Job thread

[Paelos]

Not pictured: Morlocks.

  I ruse

[Yegolev]

I had an idea for a general cover letter today.

Dear Hiring Team,
No one likes reading resumes.  I’ve been on the hiring side and I understand.  I’ve read your job description and I am a great fit, but how can you know?  I propose that next time you take a five minute break from reviewing candidates, simply give me a call at <voice number> and I’ll tell you in less than five minutes how I can help your organization move to the next level.

Sincerely,
<me>

Because, really, I can do a lot of things to improve an organization that is willing to hire me but that's super-difficult to put into a resume.  Plus resume submission is a complete crap-shoot, just like flying a job posting is a crap shoot if the person you need will even see it or consider it, since those also suck similar to resumes.

[Ironwood]

That sounds like a good idea, except that most people in tech would rather read than talk. 

Also, I'd be asking myself ;  if this guy can talk about it, but can't put that talk down in a resume, am I really going to look forward to his summarized project report ?  Ummmm, No.

But I'm a glass is half full kinda guy.

[Yegolev]

Agree with that assessment, but I can tell you that tossing my two-pager into the swimming pool is relying on luck quite a bit... so, thinking about how to get around that.

I personally have read job postings until I'm sick of decoding them and I assume hiring managers feel similarly about resumes so I'd like to give them (and me) an out.  Good point about putting that proposed summary into the resume, though, so I'm going to spend some thought on the wording.

[Merusk]

Network, Network, Network.  You met people, lots of people, at your former positions I'd imagine. Reach out to them.

That's how I've gotten my last 4 jobs. I'd never have gotten them just doing resumes.

[Yegolev]

I was advised by one of my contacts, a former manager, that you get better search hits on LinkedIn if you get above 200 contacts.  I did that a month ago, and I signed up for the Premium as well.  I'm not dissatisfied with my LinkedIn hits so far.  Interestingly, I think that is how the Google talent guy found me, instead of their manager position I applied for a while back.

EDIT to say that updating the profile every few days really helps the hits, as did adding the word "DevOps".

Mild apologies for not connecting to you miscreants on LinkedIn.

I can tell you that Monster is a hive of scum and villainy, or at least vindaloo.  Next time I do this, I'm going to get a temporary Google Voice number instead of using my actual number.

[Trippy]

These days it's all about your GitHub activity.

[Rasix]

EDIT to say that updating the profile every few days really helps the hits, as did adding the word "DevOps".

Is it sitting next to Agile and CAMS?

I really should include some more shit on my LinkedIn.  But then I'll put all of that shit and people will still want to interview me as a coder.  

These days it's all about your GitHub activity.

I'm doomed.

[Hawkbit]

If anyone knows of a place hiring either tech support or junior devs (esp rails) in Seattle, let me know! I'm graduating in May and was planning to start the search soon for jr dev work, but was told today that our president wants mom and yoy email and phone quantity numbers also with the entire list of things we do.

Welp. I know exactly what that means. Hoping I can hold out until after I graduate at least. Our fiscal begins in July, so maybe I get till then.

[Trippy]

but was told today that our president wants mom and yoy email and phone quantity numbers also with the entire list of things we do.

This looks like English but I have no idea what it means.

[Merusk]

Month over Month and Year over Year.

Stats had better be getting better each month and each year or you'll be replaced.

[Viin]

If you wanted to move to the Denver/Boulder area, let me know what you are looking for and I can see if any of my contacts have reqs open in that area.

[Chimpy]

I don't have a LinkedIN profile, I know I probably should but the site irks me.

If I ever do find myself looking for a new job at somewhere other than at this campus (meaning if I decide to move) then I guess I will have to set one up.

[Hawkbit]

If you wanted to move to the Denver/Boulder area, let me know what you are looking for and I can see if any of my contacts have reqs open in that area.

Thanks for the thoughts! My wife is our bread-winner and I can't uproot us from the Seattle area. Much appreciated, though!

[Yegolev]

These days it's all about your GitHub activity.

This is why I'm making a point of learning how to contribute to Openstack.

[Miasma]

I'm probably screwed when I lose this job.  Programmer with the same company for over a decade, don't do linked in, don't keep in touch with contacts and a lot of what I know is proprietary and useless elsewhere.  I figure I'll just downsize, live on my savings for 5-10 years and then if still alive freeze to death in a gutter.  It's an achievable scenario and requires very little effort, which is its main selling point.

[Hawkbit]

If you live in a major city, hit up a weekly Meetup.com in your area of expertise. It's awkward and weird in the beginning. Sometimes you'll meet an asshole or two. But overall it's a great way to network.

Linkedin is just basically a resume social network that nobody uses to socialize.

[Yegolev]

I vouch for both points.  A open source meetup is how I learned I should apply to something at Cox Enterprises.  LinkedIn is a fine way to find out what companies to look at and even to apply via LinkedIn.

It already seems to be happening that LinkedIn is at least supplementing if not outright replacing resumes, and even awkward shit like Taleo.  My LinkedIn URL is in my resume header.

[Yegolev]

I'm probably screwed when I lose this job.  Programmer with the same company for over a decade, don't do linked in, don't keep in touch with contacts and a lot of what I know is proprietary and useless elsewhere.

I believe it's true that if you can program at all, you can learn any programming language.  Assuming this, I'd advise learning Java since there is an absolute dire need for this skill if my job feed is any indicator.

[Yegolev]

Google position was perfect... except they wanted me to move to Mtn View.  Oh, well.

[Rasix]

Although I'd love to work for them, that is now an issue. I'm really not too keen on uprooting anymore.  Which is probably an issue considering who I work for. 

Best of luck in your continued search, Yeg.  IBM position in Atlanta get back to you?  All I know about them is that we have to call them for replacement parts for our lab machines.

