Some Time Off & H1B

I was given the opportunity to take off the next three weeks.  But alas, it appears my work here, is never done.  I'm at the house, and there are  fifty things I NEED to do!

However, like other goals, I made a list, and assigned a priority.  And to put business acumen into place, I created a matrix, and weighted the assigned tasks.  The delta - all tasks to be completed in 21 days. Ok. Not really.  I made a list, but you could certainly overdo something as simple as a list. It's easy to get carried away making plans without executing them.  That happens to people all the time - a bit of analysis paralysis.

Now, there are things I cannot-rather am better served by outsourcing.  I can lay tile, but it'd be better if I got someone else to do the detail work.  Same goes with caulking, painting, and finish carpentry.   So, I will use the skills of someone else, and pay for that privilege.  I will receive excellent service, and quality work, for a price I am willing to pay.

This brings me to outsourcing, or for that matter insourcing via H1B Visas.  Just last week I met  a gentleman on an international flight. We were seat mates for the better part of -almost 18 hours!  This gentleman was an engineer, who went on to get his Masters. He is making plans on getting his MBA.  He is stellar in his field, outshining many of his co-workers.   So much so, he is being recruited directly from a competitor.

I asked him a question I thought pertinent:  Did he ever face adversity or snide comments or rudeness because he was here on an H1B?  "Never" he said, "And I get asked that a lot from people."  And I related that in the IT field, that there seemed to be a stigma associated with those whom came to the US and worked on an H1B.  

Two days ago in Computer World there was a story on Microsoft's layoffs, and a congressman running an inquiry into whether or not Microsoft was laying off American workers at the expense of keeping H1B workers. Microsoft didn't answer the inquiry as of this writing.  I bring this point up for one reason.  In the many comments that people made almost all talked derrogitorily toward the H1B Visa holders, and that they were staying because they were paid less.

Now, the gentlemen I met who is an engineer related to me his salary and his bonus structure; it was apparent to me that he was being paid equally with what his American co-workers were being paid.  Now I'm not saying that all companies pay the same, nor if there are inequalities in pay between H1B and American employees. I don't have data on either.  I'm probably certain that most complainers aren't certain of it either. In fact they may be confusing offshoring with H1B's.  Be it known that there is obviously a defecit for well trained, educated employees.  So much so that Dr. Eric Schmidt (Google), and Steve Balmer (Microsoft) both are lobbying congress to enable more H1B's in the future, the current number of around 65,000 per year is not nearly enough.- according to the report I read in Computer World.

This gentlemen told me he is attempting to get his green card, but it is a long drawn out process. He also said, he opposed amnesty for those immigrants who were here illegally.  He had to pay the price and time for coming here.  I concurred, but told him, he wouldn't have to worry about any of them taking his position.  He is highly skilled, he has his Bachelors, his Masters, and will be knocking out his MBA within seven years.

This gentlemen is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is he adept, he is business savvy, he has sales skills, and an easy manner.  He is the top of his game.  He strives and acheives; and we all could take a lesson from this man-set goals; educational goals, business goals, personal goals.  I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Mathews will acheive everything he sets out to do.

Whether or not H1B's get paid more, or less, or are thought to be taking jobs from American's, I can't make any general statements.    Let it known, that if someone does what needs to be done, and strives at their very best,  and continues their education, and makes rash and tough decisions that are sometime uncomfortable to make; they will either be employed or employ others.

Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck, Goose!

Do you remember playing that game when you were a kid?  Our rules were, everyone stood in a circle, facing each other, and the 'runner' named duck, duck, duck, until they tapped the 'goose' and ran; hoping beyond hope, that they couldn't be caught by the goose. And the 'goose' that got tapped, runs as fast as they can to catch the goose who tapped them.  It's a fun game. But when you are looking for a job, it's not fun to play games.

 

Ever put resumes out to a bunch of companies, and feel like you were playing duck, duck, goose?  I mean after all you initiated contact, through a big board, or possible a recruiter off of a big board.  And you are thinking, you know, after the initial phone screen from the recruiter of 'King Recruiters' they must be looking out for you. They immediately call your references, and they call you back, twice, and ask you to tweak your resume. And you comply both times. Then you find out when they submit it, (along with fifteen to fifty others) you'll 'fit in' or 'stand out' or whatever nomenclature they are throwing around.

 

Now I'm not knocking recruiters, there are some fine ones out there that do a fantastic job.  Others are merely e-mail and resume harvesters. And I've dealt with both.  The best recruiters I ever worked for were ones I initiated contact to, and they worked for a company that I was courting. Yes, almost like a date!  The company I wanted a job with was the highest paying contractor, and they had excellent benefits.  Now it didn't mean that they were the best managed, nor most profitable. But it didn't matter to me.  I was after the two big factors for myself: higher pay, and excellent health benefits.

