I have an interview (although the exact day isn’t set yet) next week for a QA Lead position! The job is in West Caldwell NJ which is 72 miles from my home. I’ve done that kind of commute before, it isn’t the best. However they aren’t squawking about my salary requirements. Lets see what happens. I will keep you posted.
DSK
Well I pretty sure most everyone has left for the holiday weekend so below are the final results from my Monster.com account:
As of Friday afternoon @ 3.45pm
182 – Views
7 – Saves
That comes in at 8 new views during the week and ZERO saves. The views all occurred between Monday and Wednesday, nothing over the last 2 days. So what have we learned. . . . Monster is used most often from Monday through Wednesday. . . . .sure feels like it to me. Nothing is moving because the economy stinks. . . . thats a BIG yes!
I realize this is a very un-scientific analysis (if you can call it analysis at all). Suffice it to say my resume isn’t pulling them in. Need to take the weekend and see if we can spice it up. Any suggestions?
DSK
I COST TO MUCH!
The position I was contacted about last night was only willing to pay 55K. Given my experience, the 50 mile commute and my personal responsibilities that salary just wouldn’t cut it. This is one of the few times I’ve discussed a position and my salary requirements were an issue. Unfortunately its something I’m coming across more and more.
I have more than 21 years experience in Software Quality Assurance. That’s a ton of experience (albeit without any automated experience. . . . but that’s a whole different topic). My salary requirements are normal for someone with my experience. Unfortunately the country is in a recession and QA is an expense. An expense many companies will satisfy through their direct programming staff. That puts me in a difficult position since I am not a programmer.
As I’ve said before I am willing to negotiate but there is a limit to salary requirements. Unfortunately I have 1 child in college and another ready to go next year. I have responsibilities, as we all do. Some things just cannot be changed. It is a problem.
DSK
Oh by the way the recruiter actually did return my call. There’s one for the recruiters!
Low and behold I just recieved an email regarding a testing position less than 50 miles from my home. The job is in PA but it seems to be a pretty straight commute. The email had a direct phone contact number! Way to go CareerBuilder!
I don’t normally get emails after 6pm in the evening so this one was a bit of suprise. I’ll be making a phone call first thing tomorrow (Friday) morning. I’ll keep everyone posted.
DSK
With the Labor Day holiday almost upon us I’ve decided to do a mass application filing today. My hope is that most HR departments/recruiters will be looking at today as the last day of the week (which is more than likely is for most). I’ve filled out 5 apps via CareerBuilder in just the past hour. Next up will be Monster and then on to Craigslist.
I’m curious what are other people using besides CareerBuilder and Monster?
DSK
I received an email from a recruiter touting a QA Manager position in Falmouth Maine. The job is a 6 month assignment with a company right to hire clause. There was no other information regarding the position other than to ask for a copy of my resume. . . . . oh and one other thing “occasional travel to NJ”. I live in NJ. That statement is the reason I forwarded my resume.
Several years ago I spent 4 months working in Topeka Kansas on a consulting assignment. It was quite financially successful. Besides a very good hourly rate (including overtime) my expenses (travel, rental car, food) were also covered. It was an excellent deal and I didn’t really negotiate it, it was given to me. The mistake I made was to accept payment in full and work as a 1099 consultant. This meant I was responsible for taxes, I was my own company. For me that was a mistake. At that time I didn’t know what I was getting into and while I kept money aside for taxes it wasn’t nearly enough. Mr IRS came calling and nailed me!
The difficult part of the job wasn’t the work it was the commute. The travel really took a toll on me. I was using an airplane to commute back and forth to Kansas. After a few weeks what I began to notice is that I wasn’t the only one. I learned that there is an entire society of folks that commute via airline. Those people did all that travel by choice, I often wondered if they did because they had to? I never felt I had to (at that time).
I guess the reason I tell this story is that I swore I’d never travel like that again for work. Now I’ve sent my resume for a similar position. Now understand Topeka Kansas is 1252 miles from my home while Falmouth ME is only 391 miles away, so I’m pursing a decidedly shorter commute. Alas a commute non the less. The economy is difficult and I run low of funds to support my family.
We do what we have to do.
DSK
This morning I woke up and bounced out of bed. I was in a positive mood (I’m visiting with my son today!) so I figured I check out CareerBuilder. I did my search on Software Testing and received all types of programming positions (which do me no good since I don’t program). I also pulled a job for a Business Analyst. . . . . . a Business Analyst. . . hmmmm. . . . . .I’ve done that! So I applied. . . . . .and I applied for another!
Now I consider myself a Software Tester first and foremost, however this economy sucks. . . . . its sucks I tell you! Given that, I need to go beyond my exact speciality and look at work that I’m more than capable of but doesn’t exactly match my software testing desires and background! Although my resume is more than adequate for a BA position. (Well we’ll find out about that won’t we?).
It again seems obvious that one should go beyond their comfort zone when looking for a job. However, I would imagine many of us “LOCK IN” and only apply for the specific job we’ve done for so many years. Now my attitude is not to go so far outside the box that it becomes ridiculous. I was once a bookkeeper. . . .long. . . . .long ago in a galaxy far. . . .far. . . .away, but you won’t find me looking into accounting positions.
But one must be pragmatic, the economy sucks. . . . .Hurricane Gustav is heading for the Gulf so oil is gonna go up. . . . .American Idol now has 4 judges. . . . . . This is the only way!!!!
DSK
PS. But I still will not do SALES!!!!
The title is a bit mis-leading what I’m going to do is put up my Monster stats at the beginning of the week and compare to where they are on Friday.
As of Monday morning
174 – Views
7 – Saves
Lets see where this goes?
DSK
The happiness of hearing from a company about a job has fallen into the frustration of not being contacted with a follow-up (when I was told I would be). I’m not going to get into my disappointment regarding how I wasn’t contacted, what I want to discuss is the need to shake up my job search. I’ve got to change my approach because this just isn’t working.
I’ve been relying on Monster, CareerBuilder, and a consulting firm (recruiter), I believe I need to take a more proactive approach. I’m going to add Craig’s List to my group of online sites. I’m going to search the site for jobs, add a post looking for consulting work, and add my resume. I am also going to put together a mailing. . . . .now that’s a blast from the 80’s! I’m going to send my resume (via mail) to a group of large companies with an appropriate cover letter.
Maybe my mistake as been that I haven’t been doing these things? The bottom line is that I need to find a job and I need to step-up the search process.
DSK
Its been more than 24 hours and I still have yet to hear back from the HR person who contacted me about a position in NYC. I’ve been unemployed for most of the past 8 months. . . . . this is not good news. Like I said in my last post this whole thing was in an embryonic stage so from that perspective it’s not crushing. However I wish the gentleman who contacted me would have the courtesy to contact me and let me know.
You see I emailed him this morning asking for an update. Its been 5 hours and I’ve received no response. That is infuriating!! What is it with HR and recruiting folks and not responding? Hey I’m an adult, Lord knows I can take bad news. INFURIATING!!!!!
DSK
