I saw a great job posting tonight. . . . . .

I was browsing through CareerBuilder this evening, looking for a QA job I hadn’t applied for and what did I find but a position that fit all the skills I possess!  I applied for the position but screwed up on the cover letter.  You know how on CareerBuilder you can use a previously created cover letter. . . . I messed up and left an old date on the letter.  On the bright side the job posting had a name and a phone number attached so I’ll be calling first thing in the morning for this one.

Its been a rough couple of weeks but this position is the best fit I’ve seen in many weeks.

DSK

Sending out my resume between quarters

The cool thing about laptop pc’s is the maneuverability they offer.  Sitting on my couch watching the great Brett Farve I am able to apply to 9 job postings on CareerBuilder. . . . . . on a Sunday afternoon!

Many of these positions are in the Pharma business so I don’t expect much but I’ve opened my self up to all possibilities. . . . .also lowered my price too!

UNDER-EMPLOYMENT here I come!

DSK

A very slow week in the job market. . . . at least for me

This was one of the slowest weeks of my recent job search.  I had 2 hits and both came from a Craigslist ad I put on the Philly listing.  I’ve lowered my salary requirements and while it did increase views on CareerBuilder it did nothing on Monster.  In fact I lowered my requirement by 15K on Monster and I only had one additional hit.  I’m starting to get nervous that my skill set is more than lacking for today’s job market.

A part time job is assured as the money is almost gone.  I continue to look at alternatives.  This weekend should be nice because my daughter is home from college

I fear that until the economic crisis has subsided a bit nothing good will be flowing in the job market.  I believe that we won’t settle down until after the election!  So at least 3 more weeks of this chaos.

DSK

Modification to resume seems to have increased views. . . . Duh!

I made a minor modification to my resume on both CareerBuilder and Monster.  I moved my salary requirement down 5K.  That simple (yeah right!) adjustment has seemed to increase views.  I’ve had more than 30 views on CareerBuilder (including 2 saves) since the change and 1 hit on Monster.

The market is so saturated right now.  I believe many of us in the IT world could be heading for a period of under-employment.  So many folks need work that I believe we’ll see many taking salaries much under their previous rates.  I don’t like it but you hit a point where you need to adjust.  Now I only adjusted 5K but its something I had been putting off doing.

DSK

Got a call on my Craigslist ad. . . . .

I received a call from a recruiter at 9am this morning concerning a QA Manager position.   What was nice about the call, beyond the obvious potential of a JOB, was that this recruiter found me on Craigslist.  What’s more interesting, and encouraging, is that my add was about 2 weeks old and he still found me.

As for the job, alas I am not hopeful    I meet all the requirements for the position except for 1. . . . . automated testing experience.  I continue to be frustrated.  Its not like I can even go out and get some training on a tool.  First there’s 2 or 3 that are used in the industry and the training alone can run $500 a pop.  I’m unemployed I don’t have the money for that.  Secondly, and more important is that most jobs want business experience with the software. . . . . you don’t get that with training.

Gotta keep my head up!  The Craigslist hit was encouraging.

DSK

The Oct 7th Mass Resume send. . . .

I was out on CareerBuilder and I found a good looking QA position that just went up today.  So I applied.  If you know CareerBuilder you know that you then get a listing of similar positions that you can “Quick Apply” for.  Its been a slow first two days of the week so I said what the heck. . . . . . . . I went through and checked off 14 other QA positions that I had a potential (I SAID POTENTIAL) fit for.

So there you have it. . . . . . . . 15 resumes sent in under 10 minutes.

Its been a tough week for everyone!

DSK

Its just another manic Friday. . . . . .

Blahhhhhh!  This week has just sucked.  I really thought I had things going on Wednesday but nothing came of anything.  The recruiter I work with took yesterday through Monday off (or he’s not around at the very least) so any prospects coming through him are on hold at best, or dying on the vine at worst.

It seems like the job market is sparked (at least in the QA world).  There are jobs out there.  Now I have to get one!

DSK

Thursday has been a good day for job search applications

Things have picked up a small bit in the job search arena. . . . . Thank goodness!  I’m up to 10 applications this week. . . . . . not as despondent as yesterday but certainly not overwhelming, especially with no one calling back.

One of the positions involved working at a casino in Atlantic City. . . . .the job is in IT . . . . .no I’m not changing careers!

DSK

2 jobs on the table – Now we wait. . . . .

My recruiter has got me involved in 2 jobs, one in PA and the other in NJ.  The PA job pays more and is a less stressful atmosphere (so I’ve been told) while the NJ job is farther from my home but can give me exposure to automated testing tools.  I’m waiting to hear if I’m getting an interview on each, and at this point the job in NJ looks more promising from an interview perspective.

At this point I’d like the PA job because of more money and less stress but beggars can’t be choosers!  In the end it really doesn’t matter as long as I interview this week.  The job boards are pretty stagnant right now.  The economy is in real turmoil, how much of it is real can be debated. . . .  but people are nervous.  None of this is good for those of us on unemployment and more importantly ME!!!!

I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

DSK

Doom and Gloom Monday…..but no one is talking about unemployment! – Part 2

Wow!  When I posted part 1 this morning I had no idea my heading would be so prophetic.  The days events bring the potential problem unemployment will be even more to the fore front.  We’re heading into a time of complete unknowns. . . .the analysts, the pundits, and most of all the politicians really don’t know whats going to happen.  From my perspective “in-action is not an option”.   The people we’ve put in Washington need to get themselves together and get a plan done, and stop all the partisan bickering!

As a side note – interestingly over the past few days I’ve had a bunch of potential positions come my way.  Seems bizarre given whats going on but since Friday I’ve had 3 more additional positions come to my table.  I guess it goes to show . . . . . .you can never tell whats going to happen!

DSK