Personal request: need RL help/advice

Non Entropia Related Off topic
1

This is going out especially to the IT pros out there, and folk in management in any industry.

If you aren’t inclined to lend a sympathetic ear to a relative stranger, or you really don’t think I should be posting this here, then please just move on to another thread. Honestly, when things get rough, you go to your friends for help - well, you guys are the best friends I have, so…

Things are getting pretty bad lately for me. I haven’t worked in a month and I’m out of money. (Completely - I have $10 in cash and $10 in the bank, and that’s it). But it’s not for lack of trying. I’ve submitted at least 50 applications (I’ve lost count of the actual total) and out of that I’ve gotten 2 callbacks and one interview. I’m also registered at two temp agencies, and I’m getting nothing.

I don’t even know what sort of work to try for, anymore.

I have applied at Albertson’s (a grocery store chain) and other such stores, and haven’t even gotten a callback. I presume that’s because I’m “overqualified” for entry-level, minimum wage positions. But I can’t get the jobs that I’m supposedly qualified for, it seems.

What I’m asking for is any advice, tips, leads, ANYTHING you might be able to offer that can help me continue to provide for my family.

So, bottom line-what are my skills?

Well, for one thing, I am a programmer. I have been programming since 1978, when I first discovered desktop computers (the TRS-80, at the time). I was 12 at the time. But I dropped out and pursued a different path early on, so I have no degree or certification. I can program in BASIC (of course), C, C++, Visual Basic, VB .NET, PHP, PERL, Pascal, and both Motorola 6500/68000 and Intel x86 Assembly. I know SQL, HTML, CSS, DHTML, and JavaScript. I can also learn a new language to a high level of proficiency within about a week.

No joke - when I tool Visual Basic at ITT Tech a couple years ago, I took the book home and started working on a program for my own use. I was having a problem with it, so the next week, I took the code in and asked the professor (who had a MS in programming) about it, and he told me that I was doing stuff beyond his knowledge and he couldn’t help. I also contributed recently to the OSCommerce forum by finding and fixing a configuration error that seemed to have been overlooked by the OSCommerce team. This, after having known PHP for about 5 weeks and OSCommerce for about 1 week.

I also know how to do networking with Windows 2000/2003/XP, and I know my way around UNIX/LINUX and a straight DOS prompt. I have, in the past, built circuit boards and written device drivers. In short, there is nothing that I have ever wanted a computer to do that I couldn’t get it to do.

In addition to that, I also have rather strong skills in writing and video/film directing, and quite a bit of experience in producing for local television.

I have a demo site showing some of my web design at http://www.dslextreme.com/~tony23 and my resume is at http://www.dslextreme.com/~tony23/resume.doc (WORD format)

Why am I posting this here?

First, as I said, you guys are the best friends I have, so I don’t know who else to ask.

Second, given the number of IT folk here, I’m hoping some of you might either be able to help me fix my resume, or come up with better demos, or offer some bit of advice or insight that can help me get out of this hole before me & my family wind up on the street.

I could go back to school get a degree, but that doesn’t help me pay the bills that are due NOW. I could get a certification (frankly, I could have an MCSD in 3 weeks), but I don’t have the money to pay for the tests. I need something to get me by for now, so that I can look at these other options.

Does anyone have ANY ideas or suggestions?

Thanks, everyone,

2

Well… I guess you might always try some agency which rents workers like Manpower or such to get some work fast.

Good way to get some contacts to companies is to visit exhibitions or some recruiting events there are for students. I think most positions still get filled some other way than just a ad in magazine or webpage. You can usually get quite good hints from those when looking at website of nearby university or tech school. And meeting someone in that company face to face is always good.

If you have depend only on sending applications make sure you are remembered. Good photograph in application might always be bonus. You might also put something personal in that resume. Something about yourself that isnt strictly facts about your work experiences and skills. Hobbies, interests, current life situation etc will all give some flavor to just the name. Now it just looks blank and flavorless. I couldnt tell a thing about you as a person from it.

Most companies dont ask you to call them before/after you send an application but I dont think it hurts to look enthusiastic. You can for example contact them and ask about their company or that open position. It shows that you are interested. Its not good to show kind of “Im desperate and I’ll do anything” -attitude.

Here’s some good tips:
Resume tips

3

Hello Shade

I can not Summon you a well Payed Place on IT sorry but it looks you need Work at once to Pay your Unkeeps. If you fall trough the Social Net of your Country and dont Recive Monney you should think Pragmatic.

Ask for Open part Time Jobs in Hotels, Restaurants as Dishwasher, Service or Kittchen Helper. As far i know this Brance is always Looking for someone somewhere. Also ask for Work on Gas Station Shops

Its arnt jobs you Qualified for but its easy to get them and they will make sure you can Pay your Rents. Safe up Monney , continue Applying to IT Jobs and safe you Monney and make some Certeficates. At least in Germany you can be able to Programm fluently all Kind of Codes with closed eys and one Hand behind your Back … IF you dont have a Paper where stay “He can do that” no one will Hire you or pay you bad.

