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Switching to IT
Q. I want to change my career to become an IT professional, but nobody gives me the chance. I have been a professional engineer in non-IT fields for over ten years. I have a degree, but not in Computer Science. I have over fifteen years of professional engineering experience. In the last three years, I have completed several programming courses and have completed several operating system courses. I sent out dozens of resumes via e-mail and fax. I got several technical recruiting companies' calls for preliminary information, and then no further feedback from them. I have worked on my own time as a part-time PC/LAN consultant during the last four years, so I have hands-on experience. But, I am going nowhere now. Please help!
A. If sending out resumes is not working it's time to try something different! Your skills and re-education efforts are genuinely impressive?being qualified is not the issue. Technical recruiters are notoriously busy, and may receive hundreds of e-mails and faxes every day. You need to get yourself in front of them. So whether it's placing a follow-up call, attending a hiring conference or invitational, networking socially with friends in the industry, or direct calling to a hiring department head, my best advice is to get yourself directly in front of the people with the hiring power. And chase up those recruiters who called for preliminary info.
What are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
Q. I always get the question "What are your strengths and weaknesses"? How should I answer the question? Any sample for me to follow?
A. The best way to answer a question like this is as honestly as possible. I am serious! Don't look for a format or the right answers. Interviewers will pick up on a "canned" answer. I suggest you spend some time brainstorming. What do you feel are truly your strong points, the ones an employer would be interested to hear about? What are weak points you are working on and feel you can honestly share? Give real examples of how your strengths and weaknesses play out in work situations. Finally, I suggest going to a few interviews where little is at stake, just for the practice. You will get used to answering these types of questions and answer them confidently in a real interview situation.
Don't Settle
Q. I am a visual basic developer and have more than six years experience, I am new to the country and am trying to get a job. I need immediate funds. What do you suggest? Should I get any job until I get the job I want?
A. You should never need to settle for just any job. You are particularly lucky to be in a position where your skills are in demand and highly valued, and I predict you will find a job quickly without having to compromise. Start by writing a list of exactly what you want in a job. Search on the Internet, where most technical jobs are advertised. Apply for as many jobs as you can find that match your criteria, and don't wait to hear back from them, follow up by telephone the same or next day. Be incredibly persistent until you speak with the person who is hiring. You should get a positive result within days.
Finding Salary Info
Q. I'm thinking of going into pharmaceuticals and I was wondering if you could tell me the salary range in my city. I've heard lots of rumors and cannot find anything solid.
A. There are many Web sites offering salary and industry information. Check out the Salary Calculator in the Resource Center of CareerBuilder.com , or try sites like www.wetfeet.com or www.vault.com . Call a local recruiter who specializes in pharmaceutical or medical placements. Some of them may give salary advice. If the answers still aren't solid, decide what you think you are worth, and go ask for it.
Getting Started
Q. I am in high school and am studying my future career. I am very keen into finding out about being a social worker. We have a careers library in school but I want to print off some information for my careers project in a few weeks. Have you any useful tips or and Web sites I can use to get my information?
A. Why don't you get out your local telephone book and find some social workers in your area. Devise a list of questions you would need to ask to really find out if social work is for you, and then call and ask them. Getting in contact with people may even lead to work experience. You can also try www.wetfeet.com and www.vault.com . They provide great industry information.
Word of Mouth
Q. I'm looking for a position in the San Francisco area for a specific type of job. How can you tap into the non-advertised job market or the word of mouth job market?
A. The idea is to get the word out that you are looking. First make a point of informing everyone you know, particularly those in your industry of choice, like past colleagues, and people with whom you've studied. Also tell family and friends. Subscribe to e-groups, discussion boards, or journals on relevant topics as well as joining business networking clubs, as these groups often share job opportunities that aren't advertised. If you network persistently and methodically you will find opportunities missed by some job seekers.
Switching to IT
Q. I want to change my career to become an IT professional, but nobody gives me the chance. I have been a professional engineer in non-IT fields for over ten years. I have a degree, but not in Computer Science. I have over fifteen years of professional engineering experience. In the last three years, I have completed several programming courses and have completed several operating system courses. I sent out dozens of resumes via e-mail and fax. I got several technical recruiting companies' calls for preliminary information, and then no further feedback from them. I have worked on my own time as a part-time PC/LAN consultant during the last four years, so I have hands-on experience. But, I am going nowhere now. Please help!
A. If sending out resumes is not working it's time to try something different! Your skills and re-education efforts are genuinely impressive?being qualified is not the issue. Technical recruiters are notoriously busy, and may receive hundreds of e-mails and faxes every day. You need to get yourself in front of them. So whether it's placing a follow-up call, attending a hiring conference or invitational, networking socially with friends in the industry, or direct calling to a hiring department head, my best advice is to get yourself directly in front of the people with the hiring power. And chase up those recruiters who called for preliminary info.
What are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
Q. I always get the question "What are your strengths and weaknesses"? How should I answer the question? Any sample for me to follow?
A. The best way to answer a question like this is as honestly as possible. I am serious! Don't look for a format or the right answers. Interviewers will pick up on a "canned" answer. I suggest you spend some time brainstorming. What do you feel are truly your strong points, the ones an employer would be interested to hear about? What are weak points you are working on and feel you can honestly share? Give real examples of how your strengths and weaknesses play out in work situations. Finally, I suggest going to a few interviews where little is at stake, just for the practice. You will get used to answering these types of questions and answer them confidently in a real interview situation.
Don't Settle
Q. I am a visual basic developer and have more than six years experience, I am new to the country and am trying to get a job. I need immediate funds. What do you suggest? Should I get any job until I get the job I want?
A. You should never need to settle for just any job. You are particularly lucky to be in a position where your skills are in demand and highly valued, and I predict you will find a job quickly without having to compromise. Start by writing a list of exactly what you want in a job. Search on the Internet, where most technical jobs are advertised. Apply for as many jobs as you can find that match your criteria, and don't wait to hear back from them, follow up by telephone the same or next day. Be incredibly persistent until you speak with the person who is hiring. You should get a positive result within days.
Finding Salary Info
Q. I'm thinking of going into pharmaceuticals and I was wondering if you could tell me the salary range in my city. I've heard lots of rumors and cannot find anything solid.
A. There are many Web sites offering salary and industry information. Check out the Salary Calculator in the Resource Center of CareerBuilder.com , or try sites like www.wetfeet.com or www.vault.com . Call a local recruiter who specializes in pharmaceutical or medical placements. Some of them may give salary advice. If the answers still aren't solid, decide what you think you are worth, and go ask for it.
Getting Started
Q. I am in high school and am studying my future career. I am very keen into finding out about being a social worker. We have a careers library in school but I want to print off some information for my careers project in a few weeks. Have you any useful tips or and Web sites I can use to get my information?
A. Why don't you get out your local telephone book and find some social workers in your area. Devise a list of questions you would need to ask to really find out if social work is for you, and then call and ask them. Getting in contact with people may even lead to work experience. You can also try www.wetfeet.com and www.vault.com . They provide great industry information.
Word of Mouth
Q. I'm looking for a position in the San Francisco area for a specific type of job. How can you tap into the non-advertised job market or the word of mouth job market?
A. The idea is to get the word out that you are looking. First make a point of informing everyone you know, particularly those in your industry of choice, like past colleagues, and people with whom you've studied. Also tell family and friends. Subscribe to e-groups, discussion boards, or journals on relevant topics as well as joining business networking clubs, as these groups often share job opportunities that aren't advertised. If you network persistently and methodically you will find opportunities missed by some job seekers.
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