Posts Tagged ‘job search’

Do they make a Beano for Brain Farts?

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Received a phone call just now from the human resource manager of a Dallas area company that makes VoIP security technologies as well as routers and stuff. In order to set them up, they provide a web application with their products.

It’s entry level, only basic level knowledge required. I’m giddy. Can he ask me some technical questions to test my knowledge? Absolutely!

“In Java, how would you set up two threads to count from 1 to 5 simultaneously?”

Brainfart… I stammer a basic loop structure.

“How would you do that in two threads?”

Brainfart. Ummmm….

“Have you had much experience in threads in Java?”

*whimper* Not much, I’m afraid.

“Okay, we’ll just move on. How would you hide an element in Javascript?”

Crap crap crap crap crap… I’ve DONE THIS! Several times in fact. …. brain fart.

“How would you underline an element using strictly CSS.”

text-decoration:underline

“Excellent. How would I look up a string of text inside of a text file in Unix/Linux?”

Great, big, stinking brainfart. I can’t believe my mom and pets can breathe this stench!

“I see you mention SQL on your resume, how would you look up a single line?”

SELECT FROM database… no, wait… (Thinking: SELECT geeks FROM WoW — btw, thanks! I wouldn’t have gotten that if your guild name didn’t spontaneously pop into my head. lol) SELECT fields FROM DATABASE WHERE keyfield

“Okay, great.”

Apologize for brainfarts, I know how to do this, but I just moved and all my resource books are still in storage.

“That’s fine. Do you have any questions for me?”

Recall Matt suggesting from now on asking how much experience they’re looking for.

“Not much, we’re looking for a junior member of the team. Someone who won’t need a great deal of training, but can grow with our company.”

Fantastic! Thanks so much!

*gives contact and other information* “Someone may contact you later in the week to schedule an interview. Thanks for your time and have a great day!”

Thanks again, have a nice day! Take care!

*head-desk* *head-desk* *head-desk* *head-desk* *head-desk* *head-desk*

Debating today’s job fair

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

After yesterday’s job fair disappointment, I spent most of today seriously debating going to the next. For one thing, the whole “NO EXCEPTIONS” regarding experience and security clearance is kind of a deterrent.

I looked up where it is and it’s not hard to get to, but I really don’t want to waste time or gas on something I might get turned away from. I’m entry level and while I have 2 years as a hobbyist, almost no employer counts that knowledge.

I also didn’t sleep well last night. The stress of moving, job searching, etc are resulting in some really crazy dreams. I often am waking up feeling like I ran a marathon all night.

I think a nap is calling more than this job fair. Hopefully there will be others soon.

Job Fair: Not as Advertised

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Attended the job fair today, but it was a bit of a disappointment. I arrived early and got in line, hoping to beat out most of the crowd. I pre-registered, so I could hopefully move through the line fairly quickly. There was a line that snaked around several corridors, but with this economy that wasn’t a shock. They eventually split the lines up into those who had preregistered and those who hadn’t.

About an hour into the wait, I heard a man’s voice booming across the crowd. He eventually got to my section and announced loudly: No IT, No Tech, No Professionals. There were just 5 tables. The ad for the Job Fair was wrong. There was no representation for the major IT firms, despite being in Plano.

So, between 100 – 200 people walked out, including me. With my health problems and petite size (in case you’ve missed it, I’m barely over 5 feet tall), it’s fairly useless for me to inquire about military or law-enforcement.

However, attending did bring me a few leads. One of the ladies I was standing with had some IT/tech leads for me to follow: Esurance, Broadview Security, and Televista. Still a bit irked at wasting my time, but that was a very nice silver lining.

Supposedly there’s another career fair tomorrow in Richardson that’s supposed to be all Tech and IT, so planning on making my way there.

Job Fairs

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

In Michigan, I rarely found out about job and career fairs until the day of. Usually with only 3 hours left before the fair ended.

Bright and early Thursday morning I received an unsolicited e-mail from a local recruiter regarding a job fair. A week in advance. It contained clear and concise directions, a link to registration, and full information regarding who is attending. Among the attending companies are many that I wouldn’t mind working for.

Cue me bouncing around the house in joy.

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Michigan anymore! Texas, I like your style!

