The UK public holiday arrived just in time. Even unemployed people need breaks, at least I do.
Most of the long weekend was spent studying XP. In other words, it was a very boring weekend. Much like most days.
Hang on. It wasn't that boring. I upgraded my PC to XP's SP2. So, that makes it ... no, sorry, that was boring as well (and uneventful, thankfully).
Today
A good start to the week as I applied for two jobs. This was after trawling through over 2000 jobs (actually I skimm rather than trawl) on web sites going back to Friday lunchtime.
Friday
I managed to squeeze out three applications which is unusual on a Friday, especially one next to a long weekend.
This means that last week I made 18 applications where my target is five. I'm quite chuffed about that.
Which is super daft as none of those applications resulted in interviews or offers (at least not yet).
Motivation
I found it very hard to get writing this blog this evening. And I didn't bother to update it at all on Friday.
So, I wonder what it's like for you readers. But I think you should show some patience and perseverence.
It is of course, hard to keep motivated when Blogger decides to clear your whole edit page just before you click the publish button. This happened just now and I had to retype most of the above.
Now I'm back in the swing I'll post more to this blog tomorrow.
Probably.
A diary based on my latest attempts to get a job; this time in Munich. I'm an engineering graduate (and chartered engineer) with more than 10 years' experience in IT. Over five of these years have been spent in team leading and project management roles both in the UK and abroad.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Excitement
It's difficult keeping the excitement going in this blog site.
Anyway, I applied for three jobs today. One of those was an online application. Normally I don't like these as they don't give you the chance of writing a covering letter.
But these days it seems agencies don't even read covering letters, and today I really didn't want to go to the effort anyway.
For those who haven't been paying attention, "writing covering letters" means writing covering emails. It is quite a big "no no" in IT to send a paper letter, that's so second millenium.
Although I've applied for quite a few jobs this week it still seems quiet. And I reckon the reason for this is that recruiters are winding down for the UK public holiday on Monday. It probably means tomorrow (Friday) will be quieter than usual.
Anyway, I applied for three jobs today. One of those was an online application. Normally I don't like these as they don't give you the chance of writing a covering letter.
But these days it seems agencies don't even read covering letters, and today I really didn't want to go to the effort anyway.
For those who haven't been paying attention, "writing covering letters" means writing covering emails. It is quite a big "no no" in IT to send a paper letter, that's so second millenium.
Although I've applied for quite a few jobs this week it still seems quiet. And I reckon the reason for this is that recruiters are winding down for the UK public holiday on Monday. It probably means tomorrow (Friday) will be quieter than usual.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Keeping the interest
Regular readers will know that I don't just write about the number of applications I make or the number of calls I receive about jobs.
Not at all.
But today that's all I'm going to write about. Today I applied for five jobs, bringing the total applications for this week to 11 jobs. And there's still one and half days to go to the end of the week.
I'll just add that I did phone one agency. They had put in their job description that experience of telecoms would be desirable.
Well, I've had responsibility for the delivery of telecom services to offices (although people doing the actual techie stuff reported to me).
It turns out that this requirement wasn't desirable but downright necessary. I've seen quite a lot of this: putting down something as desirable which is in fact necessary.
I also saw this job description today:
"... The perfect candidate would have experience in angering the following areas; project changes, project problems, infrastructure, 3rd party suppliers, negotiations, financial spends (small), charts to record progress and experience of working under ITIL practices/project management methodology. The main duties on a daily basis consist of; insure project objectives are met, lead/build/manage the service delivery projects, deployment of all projects end to end, execute a small amount of project plans and identify risks or problems within a project..."
Not sure what they meant by angering.
Not at all.
But today that's all I'm going to write about. Today I applied for five jobs, bringing the total applications for this week to 11 jobs. And there's still one and half days to go to the end of the week.
I'll just add that I did phone one agency. They had put in their job description that experience of telecoms would be desirable.
Well, I've had responsibility for the delivery of telecom services to offices (although people doing the actual techie stuff reported to me).
It turns out that this requirement wasn't desirable but downright necessary. I've seen quite a lot of this: putting down something as desirable which is in fact necessary.
I also saw this job description today:
"... The perfect candidate would have experience in angering the following areas; project changes, project problems, infrastructure, 3rd party suppliers, negotiations, financial spends (small), charts to record progress and experience of working under ITIL practices/project management methodology. The main duties on a daily basis consist of; insure project objectives are met, lead/build/manage the service delivery projects, deployment of all projects end to end, execute a small amount of project plans and identify risks or problems within a project..."
Not sure what they meant by angering.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Different
The start of today was much like yesterday.
I trawled through page after page of IT jobs for which I was not suitable.
Then things started to improve and I shot off three applications in the morning.
And after lunch I managed another three.
But of these six applications no-one has called back yet.
I trawled through page after page of IT jobs for which I was not suitable.
Then things started to improve and I shot off three applications in the morning.
And after lunch I managed another three.
But of these six applications no-one has called back yet.
Monday, August 23, 2004
Another poor start
Quite poor in fact. I didn't see any jobs today - and I look through 1,000 to 1,500 jobs each day.
But a friend did contact me. He'll be leaving his job soon as he's emigrating. There's a chance it may become available. Quick chat and I sent him my c.v.
So, technically it's one application today and one bite.
Also, I spoke with the agency who contacted me last week about a Unix job. They hadn't sent the job spec to me. The reason? They forgot.
