OpenEuphoria

2. Re: Euphoria Jobs

• Posted by Irv Mullins <irvm at ellijay.com> Jun 19, 2001
• 414 views

On Tuesday 19 June 2001 21:20, Lewis Townsend wrote:

> Please do. Please remember I am newly moved to the Dallas TX area and don't
> know many people here, so being best buddies with the CEO isn't really an
> option for me. :)

Well, it may be harder to establish new connections in Dallas 
than in some other places, but there are still things you can do:
 
Have you joined the local computer clubs, and attend the meetings?
You may be surprised who shows up at these things. (presidents 
of multi-milliion-dollar corporations, for example) I've gotten jobs, 
and made good friends, at those meetings.

You might volunteer to set up the computers for the local track 
club's next marathon.  I've gotten work that way, too.

Check for local charitable organizations which need volunteers. 
They usually don't have the budget for expensive custom software,
but you can write some for them.
The directors of these organizations are often the same people 
that sit on the boards of major corporations. It's nice to have friends 
in high places who admire your work.

> Your information has been interesting so far but please continue. How do
> you get your foot in the door? I can handle interviews once I get them. 

Searching the newspaper ads is ok, but don't count on finding any
real jobs.  Many of those ads are there just to comply with various 
rules or laws requiring the advertising of job availablity. 

First, you need to find someone who has some computer 
related business contacts. Most people will be happy to give you
a few names, especially once you make it clear that you're not asking
THEM for a job.  

Now you are prepared to call these names, telling them who 
referred you to them. It won't hurt to butter them up a 
bit, i.e. "Joe Smith gave me your number, he said you were the 
best computer programmer in the area....".  Try to sound sincere.

Again, avoid asking for a job - just some guidance about 
what skills are most needed in your area, etc. 
If they seem pleasant, ask if they could spare a few minutes 
sometime for you to drop by and speak with them in person. 

(Such visits were always a welcome diversion in our office - 
  gave us a chance to show off the $6 million computer center - 
  a place we weren't otherwise allowed to enter;)
 
Whether they meet with you or not, be sure to ask for some referrals.
You'll find that almost always the referrals are "up" the chain 
of command.  Eventually you will reach people who actually 
have the authority to hire - unlike the employment officers, 
who only have authority to *not* hire.

Some companies have strict rules against interviewing people 
without the approval of the HR department. Therefore, for the 
protection of the people you will be talking to, you should make 
it clear that you are NOT asking them for a job.  If they like you,
they'll find a way to get you hired, rules or no rules ;)

Plus, there are rarely any rules that prevent them from telling you 
about a great job they just happen to know about at another company
across town.....

All of this is just basic salesmanship. 
One of the best salesmen I ever knew would drive 100 miles to 
visit a client, spend an hour talking about fishing, the kids, 
the weather, share a few jokes, buy the customer a 
barbeque plate, shake hands, and start out the door.

At this point his customers would usually stop him, and say 
"Hey, aren't you going to sell me anything?!"

Moral: Try not to appear desperate.

> My problem is finding an employer that is looking for someone with my skills
> and experience level.

Since every shop has simple tasks that don't call for 
the greatest programming skills, they *must* have some 
entry-level positions. They may not advertise them, 
to keep from being snowed under with totally unqualified 
applicants.  Ask them how often you should check back to 
see if there's such an opening. 

It may be that they fill these jobs thru temporary agencies. If so, 
get the name of the agencies they use, and apply there. 
This can get you into a lot of different environments, and
you get to show off your skills 'on the job'.

If they tell you they never hire at entry level or use temps, 
then they must either be filling these 'grunt' jobs with expensive, 
highly qualified programmers, which is fiscally irresponsible, 
or they are just lying. *

Regards,
Irv

(* Or, just maybe the boss has an unlimited supply of nephews)