 

So, what happened?  I initiated contact with the recruiter of the company.  I did my research, and found out their title and position.  I sent an e-mail with a cover letter. I let the recruiter know; I understand you may not be hiring now, however, I would like to be considered for a position within your company if one becomes available in my area of expertise.

 

Well, the recruiter emailed me back, and let me know they weren't hiring, but he would keep my resume, and follow up with me.  About a month later, I followed up with another e-mail to let him know I was still interested in working for the company.  There was no response, but that was ok.  I followed up the next month, and let him know I was still interested in working for the company.  No response....thirty days goes by, and low and behold, I get an e-mail.

 

And you know what I did, I trashed it. I had been contacted that particular week by six different recruiters, on the phone, and in my e-mail. Those recruiters were third party recruiters whom had 'courted' me.  So, you know what he did next, he called me the next day and left a voice mail.  He asked, are you still interested in working for our company.  Ah! They called me! 

 

I was ecstatic!  I called him back, I got voice mail. He e-mailed me a response; I thought it was another recruiter again; I had set up mail rules to 'delete such spam'.  He called me, left a message, I called back left a message; and if it were not for the diligence of both parties involved I wouldn't have gotten a position I had requested three months earlier.

 

When I did get the first phone screen, I let him know; I had been hounded relentlessly from a set of recruiters, and wasn't blatantly ignoring his e-mail.  Ultimately, I got the position, and moved to that company, post haste.

 

I learned a lesson:

1. Don't setup generic rules that will prevent you from getting e-mail you want.

2. I found that the best way to get hired was to contact the company I wanted to work for, and pursue them.

3. Follow up --as many times as it takes.

4. Be courteous. Return calls, and return e-mails.

 

Still looking for that perfect company who is hiring now AND has benefits you want?  http://www.govtcontractorjobs.com

 

 

 

 

Resolution Check -with apologies to the Beatles

"You say you want a resolution..." and for those of us reading those abridged lyrics. we know the rest, and the catchy tune. "Well you know. We all want to change the world."

Do you want to change the world? Are you as determined today, Tuesday, January 20th as you were when you took your position? Remember to stay upbeat. Make goals. Strive for perfection.

Today, is the inauguration of our 44th president, the first black president in america. Barack Hussein Obama II will take the oath of office, and begin work immediately, according to CNN reports, and will forgo the viewing of the parade. I know that he is attempting to make an impression on the world that he is a leader. However, as such, pundits and loudmouths will ridicule this moment in history, because he did not make time for a parade in his honor. 

Today will forever be a day that is remembered in our history. Like prior generations of Dec 7, 1941, and the assassinations of JFK,RFK,and MLK;and our generations' 9/11, this will be a where were you that moment?

Hope and Change were the two words that drove Mr. Obama to the white house. Hope and Change.

Dwell on that for just a moment. There is something quite tranquil and calming in those two words, and in that order.

If you reversed the order of those two words it would tantamount to chaos; Change and Hope. Change things and Hope for the best!

But with Hope and Change, persons will begin to see our leader taking the intiative, and millions will follow, and take those steps to the path of change.

There will be millions of jobs created. And you can find out who is hiring now: www.govtcontractrjobs.com

247,835 Layoffs Since Nov 2008

Were you one of these persons? Have you ever been one of those laid off? I know that feeling of exasperation, and upset. I have felt my own stomach get sick when I was let go in the past. The shocking reality is harsh, to say the least. It is what I would consider an ultimate rejection. - It's worse than being dumped by that pretty girl in high school, right before the prom.

What do you do to get past this? Why me?

First, understand that this may not be in response to your performance. However, if you have a niggling of a feeling that it may be, you should take stock of yourself. If you have ever had to rate yourself for a performance review, how did you do it? Did you give yourself accolades? Be honest with yourself. Did you write the right thing did you assess your strengths as well as your weaknesses? How was your attitude toward co-workers? Your position? The company you work for?

Secondly, remember the tenets of capitalism. The outset of this: It is the CEO's responsibility to a corporation and it's shareholder's to increase shareholder's wealth. Shedding jobs is tough to do. Don't take this personally, its capitalism. Now, what can you do to reposition yourself for the upward momentum? What is your current skill set, with this downtime on your hands, can you learn a new skill? Does this setback qualify you to get free training? It may. See your HR Department and State Employment Services. I know that Georgia used to offer free IT training. I believe the state of California does too. I remember seeing in the news that there were factory workers in Michigan who were retrained as Registered Nurses.

Third, how do you cope? This is a great time to review some of the hints from earlier posts; I encourage you to read them. Set up a regular schedule. Stick to it, get out of the house. Make the library your office.