Well, they've now sent it to me and it said - in much more detail - what their job description had said.
He'll let me know when he gets feedback from the client.
But a friend did contact me. He'll be leaving his job soon as he's emigrating. There's a chance it may become available. Quick chat and I sent him my c.v.
So, technically it's one application today and one bite.
Also, I spoke with the agency who contacted me last week about a Unix job. They hadn't sent the job spec to me. The reason? They forgot.
Well, they've now sent it to me and it said - in much more detail - what their job description had said.
He'll let me know when he gets feedback from the client.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
'
During the week it dawned on me that a sentence I was using in my c.v. and web site might have an error.
The sentence was "I have over 10 years experience in IT".
A few weeks back I read Lynne Truss's "Eat, Shoots and Leaves" which is all about the misuse of the apostrophe and other punctuation issues.
Looking again at my c.v. I suddenly thought: "hang on, shouldn't it be 10 years' experience?".
But then again, I don't really believe that the years possess the experience. It's me who's had the experience after all.
I contacted by e-mail Frank, a friend of mine, who now translates business Spanish to English for universities in Spain. Before that he was an English teacher in several countries.
His reply was that the apostrophe was indeed needed. Bother, that meant I had to change my c.v. and web site in various places.
As well as replying to me Frank accidentally included the email address of someone else. It took a few days to work out what had happened. By coincidence this person was a German teacher. He replied to Frank with his view that the apostrophe wasn't needed. That's what I wanted to hear.
But Frank then quoted a similar example from The Economist where the apostrophe was used.
I'll happily argue with translators, language tutors, even Karate purple belts but I won't argue with The Economist.
Meantime I had been browsing the web and came across www.grammarerrors.com.
They didn't have the answer but did have a form with which you could ask questions. So, I asked the question and within an hour I had a reply. It concurred that the apostrophe was required.
And thinking about it you'd say:
"I have one year's experience"
So, you'd say "I have two years' experience" and therefore it's "I have 10 years' experience".
Whilst custom often beats logic when it comes to punctuation punch ups in this case they agree.
My web site will be updated soon.
The sentence was "I have over 10 years experience in IT".
A few weeks back I read Lynne Truss's "Eat, Shoots and Leaves" which is all about the misuse of the apostrophe and other punctuation issues.
Looking again at my c.v. I suddenly thought: "hang on, shouldn't it be 10 years' experience?".
But then again, I don't really believe that the years possess the experience. It's me who's had the experience after all.
I contacted by e-mail Frank, a friend of mine, who now translates business Spanish to English for universities in Spain. Before that he was an English teacher in several countries.
His reply was that the apostrophe was indeed needed. Bother, that meant I had to change my c.v. and web site in various places.
As well as replying to me Frank accidentally included the email address of someone else. It took a few days to work out what had happened. By coincidence this person was a German teacher. He replied to Frank with his view that the apostrophe wasn't needed. That's what I wanted to hear.
But Frank then quoted a similar example from The Economist where the apostrophe was used.
I'll happily argue with translators, language tutors, even Karate purple belts but I won't argue with The Economist.
Meantime I had been browsing the web and came across www.grammarerrors.com.
They didn't have the answer but did have a form with which you could ask questions. So, I asked the question and within an hour I had a reply. It concurred that the apostrophe was required.
And thinking about it you'd say:
"I have one year's experience"
So, you'd say "I have two years' experience" and therefore it's "I have 10 years' experience".
Whilst custom often beats logic when it comes to punctuation punch ups in this case they agree.
My web site will be updated soon.
Friday, August 20, 2004
Two today
Today I applied for two jobs.
That brings my number of applications for this week to: 12
That's not bad at all, especially considering I initially felt it was a bad week.
And during this week I had two bites which is better than my expected average (one bite per 10 applications).
The agency who called me yesterday said they were going to send me a job spec. They didn't. So I emailed a reminder and also confirmed the pay rate we'd discussed.
That brings my number of applications for this week to: 12
That's not bad at all, especially considering I initially felt it was a bad week.
And during this week I had two bites which is better than my expected average (one bite per 10 applications).
The agency who called me yesterday said they were going to send me a job spec. They didn't. So I emailed a reminder and also confirmed the pay rate we'd discussed.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
An improvement
In that today I applied for six jobs.
That means that this week I've applied for a total of 10 jobs. And I've still got half a day to go.
Furthermore I had two bites.
One was an email from a company contacting me on the off chance I was interested in a contract in London. I was, spoke with them and they said they'll put my c.v. forward.
The other one was more noteworthy in that I initially had doubts about applying. It was for a UNIX support manager. Now, I've had responsibility for systems which ran Unix. But my involvement was to recruit people who were experts in Unix. My own experience of Unix is quite limited.
Initially I looked at the advert and decided not to apply. After applying for a few other jobs I went back to it. Using a c.v. tailored for another job I sent off an application on the off-chance.
Twenty minutes later the recruiter called. We had a good chat - it turns out we went to the same university (not that we knew each other). I was honest about my experience in Unix and he was fine with that.
He said he'd put my name forward and send a job specification by email.
That means that this week I've applied for a total of 10 jobs. And I've still got half a day to go.
Furthermore I had two bites.
One was an email from a company contacting me on the off chance I was interested in a contract in London. I was, spoke with them and they said they'll put my c.v. forward.