Adjustment

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Spent the last week adjusting to living in Texas. Poor Matt, he went from no pets to three. Echo has decided she’s Matt’s cat for now. She follows him around like a puppy, curling up in his lap, begging to be let into his room, and sleeping on his bed while he plays WoW. Luna barks like a maniac at him whenever he comes into the room.

Matt called the 22nd of December, right after my blog post. He’s letting us stay in 2 bedrooms of his 3 bedroom house rent free for 2 months. After that, we’ll negotiate rent. “Haul your asses down here!” he said. And haul ass we did.

The first catch came in the car rental company. Despite the Georgia plates, registration, and insurance they wanted us to drive all the way back to Michigan from Virginia to renegotiate the contract and then drive to Texas. They promised to get back to us on the 22nd, but never did. Mom got the oil changed on the 23rd and called them back to demand an answer. Finally given the okay, we took off for Texas.

Someday, I need to go back with cameras and time for a proper vacation. It was pouring when we went through Memphis, TN and we stopped only to get gas. Same story for Little Rock, AR. I was so frustrated with Richmond, I never did get to the cultural and historical areas.

Either way, I’m in Texas now. We arrived Christmas day and with Matt’s blessing have been relaxing so we can start attacking the job search this week. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is HUGE. By far, this is the biggest metropolitan area I’ve ever seen. But the weather beats Michigan out by miles.

I’ve had dinner twice at James’s restaurant and gotten to meet Wally and his wife, Patrick, and James’s and one of his sons. Matt’s parents also openly invited us to have Christmas at their house, which made Christmas much happier.

What my task is now is a set of New Year’s Resolutions… including finding a job. Matt says there’s some consignment shops near the upper class and extremely upper class areas of town where I might be able to find some really great used clothing. This morning I redid my resume yet again.

Right now, I’ll take most anything just to get on my feet, but I really would like to find something in my field. That being said, I did tell Matt I’d be willing to do free work in the area to build my portfolio and make my name known in the area.

Much love to you all. I’m going to make it, even if I have to turn into Supergirl to do it.

Everything I know about life, I learned from WoW

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Don’t like one questing area? Try another. Hop on your mount and move thine-self.

The Richmond, VA area doesn’t seem to be panning out. I don’t have until January to wait to see how the profits from the Christmas season work out, not without help with housing. We declared we’d return to the Michigan area by Christmas if it didn’t work out and I don’t want to go back. As scary, frustrating, and stressful as this has been it’s been less scary, frustrating, and stressful than Michigan ever was. I’ve managed to somehow be calmer here than I’ve been in Michigan for years.

Even if we did go back, I wouldn’t be welcome at the family Christmas party. Mom might be welcomed, but the only present I might receive is the gift of their anger and maybe the chance to press assault charges on Karla.

I don’t regret leaving. Not in the least. I don’t regret taking this chance. But I’m realizing I should have chosen Dallas instead. Dave and Jane are wonderful; and, I relish the chance to meet them… but coming to Richmond for anything but a vacation was a mistake.

We’re realizing we were happier on the road, staring uncertainty in the face and gawking at the sights two isolated Michigan women hadn’t ever seen. Each night, as we cuddled with our pets, we knew we’d made the right choice.

And now it’s boiling down to another choice.

Matt was right, I think.

I’m trying hard not to view the slow snow cleanup through the eyes of a northerner, but I can’t help it. I keep telling myself that they’re not used to this much snow, but it just doesn’t seem like it should take this long to clean up. It’s like they’re waiting for the snow to melt, rather than do something about it. The political shenanigans between Richmond and the outlying counties is also aggravating. Part of the reason I chose Richmond over my other options was their so-called “Award Winning” public transportation system. However, due to the political disputes between the city and counties, the bus service fails to reach the major economic hubs of the area. I was counting on that system and now I know it’s simply not true.

I know it’s rough everywhere; I’m not looking for for a handout or the promised land of sunshine, bubble-gum rainbows, and 1% unemployment. I’m looking for a chance. Even if the economy were to do a complete rebound today, I know it will take years for everyone to recover.

For once in my life, I want to be given a chance. Nothing more, nothing less.

Still Nothing

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Friday night, Richmond was buried under roughly 20 inches of snow and promptly shut down for the rest of the weekend. We found ourselves trapped at the hotel for the weekend, which has put us behind… majorly behind.