Fourth, find out who is hiring. There is constant doom and gloom in the world, that is what makes news. It's like driving past a car accident. You probably really don't want to see the potential blood and gore, but your curiosity makes you slow down and view it, just like everyone else. I know that there have been layoffs, which amount to the size of a medium size city, but remember there are people hiring. Thousands of positions, hundreds of locations. In all fifty states.

As Casey Kasem used to say on America's top 40, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!"

Check out some jobs now: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Why would I want to work for a government contractor?

Generally you will find that a government contractor, whether they are in the top 100, or the bottom 10,000 are going to be a more stable employer. In fact on one of the current contractors is hiring over 200 for entry level administrative positions. The caveat: They have to pay better than the prevailing wage. For instance in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, the position for admin paid $15.75 per hour. That's $32,760 to be an admin. Now I don't know what the cost of living is at Ft. Wainwright, but that's what I'd consider decent pay; it was more than I made at my first job as a systems administrator! On top of that nice salary, there are ten holidays, plus vacation, and benefits!


Not a bad starting job for someone. Another contractor is offering a position as CIO in Qatar. Now I have no idea what the salary is, but I am quite certain that it will pay well into the six figure range. Again, it's stable employment from entry level to CXO. Salary, benefits, vacation, and in this case, world travel!

Another nice thing about being in the employ of a government contractor is the opportunity to move within the corporation. Most corporations know that an employee is an investment; if you are not happy, get happy! Ask for a career change, even if it's lateral. Companies, large and small want to keep their employees long term. I was talking with the president of a small contractor this week, and he said, "We want someone who wants a long term career, not a job hopper, we want someone to stick with us." And his company offers 401K, education and supplements to health insurance. A nice place. One of the large contractors I worked for was upfront with me. My manger told me, this position will have no upward momentum, but when you are ready, we can move you up in the company, just at a different location. They all want to keep good employees!

Find your long-term career with stable employment today! http://www.govtcontractorjobs.com

The Offer Letter – Read the Fine Print

 

Dear “Name”, the company of XYZ is pleased to make a formal offer of employment through this letter….please sign and return, as this offer is valid for x days. 

 It feels like winning the lottery! Ok, well maybe not; I mean after all, I have never won the lottery, however I have won $10 on a scratch off ticket, and that was pretty euphoric.  That was a great return, I immediately pocketed my winnings. 

Whoa! An actual offer! I was given an offer for a position on Italy some years ago.  It was in Naples, and I was excited.  As I recall the salary was on the lower end of my range at the time, but it was tax free. And there was roughly up to a 50% housing allowance.  The caveat, which was spelled out in the offer letter gave a sum of up to a certain amount.  My immediate thoughts were to rent a small apartment, and pocket the difference – The fine print, spelled out in the offer letter, I had skimmed over – that housing allowance was based on whatever the lease ended up being up to that maximum amount; there was no ‘pocketing the difference’.   Ultimately I didn’t take the position. 

But remember to read the offer letter carefully. Find out what the ‘benefits’ of a corporation are before you accept. I was given an offer letter from another company once, and the salary figure was six figures! I was ecstatic.  And then I found out that the health benefits for my salary were going to be 10% of the salary.  I declined that offer respectfully.  

I have accepted offers without doing the research, because frankly, desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures.  I left the employ of a fantastic corporation to take a position somewhere else. The new company offered more money, but the benefits were atrocious. I was quickly disillusioned.  

My suggestion upon the offer is to make certain that you read the fine print; ask for information regarding the benefits, and read those as well.   Determine what is right for you and your family.  

Want to know who is hiring right now, and who offers benefits?  www.govtcontractorjobs.com

  

Recession Proof Yourself - Employment is at 93%!

Well, the new un-employment figures are in- (www.bls.gov) the figure now stands at 7.2%!!! So let's focus on the BAD NEWS. That means for every 100 employable people there are roughly only 93 employed! What an outrage! 93% employment. Egad! Indeed!

This reminds me of a story I heard long ago.-
There once was an old man who sold hot dogs on a street corner. He was hard of hearing so he had no radio. He also had vision problems, so he read no newspapers. But he sold really good hot dogs.
He sold so many hot dogs that he soon had to increase his meat and bun orders. He bought a bigger grill to take care of his growing enterprise. Business was so good he needed assistance so he asked his son to come home from college to help out.
Upon arriving home from school his son became somewhat alarmed: "Dad, haven't you been listening to the radio or reading the newspaper? The economic news is terrible. People are cutting back; others are losing their jobs. This is no time to be spending money on expansion--we’re heading into a depression.”
The father thought to himself, "Well, my son's been to college. He’s much more educated than I am. He reads the newspaper and he listens to the radio. I guess he would know."
So the father cut down his meat and bun orders, took down his signs, and only ordered what he thought he absolutely needed. Because he kept running out of food, many of his customers became frustrated and stopped buying from him. As a result, his hot dog sales plummeted. Almost overnight he was struggling to stay in business.
Within a few months he had sold off his remaining equipment and one day he simply closed down his stand. Upon returning home the last day of work, the father called his son and remarked, "You were right, we are in the middle of a great depression."

