Gang,

I'm desperately looking for a job and would appreciate any help/ideas. I have an MS in Mathematics/Computer Science and 5 years of experience working as a software engineer in the Telecom/Semiconductor Industry. My previous employers include Lucent technologies & 3Com corp. It's now been 10 months since I've been out of work and things are really going to get ugly once the unemployment benifits expire at the end of this year. I have been spending at least 4 hours a day on job search with no luck. Last month I got hired by Intel (in Hudson) and the day before I was supposed to join they call me saying they don't have the $$$ any more :-( The only job I have lined up at the moment is pizza delivery, I might have to buy a beater car for it. I know someone who delivers pizza in a 350Z so I might even try it in my screwed up S2k (it still has problems with the rear suspension).

Thank you for reading!

.mas

 

I'm with you, man....I've only been out about two and a half months, but the state of the industry is pretty nasty, and I'm not so sure it will ever rebound entirely (at least in my career's lifetime). I hold an M.S.E.E. from a top-ten university with more than 5 years experience in the telecomm/imaging sector, and I've only had one bite so far (who chose to pass on me). I look at it and mumble "Would you like to Biggie size that?"

 

Guys,

Don't get your hopes up, but if you want to PM your resumes to me, this firm does use experts in patent and high tech litigation. I can at least pass the word, if you think you would be interested in that kind of thing.

 

Bill,

I would certainly be interested in hearing more about the job, what it entails, etc.

 

Thank you guys for your messages and PMs with offers of help - I really appreciate it.

MacGyver: We should exchange job search strategies via email. I have learned a few things down the road, I'll send you some tips via email. Good luck!

 

This is lONG...... but hope it helps. This market stinks.... here is some advice more geared to techy folk. Sure you are doing most of it.....you have to do all of it 100% to get a job these days. There is no such thing as luck in getting a job as "luck is when aggression` meets opportunity". No I did not take that from Tony Robbins.....

Stage an attack plan as crazy as it sounds but map out the plan with different stages; example below. Track this plan, progress, what you have done, haven't done, need to do more of, contacts you are making, etc...

Stage 1: Resume Boards and the web
Post your resume on every god dam resume database on this planet.
www.monster.com which was OCC back in the day
www.hotjobs.com
www.dice.com
www.scguild.com
www.nettemps.com
www.careerbuilder.com which was heahhunter.net
www.hightechjobs.com
there are others out there as well.... track them down
I know there is a rte 495 email jobs list as well on Yahoo

Stay current on these boards and refresh your resume weekly so it climbs to the top of the list as this is how these boards work. Also remember these boards work with a Bouillon Logic Search engine that keys in on targeted words. Make sure your resume has as many targeted words on it as possible that a recruiter/head hunter/Hr may zero in on. Even if you have to have a paragraph at the bottom of your resume that just lists technologies you have done or know about. You must be a datacom network guy so if you know routing instead of listing IP routing list out BGP, IP, IPV6, MPLS, Qos, OSPF, IKE, IPSec, PPP, L2tp, TCP/IP, DHC, etc.... hope this is making sense.

Stage 2:
Recruiters and search firms....
Do they suck, yes..... tell me about it but they are a tool you have to use. Get your resume to as many as possible and track who has it, the company name, and your contact name so you can check in with them from time to time. Give them strict instructions not to send to any client without your authorization. They are famous for blasting paper all over the universe without your OK. This is bad and can actually impede your standings with a client. Find staffing companies that specialize in your space. There are firms for everything out there from medical nurses to datacom telecom, etc.... call Prostart in NH and ask for Tom Missert, call Logix in waltham and ask for Paul Luck, call KForce and ask for Mike Bellino or who took his place as I think he moved on..... these firms specialize in the datacom/telecom space and there are others. Ask your friends who they used in the past?
Genuity Search, ACI etc.... many others. Oh and get in there face, let them see the product they are pushing. Sorry to refer to you as product but to a recruiter that is what a person without a job is to them. Go in, meet them face to face, dress sharp and prepare as you would for an interview, give them referrals if they ask and let them know now they owe you one and find you a job. If they resist meeting with you tell them you will be in there area, just want to pop in, shake their hand, put a name with a face..... this goes a long way trust me. Also get your resume to other general technical staffing companies like Aerotek/Maxim group, MRI, KForce, Adept, Elliasson Group, etc...
Recruiters can be good if you use them correctly. You will get frustrated as 90% stink but 10% are good at what they do, professional and maybe able to help. You have to deal with 50 to get to the 5 though.

Stage 3:
Network.....
Get out there and talk to people. The posting you sent to the s2k forum was right on. Reach out to people and let them know you are eager to get back to work. Get together with old co-workers and managers you worked with in the past. Go to lunch and pick up the bill..... if there is a 3com reunion go to it and kiss ass.... if its not you nature then fake it.... survival of the fitess these days. Go to Job fairs, free conferences, and any and all social events possible and get the word out. Networking with people, finding out where other people are working and get them to refer you to Hr or to their friends at other companies is what you should try to do......

Stage 4:
Apply to all jobs and companies wether you see a posting or not that is in your interest. Get that new resume in their database with all the buzz words on it so it can be pulled up in their searches. Go to the job boards which many times is the same as the resume boards and apply to any job that looks like a 50% match or more. Also do some probing yourself and find other new start ups. Go to local venture capital websites like Venturi Partners, Matrix Partners, Charles River ventures and see whom they are funding locally, then link to their site and apply.

Stage 5:
Stay Positive.... this market again stinks for everyone and your not alone. I talk to people that have been out 1 year+ daily. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends and get your attack plan in place and get ready to wage war in 03...... again finding a role is war these days and takes an attack approach to win....

There is so much more you can do.... these are the first major steps

Jesus christ......I just typed through my lunch hour on this........ hope it helped..... good luck

 

mickfluff,
Good advise, it is good to see it wrapped into one post. While your entire post is important, I think Stages 4, 5, and 6 are higher on the the list from my personal experience. I also think good old door knocking is important now a days, I drove Route 3 from Burlington, MA to Manchester, NH leaving a trail of resumes. This did not hurt at all and got me couple of interviews.

In the end the tool that worked for me was networking. I definately found the job I am in now by a contact that I have known for years. Looking for a job is a fulltime job.

Goodluck to all the job seekers out there, I feel for you right now in this difficult environment. Thanks mickfluff for a good posting, lunch was well worth it.

 

Mickfluff: Thank you so much for taking the time to write a great post! I'm sure it will help anyone looking for a job in this market.

PS:

I assume you are an IP routing guy? That's what I was doing at my last three jobs - IP, PPP, PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP ........ Damn, I miss working.

"....if you know routing instead of listing IP routing list out BGP, IP, IPV6, MPLS, Qos, OSPF, IKE, IPSec, PPP, L2tp, TCP/IP, DHC, etc....."




[QUOTE]Originally posted by mickfluff
[B]This is lONG...... but hope it helps.

 

Just sending out my best wishes, guys! It's definitely rough around here!!! I hope the state's high-tech economy picks up again soon!