drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
 ·wavebroadband
|  Job Searching...
After spending the last two hours trying to see what's 'out there' I've come across a few things...
•The US government has absolutely no idea how to realistically and efficiently find qualified candidates. Specifically, the US Navy civilian department in this case. I live near a few military installations and one in particular is mostly civilian and I figured there has to be a sizable IT infrastructure needing to be maintained. Start on this page and look for an IT job in WA and find out the actual qualifications for it. Good luck!
•In case you were wondering, WA state isn't much better. Their site is even slower (if that's possible) than the US Navy civvy one.
•ISPs in my area aren't hiring at all.
•Unless you're in a metropolitan area, the typical job search sites are pretty much useless, esp. if you're in an 'as the crow flies' area that has a major metropolitan area near it. Seattle is within 20 miles, but by damned if it's a realistic commute.
•Craigslist is as bad as those other guys, if not worse.
I seriously don't know what I'm going to do. None of the corporations near me have any vacancies in anything I'm remotely qualified for.
I think my best bet is "networking" but at the young age of 22, my network is very, very small.
Any advice guys?
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cmaenginsb
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-19
Palmdale, CA
| said by drew  :After spending the last two hours trying to see what's 'out there' I've come across a few things...
•The US government has absolutely no idea how to realistically and efficiently find qualified candidates. Specifically, the US Navy civilian department in this case. I live near a few military installations and one in particular is mostly civilian and I figured there has to be a sizable IT infrastructure needing to be maintained. Start on this page and look for an IT job in WA and find out the actual qualifications for it. Good luck!
•In case you were wondering, WA state isn't much better. Their site is even slower (if that's possible) than the US Navy civvy one.
•ISPs in my area aren't hiring at all.
•Unless you're in a metropolitan area, the typical job search sites are pretty much useless, esp. if you're in an 'as the crow flies' area that has a major metropolitan area near it. Seattle is within 20 miles, but by damned if it's a realistic commute.
•Craigslist is as bad as those other guys, if not worse.
I seriously don't know what I'm going to do. None of the corporations near me have any vacancies in anything I'm remotely qualified for. I think my best bet is "networking" but at the young age of 22, my network is very, very small. Any advice guys? Actually the US government rocks if you use the right site. www.usajobs.com allows you to search not only Navy but all federal jobs in the state or more specifically a radius from a given city.
Something to understand though is that a lot of the civilian IT support for military bases is by contractors like Unisys. In many cases you'll need TS clearance to apply though as they don't want to pay for the background checks required for clearance.
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sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
·Optimum Online
| reply to drew
said by drew :Any advice guys? Are there any businesses out there that are in a similar line of business? Especially ones that could learn from any frustrations you've experienced at your current job?
Do the companies that buy your employers product have any need for more custom, hands-on support from a third party?
This assumes there's no non-compete in your current contract, but hey...
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with every mistake we must surely be learning |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to drew
I don't care what anyone says, the U.S. Government has no idea how to realistically and efficiently find qualified candidates.
First of all, every branch and department of our government has their own website where you can apply for. That means that you have to create a username/password for each website. Then you have to create/upload a resume at that specific website.
USAJobs.gov does an excellent job of compiling the different openings, but that's here the 'excellent job' ends.
What the government needs to do is create one website that allows everyone to apply for jobs using 1 username and 1 password. Then after you apply, your information is forwarded to the recruiting officer.
P.S. I have applied to about 20 different government jobs in the last 3 months - ALL of them are still 'under review' except for 1 which finally scheduled an interview.
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nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
 ·Speakeasy
| reply to cmaenginsb
said by cmaenginsb :Something to understand though is that a lot of the civilian IT support for military bases is by contractors like Unisys. In many cases you'll need TS clearance to apply though as they don't want to pay for the background checks required for clearance. Most (all) of the cost associated with the clearance process is born by the agency requiring the clearance. The real cost to the hiring company is paying you to sit on the bench for the process can complete. Depending on your background, where your adjudication is processed through, who is doing the adjudication (some agencies have a LOT more pull than others) and any particular world events that are going on, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks (mostly just upgrades) to 1-2 years. That's a lot of time to pay someone to just sit around being useless.
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| reply to sporkme
It's a good idea and one that a former employee used to much advantage to himself and his future employer.
There is no non compete however I highly doubt this company will be around long enough for that to be a viable option, esp. Considering there is no company locally.
I am the network administrator for a small software company whose responsibilities would include anything past server 2003 and XP if we actually utilized technology. I do support for our product as well and a bit of development but our development environment and approach would make you all want to put a fist through a wall.
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| reply to drew
I've gone to the business websites in the area that I can think of with the need for an on-site IT department and none of them have any openings either.
I'm just not sure where I should go from here. Obviously I need to keep checking these places (twice a week?) for openings, but I don't want to miss some opportunity because I was a bone head and never thought to look 'there.'
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TheRul
You couldn't think of something?
Premium
join:2007-09-18
Victorville, CA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to drew
said by drew : Seattle is within 20 miles, ... Any advice guys? Dude, I lived in Auburn and Renton and commuted to Tukwillia.