So, how do you recession proof yourself?

1. Do Your Best. (I remember this from scouting). Not your second best not sort of kind of almost there. Do. Your. Best.
2. Take on more opportunity.
3. Bring fresh ideas, but remember: management may frown on ‘your way’. If nature abhors a vacuum, it has been observed that some entrenched management abhors change.
4. Continue to learn. Libraries are free.
5. Get a mentor. Don’t have one? Start exercising your opportunity to meet people through civic functions.
6. Be aggressive. Set yourself apart from your co-workers. Go above and beyond, see 1.
7. If you are somehow caught in a downward spiral. Step away from the bad news focus on what is good. And Do Your Best.

Want to know who is hiring now? www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

What if you have been sending out your résumé, and the perfect position comes along....at three separate employers? Now what do you do? How do you make that 'final' decision?

Step back and look at each position with respect to your current position. Does it offer upward mobility? Is the company sound? Is the position going to last? What are the benefits of each company?

How do you juggle the multiple opportunities? Can you save face? Here's an idea. Be up front with each employer. Let them know you'd like to have a week to consider the position.

Now is the time to do as Ben Franklin so you can make the Ben Franklins! Whenever old Ben was faced with a dilemma he'd do the most logical thing. He'd take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle, on the left he'd right Pro's on the right, he'd write Con's. And then he would systematically line out the Pro and Con of each situation. When he was done writing down each pro and each con, he'd count them. If the pro's outnumber the con's then he'd do that, if it was the opposite he would not take the risk.

So take those opportunities, and write down the pro and con of each position offered. Take into consideration all aspects. Farther commute, shorter commute, more money, less money but more health benefits? Which one is the best factor for you? Write them down.

Pro Con



Count them all. Which one outweighs the other? Compare positions....Then begin your new career.

Wonder whose hiring right now? http://www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Contacts. Give before you ask.

Making contacts is an important part of your life.  Developing relationships are important.  And they are most important when you've give your contacts an edge.  It's a simple rule.  Do unto others.  

 

How can you make these contacts; become involved. Establish professional relationships.  Support these relationships.  Know of someone who's part time hobby is web builder?  Know another contact who is a small businessman, who needs those types of services?  This is a time to make an introduction. Invite them out for a beer; let them get to know each other.  And continue to stay involved with both people, making the assertion that they struck some type of deal- Or even if they didn’t.

 

Later ask for a referral from either or both, if it suits your needs. This isn't like calling favors, but if you continue to be an active relationship builder, your contemporaries will realize when you need introductions as well.

 

Give freely, expect nothing in return.  Are you a member of a social organization?  This might be the time to join one.  If you are under 35 the Jaycees is a great place to socialize professionally. If you are over 35, the Rotarians are a worthy organization worth joining for those same reasons. There are literally hundreds of social groups that you can belong to and become involved in. Volunteer.  Volunteer. Volunteer. - Join a bowling league, or a darts league.  Do something which gets you interaction with others outside the normal four walls of your organization. If you have a group internal to your organization, get to know other people in other organizations and become a cross organizational group.

 

Make overtures, get to know people, expand your network outside your current employer. Why? Because if the chips fall where they may, and one lands in your department, it's always great to contact old colleagues, but if they aren't networked you may not have the necessary contacts outside of your current employer to expand your horizons, if the need arises.  

Ask for referrals, it works in sales, it works in employment. Referrals and letters of introduction from others will get you further than any other cold calling method.  If you have the opportunity to influence decision makers, make that call, offer the letter of introduction for those that need it. 

 

Need to make contact with employers who are hiring now: http://www.govtcontractorjobs.com

 

Six More Weeks of Winter Weather and Unemployment!

 Say it isn't so Punxsutawney Phil!

 

We're just under a month away from Groundhog Day.  But if you are un-employed, you might find yourself waking up every single day for the next six weeks, just like it was for Phil Connors, Bill Murray's character, in Groundhog Day. Doing the same old thing, but what Phil learned was that he could improve himself (after a while). If you are un-employed you can too.  

 

Un-employment sucks! There are no if, ands, nor buts. It sucks, and it can be emotionally draining. You've applied to every Dice, Monster, and Career Builder job in the great 150 Mile area.  And for the last six weeks they still have the same job posted! Doh! You are a perfect fit for the "name title/position at company"! And that recent e-mail from the recruiter from Dice who has a $14.70 per hour helpdesk position part time, third shift in Philadelphia is starting to look good!