Stop Playing PE for a While , continue only on your Goal to get a new and Well Payed job and safing your Unkeeps. And most Important if you not have allready - Get some Certeficate or Diplom for a accepted Job.

I wish you the Best Luck getting fast a good Payed IT job.

4

I looked at your Resume Shade. I must say that it is impressive. I also noticed where you are located (California).

Would you consider relocating to another part of the country? Reason I ask is because I think Demographically the area you are in is saturated with others just like you.

Perhaps a new place and a new start would help. I personally would suggest the Central Florida area as its begining to boom in the high tech sector.

I don’t have any “ins” with that part of the industry tho but do know that things are moving here. Many new companies are opening up constantly.

Just a thought. I know its hard to leave an area that you have grown accustomed to but sometimes one door opens when another one closes…

5

[QUOTE=Essi]
Something about yourself that isnt strictly facts about your work experiences and skills. Hobbies, interests, current life situation etc will all give some flavor to just the name. Now it just looks blank and flavorless. I couldnt tell a thing about you as a person from it.

[/QUOTE]

Dude,

I know what you are going thru. I am working my first job after being out of work for a month and a half myself. Only 4 days in, so i am still feeling the pain. I am a Backup/recovery/UNIX administrator so there is really nothing that i know of in your industry. All i can say is check the normal websites (dice.com, monster.com, computerjobs.com) the last 3 positions I have found were by posting my resume on those websites.

I really wish I could help more. Oh. And the quote above. I see where she is going with that. But I turned a resume in once and got the job. The only advice the person gave me is never put anything about your personal life on your resume (i had put hobbies). The reason for that is, you are getting the job because of your qualifications (esp. in a technical field) and the other reason is that if you put something on there the boss doesnt like then it will give him something NOT to hire you. If they ASK what your hobbies are that is cool. But say you like surfing and his son was killed in a surfing accident… just an example.

In closing, i feel your pain. I know what you are going through. I am from Tampa Bay and I am currently in PA for the next 4 months cause i had to take what i could. After that I have a perm job as a consultant with a company. You could send them a resume. I think they are more engineers, but hey, anything that could help.

Collective Technology

Wish i could be more help!

Good luck!

Suicide

6

I could get a certification (frankly, I could have an MCSD in 3 weeks), but I don’t have the money to pay for the tests.

Make sure you get certifications like these once you can afford it. Even if they don’t mean much in real life, they look very good on your resume.

7

[QUOTE=Darkaner]
Make sure you get certifications like these once you can afford it. Even if they don’t mean much in real life, they look very good on your resume.
[/QUOTE]

I agree and disagree. I have certs and i have never gotten a job based on them. They are a plus. But when it comes down to it i think most employers look at years vs. certs.

Also, not to devalue the MS Certs, but I think employers understand that with all the classes and things you can take years are much more important. Its best to know you can do the job than know you can take a test.

The exception i think is the CCNE which the second part is a lab that you spend 4 hours making and they break it and you have 4 hours to fix it without loosing a packet. That is a real hands on knowledge cert.

ps. the only reason i have them was i had to be IBM AIX Certified to work at my last job. A requirment from IBM not my job.

Suicide

8

Call Bill…

Seriously, take a look at Microsoft.

Microsoft

DD
:evilking:

9

After trying Bill, I’ve heard that Satan has been paying really well for souls lately.. at least 500% their fair market value..

[sorry to jest. I myself am a tech whiz kid who is currently underachieving so much, he can literally taste the rocks in his mouth]

1 Like
10

[QUOTE=Dash Smashing]
After trying Bill, I’ve heard that Satan has been paying really well for souls lately.. at least 500% their fair market value..

[sorry to jest. I myself am a tech whiz kid who is currently underachieving so much, he can literally taste the rocks in his mouth]
[/QUOTE]

Say what you will but Bill makes many ppl happy and rich…

DD
:evilking:

11

Nice replies all :girl:
Shade sounds like you won’t have a problem qualifying for various positions, but between now and the time you find that job you do need something to pay bills.
Some1 suggested your ability/willingness to relocate. This can be a very challenging decision, but nonetheless it might be the answer to your question.

Not being in the IT field myself, I cannot comment on exactly where to look for a job… but exhaust all avenues… try universities that hire IT professionals, government agencies, the private sector (of course)… any and every source.
And remember… you’re never stuck in the position you choose. At least a job now will get you back working and making money. You can always keep searching for a new job even after you take one :wink:

12

Too bad you don’t live near me… you fit a position I have open right now…

When determining which prospect to hire, I look more to experience than degrees or advertised skillsets… I think you have a good education and potential, but you haven’t really had a lot of experience for your skillsets. I’d use any means necessary to get your foot in the door with a good company, then let your talent shine through and hope for the best.

Example: I worked as a salesmen for a moving company and found myself as the network admin/manager within 6 months after showing some apptitude for it. Here I am 8 years later as a director for a pharmaceutical data intelligence companie’s IT department with 25+ people working under me.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of online resources… make sure you update your CV on monster, dice, careerbuilder, etc regularly… they only look at cv’s that have been recently updated. For now just eat poop and take whatever you can get your hands on. I had a couple years where I was a foodserver at a nice place and made more money than I thought possible.

