I must be doing something wrong..... 4

[gbaughma]

I don't get it.

OK, so I don't have a BS in computer science. But I have 20+ years of computer experience; hardware, software development, networking, systems administration... and management experience.

I just dropped my resume out to a company, and got a "dear applicant" letter back. They had filled the position.

I *should* have been a shoe-in for the job.

Same thing with a hospital position that I applied for. Almost half of my career has been in the medical field (the other half in business). Didn't even get a call.

Now, considering that there are not a whole lot of IT people in this area, I can't believe that these places were so over-run with applicants (*especially* with my level of work experience) that I don't even merit a phone interview.

When I got my current job, I was flat told "You were by far the most qualified person who applied". So, the reality of it is, if I can *get* an interview, I blow their socks off. But I can't get to first base.

My cover letter (when I can send one... a lot of these applications are online now, and don't give the opportunity for a cover letter) talks about customer focus (both internal and external customers), and a desire to dedicate myself to a company that appreciates hard work and loyalty (ok, that's part of the reason that I'm looking... the company I'm working for now seems to have the opinion that everyone is replacable, and they're doing all of us a favor by "letting" us work here....)

Anyway... I don't get it. How can I get in at least for an interview? I just feel like my resume is being circular-filed before they even look at my experience.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[CajunCenturion]

Maybe Greg, because of your experience, the company doesn't think they can afford you?


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[rjoubert]

I think it just depends on the company and/or the individual doing the hiring. When our small development team was looking for another developer, we were given the freedom to select whoever we wanted to interview and hire. I remember the selection coming down to two people. One had a 4 year degree and great experience. The other never attended college and had similar experience to the first candidate. We hired the one without any college under his belt because we felt he "fit in" better with the rest of the team. We never regretted that decision for a second.

 

[JCreamerII]

Greg,

I'm betting that they got someone for less money, you didn't mention the type of business the last one was, so no way to match your experience to the job. Also possibly someone got hired because of who they were, or know? In my town the town administrator's daughter got the IT supervisors job at the town hall, they said she had some "dbase exerpience" & knew EXCEL, as reported in the local paper, she wouldn't have got an intern's job at the company I work for. Hospitals are notorious for keeping costs down so that one was understandable, but you never know what people are thinking.

Jim C.

 

[gbaughma]

Well, I do know that quite often, companies are required to post jobs externally, but it's just a formality.

They already have someone picked for the job LONG before they post it, but they have to go through the motions.... really bugs me.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[acewarlock]

I don't think it makes a lot of difference if you do or don't have a degree. The best jobs I have had in my life, have been jobs I didn't think I would get because they wanted a BS in Computer science or what ever and I only had a Trade school Diploma and 27 years of experence. there where also jobs I though I should have gotten, but didn't because I was to experenced and they though I would want to much money.

Just look at it this way, It's just a CRAP Shoot.




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This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

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[DonQuichote]

My cover letter (when I can send one... a lot of these applications are online now, and don't give the opportunity for a cover letter) ...

The very first paragraph of my resume gives an overview of what I want and what I can offer. After that paragraph, the rest is just details. Important details, but the start should give the reader a good short introduction with the real me.

+++ Despite being wrong in every important aspect, that is a very good analogy +++
Hex (in Darwin's Watch)

 

[gbaughma]

Don:

Yeah... my resume has an "Objective" right at the top... first paragraph.

It reads:

To obtain a challenging career as a technician, troubleshooter, trainer, or system administrator with a company that recognizes and rewards excellent performance delivered by its employees.

Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[Bandenjamin]

Greg,

I've had a lot of success in tailoring my objective to match up with what the posting is looking for. Also if you have an objective that is vauge (technician, troubleshooter, trainer or system admin) it can frighten a few people off.

Also I'm sure the above comments were all very accurate, many companies are scared off by too much experience.

--Dan
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

 

[Hap007]

Hi Greg,

I am in the same boat, 27 years, some college, all current skills are now self taught.

In all those years, every interview I ever attended, I was offered the job, except one interview where I had a bad cold.

Back in those days, you mailed your resume, or faxed it or had a recruiter make the first contact.

Now a days, a job is posted on a web site,
Then, 5 or more job boards place the same job on their web,
then 25 recruiters listed the same job.

