Thanks Guys for the good vibes makes me feel at ease..., its frustrating i had one interview Wednesday and i am hoping i get a second call back, the gentelman interviewing me said my resume and technology background looks good and i aksed if i am a good fit for the postion and he said yes..sooo..keep your fingers and toes crossed.. Applied for over 10 jobs anywhere from Princeton to Edison. I have to update my linked in profile and bug some friends, I have a list of recruiters that also need to email and send an updated resume to today, and I am now considering going contract to hire.
Good luck, but these days, ya' gotta' take a big ol' scoop of patience. The hiring process in a lot of places is getting unbelievably drawn out. Make sure that you keep on them...send follow-ups, thank you notes, blah, blah, blah. It is not unusual to see weeks, or months, pass from first contact to getting an offer on the table--even if you're the #1 candidate the whole way. Yeah, that sucks. But, there are still places out there where it isn't stupid long...
Be sure to hook up to me on linked in (easy to find Tim Fogerson). I've left dead bodies all over the place, so you might find something useful among my contact list.
Contract to hire is becoming very popular these days. I've even had some senior colleagues of mine suggest that while networking to propose a contract position when there might not be a regular position available.
amen on that my man... I have been hearing nightmare stories of former colleagues and friends who are being run through the mill because their company thinks they have the by the balls... my company does the same... it's all a matter of what you are willing to deal with...
It is true that the economy of late has allowed many companies to abuse and drive their workforce into the ground. In the end, it is going to bite them all in the ass, regardless of how the economy goes. Sooner or later, everybody will hit their limit and either bail on their own accord, start sucking and get punted, or get hauled out on a stretcher. And, when folks are tired and stressed, the quality of the work they do generally sucks--the company will pay for the abuse someday one way or another.
My former company drives folks into the ground, but it is not an economic thing...the CEO has always pushed the company and staffs that hard. The economic conditions only dictate the net turnover rate in it's technology organization.
I have the opposite mentality - I know my value and know that I am an asset and I now that you need me... of course everyone is expendable yada yada but I think it is important that when looking at our jobs, we need to be objective and keep in perspective it's place in our lives... it is a job - it is not my life... I don't need this job... I can find another, granted your circumstances may change drastically (income, hours, lifestyle, etc) but you can always find something... while I am not in your position(s) I whole heartedly believe that money is NOT everything... I am actually contemplating leaving my job for something with either better hours, location, less responsibility, etc, even if it's for way less money... I just can't take it anymore... I was just having this conversation with Jdog the other day at Halter's... we put so much pressure on ourselves that it is very easy to burn out... my stress level is through the roof and I'm not willing to chase the dollar at the expense of my mental and physical health anymore... ...
All true. Do you work to live or live to work? If your answer is "work to live", then find the shortest route out from a hellish job. Understand the ramifications, get together a plan (and a plan B) and get to it. Life is short, folks. Don't make the mistake I did and let yourself get run into the ground actually affect your health and general well being. Fortunately, I did what I had to do before it was to "late".
Fogerson made a great point... asking a lot of questions is something you must be prepared to do and don't be afraid to ask anything... make a list and practice them so they are second nature... this is your life...
And be sure you talk face-to-face with folks at the same level as you...and watch their body language carefully.
This was my mistake w/my last gig. I only interviewed with C-level execs and, thusly, was not able to get a *real* feel for the culture. These guys didn't lie to me, they said they were hard chargers, but damn! Triple-digit work/commute weeks for 6 months straight?! I didn't get that vibe from the interviews
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.. most of all - stay positive... I am a firm believer that if you believe you are going to succeed - you will succeed...
Truer words have never been said. Coping with these situations are all about attitude. I can honestly say that 2011 will be a better year for me that 2010, regardless of how long I'm on the bench. And it is already true; I have spent more time with my kids, my bike, my wife, and my friends in the last month than I did the 9 months prior. Seriously. It is all good, man.