 

Now you are thinking, maybe a move isn't a bad thing, but for pity sake, all you begin to want is a freaking job!  

How's your resume? 

How are your contacts?

What are you doing with your day?

 

Have you found yourself by the third week of un-employment sitting on the couch, and becoming tuned into Days of our Lives?  It can happen! (Well, that hasn't happened to me, but it could happen).

 A few suggestions.

1. Go to the Library - get out of your house, make it an active routine.  (and it'll be a money saver tip below)

2. Write down the focus of your job search - What do you really want?

 Quick Pop Quiz - which of these is considered to be the correct way one should write down their focus?

     A. - A career that allows room for growth and pays me really well

    B. - A career as a (name your title here) which gives the following:

           1. - 100% matching 401k up to 6% or 3% 

           2.-Flexible work hours (if that is important to you)

            3. -Employer paid health care 

4. - A career which empowers me by providing $X in income as my base salary.

     C.  I don't care I just want a freaking job! My bills are killing me. I'm going to  

           be late on my cable.

     D.  Thank you for stopping in ma’am, would you like some gum today to go with your gasoline purchase?

 

Okay, which one fits? 

 Now, let's make the assertion that you have NOT managed to squirrel away that six months of living expenses so you can continue on about your life like a retired millionaire in Costa Rica.   And you find after three weeks that the outlook isn't so cheery.

Believe it or not, while you’re un-employed, your debtors continue to need their income from you. They extended you credit, they expect payment.  You are obligated to pay these debts. 

Now let's talk about a couple of things before we go off and give the answer away.  If you are laid off, quit, get fired, downsized, outsized, outsourced, or just have no income coming in, here a few helpful tips to get you through your temporary situation.

 1. Cancel Cable/Dish (it's not a necessity) - or call them and ask them to suspend service as you are now un-employed

2. Cancel your internet (what? no freaking way! Are you insane how can I check my email? It's called the library, and it's free.-And it get's you out of the house.) Call your internet service provider and ask them to suspend your service as you are now un-employed.

 3. Call your cell phone company and find out what the most economical plan is.  If texting costs, drop it, if you are paying for data, drop it.  go to a basic service.  If you have a land line home phone, ask the cell provider to suspend your service, if they won't ask them to lower it to the most basic rate? What are you paying now $100 or more per month?  The base rate is emergency type call status, probably the most expensive minutes, but stop using it for anything but that or job contacts.

4. Call all your creditors and tell them you'd like to pay only the interest while you are in this situation.  Mortgage/Bank/Credit Cards.

So, that's the first move.

Second move.  This came as advice to me long ago.  If you find you are ever out of a job, go get a night job at a convenience store.  There is always a need for them and you can continue to bring in some type of income.  And it's income while you don't have any. 

Now back to the Quiz; I see two right answers: D. While you focus on B.

Un-employment can last six weeks. Or it can last six months.  However, with the right résumé, the right contact, and when you KNOW what companies are really hiring, it's easier. Find your career on http://www.govtcontractorjobs.com

 

Are you Tracking? Are you following up? Are you persistent?

Tracking? Well I think I learned that in scouts when I was a kid.

Ok. Do you even know who or what company you have applied for, what the position/requisition number and date was? No?

Me neither-in the past.

Here's a crafty way to keep track of who/what/when/where. You can download the Job Tracker Spreadsheet. Or you can create your own.

Create a spreadsheet with these basic column headings or change them at your discretion.

Company Applied To:

Date Resume Submitted

Sent Cover Letter Y/N

Req/Job Number

Follow up in five working days Y/N

Send Thank you note

Point of Contact name/ph/e-mail

2nd Follow up Date Submitted Resume +15 Y/N

Outcome Interview/Offer

Now when you have filled out the line; go to your calendar, your Franklin planner, your Outlook calendar, your time keeper, desk blotter, whatever.

Enter the following: five working days from the day you submitted your resume flag a task to follow up. Immediately follow up with a thank you note after you have made contact. Plot your second follow up ten days later; and send a second note of thanks, to all involved.

Persistence is key; I was made a written offer by a company that seemed like a fit only to have them pull the requisition because of a contingency, it wasn't their fault; they were subcontractors. But I followed up immediately thanking them for the opportunity; two weeks after, and six weeks after, and low and behold, a full 12 weeks after they rejected me, they came back and said, "Hey, you still interested, that position was finally funded."

Ok, why do you suppose they called me? Persistence.

Wondering who is hiring, and where they are hiring? www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Kick Ass in the Interview!

You've managed to differentiate yourself from thousands of other resumes; you've been narrowed down to the final five or fifty for that matter (depends on company size).

 How to nail the interview?