The other one was more noteworthy in that I initially had doubts about applying. It was for a UNIX support manager. Now, I've had responsibility for systems which ran Unix. But my involvement was to recruit people who were experts in Unix. My own experience of Unix is quite limited.
Initially I looked at the advert and decided not to apply. After applying for a few other jobs I went back to it. Using a c.v. tailored for another job I sent off an application on the off-chance.
Twenty minutes later the recruiter called. We had a good chat - it turns out we went to the same university (not that we knew each other). I was honest about my experience in Unix and he was fine with that.
He said he'd put my name forward and send a job specification by email.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Just to be clear
Last night I wrote that the British Secret Service doesn't have a web site. This is true. I suppose having one of the most distinctive buildings in London, by the river, is sufficient publicity.
Our security service (slightly equivalent to the FBI) does have a web site as does GCHQ (slightly equivalent to the NSA).
In fact, this morning I went to the home page of www.monster.co.uk to find that MI5 (the other name for our security service) had an advert linked on their front page. The advert was for surveillance officers which is not something I'd like to do. Nevertheless I looked through the details of the job and they warned that their security vetting could take eight months. They also advised to keep applications secret, limited to only close family, so that probably precludes recording the fact on a blog.
Our security service (slightly equivalent to the FBI) does have a web site as does GCHQ (slightly equivalent to the NSA).
In fact, this morning I went to the home page of www.monster.co.uk to find that MI5 (the other name for our security service) had an advert linked on their front page. The advert was for surveillance officers which is not something I'd like to do. Nevertheless I looked through the details of the job and they warned that their security vetting could take eight months. They also advised to keep applications secret, limited to only close family, so that probably precludes recording the fact on a blog.
It's not only job seekers ...
... who get fed up with the situation. Here's an advert posted in www.jobserve.co.uk:
"Oh well, yet another Project Manager jobad to write - pretty much the same as last time, but a different location... oh well, here goes... Please, please, please can you have a solid background in Project Management, preferably within SAP implementations, ideally with a knowledge of SAP Retail, the SAP Master Data component and generic SAP skills to configuration level (albeit, this is not strictly essential, as long as you have worked on some type of SAP projects). Any experience within the retail or distribution sectors would be ideal (infact, if you have, I may even be pursuaded to buy you a pint) AND FINALLY, good man-management skills, as you will be responsible for both permanent and contract staff within your team. Have I missed anything? oh well, if I have, we can chat about it tomorrow - it's way too late (7:15pm) and I have to go home. Nite all!"
Has he missed anything? Only that 7.15pm is a wussy time to call late in the world of IT.
In case you ask, no, I didn't apply for it as I've had no exposure to SAP.
"Oh well, yet another Project Manager jobad to write - pretty much the same as last time, but a different location... oh well, here goes... Please, please, please can you have a solid background in Project Management, preferably within SAP implementations, ideally with a knowledge of SAP Retail, the SAP Master Data component and generic SAP skills to configuration level (albeit, this is not strictly essential, as long as you have worked on some type of SAP projects). Any experience within the retail or distribution sectors would be ideal (infact, if you have, I may even be pursuaded to buy you a pint) AND FINALLY, good man-management skills, as you will be responsible for both permanent and contract staff within your team. Have I missed anything? oh well, if I have, we can chat about it tomorrow - it's way too late (7:15pm) and I have to go home. Nite all!"
Has he missed anything? Only that 7.15pm is a wussy time to call late in the world of IT.
In case you ask, no, I didn't apply for it as I've had no exposure to SAP.
A slightly better today
... in that I applied for two jobs this morning.
I didn't find any this afternoon, so my total for this week is four applications. Wow.
Just one more and I'll have hit my week's target: five applications. I've got one and half days left to achieve it.
I didn't find any this afternoon, so my total for this week is four applications. Wow.
Just one more and I'll have hit my week's target: five applications. I've got one and half days left to achieve it.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Some facts
Facts, as we know, are generally bad things as they can get in the way of opinions.
For some reason I had the opinion that Singapore would be quite a corrupt place. Well, it has got a governing party which plays very hardball indeed with the opposition. So, I suspected that their businesses would be similarly suspect.
Turns out that they rank number five in Transparency International's comprehensive list of un-corrupt countries.
That's impressive. The UK is eleventh and the USA is 18th. Finland is, of course, the least corrupt country in the world.
There's been a little bit of criticism in the last few months, years and even decades, about the Central Intelligence Agency of the US government.
But I can't fault them. When I want to find out about a country I go to their World Factbook and I'll get a very apt synopsis about the country in question. Today I found it very useful in finding more about Singapore.
Now, it doesn't give GPS co-ordinates of military bases for cruise missile attack, or infiltration/exfiltration sites for special forces use. But there's very little call for that sort of thing in my line of work so I can't complain. I'd imagine some US military personnel are a bit miffed about the lack of such information but I'd tell them to look at other countries' intelligence services. For example, the British Secret Service doesn't even have a web site. If you ask me that's taking secrecy a bit too far.
For some reason I had the opinion that Singapore would be quite a corrupt place. Well, it has got a governing party which plays very hardball indeed with the opposition. So, I suspected that their businesses would be similarly suspect.
Turns out that they rank number five in Transparency International's comprehensive list of un-corrupt countries.
That's impressive. The UK is eleventh and the USA is 18th. Finland is, of course, the least corrupt country in the world.
There's been a little bit of criticism in the last few months, years and even decades, about the Central Intelligence Agency of the US government.
