Suggestions?

LaTech · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 09:23:29 Post Subject: Suggestions?

Ok,

I've been looking for a job in the DC area (I presently live in Louisiana...not exactly a "Tech Sector" if you know what I mean) for the last 4 months. I've run into requirements that I've never even heard of (programs, certs, clearance, etc). The one job that I thought I might get (perfect job...aren't they all?), was given to someone else because I wasn't in the area even though I WILL be moving there by the end of next month (there is a woman involved...she's THE woman...).

Now, I've searched through Monster, Dice, CareerBuilder and HotJobs and have applied to well over 150 places, and have had only one bite. I'm the type of person that gets frustrated rather easily. Because of this, I'm trying NOT to get discouraged...but it's hard.

As I see it, I have only a couple options. 1) Continue to look for a job the old way (Monster, et al.). 2) Move, take any job I can get (McDonalds, Best Buy etc) and work on Certs while looking for a job local. 3) Look for a headhunter service for Tech people.

1) This option doesn't appeal to me. It's not working, and quite frankly, the flying back and forth from Maryland to Louisiana is killing me. Heck, being away from HER is killing me.

2) I don't want to ruin my resume (2 years as a network tech, followed by 3 years of computer work (build, maint, etc) with more network work, followed by my present job (2.5 years) of SysAdmin for 250 computers, 4 labs and a server). The Certs would be nice (all I have right now is A+), but at the risk of killing my resume...it's just not worth it.

3) I have no experience with these and don't know how reliable they can be.

Any suggestions at all?! Any help (any at all) would be GREATLY appreciated.

LaTech

**JimBowy** · Moderator Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 1627

Do you have a job currently? If not, I don't think #2 is as bad as you make it out to be. Its much worse to have a hole in your resume than to be employed at some-place like Bestbuy. Anybody in the tech. industry will realize the difficulty of getting jobs today.

Enforcer · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 10:19:10 Post Subject:

I tried the whole Monster, Dice etc routine, and it netted me nothing, I just got extremely lucky and knew someone who knew someone etc....

I would do a combination of the first 2, look for a job the normal way like you have been while working on certs, also look at local buisness schools and colleges for work flyers, you could find something, anything like an internship or what-not that while it won't make your resume sparkle, it won't kill it like McDonalds would.

Also look at the companies that are in the area your moving to, and check online, lots of companies don't advertise their jobs anywhere except on their website if that, mainly because they don't want to deal with 3rd party websites. While you mainly laugh at the thought of working in McDonalds, remember that they have computers in their establishments that link up somewhere, and that means they have an IT staff somewhere, might do some good to search for a job in companies like that. I never thought I'd be where I am, but I'm a Net Tech at a Produce company that mainly just sells lettuce, yet has a 16 person IT staff with in house developers just for about 200 users. (Shameless plug.....) People are still surprised at where I work, never thinking that a Farm would need so much technology.

EDIT: I also agree with JimBowy here, While I would shrink away from McDonalds as the "French Fry and Hamburger assembly technician" Best Buy or Circuit City as the Tech Support isn't all that bad and will get you exposure to the area, if you don't feel up to that you could always look for the IT consulting firms in the area and check with them to see if they need a gopher for their Tech Support.

LaTech · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 10:33:10 Post Subject:

Thanks for the input so far. Yes, I presently have a job (the last of the 3 jobs in that last, actually). It's fine and all, but it's 1200 miles from where I want to be, and besides, I'm working in an area where there is NO possibility of advancement (knowledge or otherwise...heck, I have 20 computers that are 486 66's with Dos only on them). That's one of the other issues leading to why I want to move.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Personally I'd go with a Consulting company. I worked for one for 3 years, was never without a job, and was actually paid more than I would if I had a regular full time job. But also didn't have any vacation, or benefits Grin

but my wife carried the insurance, and took the time off (without pay) whenever I needed it.

There are several national consulting firms that are really good at getting you jobs. Not familiar with the DC area, but I'm sure you can find all kinds of them on the net.

Would beat working at McDonalds/Best Buy type things.

renovation · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 11:23:06 Post Subject:

if you have to - i do .

2) Move, take any job I can get (McDonalds, Best Buy etc) and work on Certs while looking for a job local.

the tech industry is not as good as it use to be . the collages and trade schools had pump up the industry over the years .the market is flooded .also as time go's on more and more over the counter programs are replacing the need to build a special one for any industry .also your seeing 3 rd world countrys are taking on the tech support end for companys .(india, paikastan ,hell even canada is even slicing into that market hard .when you can get a service for 1/2 or less -its all bottom line for these companys .
lets face it even the main computer is becoming disposable .

watch in the next 10 -20 years the service industry -will be were the moneys all at . not computers

HackaX0rus · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 16:30:42 Post Subject:

pshhh work at a hobby shop its great fun Laughing

...but it doesnt pay well Sad

. i would say just go for anything that u can live off till u get more certifications...like what renovation said.

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 17:12:08 Post Subject:

As someone who recently moved from one state to another... Hopefully I can help impart some advice for you.

First, a story.... once a upon a time... oo wait wrong story. Misty & I were looking to get the phuck out of California. We looked for a while.... I came close to a position in WA, because my manager almost got a job there. But other than that, I got calls, but no real lov'n.

Misty was then offered a position in Colorado (or one in the unemployment line), so I started focusing on here. I found one with the same company she works for, but as a contractor. So we moved.... the job fell through the contract never signed.

Once I actually lived in Colorado, I got many more interviews, both phone and in person. It's not until after I moved here that employers were serious about me. Took me 3 months once I got here to get a job. And I did have Cert's (Cisco, and ISC(2) - a security one).

So just hang with it. And keep plugging along. I would be happy to help you with your resume, and I can even see if my company has anything out in that direction depending on your skills. (But warning you'll most likely travel with my company).

Also, once you send your resume, if there is a person to call... CALL. There are still a lot of people looking for jobs, so by simply calling you might draw attention to yourself in ways you haven't before.

Dud3! · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 19:02:49 Post Subject:

"French Fry and Hamburger assembly technician"

Laughing

FOX · Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 20:33:17 Post Subject:

if you have time do what i did....

i picked up the phone book found some places in there id consider working and call all of them... thats how i got my job before the company closed lmao!!

theres yahoo! jobs as well.... can try them

i still think the phone book thing is best... have you called any companies you applied to? youll rarly get a call back if you just submit a resume w/ them...