 1. Be yourself

2. Know your strengths

3. Know your weaknesses

4. Relax

 I took an interview with the contractor that ultimately offered me the position in Central Texas.  But when I went in the interview, I was caught off a bit.  1. It was a can you interview today?  and 2. Can you be here in an hour?

 I could, and did. I had on my best suit, and tie.  I also had hair way too long for the corporate office, sideburns that rivaled Elvis' and a soul patch that was nearly a fu man choo.

 I apologized for my appearance, and told them, that in fact so busy, I hadn’t been to the barber. But assured them, my appearance did not affect my ability to handle business.

 I looked a bit askew but I presented myself with confidence. I was asked technical questions.  And I let them know what I knew. And the question I didn't I told them I knew how to find out.  They wanted to know my biggest screw up.  Well that would have been my second day at my first job as a young sys admin.  The backup tapes on Novell were overwriting the SQL database backups, and on top of it. The tapes were old.  NOTHING was being backed up and the SQL server crashed.

I attempted a restore. Impossible. The prior sys admin had setup backups, concurrently. And Novell overwrote the SQL.  I pulled out weeks of tapes. It was all for naught.  So what'd I do?  I went to help in SQL, and to Yahoo and Microsoft Tech Net (at that time Google hadn't debuted in my life) and began looking up SQL commands that would restore and rebuild corrupt data.  Ultimate result: I got the SQL server db back up and running.  We lost days worth of work.  We ended up with NEW tapes; and new backups.

Now I started my job that year on Dec 23rd - on a Wednesday. The second day, Christmas eve is when the snafu happened.  We were obviously off Christmas, but I was in on Saturday morning, the 26^th, trying to fix it.  I beat the boss in- he was a Saturday worker too.  Bill, the owner of the company looked at me and asked, "Well, how is it going?”  And I told him, and I told him the possible consequences of data loss, and then I said, "I understand if you fire me." -"Heck no, he retorted, I like your work ethic, your in here on a day you didn't have to be." - and he walked off.

Same interview, they asked me the worst possible thing happening to me at work; I replied quite sullenly with a rhetorical question.  "Have you," I asked, "ever had to fire anyone? I have and that is the worst possible feeling.  It is business, but it made me personally sick to my stomach. But it had to be done. I know it affects people's lives but it was a necessary decision when I was a director of a prior company."

And we conversed about good things on the job, reviewed my resume.  And I used that chance to highlight my achievements. The interview, a panel interview of three persons, though formal, became an exchange and discussion of ideas.

I was at ease, and that seemed to put them at ease. Interviewers are people, just like you whether or not they will be your boss, or just a part of HR.  If you are nervous, don’t fake NOT being nervous.  Tell them you are, take a breath. Guess what? They just put on their shoes, one at a time, just like you!

I was actually reminded of that interview this morning; I was watching a clip from “The Pursuit of Happyness” when  Chris Gardner, having just bailed himself out of jail,  sprinted to the interview at Dean Witter, covered in paint,  in jeans, a wife beater T, and a Members Only jacket that didn’t zip.  He walked in confidently and introduced himself to the board. He didn’t try and give them a story he told them the truth. And when asked by the apparent head honcho, “What so you think they would say  if I told them I’d hired a man from an interview who came in with no shirt on?”  Chris Gardner replied after a thought, “He must have had some really nice pants!”  - It broke the ice completely- everyone laughed. He landed the position at Dean Witter.

 I was myself throughout the interview. And by the end I was asked two questions. 1. Would I consider a move to Texas and 2. How does this salary offer sound?

 If you've read my previous post; this was the company I was gunning for. They offered 100% medical for the family.  And I had spent $9600 the previous year paying for insurance for my family-so that was like a $9600 raise on top of the salary.  Oh and moving from Virginia to Texas there was no State Income Tax.  Another savings and boost to my bottom line.  

 Ultimately, it took about a month before I landed that job. But I have had dozens of interviews since then, over the phone and in person.   And it comes back to being yourself, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and no what kind of questions to ask back to open the interview. And since that time, I’ve come to master the art of the phone interview as well. But that’s another topic.

 To find out whose hiring right now in your state, or the place you want to be:

 www.govtcontractorjobs.com

 

 

 

 

Why move? To paraphrase Willie Horton, a 1930's bankrobber, "That's where the jobs are."

I've moved at least twice for jobs; and both times, I paid my own way.  And I had a family and a Ryder truck full of furniture, household goods and toys.

Why move? To paraphrase Willie Horton, a 1930's bankrobber, "That's where the jobs are."

You may find that if you are stuck in a city where you have exhausted your status or position, and generally you can if the city you live in is under 100,000 persons; possibly up to 500,000.