But I can't fault them. When I want to find out about a country I go to their World Factbook and I'll get a very apt synopsis about the country in question. Today I found it very useful in finding more about Singapore.
Now, it doesn't give GPS co-ordinates of military bases for cruise missile attack, or infiltration/exfiltration sites for special forces use. But there's very little call for that sort of thing in my line of work so I can't complain. I'd imagine some US military personnel are a bit miffed about the lack of such information but I'd tell them to look at other countries' intelligence services. For example, the British Secret Service doesn't even have a web site. If you ask me that's taking secrecy a bit too far.
Monday, Tuesday, whatever
Monday
Applied for a job, "a job" as in one job. And that was a job posted on the Friday afternoon after I had stopped looking.
This was really just going through the motions, it wasn't a good match and I didn't bother to phone the agency.
Tuesday (today)
Only looked this morning but didn't see any suitable jobs.
Was, however, emailed by an agency for a contract management role which might fit. I phoned them but they were busy so I sent them an email.
I was also phoned by the client for the job in Singapore. We had a very good chat but I had the feeling that they weren't going to select me ("we'll get back to you in a week ... we might also consider you for other roles"). Funny chat, it went a bit off interview (questions about the seaside town in which I live, discussions about languages etc). Must remember to close the window before I do telephone interviews. The interviewer could hear seagulls in the background.
Total applications this week: 2
Applied for a job, "a job" as in one job. And that was a job posted on the Friday afternoon after I had stopped looking.
This was really just going through the motions, it wasn't a good match and I didn't bother to phone the agency.
Tuesday (today)
Only looked this morning but didn't see any suitable jobs.
Was, however, emailed by an agency for a contract management role which might fit. I phoned them but they were busy so I sent them an email.
I was also phoned by the client for the job in Singapore. We had a very good chat but I had the feeling that they weren't going to select me ("we'll get back to you in a week ... we might also consider you for other roles"). Funny chat, it went a bit off interview (questions about the seaside town in which I live, discussions about languages etc). Must remember to close the window before I do telephone interviews. The interviewer could hear seagulls in the background.
Total applications this week: 2
Friday, August 13, 2004
Slow down
Today I applied for two jobs.
My total for this week is 12 applications.
I received two bites, well three if you include the call in response to an application made last week.
As usual I only looked for jobs this morning and didn't make any calls.
My total for this week is 12 applications.
I received two bites, well three if you include the call in response to an application made last week.
As usual I only looked for jobs this morning and didn't make any calls.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Not that I'm panicking
Oh gosh no.
I mean a day without applying for jobs. Doesn't phase me at all.
Why should it? I mean, today I applied for, er, 2 jobs.
Both were for relocation projects, of which I have some experience.
I phoned one of the agencies a few hours after I had applied. The recruiter said that my c.v. didn't really jump out at her. She felt I wasn't technical enough for the role.
Let's gloss over that - I don't want Blogger.com to remove this site.
But half an hour after emailing the second application, to a different agency, I heard the happy sound of my mobile ringing. It was the recruiter.
We went through the job details - a relocation programme in Singapore with lots of money. I haven't been to Singapore but I've heard it's a fine city.
We then covered the awkward bit about my career gap.
He phoned back a little later and asked for a more detailed c.v. My first thoughts was: how am I going to put in more details in just two pages? Then I relaxed and asked if he'd be happy if I went to three pages. Actually, I think that's what he wanted. So I added loads more detail (which means loads more bullet points in my case) and sent it off to him.
I should hear from him next week.
So, this week I've had two bites and made 10 applications. Not bad. And one half-day to go, except it's Friday 13.
I mean a day without applying for jobs. Doesn't phase me at all.
Why should it? I mean, today I applied for, er, 2 jobs.
Both were for relocation projects, of which I have some experience.
I phoned one of the agencies a few hours after I had applied. The recruiter said that my c.v. didn't really jump out at her. She felt I wasn't technical enough for the role.
Let's gloss over that - I don't want Blogger.com to remove this site.
But half an hour after emailing the second application, to a different agency, I heard the happy sound of my mobile ringing. It was the recruiter.
We went through the job details - a relocation programme in Singapore with lots of money. I haven't been to Singapore but I've heard it's a fine city.
We then covered the awkward bit about my career gap.
He phoned back a little later and asked for a more detailed c.v. My first thoughts was: how am I going to put in more details in just two pages? Then I relaxed and asked if he'd be happy if I went to three pages. Actually, I think that's what he wanted. So I added loads more detail (which means loads more bullet points in my case) and sent it off to him.
I should hear from him next week.
So, this week I've had two bites and made 10 applications. Not bad. And one half-day to go, except it's Friday 13.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
But this afternoon ...
... I apply for: 0 jobs.
Blast, a flat day. No jobs applications made. No-one phoned.
Blast, a flat day. No jobs applications made. No-one phoned.
Back again
This morning the number of applications I made was: 0
Not a nice feeling. I can normally find two jobs which warrant applications. I'm hoping things improve this afternoon.
Not a nice feeling. I can normally find two jobs which warrant applications. I'm hoping things improve this afternoon.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
A change in conditions
Yesterday it was gray and rainy.
Today it was dry, sunny and rather warm.
But you're not reading this blog for a record of local weather (are you?).
Yesterday I applied for two jobs.
Today I applied for six jobs. This includes an agency who called me first, to see if I was available for some release management work (an IT service specialism). "Yes" and I sent them my c.v.