We’re running out of money fast and have no jobs to show for it. We’re trying to stay positive, but it’s difficult. It’s scary!

So far, no one wants to help us. It’s either homeless shelter or find a job before any agency will.

I’m beginning to think I should have chosen Texas. Unfortunately, I know even less about Texas than I do about Virginia. At the same time, I’ve had the opportunity to apply to so many jobs and have handed out so many resumes, the laws of the universe dictate that as soon as I leave, I’ll get a call. There’s not much in Michigan to return to, but one of our old neighbors said we could live in their basement if necessary.

Either way, we’re going to have to decide within the next day or so: return to Michigan, stay put, or try another region.

Hanging On

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Pounded the pavement all yesterday, most of the mall stores aren’t going to be doing any hiring until they see what their holiday sales look like. Trying really hard not to let that bother me or the number of times I got sized up. The big box and other stores said they’d get back to us by early next week.

I don’t remember all the places I dropped applications or resumes off too. Kind of face-palming over that. So far, I’ve only heard back from Sears, who politely said I wasn’t a good fit. Tomorrow I’m going to drop my resume off with some local headhunters, see what they say.

I honestly don’t think finding employment is going to be an issue. There’s also a really neat program to help first-time home owners get a loan and everything.

It’s temporary housing that’s proving difficult.

We’ve been calling as many organizations as we can for help, but most want us to have a job first. The others offer to place us in a homeless shelter, but our girls won’t be able to come. We can’t afford to stay in this hotel indefinitely.

Luna is alternately awesome and puzzling. She’s acting up, which means she’s not too welcome despite being my assistance dog. She’s acting too much like a pet. But she panics if she’s left alone in the hotel room. I’m not sure what to do. I can’t find any visible injuries, but I can’t afford to take her to the vet either. Right now, we have to take her with us and leave her in the car. But that’s not going to work when we find jobs.

The kitties are just amazing. I can’t get over how adaptable they are. Wish they’d pass a little of that on to Luna.

I asked mom to give me a little more time, see if anything pans out next week.

Grandma is making things even more confusing. She actually talked to me over the phone and she wasn’t a witch. She’s been giving us advice and seems genuinely worried about us. I don’t know what to make of that either. We’re talking even more about continuing south and going to Florida. I can’t believe we’re considering that!

I just know I really don’t want to go back to Michigan. Poppa called our cell yesterday morning and got me instead of mom. Instant hostility. Talking with him just those few seconds sapped me of energy and confidence.

I need distance. A lot of it.

Computer, why must you trouble me right now?

Monday, December 14th, 2009

First, the silver thermal compound decided to go brittle on me and now I think the video card is dying. I turned the computer back on today after looking for jobs and now the colors are weird. Really eye-searing and I’m missing options in my display settings. Working on updating the display drivers right now, so crossing my fingers.

As soon as I can afford it, I think it’s time for a cheap, no-frills laptop. Just so I have other options than hauling my rig around.

We’re having our share of pity-parties. But that being said, I had quite a few excited managers when I mentioned I was a computer science major. Sadly, I don’t have a printer and the hotel only has a shared computer with so much spyware I’m amazed it can function. The fact that it can’t find the printer doesn’t surprise me.

So going to have to find another place to print out a resume and all the different applications I’d like to fill out.

Second Thoughts the Other Way

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Okay, now we have second thoughts the other way. Mom called one of the affordable apartments near us and while they’d be cool with the girls, they require all tenants to be making at least $1700 a month. Totally lets us out.

Mom called our DHS case worker to inquire about Section 8 Housing, course, the state screwed up DHS so it’ll probably be… oh, friday… before she gets back with us.

Which took us back the other way, back towards leaving again. Either way, we’re going to be homeless for a bit.

I found a few entry level web development jobs I could do, but will they take me is the question. I’m completely clueless about cover letters in the first place, let along crafting one to convince people to consider me when I’m not even there yet.

One is, awesomely enough, with the World Wildlife Federation and the other is for a yacht company. I can do everything both ask, though I’ve only dabbled with ASP. (I can make it say “Hello World” and some other basic newbie stuff.)

*eyes Echo snoozing in the armchair* I don’t think so! Mom did her best dragon impression ever last night, remember? You are sleeping tonight!