I wish you the best of luck, and let me know if you end up in the Philly area… could always use another web dev. :wink:

13

also try .craigslist.org

its a mailanon board.. lots of stuff gets posted there. good for everything pretty much.

think of it as a universal classified ads for every NA city you can think of. :wink:

14

[QUOTE=Essi]
Well… I guess you might always try some agency which rents workers like Manpower or such to get some work fast.
[/quote]

I’m registered with 2 right now. I type 60 WPM and I’m not even getting sent out for clerical jobs - go figure!

My best hope is “Kimtek”, which is temp/placement for IT pros & such. But it’s slow going.

Thanks for that tip - I’ll see what I can find on that.

hmm - I’ve always heard that putting in personal stuff was not a good idea.

Thanks - I’ll check it out!

Only if I lose my DSL service! It helps relax me - at least most of the time :slight_smile:

I’ve been doing a lot of sweating lately. I may sell my Ghost so I can keep playing while I’m short on funds. No depositing for awhile, obviously :frowning:

I absolutely would consider relocating. How does one go about looking for a job across the country, though? I can’t move unless I have a job… I’d do it if I knew how to go about doing it.

Suicide - thanks for the websites - I wasn’t aware of computerjobs.com

Lol - I did. Got this:

We apologize;
The Server was not able to process your request, or is temporarily busy.
Please check back at a later time.

Looks like they could use my help, eh?

Yes, and I’m not limiting my search. But for some reason, I’m getting passed over even for jobs like a STOCK CLERK! That’s why I’m trying to see what I’m doing wrong - obviously, I’m screwing something up, if I can’t get a job like that.

Of course, the other end of it is that anything less than $12/hour doesn’t even pay the bills, and it’s not like my bills are extravagant. I’d need to get a pile of overtime at $7/hour to make up the diff…

Thanks, I will.

Hey guys - thanks for all the tips & support. I really appreciate it. I’m putting it all to work right away!

Hopefully, I’ll be able to come back soon with better news.

15

[QUOTE=Dash Smashing]
also try .craigslist.org

its a mailanon board.. lots of stuff gets posted there. good for everything pretty much.

think of it as a universal classified ads for every NA city you can think of. :wink:
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip Dash!

I’ve been looking for more people to hire. Seems like a good as place as any to put up an ad.

16

[QUOTE=Shade]
hmm - I’ve always heard that putting in personal stuff was not a good idea.
[/QUOTE]

I dunno… we use CV not resume here.

I think it depends a bit what they are looking for… but when looking it as if you would try to sell yourself there, then your application is an ad. And usually best ads are such that people remember, not those which follow rules best.

But I guess you should listen more someone who knows customs there - Im in different country anyways :slight_smile:

I have sometimes written very personal and uncommon stuff in my applications but thats just weird me… :silly2:

17

Hang in there mate! :slight_smile:

I’ve done just about every job you can think of, nine years of which have been in the States - in LA not far from you – I’ve had my share of hardship too!

In the States I worked amongst other jobs - Novelty Photographer (on Carnivals and on Santa Monica Pier!) Furniture Mover (to the Stars!), Bartender (at Ritz Carlton MDR and Shutters Santa Monica, also Fort MacAthur Air Force Base). Also, Motorcycle Despatch Rider (fell off the bike on the way to the interview!:rolleyes: but still got the job, though my jeans were in shreds!). I’ve been a Petrol Pump Attendant - A Cat Poop Cleaner, a Painter and Decorator, a Tele Sales Agent, and too many other jobs to recall! Seemingly haphazard and random yet all these experiences have made me a stronger person from one job to the next – I left the US as a Factory Manager eight years ago to return to the UK married with a daughter.

My career for the last eight years is with IT, and I now am a Project Manager – the role requires an MBA and I don’t have one (Well maybe I do – Master of Bugger All!! – go figure!) Still, Bill Gates never got a degree :silly2: , and Clive Sinclair (Head of MENSA UK and inventor of the pocket calculator amongst other things) was also a university drop out. So I really don’t believe too strongly in qualifications as a measure of potential. You clearly have great aptitude for IT even though as you point out you don’t have the pieces of paper to say you can!

Right now though it seems you need to be prepared to try your hand at anything, work 15 hours a day if you have too! Try to downplay your skills if going for something like a Store Clerk, and don’t turn your nose up at anything!

All of my past career has taught me something about myself and people in general - I can respect anyone who is prepared to work, and I believe the character I have developed from all of these past roles comes through as a positive attitude and a good sense of humour with everyone I work with. Character is more important than qualifications

I am inclined to back up the advice given by Essi. At the end of the day people want some who is good to get along with, so the personality aspect of a CV is extremely important. Make sure your CV is accompanied with a cover letter explaining why you are the best person for the job.

Let us know how you are getting on, and keep upbeat – if a job interview does not work out it could be that something better is just round the corner.

If I may share a phrase with you that I used to repeat to myself whilst experiencing hardship in the US – it is a Buddhist quote:

“Remember, the darker the night – the nearer the dawn”