Some tips for newbies !! once in a lifetime offer :o)
LoonyL
Here's somethings I've learnt over the years.
(use whatever you think is helpful in this post,
and bin the rest.)
This is something I've used for about 15 years,
and have always got a contract after contract with
agencies listed in it.
http://www.freelanceinformer.co.uk/fil/jobsearch.asp
I hope you have some luck with it.
Its just a numbers game,
Do your CV send it off to 50 - 100
agencies and sit back & wait for the phone to ring.
A tip?,
to get your CV noticed ,
(if you are sending directly to an employer ie cold sell)
maybe do it on pastel paper
so it'll stand out in the pile of plain white CV's
they're likely to get.
Try little tricks like that, but don't go overboard !
Expect about 10% of calls from agents to be jobs
that you have a chance of getting.
the rest , they are prob updating their databases,
so keep them sweet too
If you are starting out, agencies love first time contractors,
(because they can basically rip you off, but everyones been there )
just say you'll work cheapish, then get the experience that way.
OK, a MCP,MCSE may or may not be a premier qualification,
but remember theres people out there with a course in "Word" that
think they are experts, and are sending in their CV's too,
so relatively speaking MCP,MCSE's are gods.
Don't be discouraged,
you've worked bloody hard for your certification!
and deserve a break.
Remember when dealing with an agency, they are doing you a favour
BUT you are doing them a favour too
(coz they run on commission and have targets to meet)
What I'm trying to say, is don't be over cocky,
but don't sell yourself short either!
Maybe say you have a few interviews lined up during the next few weeks
to put pressure on them,
since they don't like to lose out to other agencies,
coz some people stick with one agency for most
of their carrers (so more ŁŁŁ's for the agency)
So there yuz go.
Been there done that, got the T-shirt
(been dealing with agencies for 15 years now)
Cheers
Liam
ps If you don't get a job,
it might be worth ringing the interviewer directly
and ask him/her for their comments on how you could
improve your interview technique, as you are just starting
and would appreciate their feedback and any suggestions that
they could offer.
Guess who's gonna stay in their mind after that,
when another job comes up?
Just basic Psychology...
know the animal you're dealing with
and how to stroke it !
You have a nice day now !
I love each and every one of you :o)
Liam
ps try to be charming & thankful , but don't go overboard
(like above :o) )
ps also try Monster com etc etc
Sent via Deja.com
http://www.deja.com/
LoonyL
get a life already Liam :o)
Heres summat that may be of interest to uk contractors
since IR35 have goosed us gud.
http://www.freelanceinformer.co.uk/FIL/FIL_overseas/FI_overseas.asp
I'm reading it now.
Cheers
Liam
ps
If you ever have met an Australian girl !,
they are the luvvliest & cutest in the world ! *swing* :o)
Tho' to be fair I've never been out with an American girl ! :o)
_____________________________________
"Contractors can now look to find work in such glamorous locations as the Caribbean,
Mauritius, Cayman Islands and further outposts in South America and the Asian Pacific.
The core of the international contracting scene, however, will remain in the major
centres of western Europe, the United States and Australasia.
A number of agencies, including DPP, have high hopes for Germany in 2001, and anticipate
changes in local tax and employment laws that will attract more talented people in to
plug their IT skills shortage. Smith at MSB believes the German authorities are looking
to introduce steps that will help it make the kind of "IT jumps" needed to match UK and
US standards. MSB is set to have its own office in Frankfurt from the spring to help play
its part, adds Smith.
Spain and Italy are also earmarked as finally catching on to the contracting boom. Here
it is the burgeoning telecoms market that is driving things forward, says Coverman who
also has high hopes for Scandinavia.
Further afield Australia looks set to bask further in the glory of its Olympics with
further demand to go down under. "There is still huge demand to go there," says Coverman.
"
Contacts:
Best International 0207 300 9015
DPP International 0208 332 2555
MSB 0208 315 9000
Volt Europe 01737 774100
WingNut
I have a question for you. Somehow, I think you might have the
answer. Anyway, I've been doing desktop support since about 91-92, off and
on, and full time since '95. I've also been doing pc builds, imaging and
hardware upgrades, as well as user administration of Novell and NT
accounts. Also done some "light" network troubleshooting, IP connectivity
problems and the like, so I know the IP utilities fairly well. And I've
built NT 4.0 servers, and created a domain or two from scratch. Also done
some help desk support for remote users. Now, the question is, I haven't
been job hunting since 1981. I've been at the same place, even though it's
gone through some new incarnations, but still, basically the same place.