By the time it is done, one job maybe listed dozens of times and then who knows how good the 'date posted' is.

So, now you and 100 others email a resume to some HR person, who proofs maybe the first 10 or 20 or 30 emails and forwards 5 or so to the hiring manager.

Bottom line, if you apply to 100 jobs, I would bet your actual resume only would reach a manager 1 in every 100 jobs you apply for.

I guess that is progress.

I would love to hear from an HR person or a hiring manager using todays tools to determine if what I am assuming is true.

My advice, track down the job to the actual company doing the hiring. Then apply on line on their web site. Finally, give the company a call and see if you can actually speak to HR or IT or whatever department is hiring.

Good Luck,
Hap...


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[sha76]

Greg, with all your experience, is there any chance that your applications could be making you seem a bit arrogant, a bit of a know-it-all? Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing you of being either, you certainly don't come across that way in the slightest from your postings here, quite the opposite, but just thought it might be an angle worth considering.
I'd also second Hap007's suggestion of calling up, but do it before you submit your application, make sure you give your name & mention a couple of things on your cv that they'll remember & have a good chat about what the job involves, etc, then (assuming of course that you made a good impression!) they'll be looking out for your cv. I have selected people for interview more on the strength of their informal enquiry than their formal application!

"Your rock is eroding wrong." -Dogbert

 

[gbaughma]

sha76:

I've always strived to find the balance between self-confidence and arrogance. I think (I hope) I have it pretty well figured out.

The reality of it is, when I say that I can build a computer from scratch and have the OS installing in under a half hour, or that I've written almost a quarter-million lines of code at my current job, or that I'm an A+ instructor, I'm not trying to be arrogant; I'm being factual.

I don't know... it's all very frustrating. I just applied for a job as a trainer with a big 3-letter company... I hope I get a call back. It's 75% travel, but it's $85k... I could live with that.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[AlexCuse]

I have a friend who works in a technology-specific HR role for a large financial institution in Southeast PA. The main advice she gave me with regards to my resume was to use as many acronyms and buzzwords as possible (no matter how much I hate to do it) because those are what catch HR people's eyes.

If someone specializing in filling tech positions does this, I imagine it is far worse at smaller companies that only have one or two HR people. I guess you need a careful balance here. Use enough buzzwords to get it through the HR people, but not so many that the manager immediately knows your full of "stuff".

Good Luck!

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[chrissie1]

Poeple always think I'm arrogant while I'm just being honest about myself. I can't help it the rest of the world is less smart than me.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

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[LNBruno]

I may not be a smart man, but I know "Poeple" looks funny.

< M!ke >
[small]First Rule of Holes: When you're in one, stop digging.[/small]

 

[Dollie]

If you are posting your resume online, LOAD it with keywords that people are looking for. The more times the keywords appear in your resume, the higher in the search it will appear. Today's technologies are good and bad for applicants. For those of us who grew up using cover letters and mailed in resumes, sites like Monster are intimidating and less personal. I would recommend that you also peruse articles on job seeking on the internet, there may be that one tip out there that you missed that will land you the next job.

 

[aarenot]

Research, and find three companies in the world you would like to work for.

Find a way to meet someone who works there in IT, or HR. Use that contact to get the inside track. Go to the bar closest to the office if that is what you have to do. Find a networking opportunity with someone in the org., and then start talking shop/geek, and let them talk more than you do, then fix their problem for them if you can.

Think about it, how many guys on here that you have helped in a bind would put in a good word for you where they work, and want you on their team?

Posting a resume online, is for the birds.

Ever heard of "ask the headhunter"? google it. Not that it makes me an expert, but my sister also is the head IT recruiter for a multinational, and she finds most great candidates by personal intro, or recomendation from within her network, or her networks, network. She does not fill the IT dept through the ISP.

 

[SQLSister]

Try only listing the last ten years of experience. There isa lot of age discrimination out there.

"NOTHING is more important in a database than integrity." ESquared

 

[gbaughma]

Go to the bar closest to the office if that is what you have to do.

Mmm.... don't drink. But I do see what you're saying.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[lespaul]

Mmm.... don't drink

first, let's clarify that you don't drink alcohol; and while I can't be certain, I've heard they DO have non-alcoholic beverages in bars...

Lelsie