Case in Point; OakRidge National Labs was one of the biggest IT employers in the Knoxville TN area in the mid-ninetees.  I went to work for SAIC on a subcontract through TEK-Systems.  After sixty days I was offered a move to an entirely new field at double the salary I was making.  I jumped at the chance. However I burned a bridge. Lesson learned!  The doubled salary in a new field lasted 89 days.  I couldn't go back to my old position, why?  The new job needed me to Start on a Wednesday.  They told me that on a Monday.  I gave no requisite two weeks notice.  Now that hasn't ever come back to haunt me, and here is why: Somwhere around 45 of the 50 states are "Right to Work" states, meaning that you have a right to work or leave, and they have a right to fire you or lay you off, with no notice.

So, I looked around and found jobs in the Richmond Virginia area were plentiful. So I sent off my resume, with my cover letters, via email, letting them know I would move myself.  I didn't get so much as one phone call.

So, I called my sister and brother in law, and asked them, "May I use your address on my resume, so it shows I'm a local?"  They permitted me to.  I began to resubmit resumes, and within a week I had three interviews and job offers.  -All my interviews were phone interviews, and I let them know I stilled lived in Tennessee but I would be happy move myself.  And ultimately, I did.  I commuted for  a couple months, home on the weekends so I could see the family (about a six hour drive) but we soon made the move, with the Ryder truck.

Fast forward a few years in Richmond; I had not updated my skillset, this was 2006. I left a job with a major government contractor at Ft. Lee to pursue real estate investment.  This paid off well, initially. But six months later, I was back in the work force, and it was another three months after that before I was able to find a job.  I went in for an interview for a position back at Ft. Lee with a government contractor.  But I didn't get an offer. I followed up, but the response wasn't forthcoming.

I looked around, Dallas area was hiring like crazy.  So I called my neice and her husband and asked, "May I use your address on my resume?" They conceded. And I started getting calls and interviews. Now at the time, I totally sucked at phone interviews.  I would stammer, and stumble. So I was talking to a company on Tuesday, they wanted to know could I phone interview on Thursday morning. I requested a face to face.  I immediately packed my bag for two weeks.  Walked downstairs, told my wife, I am going to Texas for an interview, and got in the car and 22 hours later, I was at my neices house. I walked into the interview in Plano Texas on Thursday morning, and was given a second interview on Friday morning, where I was handed on offer letter on the spot with a two week decision period.

I got a call that afternoon from Microsoft.  -Interview tip with Microsoft, they called me, I didn't call them.....but KNOW YOUR MICROSOFT ANSWER....just like on the tests. I hadn't updated my skillset to 2003 yet. And I had been actively putting it off. It bit me.  I bombed the interview miserably.

The following Monday, I got an offer letter from the company in Central Texas I had interviewed with....so I moved, because that is where the jobs were. I chose them over the job in Plano for two reasons; 1. cost of living was lower than Plano and 2. they covered healthcare for the family 100%!

Want that job in another city?

1. If you are able to, phone a friend in your desired relocation city. See if they will let you use their address.  Don't have friends or family? You may want to consider craigslist temporary rooms for rent.  

2. Be prepared to pay your own way for the move.

3. Kick ass in the interview.

You can get jobs in other cities and towns, you have to be persistent, but from experience I got interviews and offers AFTER I had a 'local' address. 

Find out whose hiring in your state or the state you want to move to: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

On Resumé Layout Writing and Format - Success

1. Spell Check

2. Read it outloud.

3. Have a trusted friend read it outloud.

4. Have it proof read by a third person.

Mistakes in grammar, and spelling are probably one of the most glaring mistakes.  Telling nonchalant stories instead of putting down facts relevant to the position you've had.   Has it been over five years since you've updated your resumé?  By the way, wonder how to get the accent mark over the é?  Hold down the Alt button, and type on the keypad, right of the keyboard, 0233

-it will not work on the number keys above the keyboard.   Again that's ALT+0233 (é)

Give it a shot!

Now about resume formats; there are generally four:

1. Chronological

2. Functional

3. Combination

4. Targeted

The chronological is starting with the first job last, and working backward from there.  Some persons will tell you ONLY ONE PAGE...maybe if your twenty two.  Once you are mid-career, it's fine to have two, and possibly 3 pages.

Bullet points are your friend.  Use them to highlight the objectives of the position you held, and to further deliniate your skillset.

Chronological are wanted by a majority of employers; for instance from personal experience. I know one top three federal contractors told me this; I was lucky, their resumé parsing machine only kicks forward resumés  that match 90 percent of the job description buzz words.  And that was just to get a call from their internal recruiter. Ultimately the position wasn't a fit, but the recruiter was nice enough to answer some of my questions I asked.  