I'm leaving soon, as the company is sinking...fast ! I'm putting together
a new resume, but I don't know exactly what type of position to look for,
based on my experience. In particular, I hear the terms NT jr. or sr.
admin, or NT jr. or sr. network admin or engineer, and I'm not sure that
people aren't mistaking one for the other, or combining them. I "think",
since I've had mucho experience working with user administration, that I
should be targeting those positions. I get confused as to the differences
between all the different terms. I don't want to sell myself short, but I
don't want to misrepresent myself either. Does anyone reading this have ah
inkling as to the position I should advertise for ? Can't do desktop ALL
my life ! Thanks !
Jon, MCSE (and A+ soon)
LoonyL
>Hi Liam.
> I have a question for you. Somehow, I think you might have the
> answer.
That's the way to go Jon,
Charming but not patronizing :o)
However, I'm the wrong animal to try that on :o)
>Anyway, I've been doing desktop support since about 91-92, off and
>on, and full time since '95. I've also been doing pc builds, imaging and
>hardware upgrades, as well as user administration of Novell and NT
>accounts. Also done some "light" network troubleshooting, IP connectivity
>problems and the like, so I know the IP utilities fairly well. And I've
>built NT 4.0 servers, and created a domain or two from scratch. Also done
>some help desk support for remote users. Now, the question is, I haven't
>been job hunting since 1981. I've been at the same place, even though it's
>gone through some new incarnations, but still, basically the same place.
>I'm leaving soon, as the company is sinking...fast ! I'm putting together
>a new resume,
Ok , I have a link for people that'll tart up your CV for free,
I'll post it tommorow , k?
>but I don't know exactly what type of position to look for,
>based on my experience.
I'd go for the one that you like doing and pays the most !
or vice-versa
>In particular, I hear the terms NT jr. or sr.
>admin, or NT jr. or sr. network admin or engineer, and I'm not sure that
>people aren't mistaking one for the other, or combining them. I "think",
>since I've had mucho experience working with user administration, that I
>should be targeting those positions. I get confused as to the differences
>between all the different terms.
Me too mate.
Give me the money and you can give me any Job description you wanna.
>I don't want to sell myself short, but I
>don't want to misrepresent myself either. Does anyone reading this have an
>inkling as to the position I should advertise for ? Can't do desktop ALL
>my life ! Thanks !
>
>Jon, MCSE (and A+ soon)
Jon mate,
I'll reply sensibly soon and try to help.
Just I'm knack'd atm so bear with me , k?
Cheers
Liam
Jeff Cochran
>to get your CV noticed ,
>(if you are sending directly to an employer ie cold sell)
>maybe do it on pastel paper
>so it'll stand out in the pile of plain white CV's
>they're likely to get.
Some papers don't scan well when the resume is run through OCR
software, so you may lose out here. Also, a story of my own...
Some time ago I received a resume printed on the back of an 8 x 10
glossy photo of the applicant. It stood out alright, and got noticed
for sure. In fact, it was kept around for years to provide a laugh
whenever we needed it. It also got passed to a number of recruiters
as examples of what not to look for. The guy applying was a waiter at
a comedy club and wanted to be a stand-up comedian and actor. He had
no experience in computers at all, but I guess he saw the job posting
and thought the money looked better than the tips he was getting...
:)
Jeff
WingNut
LoonyL
ie your qualifications etc and previous job history
Liam
LoonyL
>>A tip?,
>>to get your CV noticed ,
>>(if you are sending directly to an employer ie cold sell)
>>maybe do it on pastel paper
>>so it'll stand out in the pile of plain white CV's
>>they're likely to get.
>
>Some papers don't scan well when the resume is run through OCR
>software, so you may lose out here.
Then use light pastel shades ! Jeez :o)
>Also, a story of my own...
>
>Some time ago I received a resume printed on the back of an 8 x 10
>glossy photo of the applicant. It stood out alright, and got noticed
>for sure. In fact, it was kept around for years to provide a laugh
>whenever we needed it. It also got passed to a number of recruiters
>as examples of what not to look for. The guy applying was a waiter at
>a comedy club and wanted to be a stand-up comedian and actor. He had
>no experience in computers at all, but I guess he saw the job posting
>and thought the money looked better than the tips he was getting...
>:)
>
>Jeff
LOL
Thankfully the world is full of agents and employers,
some like gimmicks , some don't.
Can't judge them all by a few.
Cheers
Liam
Every one needs a break ,
and some employers are willing to give people a chance.
Thats how I started many moons ago as an operator,
and its quite common for people to start of that way,
coz the good managers know that they probably got a lucky break
too, and want to repay the favour.
Mark Dempster
Mark
"WingNut" <win...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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