They later called back to ask if I had any enterprise management software experience. The reason it wasn't on my c.v. is mainly because I haven't used it at all. Nevertheless, in reality it's just an application, the agency recognised this and said they'd put my c.v. forward.
I also saw an advertisement from the agency who got me the last role. I phoned them up but they hadn't uploaded my latest c.v. onto their system. No worries. I told them the URL of my web site and from there they could see a version of my latest c.v.
Let's see if they get back to me.
Today it was dry, sunny and rather warm.
But you're not reading this blog for a record of local weather (are you?).
Yesterday I applied for two jobs.
Today I applied for six jobs. This includes an agency who called me first, to see if I was available for some release management work (an IT service specialism). "Yes" and I sent them my c.v.
They later called back to ask if I had any enterprise management software experience. The reason it wasn't on my c.v. is mainly because I haven't used it at all. Nevertheless, in reality it's just an application, the agency recognised this and said they'd put my c.v. forward.
I also saw an advertisement from the agency who got me the last role. I phoned them up but they hadn't uploaded my latest c.v. onto their system. No worries. I told them the URL of my web site and from there they could see a version of my latest c.v.
Let's see if they get back to me.
Monday, August 09, 2004
The German question
I got through to the agency handling my application for a job in Duesseldorf.
Their client hadn't got back to them. Not too surprising as Germans tend to get a nasty outbreak of vacations around this time of year. And remember that Germans have quite a lot of vacations to take.
It was good to talk to the agency again. They advised me that they had put my name forward for two very similar jobs. And for these jobs they had only put forward a total of four names, two of them being me!
So, what do I do if I'm offered this docklands contract before the Duesseldorf (permanent) job? Unfortunately I'm in no position to hedge. These days the trick is to get the first job going, as long as it's half-way suitable. And having applied to this company in Germany (via the same agency) last year I know they could pfaff for months and months before getting back to me.
But don't get me wrong. I'd much rather be in Duesseldorf than the docklands.
Their client hadn't got back to them. Not too surprising as Germans tend to get a nasty outbreak of vacations around this time of year. And remember that Germans have quite a lot of vacations to take.
It was good to talk to the agency again. They advised me that they had put my name forward for two very similar jobs. And for these jobs they had only put forward a total of four names, two of them being me!
So, what do I do if I'm offered this docklands contract before the Duesseldorf (permanent) job? Unfortunately I'm in no position to hedge. These days the trick is to get the first job going, as long as it's half-way suitable. And having applied to this company in Germany (via the same agency) last year I know they could pfaff for months and months before getting back to me.
But don't get me wrong. I'd much rather be in Duesseldorf than the docklands.
Quiet start
It's a gray, rainy day in southern England. Not at all inspiring.
Apart from the phone call I received I made two applications today. I also watched German news webcasts (to practise my German) and studied a bit of XP.
I reckon it's quite important that I get the XP technical exam under my belt. It would show that I still have the ability to be technical. It would also be good for me personally. I haven't done much intelluctally intense work since my accident.
Apart from the phone call I received I made two applications today. I also watched German news webcasts (to practise my German) and studied a bit of XP.
I reckon it's quite important that I get the XP technical exam under my belt. It would show that I still have the ability to be technical. It would also be good for me personally. I haven't done much intelluctally intense work since my accident.
Bitten
Today I got a phone call!
And it was in response to an application I'd made last week: a freelance management job in the docklands (of London).
That's made me feel a bit better. Out of 19 applications I get one bite (a response). Ideally I'd expect one bite per 10 applications but this is the holiday season.
And it was in response to an application I'd made last week: a freelance management job in the docklands (of London).
That's made me feel a bit better. Out of 19 applications I get one bite (a response). Ideally I'd expect one bite per 10 applications but this is the holiday season.
Friday, August 06, 2004
Biggish week
Today I applied for two jobs.
My total number of applications for this week is 19 (remember my weekly target is 5)!
But I've had zero bites this week. That's not so good.
Meetings
As usual in the afternoon I phoned the recruiters to whom I'd sent emails in the morning.
I got through to one but they asked if I could phone back as they were in a meeting.
What?
My view is that if you're in a meeting your phone should be switched off or diverted.
(OK, when I managed support teams I kept my mobile on but set to a silent mode. That way I could surreptiously see if someone had sent me a text message telling me a server was down or whatever. And participants in the meeting understood that I could run out at anytime - not that I ever did as I don't like running).
The recruiter said he'd call back in half an hour. And guess what?
He did.
But this was only to tell me he wasn't going to put my name forward - too long a career gap.
Still, I was quite impressed that he phoned back.
Other calls
I phoned another agency today and he said they'd call back. And guess what?
He didn't.
I also phoned the agency fronting the job in Duesseldorf (and this is how you spell its name unless you have umlauts on your PC). The agent wasn't around but I was assured by his colleague that he would have got back to me if there was any news - and from my experience of that agency I can believe them.
Agency risks
I know the market is tight and a lot of people are applying for jobs with IT agencies. And I know that, because of the recession, a lot of IT agencies are themselves under pressure.
Nevertheless, in my normal roles I get heavily involved in companies' IT recruitment processes with agencies. This is clear on my c.v.
So I would have thought it would be in agencies interest not to antagonise me with slack behaviour. The day will come when I'm back recruiting and I'll be choosing recruitment agencies to help me. The ones who don't return calls, don't give feedback, don't call when they say they will, won't be doing business with me.