1. How did I end up getting picked for a call? -Explanation in the above paragraph.

2. Any suggestions? Yes! Get your resume in a chronological format.                                                  

So there you go....I didn't get in front of the hiring manager that time, nor did I get  a phone interview, generally the first step these days.  But, guess what; I changed my resume to chronological, and have resubmitted for a different position, and I got an interview.  

Why did I have a functional resume before?  Well, I had revamped my resume based on the suggestion of another friend.  I mirrored my resume format from his, and he had his professionally done. -and then I realized we were at different points.  His was based on pursuing an executive level job; mine was for a managerial technical position.  In fact mine was based on obtaining a directorship/managerial level.  But it is a tight market.  So I changed my resume back to chronological, highlighting my technical expertise.  Guess what, I have had five job offers.

Combination: It lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is next.  This is a resumé that highlights the skills that coincide with the position you are applying for.      

Targeted:  Alright, let's talk about this just a second. This is the most intensive type of resume, it's written specifically for the job posting.  Found skills in your resume and skills in the job listing identical?  This would be a great time to revamp your resume to show the skillset you have which meshes precisely with the position you want.

Idea for you. Create one of each.   However if you find yourself un-employed and with time on your hands, do your research, and send in the targeted resume.

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success in uncommon hours." - Henry David Thoreau

Find a job where they are hiring now: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

                                                      

Getting in Front of the Decision Maker

1. Be Nice. 

2. Ask Questions.

3. Do Research.

How much do you know about the company you want to have a career with? Note that "Career". Almost always, you will see career opportunities.  Because, frankly if a company and an individual come to mutual agreement, it can become a career.  

How do you do the research?

Well, let's break it down:  Do you want a HUGE corporation or a 'small' company?  HUGE corporations are well, big, and frankly it takes them some time to make a decision. There are regulatory hurtles, and some twenty or so layers of beauracracy when it comes to a hiring process...well maybe not, but sometimes it seems like it. 

Read their annual report? What? That's huge,  why would I do that?  So when you walk into an interview, or  you are asked, "What do you know about our company?" - you can reply. "You are the third largest government contractor, I know you won a XMillion dollar contract for providing services to the government for Y.  On top of that I know that you have a backlog on contracts that is allowing the company room for growth, your P/E ratio is 10.7 and your earning per share  is .30. To that end, I believe that since you were established in 19XX, and have shown growth rates of up to 23% a year, it gives me an opportunity to continue helping the company continue down that path of growth and profitibility". Their website is a great place to start with as well, read their 'media releases' as well. They provide the latest 'wins' a company has.

Small companies move quicker, there are less layers. Fact is since companies are small you may find yourself with more interviews with potential team members.  But how to find out about the company?

Start with the About Us page on their website; find out who the corporate officers are, google and for that matter read all of their website. Get familiar with the company; do research find out who its largest partners are. And when asked "What can you tell us about our company?"  You can respond you know that they were established in 19xx they have partners of XYZ and that they are poised on growth; you have noted they are on contract with the gov't for, read about the position they have open, and respond about how your skills meet or exceed their requirements."

And how do I find out who's hiring? www.govtcontractorjobs.com

 

"It's the Economy Stupid" - Bill Clinton

Currently, according to November's unemployment rate (the latest figures from bls.gov) is 6.73%.  

Bad News begats Bad News.  Layoffs are everywhere, banks are failing, mass fraud has occured. -and on a sidenote, it always seems to be that those that are 'greedy' seem to get their asses caught in the hard times too. (Madoff anyone?)

Have you been laid off? Are you facing layoffs? Do you know whose hiring?  Rolled the dice only to find out you have been contacted by 2,354 recruiting firms for the same position?  Got a monster on your back?  Ever sat and filled out roughly 150-500 job postings, only to never be contacted again? (Ever wonder why?  There are MILLIONS of persons resumes on Monster/Dice/CareerBuilder).  You are competing with them.  

What makes you special?  You know that you are supremely qualified for that position you applied for.  But you didn't do what? Follow up? Send a nicely worded cover letter/e-mail.  Didn't really get to talk to a real person?  Did you make an attempt?  

Are you currently un-employed, or under-employed?  Gotten into a pattern of "Dice/Monster/CareerBuilder/HotJobs" every day for the last month?  Put out a 'thousand' resumes and you haven't gotten a bite, nor a nibble. But YOU COULD PAY and extra $30 bucks a month to find out who has been looking at your resume on Dice.

I've heard it all, people grousing about how The Ladders is a shill for a resume re-deux service. And the complainers seem to be the ones without the jobs.  I for one think that you pay for a service, and receive exactly what you pay for.  

So who IS hiring right now?

The Government, and their subsequent talent....Government Contractors. They come in all sizes from the small one man shop to the global-reaching multi-billion dollar organizations.  

Interested in finding out more? The Who, The What, The How Much? The Why? And The When? www.govtcontractorjobs.com