plant I worked at many years ago, I got a couple of good gigs from a trader.

pbsaurus · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:07:24 PM »

I have two good ones who I still keep in touch with and they confirm that supply (job lookers) is way out pacing demand (jobs). I still get emails and calls from a few others, but I suspect that's just the keeping the network alive thing, in the event that the demand picks up in the future, they still want to have a good supply.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:42:45 PM »

Maybe if you would quit bragging about yourself so much. That's a real turn off for employers

dcrog · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:58:31 PM »

Perhaps they think you are over qualified. I've seen that before. So they give it to someone that they can pay less.

12AX7 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:32:52 PM »

Quote from: pbsaurus on September 17, 2009, 12:44:01 PM

My last two jobs have been through recruiters...

...have a resume on dice.com which specializes in IT and Tech.

That's how I landed this job; on dice.com

dcrog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:24:16 AM »

facebook.com/puzzles

Solve these Demo and they may come offering you a job. At least that's what their CEO said.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:07:46 PM »

Feh. I wouldn't want to work for Facebook. Once you get used to working there, you come in one day and discover that they moved all the fucking furniture around, replaced your chair with a funny looking stool, and shuffled all your coworkers up without warning you first. And they do this every 6 months or so without warning.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:09:45 PM »

I should add, I'm on my 3rd week at my new job.

NO THANKS TO ANY OF YOU PEOPLE.

Joe Sixpack · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:16:08 PM »

Are you saying you're not a sharepoint admin now?

ivan · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:53:15 PM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on October 27, 2009, 04:07:46 PM

Feh. I wouldn't want to work for Facebook. Once you get used to working there, you come in one day and discover that they moved all the fucking furniture around, replaced your chair with a funny looking stool, and shuffled all your coworkers up without warning you first. And they do this every 6 months or so without warning.

And every goddam day it's "you should be friends with this person, you should be friends with that person..."

dcrog · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2009, 08:49:13 AM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on October 27, 2009, 04:09:45 PM

I should add, I'm on my 3rd week at my new job.

NO THANKS TO ANY OF YOU PEOPLE.

Back in the repo business? That should be booming these days.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:30:42 AM »

Quote from: dcrog on October 28, 2009, 08:49:13 AM

Back in the repo business? That should be booming these days.

Actually, repo almost completely dried up for me over the past few months.

I took a job in IT for a managed services company, so I'm back to techieness.

Chaulis · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:13:22 AM »

I'm not sure if you've heard of this before but check out onforce.com. It got me through some pretty rough times. You sign up as a "professional" and get text messages when quick jobs become available, anything from wireless network setups to server troubleshooting. It's an easy way to make a quick buck.

BizB · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2009, 08:55:01 AM »

2 years? 2 years later and you just waltz in here and post like you've never left expecting us to pay any attention to what you say?

ok. hi1u.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2009, 09:28:52 AM »

Yeah, seriously, W.T.F. Chaulis?

How've you been?

Chaulis · « **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:50:29 PM »

This is what happens when you randomly google your self and find places that had slipped your mind. Nostalgia kicked in and I had to come back, what can I say I've missed you guys.

I'm in my last semester at good ol' Eastern Michigan U for my information assurance degree which has been one hell of a ride. I got laid off from AT&T in April which lemme tell ya AT&T does not like paying unemployment, they fought tooth and nail and lost a humiliating defeat at my hands, and I feel your pain on the job front. It's been blah at best. The only thing I can find is to teach a class at EMU next semester and do onforce. I avoided the boat anchor that would have been a wedding ring by the skin of my teeth. And I'm still a Mr.Clean twin

How bout you guys, how's it been?

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Author Topic: Out of ideas. (Read 6131 times)

12AX7