Advice for Job Hunters

Static M.e.

Found this , this morning basic stuff but its always good to be reminded.

Advice for Job Hunters

The piece featured in yesterday's Windows Daily, and excerpted in the Tech Specialist drew some interest from the readership, and since then, a few additional non-industry specific thoughts came to mind, which I thought I'd toss out for consideration. Mind you, I am not an employment counselor by any means, and I have not been exposed to every major job market the world has to offer. There is plenty of web space dedicated to employment, but it's easy to get bogged down in details and contradictory advice. This short list contains things that I've always found valuable when putting my name in a hat:

1.0 - Word is fine for creating your resume, but for the love of Peets, don't use the standard templates! Why? Because everybody else does, and you want to stand out in a crowded crowd. My girlfriend hates my resume format because it doesn't follow traditional formatting rules. I prefer it that way, actually. The more she frowns at the changes I've made, the better I seem to like it.

1.1 - Whatever you choose as a starting point, ensure that all of the elements are identifiable and in font that's easy to read through quickly. One page is better than two, but if the situation and your experience dictates, two isn't usually a problem. Consider using one page for the meat, and a second page that you can present if additional details are required.

1.2 - The paper can be important. Sounds strange, but running off a copy of your resume using an inkjet printer and standard copy paper, while adequate, can be tough to read sometimes. Ink can smear, fade if sent through the mail, run horribly if a drip of condensation falls from a water bottle, etc. My own preference is bright white linen stock and a high resolution laser printer. Not as a means to impress someone, but because of readability. The text jumps off the page much better, making it easier to skim through quickly. Fancy colored resume paper with monograms and watermarks are fluff, in my opinion. I tend to think that someone is trying hard to make an impression with everything but the content. I've even seen over-eager candidates resort to high gloss photo paper and colored text with a sort of air brushed look. Perhaps a graphic designer might use some flair to show a little creative juice, but for a network administrator position, it's over the edge... of the desk and into the trash can, perhaps.

2.0 - Be mindful of how you come across. The dreaded first impression keeps people up at night, worrying about the introductory glad-handing and ice-breaking procedure they insist will make or break the interview. In my experience, it will more often break than make a job hunter's chances. Above all else, don't be a know-it-all and try to solve every corporate problem during the interview. Participate in the conversations, but do not ever dominate them. Your ego is secondary to their finding someone that works and plays well in the sandbox with others. I'm reminded of my first impression of a guy I now know to be one of the best technical professionals I'd ever care to work with. He has the tendency to rub people the wrong way at first, but when he keeps the brash nature under control for a bit, people warm up to his style quickly. If you end up coming to Gnomedex, he'll be the one slinging insults my way at every opportunity, but I've never worked side-by-side with someone any better than I do with Warren. Our skills compliment each other perfectly, and when companies are hiring a new team member, it's one of the key intangibles that are tuned in on very quickly.

3.0 - Don't go gadget nuts. Having a cell phone and/or pager on your hip is fine (silenced, of course), but a Palm in one hand, notebook computer under the opposite arm, Bluetooth earpiece strapped to your head and an insatiable urge to pester the interviewers about any items they may have in front of them provide an immense distraction. You like technology, we get it. That's what your resume is for. Besides, how much time do you spend tinkering with all of that stuff when there are server logs to be screened and a help desk phone ringing off the hook?

4.0 - I've heard frequent recommendations to inquire as to when a decision will be made about the position. That's a fair question, because you don't want to be hanging from the telephone cord waiting incessantly to hear back, while the candidate selected has since been promoted twice and indicted for corporate accounting violations. You have better things to do. However, I'm not keen on calling the HR department of the company every other hour. They'll get you out of their hair, and it probably won't be the outcome for which you were hoping. If they give you an approximate period of time until their decision, and it has come and gone without word, a polite phone call to touch base isn't out of line, but use some discretion. Until you do hear back, continue your job search. If you are made an offer, you can put other things on hold, but don't sit around idle as you wait to hear from one or two companies.

5.0 - Have fun. Leave the beer and chips at home (or at least out of sight in your briefcase), but don't get locked into a walking coma. An upbeat attitude will let them know that you can handle serious situations without stressing out. I actually rather enjoy most job interviews, and have come away with new business contacts, even though I didn't accept the positions. Some large companies, like Microsoft, are akin to torture, judging from some of the descriptions I've gotten from friends that do or have worked at the company. Convince yourself that you want to be there, rather than wishing the end would come. Remember that you are evaluating them as much as they are evaluating you, and even if you don't hit pay dirt the first time around, the day may come when your paths cross again.

RicardoSmith

Have to say I don't think there are any golden rules. You'll just wreck your head reading all this kinda techno babble.

fisty

yeah,
Most of it is common sense.
Just Smile and be approachable, thats all anyone wants in a colleague. (oh and the right skills obviously.)