[Hawkbit]

Bummer. They're pretty tough to get into, so at least you know you have the chops.

[Yegolev]

I'd really like to put "I was courted by Google to lead one or more of their Site Reliability Engineering teams" on my profile somewhere, but that seems tacky.

I haven't gotten any calls from IBM, which is probably for the best, really.  Firstly, I'm interested in moving AWAY from the dinosaurs (the get-togethers are filled with greyhaired old farts), and secondly they are probably in worse shape than HP when it comes to job security.  They have sold off a few venerable locations around Atlanta and appear to be on the decline.

I've about decided to stop waiting around for Equifax to call back, but that would have been a cool position minus the location.  I have a phone interview with Cox Communications that likely won't go anywhere since the job is lower in the operations chain than what I have been doing, but I plan to use the chance to chat with the hiring manager and basically ask if they have a use for my leadership/consulting skills.  Other lacks of follow-up have not come from Lockheed-Martin, Norfolk-Southern, Home Depot, and so on.

Macy's offices are too far away, or else I'd be applying there.  They use IBM AIX and are looking for people, plus I have met some of their IT guys... really I'd like to get into someplace using something on the rise, though, like RHEL with any of Openstack or Chef/Puppet.  Not that you couldn't use some of that with AIX.

[Yegolev]

Finally came to my senses and created a Google Voice number, promptly updating Monster, CareerBuilder, and all of my resumes.  Naturally it spells YEGOLEV, but of course I didn't type that out.

I almost simply disabled the Monster profile.  Nothing useful has come from that direction, as far as I can tell.

[Ingmar]

Google position was perfect... except they wanted me to move to Mtn View.  Oh, well.

It's a pretty great place to live, FWIW.

[Rasix]

I'd really like to put "I was courted by Google to lead one or more of their Site Reliability Engineering teams" on my profile somewhere, but that seems tacky.

That sounds like a pretty sweet gig.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Selby]

It's a pretty great place to live, FWIW.

It really is.  If I was single and younger and didn't mind living in a cramped apartment enjoying the nightlife of the place, it would be a great job and place to live.  The best part is you can do your 24-36 months there and practically get in anywhere else just because your resume says "Google" on it.

[Yegolev]

Yes, that.  I can't move, and if I did I would not like living in Silicon Valley after having a nice spacious home without neighbors.  I can only imagine the cost of housing from which my commute would be remotely sane.

Rasix said it best:  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Merusk]

Yeg, I don't think a Southern boy like you would get along in So. Cal anyway, nevermind the wife.  The boy's young enough he'll become a Californian in no time, though! Go for it!

[Trippy]

Mountain View is in NorCal.
 

[Hawkbit]

I've never been laid off or had my job removed before. What should I expect in compensation regarding severance, continuation of benefits and/or unemployment? I realize every employer likely has a different take on this, but looking for a general expectation.

I think I'm eligible to take my pension and put it in an IRA, they offer that after three years (which I just hit).

Any general advice or expectations would be really helpful. It's looking like this might be happening, maybe sooner than I thought.

[Cheddar]

I've never been laid off or had my job removed before. What should I expect in compensation regarding severance, continuation of benefits and/or unemployment? I realize every employer likely has a different take on this, but looking for a general expectation.

I think I'm eligible to take my pension and put it in an IRA, they offer that after three years (which I just hit).

Any general advice or expectations would be really helpful. It's looking like this might be happening, maybe sooner than I thought.

Varies from high five/kkthx to tidy sum to get "you through a few months".  Larger firms usually offer 1 to 2 weeks pay per year in lump sum.

Benefits usually go end of month to 6 months out.

Good luck, sorry to hear.  Best advice is back your stuff up as some will walk you immediately.

[Merusk]

Yeah, when the division I was in wound-down it was a Week per year, and they did the same at my current firm when they had to cut overhead at the management levels. (Seriously, there were 5 directors and 2 VPs for one professional. wtf.)

However I've also gotten the "sorry. We're broke, best of luck" package of, "Here's the vacation we legeally owe you. good luck."

[Yegolev]

I'm always reminded of Kirk van Houten being let go from the cracker factory after his divorce.  "So after all this time, it's 'So long and good luck'?", to which his boss says "I don't recall saying 'Good luck'."

One week's pay per year of service is what I got.  Tax withheld at the bonus rate.  HP, however, is a multi-billion-dollar company so adjust accordingly.

Something I was a bit surprised to learn was how much my health plan cost.  For COBRA, I was only able to take the plan I already had, and that cost $20,000 annually just for medical.  So, go ahead and get ready to research medical plans if you're in the same boat.

Unemployment insurance (UI) varies by state, of course, but it was not really bothersome.  Especially since I didn't have a job anymore.  I signed up immediately and so far haven't gotten a check, so be aware it will take some time.

Cheddar is right about making backups now.  Also go ahead and take home all of your personal shit so you aren't dealing with that when the knock comes.  Reorgs were like spring cleaning for my desk.

Yeg, I don't think a Southern boy like you would get along in So. Cal anyway, nevermind the wife.  The boy's young enough he'll become a Californian in no time, though! Go for it!

You're only saying this because you've never met me in person.  Correct about my gun-toting, business-owning, empowered wife, though.

So... anyone want to see the job link?  I don't think any of you are in the line of work that I'm in.

[Hawkbit]

Thanks for letting me know your stories and what to expect. Backups were finished on Monday and I took home everything personal on Tuesday, so that's good. It's great advice.

Now I'm just hoping they extend it longer than I'm expecting. It will be okay; my wife makes great money and can keep us afloat while I look. We technically can survive on her income alone, but we can't save any money and we have to cut back fun things pretty much completely.

Thanks again for the advice!