There's one agency in particular who recognises this fact and are very good. They haven't found me a job (and I'm not looking for special treatment from them) but they have made the effort to keep in touch. A few other agencies - actually they're more search and selection consultants - have done the same.
My total number of applications for this week is 19 (remember my weekly target is 5)!
But I've had zero bites this week. That's not so good.
Meetings
As usual in the afternoon I phoned the recruiters to whom I'd sent emails in the morning.
I got through to one but they asked if I could phone back as they were in a meeting.
What?
My view is that if you're in a meeting your phone should be switched off or diverted.
(OK, when I managed support teams I kept my mobile on but set to a silent mode. That way I could surreptiously see if someone had sent me a text message telling me a server was down or whatever. And participants in the meeting understood that I could run out at anytime - not that I ever did as I don't like running).
The recruiter said he'd call back in half an hour. And guess what?
He did.
But this was only to tell me he wasn't going to put my name forward - too long a career gap.
Still, I was quite impressed that he phoned back.
Other calls
I phoned another agency today and he said they'd call back. And guess what?
He didn't.
I also phoned the agency fronting the job in Duesseldorf (and this is how you spell its name unless you have umlauts on your PC). The agent wasn't around but I was assured by his colleague that he would have got back to me if there was any news - and from my experience of that agency I can believe them.
Agency risks
I know the market is tight and a lot of people are applying for jobs with IT agencies. And I know that, because of the recession, a lot of IT agencies are themselves under pressure.
Nevertheless, in my normal roles I get heavily involved in companies' IT recruitment processes with agencies. This is clear on my c.v.
So I would have thought it would be in agencies interest not to antagonise me with slack behaviour. The day will come when I'm back recruiting and I'll be choosing recruitment agencies to help me. The ones who don't return calls, don't give feedback, don't call when they say they will, won't be doing business with me.
There's one agency in particular who recognises this fact and are very good. They haven't found me a job (and I'm not looking for special treatment from them) but they have made the effort to keep in touch. A few other agencies - actually they're more search and selection consultants - have done the same.
Biting
I measure how good my application techniques are (i.e. c.v. and accompanying email) by the number of "bites" I get.
Well, I call them bites but others may call them responses. But I prefer bites. This is when a recruiter has called me back or responded very positively when I've called them, and probably agreed to put my name forward.
In recent times, because the market is so bad, I aim for one bite for every 10 job applications. That's outrageously low but, unfortunately, realistic.
Well, I call them bites but others may call them responses. But I prefer bites. This is when a recruiter has called me back or responded very positively when I've called them, and probably agreed to put my name forward.
In recent times, because the market is so bad, I aim for one bite for every 10 job applications. That's outrageously low but, unfortunately, realistic.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
A week in a day
Today I applied for five jobs. My target is five per week so you can see why I chose the title.
I didn't get any calls back though.
The North-South divide
The United Kingdom is only united because we say so. "We" being the English. Frankly I've no idea how the Welsh, Scots and a few Irish fell for that "union" trick. Glad they did though, they're very useful in wars. And of course, there are other uses as well. The Scots have quite a bit of oil. The Welsh have quite a bit of sheep and the Ulster people have quite a bit of our money. Hang on, that can't be right, can it? It's not Semtex is it? Bowler hats? Maybe it's Guiness.
Even within England there's a bit of discord. There's the south of England, usually referred to as "England" and then there's the North of England.
The people in the North of England have a proud culture and very significant history. And they don't half go on about it.
The people in the south of England don't need to brag.
Today I applied for a job in Cheshire - that's well and truly in the North of England.
After a few hours I phoned the agency. His immediate question was "why do you want to move to Cheshire?"
"To have the wheels stolen from my car ... I've heard heroin is more readily available up there ... to increase the chances of catching a veneral disease ... to learn how to ask stupid questions in a daft accent".
It turns out that his client really didn't want to recruit people from outside the region. Fine with me but why didn't they say so in the advert e.g "Northern monkeys need only apply".
I didn't get any calls back though.
The North-South divide
The United Kingdom is only united because we say so. "We" being the English. Frankly I've no idea how the Welsh, Scots and a few Irish fell for that "union" trick. Glad they did though, they're very useful in wars. And of course, there are other uses as well. The Scots have quite a bit of oil. The Welsh have quite a bit of sheep and the Ulster people have quite a bit of our money. Hang on, that can't be right, can it? It's not Semtex is it? Bowler hats? Maybe it's Guiness.
Even within England there's a bit of discord. There's the south of England, usually referred to as "England" and then there's the North of England.
The people in the North of England have a proud culture and very significant history. And they don't half go on about it.
The people in the south of England don't need to brag.
Today I applied for a job in Cheshire - that's well and truly in the North of England.
After a few hours I phoned the agency. His immediate question was "why do you want to move to Cheshire?"
"To have the wheels stolen from my car ... I've heard heroin is more readily available up there ... to increase the chances of catching a veneral disease ... to learn how to ask stupid questions in a daft accent".
It turns out that his client really didn't want to recruit people from outside the region. Fine with me but why didn't they say so in the advert e.g "Northern monkeys need only apply".
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Reading
Some people speed-read. Some others skim.
I speed-skim.
When I'm scrolling through web pages of job sites I often merely glance at the details. That's all I need to determine whether the job is appropriate or not. But I couldn't tell you the details advertised.
