Advice wanted

[tdfreeman]

I have worked in IT for about 7 years now. While in college getting my B.S. in MIS I worked on a helpdesk. I was first-line support for PC and Mainframe issues (I liked it at first, but got burned out later).

For the past 3 1/2 years I have worked for a consulting company. The first 4 months I sat the bench. For a year following that I worked in COBOL. For the two years after that I have worked on a system that consists of an Oracle database on a Unix box, Tuxedo application servers, and a Java client (coded by our coders). I have been responsible for the administration of Oracle and the configuration of the system.

I have also made somewhat simple Microsoft Access databases to be used on my projects. At least I have a feeling they are considered simple by people who use MS Access all the time. I have learned the VBA coding I have done on my own. So, I don't know all the functionality of MS Access. I created a database to track Helpdesk calls for a system with approximately 500 users. I created several tracking tools to track issues resulting from our upgrade.

What I have really enjoyed working with are Unix, Oracle and Microsoft Access.

I like the company where I work. However, I want to move to the Southeast within 5 or 6 hours of Pensacola, Florida and Tallahassee, Florida (my family lives in these two cities). This puts me looking for a job in Tallahassee, Pensacola, Montgomery, AL, Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA and maybe a few other places. My company does not have any work down there at present and it is not looking good for the next year. I want to move by November.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to look and what I can expect.

My concerns are that my experience is so diverse and the job market is looking for people who are more specialized. They are always looking for 3 to 5 years experience in a particular technology.

I appreciate all input you may have.

Thanks.

Tammy Thank you for your help.

Tammy

 

[petey]

Here's a thought, hope it helps.

Utilize your family and friends. Tell them you'd like to move but you need to find a job first. Mail them several copies of your resume and ask them each if they know anybody in IT or if they can keep their ears open for possible jobs. The more ears the better.

Families and friends are great for this kind of stuff. Hopefully they'll be eager to help you get a job and move down, plus they already know people and businesses in the area and word of mouth referrals are best anyway.

Of course also pursue all other avenues so as to maximize your chances. Also, I don't advocate 'using' people in a bad way, but good relationships allow for some give-and-take stuff

petey

http://www.drpeterjones.com/

 

[byteofram]

Tammy,
Besides online job sites(headhunter.net, monster.com, computerjobs.com, etc) I would also have the family in those areas send you a copy of the Sunday classifieds of jobs every 2-4 weeks. Most major papers are online too but don't always list all the jobs in the paper. Don't get discouraged with online websites either...I'm living proof that they do work. I applied for probably 50-75 jobs, and only got 6 serious replies back...but of those 6, 5 ended up offering jobs to me. I accepted one and am now the Director of IT Operations for a manufacturing company. So they do work. I think companies look for a more well rounded person these days. They do ask for 5 yrs of this, and 5 yrs of that...but IT departments have had to make cut backs and do more with less. That means if a person can do 3 jobs instead of just 1 specialized thing they are a better bargain. I do hiring and I'd rather have someone that can pick new things up than someone who only knows one thing and never expanded their knowledge.
Also, when talking to companies...tell them you are wanting to move closer to family, are willing to pay for all relocation costs(if possible), and if salary level isn't an issue don't tell them what you currently make. Some people can get ruled out immediately because at their last job they made too much and the new company doesn't want to match that. Just let them know that you are flexible in pay and an extra week of vacation or the like can be subsituted. Just some thoughts.

Curt

 

[mudskipper]

Tammy - You said, "My concerns are that my experience is so diverse and the job market is looking for people who are more specialized. They are always looking for 3 to 5 years experience in a particular technology."

Don't worry about this too much. Update your resume with the skills that you have aquired, and remember that your diversity can be a plus. This shows that are able (and willing) to advance your knowledge. In addition, your knowledge in several areas shows that you have a broad range of understanding in your field. Include that you have been working IT for 7 years, and you have a good chance of at least grabbing an interview even if the entire 7 years wasn't spent in one area.

I know many IT heads that would rather hire somebody with a broad range of general knowledge and is trainable in a specific area rather than hire somebody that can do one thing (and only one thing) well. Mudskipper
___________________________________________________________________________________

Groucho said it best- "A four year-old child could understand this! Quick! Run out and find me a four year-old child: I can't make heads nor tails out of this!"

 

[j111111]

If you're dead set on moving, I'd just move and go for it. You could take any old job just to tide you over until you get one doing what you want.
Asking friends & family in the meantime might help but do they know EXACTLY what you're after?

 

[tdfreeman]

j111111,

No, my family and friends are not in my field and do not know what I want.

I am happy to say that I finally got a callback on one job I applied for. I have to take a Skills Verification Test and then go for an interview if I am one of the top 4 scorers on the test.

I am interested in knowing if anyone knows what kinds of positions are out there working with Microsoft Access. I see there are technical forums for Microsoft Access and plenty of people who know alot about it. I was wondering what kinds of postions these people have.

Thanks for your input.

Tammy Thank you for your help.

Tammy