There are plenty of commuter trains and busses (I know)
I currently drive 90 min one way. So a 20 min commute is not going to get any sympathy from me.
Now that being said. You are going to have to pull an old style search in this economy. You are going to have to go door to door, talk to HR and IT managers (If you can see them).
You are going to have to have a number of resumes, each of them highlighting a specific area, and a general one. Each with at least 10 copies for each time you go out.
Get names, numbers and emails. And DO NOT FORGET THANK YOU CARDS!!! Sent out that day or the next.
Can you tell I have been planning? I have been expecting for this 3month going on 4 year gig to end, I am glad it hasn't but I am prepared mentally.
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The Dv8or
DSLReports Forums -- The Mouse House 2.0
Premium
join:2001-08-09
Danbury, CT
clubs:
| reply to Rob
I dont know about the rest of the government agencies, but I know the IRS contracts out their help desk and network admin work to assorted companies. That sucks even more, because you have to work at government rates without getting government benefits. Also, my experience has shown that these guys are absolute fuckin morons who have no clue what they are doing. I remember visiting my mom's office when I was 12, and somehow I got involved in a discussion with a bunch of the IT people there who were working on a machine. I easily knew more than all of them. I was frickin TWELVE, and this was 20 years ago.
It's a masochistic bitch to job search. I'd rather hang myself.
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| reply to TheRul
TheRul, you should actually check my location and then browse on over to Google Maps for a refresher  and see what I mean when I'm within 20 miles but the commute isn't likely feasible.
I currently have a 25-30 minute commute each way. I have no problem with that. I could go probably up to an hour before it becomes likely financially unsound unless the pay is just that much better.
Door to door of where? I did that trying to get a job back when I was still in HS and everyone looked at me like I was off my rocker. "Go online"
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Boricua65
join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico
| reply to drew
If the Feds won't do it for you, then consider working for the State of Washington. Often benefits may be better (or much better) than the Feds anyway.
Please note, it can take a while before getting selected but once your in and pass your probation, you should be set.
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Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| I was trying to search through them last night but as I mentioned, the site was so slow it was unusable. I was getting frequent page time outs and the inability to load up the postings (everyone of them is a PDF guys.. talk about inefficiency!)
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The Dv8or
DSLReports Forums -- The Mouse House 2.0
Premium
join:2001-08-09
Danbury, CT
clubs:
| reply to drew
said by drew :Door to door of where? I did that trying to get a job back when I was still in HS and everyone looked at me like I was off my rocker. "Go online" Drew is right. That's like having a handwritten resume.
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You're so vain... I bet you think this post is about you. |
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Steve
I'm a PC, so shut up
Consultant
join:2001-03-10
Yorba Linda, CA
| reply to TheRul
said by TheRul : Get names, numbers and emails. And DO NOT FORGET THANK YOU CARDS!!! Sent out that day or the next. drew , you can't believe the powerful impact that this kind of followthrough has. Obviously you'll need to show that you have at least some basic qualifications for the job, but when you can find a way to put your name in their minds in a favorable light, it's easy to imagine this tipping the difference in your favor. Coming across as a nice guy, one who's thoughtful, and one who follows through cannot hurt you.
Good luck,
Steve
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| Absolutely sage advice -- I agree 100% and was already on my "make sure you don't screw this up" list.
That, however, is putting the cart before the horse. I need to actually find a job to interview for first!
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TheRul
You couldn't think of something?
Premium
join:2007-09-18
Victorville, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to drew
I know where Port Orchard is, My wife's Grandparents had a house in a cove at Whidby.
You are going to have to look like you are off your rocker, you have to make them take a second look at you. You need to be different than the others. Stnad out.
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If you can't laugh at yourself, you have nothing to laugh at.
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TheRul
You couldn't think of something?
Premium
join:2007-09-18
Victorville, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to The Dv8or
said by The Dv8or :said by drew :Door to door of where? I did that trying to get a job back when I was still in HS and everyone looked at me like I was off my rocker. "Go online" Drew is right. That's like having a handwritten resume. That would get you in the door. You need something that stays in peoples minds.
Remember that 90% of a Resume is for the HR dept.
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If you can't laugh at yourself, you have nothing to laugh at.
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| reply to TheRul
I really mean literally. There was no opportunity for me to even introduce myself. The "manager" looked at me and said "we don't do any hiring, it's all online. go there." and walked away on more than one occassion.
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Boricua65
join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico
| There is nothing wrong stopping that person in their tracks and say one or two sentences that will get their attention. Just like TheRul said, you want to stand out and that would be a perfect time.
BTW, I just tried that website when I posted and it didn't time out on me (and I'm at work with a very slow connection).
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Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben
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TheRul
You couldn't think of something?
Premium
join:2007-09-18
Victorville, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to drew
Dude. That is the time to be IT.
Remember you know what you are doing and prove it.
Say something like, "Yeah, but that sent to HR, and they never know what to look for".
And I understand, that they walk away, but that was when you were out of HS. You look and act young at that time, and that time, a lot was online, now it is a battle, and you need every advantage you can get.
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If you can't laugh at yourself, you have nothing to laugh at.
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