Sometimes I think "why did I ignore that job?". I go back to it and read it with more effort. I always find that I was right to reject it.
I speed-skim.
When I'm scrolling through web pages of job sites I often merely glance at the details. That's all I need to determine whether the job is appropriate or not. But I couldn't tell you the details advertised.
Sometimes I think "why did I ignore that job?". I go back to it and read it with more effort. I always find that I was right to reject it.
Wednesday
What more can I say.
Today I responded to three adverts.
One was for a job advertised by another agency a few days ago (who never got back to me even though they said they would). I eventually got through to this agency but my career gap was a show-stopper. (During my career gap I gained four qualifications and language skills, so I did a bit more than just job hunt and stare at a hospital ceiling. Nevertheless.)
I spoke to the agency who had been handling my application for a job with a company based in Prague. They'd been advertising similar jobs again. Now, they tell that the jobs for which I applied had been filled. But they had some more and sent me the details of one.
In better times I would have told them to forget it. In better times I would have told them to forget it months ago. But the important thing is to get a job and getting a job in Prague would be very good indeed.
I spoke with a couple of other agencies as well. One had forgotten that I don't just do project management so it was good to remind them of my core skills.
Today I responded to three adverts.
One was for a job advertised by another agency a few days ago (who never got back to me even though they said they would). I eventually got through to this agency but my career gap was a show-stopper. (During my career gap I gained four qualifications and language skills, so I did a bit more than just job hunt and stare at a hospital ceiling. Nevertheless.)
I spoke to the agency who had been handling my application for a job with a company based in Prague. They'd been advertising similar jobs again. Now, they tell that the jobs for which I applied had been filled. But they had some more and sent me the details of one.
In better times I would have told them to forget it. In better times I would have told them to forget it months ago. But the important thing is to get a job and getting a job in Prague would be very good indeed.
I spoke with a couple of other agencies as well. One had forgotten that I don't just do project management so it was good to remind them of my core skills.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Statistically a good day
Today I applied for five jobs.
This has to be good because my target is five jobs per week. I've already applied for nine jobs this week.
But it's misleading. None of the agencies have phoned me back. And that means I'm no nearer to getting a job. So that makes it a bad week, in a sense.
Worst, the company who interviewed me in Prague are recruiting again for similar roles. Not that they've had the courtesy to get back to me.
And even worst I saw the same job advert for the role in Germany to which I applied last week. That actually doesn't mean anything (sometimes the web sites repost the adverts without being asked) but it still pinches a bit.
Must keep calm.
This has to be good because my target is five jobs per week. I've already applied for nine jobs this week.
But it's misleading. None of the agencies have phoned me back. And that means I'm no nearer to getting a job. So that makes it a bad week, in a sense.
Worst, the company who interviewed me in Prague are recruiting again for similar roles. Not that they've had the courtesy to get back to me.
And even worst I saw the same job advert for the role in Germany to which I applied last week. That actually doesn't mean anything (sometimes the web sites repost the adverts without being asked) but it still pinches a bit.
Must keep calm.
Terminology
There are customers and customers.
In IT support terms, customers are the end-users. We call them "users" (this is possibly also the rudest work in the English language sometimes).
Anyhow end-users are also known as customers. The clients are the people who pay for the service. Clients can be customers and are often users. This vocabulary ("clients" and "customers") is part of the IT Infrastructure Library. That's the definite best practices in IT service delivery.
When you go to the shops and buy a pint of milk you are a customer of that shop.
So that's two meanings for the same word.
I saw an advert today for a Customer Services Manager in IT. So I naturally thought about users - bless them - and that sort of thing. I crafted a suitable c.v. and covering email and sent it to the recruiter. Then, in the afternoon, I phoned him.
It took a while for us - him and me - to figure out what exactly he meant by customers. But eventually it became clear that it was more a case of milk-shopper rather than end-user. And, it wasn't much of an IT job either. Bah.
In IT support terms, customers are the end-users. We call them "users" (this is possibly also the rudest work in the English language sometimes).
Anyhow end-users are also known as customers. The clients are the people who pay for the service. Clients can be customers and are often users. This vocabulary ("clients" and "customers") is part of the IT Infrastructure Library. That's the definite best practices in IT service delivery.
When you go to the shops and buy a pint of milk you are a customer of that shop.
So that's two meanings for the same word.
I saw an advert today for a Customer Services Manager in IT. So I naturally thought about users - bless them - and that sort of thing. I crafted a suitable c.v. and covering email and sent it to the recruiter. Then, in the afternoon, I phoned him.
It took a while for us - him and me - to figure out what exactly he meant by customers. But eventually it became clear that it was more a case of milk-shopper rather than end-user. And, it wasn't much of an IT job either. Bah.
Not at all exasperating
A little while ago I noticed on http://www.monster.co.uk/ a job for a team manager in Sweden. It was advertised in English and was based in Helsingborg. Not my first choice destination for the Nordics but still of interest.
It takes about 15 minutes or so for me to tailor my c.v. and write a covering email. I'm very careful about how I do this.
Less than five minutes after sending it off I receive a reply. The agency likes my c.v. which is good but the role requires a knowledge of Swedish.
I double check the advert and there's no mention of a language requirement, Swedish or other. Grrr.
It takes about 15 minutes or so for me to tailor my c.v. and write a covering email. I'm very careful about how I do this.
Less than five minutes after sending it off I receive a reply. The agency likes my c.v. which is good but the role requires a knowledge of Swedish.
I double check the advert and there's no mention of a language requirement, Swedish or other. Grrr.
Monday, August 02, 2004
The worst recruitment agency in the world
When I was looking for my second job, around a decade ago, I occassionally used this agency. They were awful, never phoned back when they said they would etc. Others agreed with me.
Today I saw they were advertising for a job in Munich. I'd be really happy to live and work there again. And it seemed an appropriate job. But ... but, it's still advertised by the worst recruitment agency in the world.
However, the office handling this is in Frankfurt not England so they may not be so bad.
A few years back I was recruiting for an Oracle DBA in the UK. I kept getting hounded by this agency. At one stage they said they'd send someone over the next day. I emphatically told them not to.
The next day the poor chap turned up. All I could do was explain the situation to him - we weren't going to interview him like this. And I left it to one of our HR people to have a go at the agency.
So I could end up flying to Munich just to discover that the "client" hadn't agreed to interview me. "Kein Weg Jose".
I may be keen to work in Europe, keener to work in Munich, keen to get another job quite soon but they're still the worst agency in the world and I'm not going to use them.
Today I saw they were advertising for a job in Munich. I'd be really happy to live and work there again. And it seemed an appropriate job. But ... but, it's still advertised by the worst recruitment agency in the world.
However, the office handling this is in Frankfurt not England so they may not be so bad.
A few years back I was recruiting for an Oracle DBA in the UK. I kept getting hounded by this agency. At one stage they said they'd send someone over the next day. I emphatically told them not to.
The next day the poor chap turned up. All I could do was explain the situation to him - we weren't going to interview him like this. And I left it to one of our HR people to have a go at the agency.
So I could end up flying to Munich just to discover that the "client" hadn't agreed to interview me. "Kein Weg Jose".
I may be keen to work in Europe, keener to work in Munich, keen to get another job quite soon but they're still the worst agency in the world and I'm not going to use them.
An okay day
Quite okay in fact.
I applied for four jobs today. So, it could be a bumper week.
One agency had Elvis Presley hold music. But I couldn't take it and so had to hang up. They eventually phoned back (which doesn't always happen when they say they will). Unfortunately my experience didn't totally match their requirements - which I guessed when applying - and they thought that together with my career gap it would faze their client. But they were very nice about it.
Another agency asked me to phone back at 6pm. I did and they said that they were still busy so would call me in 10 minutes. They didn't. I'm not going to bother phoning them tomorrow.
I applied for four jobs today. So, it could be a bumper week.
One agency had Elvis Presley hold music. But I couldn't take it and so had to hang up. They eventually phoned back (which doesn't always happen when they say they will). Unfortunately my experience didn't totally match their requirements - which I guessed when applying - and they thought that together with my career gap it would faze their client. But they were very nice about it.
Another agency asked me to phone back at 6pm. I did and they said that they were still busy so would call me in 10 minutes. They didn't. I'm not going to bother phoning them tomorrow.
Unimportant requirement
Saw an advert for a job today which included the sentence: "Knowledge of a structured methodology is required, such as Prince 2, SSADM etc, although it is not important".
So why is it required then?
So why is it required then?
Getting motivated
At the end of last week I set myself five tasks for the weekend:
- find out what my professional title is these days
- re-assemble my workdesk
- do some work on the business development front and update my other blog
- carry-on learning Finnish and studying for the MCP in XP
- watch TV and read randomn pages from the web.
Let's see how I got on:
Professional title
About two years ago my membership of the British Computer Society was finally accepted. And to cap it all they made me a chartered engineer. It was all rather pleasing to get this professional recognition. It meant more letters after my name (I'm also a BSc).
In fact I was struck by the irony of becoming a CEng. Whilst studying electronic engineering at university I realised I didn't want to pursue it afterwards. A big demotivator. Although I took an honours degree I steered clear of engineering in my career. And yet somehow I ended up as an engineer.
Two days after receiving these membership details I was in intensive care barely conscious.
I also received the title Chartered Information Systems Practitioner which I felt was quite apt. I used it on my c.v. and business cards.
Trawling through the BCS web site I later found that being a CEng I should use the title Chartered Information Systems Engineer instead. But I still had 450 business cards to go.
Then, this May, the BCS changed things round again. When they write to me they now add the letters BSc(Hons) CEng MBCS CITP after my name. The last one means Chartered IT Professional.
So yesterday I trawled around their web site but couldn't find much more information about this. I then changed my web site and c.v. to reflect my CITP status rather than CISP.
I rather think it's too many letter to put after one's name, especially as they nearly all relate to the same thing. So on my email signiature I put the "chartered IT professional" bit in full beneath my name as a sort of "this is what I do/am".
Not sure what to do about the business cards though.
Re-assemble workstation
As mentioned below I've done this and my life is oh so much better now.
Business development
Read the other blog site slackers! Suffice to say I like being a webmaster.
I hacked the code for the business site from my personal site.
As I was checking through it I noticed that the mailto: command wasn't working. This meant that if anyone clicked on our email address it wouldn't load up their email client to send an email to our business.
This could only mean one thing. The same problem was on my own site - which I've been using for a few years. Drat. No matter how much checking I do I still miss things.
Anyway, these errors were quickly corrected.
Studying
If you have any really good excuses I could use for not studying Finnish or XP please let me know.
Surfing
Well it was the weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
