Could I? I need some pointers
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(This should go in the “work issues” forum I suppose, but there is a deadline for applications of next Tuesday and I’d like to get mine off this week, which basically means tomorrow, so please accept my apologies.) As I’ve said before, pimping my time to the highest bidder just isn’t offering me a life career so I have been looking for full time employment for the last 6 weeks or so. From my local paper tonight: “Web Developer Exciting opportunity to join rapidly expanding Exeter based software development house. Practical experiences of HTML, ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, ADO, SQL, SQL Server 7/2000, Access 97/2000 required. Knowledge of Internet Information Server, Visual Basic, MFC, C++, ODBC, TCP/IP, Winsock, would be advantageous. Starting £23K” I may need to touch up a bit on my VBScript, uck, I’ve been getting a lot of SQL Server experience the last month or so (at least the kind I suspect they are after; I’m no DBA but I can setup a database and do the basic admin stuff) and the rest I feel I can meet to a high enough standard if not exceed it based on what I’ve seen of this company and their current work. I know enough VB to bluff my way through most tasks I’ve ever needed it for, so that may even be enough. It’s pretty much what I’ve been doing for two years but is steady and with paid sick leave. I can talk my way through most of the “advantageous” stuff if needed – I know my way around even if I may need a torch every now and again when it gets to the heavy stuff (networking sticks in my throat for example). I’m hoping that that side of things would be for creating/managing server side components, which I am fine with. It’s an entry level position so hopefully they will accept some of the commercial work I’ve done before as references (some places won’t accept references from companies you’ve worked with on a freelance-contract basis, even if you’ve been with one company for over a year :(). I hope these guys will because I’ve got some great ones up my sleeve. The money isn’t great when you get into a place like London, but for the South West of the country that is over three times the minimum wage and more than double the average. Most other jobs I’ve been applying for have been offering the bare minimum £7 a year because I am under twenty one. :(( I will apply regardless because one has to keep trying or not try at all. If I can get them to interview me then I would do much better – I hate writing CV’s, they're so cold and impersional. Do you have any tips
Certainly, being honest and truthful is a must. Although you can "tune" your CV and letter more specifically for what they are looking for. Having a good letter is important, as it will get you in door faster. A bad letter will certainly drop you into the "maybe later" pile. Regardless of your circumstances, you can tell them that the reason you have been freelancing is to get exposure to a wider variety of projects than are typically available at entry level positions in companies, and that you believe that having the exposure to this wide variety on your own gives you the better experience over others. Also, the greater challenge implicit in working for yourself has been very exciting and personally rewarding. The logical question, then, is "why are you wanting to settle down and give up that challenge?" and your response can be something like "because I want to settle down and apply my experience to working within a larger group of people and within a corporation." Like I say, this is regardless of your actual circumstances. If you address these topics in your letter, then you shouldn't end up in the "maybe later" pile. Good luck, Dave "You can say that again." -- Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
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(This should go in the “work issues” forum I suppose, but there is a deadline for applications of next Tuesday and I’d like to get mine off this week, which basically means tomorrow, so please accept my apologies.) As I’ve said before, pimping my time to the highest bidder just isn’t offering me a life career so I have been looking for full time employment for the last 6 weeks or so. From my local paper tonight: “Web Developer Exciting opportunity to join rapidly expanding Exeter based software development house. Practical experiences of HTML, ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, ADO, SQL, SQL Server 7/2000, Access 97/2000 required. Knowledge of Internet Information Server, Visual Basic, MFC, C++, ODBC, TCP/IP, Winsock, would be advantageous. Starting £23K” I may need to touch up a bit on my VBScript, uck, I’ve been getting a lot of SQL Server experience the last month or so (at least the kind I suspect they are after; I’m no DBA but I can setup a database and do the basic admin stuff) and the rest I feel I can meet to a high enough standard if not exceed it based on what I’ve seen of this company and their current work. I know enough VB to bluff my way through most tasks I’ve ever needed it for, so that may even be enough. It’s pretty much what I’ve been doing for two years but is steady and with paid sick leave. I can talk my way through most of the “advantageous” stuff if needed – I know my way around even if I may need a torch every now and again when it gets to the heavy stuff (networking sticks in my throat for example). I’m hoping that that side of things would be for creating/managing server side components, which I am fine with. It’s an entry level position so hopefully they will accept some of the commercial work I’ve done before as references (some places won’t accept references from companies you’ve worked with on a freelance-contract basis, even if you’ve been with one company for over a year :(). I hope these guys will because I’ve got some great ones up my sleeve. The money isn’t great when you get into a place like London, but for the South West of the country that is over three times the minimum wage and more than double the average. Most other jobs I’ve been applying for have been offering the bare minimum £7 a year because I am under twenty one. :(( I will apply regardless because one has to keep trying or not try at all. If I can get them to interview me then I would do much better – I hate writing CV’s, they're so cold and impersional. Do you have any tips
David Wulff wrote: P.S. Can you put tenacious work-a-holic down as a skill? :suss: I thought that was pugnacious alcoholic. ;P As for the rest I have nothing that will help you. I searched for 13 months and couldn't get a job. Eventually being offered one out of my field by the people I was doing Work For the Dole with. So maybe I do have a suggestion. Don't do what I did. Obviously me and my methods sucks. Do the opposite. Now if only I knew what the opposite was. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
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(This should go in the “work issues” forum I suppose, but there is a deadline for applications of next Tuesday and I’d like to get mine off this week, which basically means tomorrow, so please accept my apologies.) As I’ve said before, pimping my time to the highest bidder just isn’t offering me a life career so I have been looking for full time employment for the last 6 weeks or so. From my local paper tonight: “Web Developer Exciting opportunity to join rapidly expanding Exeter based software development house. Practical experiences of HTML, ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, ADO, SQL, SQL Server 7/2000, Access 97/2000 required. Knowledge of Internet Information Server, Visual Basic, MFC, C++, ODBC, TCP/IP, Winsock, would be advantageous. Starting £23K” I may need to touch up a bit on my VBScript, uck, I’ve been getting a lot of SQL Server experience the last month or so (at least the kind I suspect they are after; I’m no DBA but I can setup a database and do the basic admin stuff) and the rest I feel I can meet to a high enough standard if not exceed it based on what I’ve seen of this company and their current work. I know enough VB to bluff my way through most tasks I’ve ever needed it for, so that may even be enough. It’s pretty much what I’ve been doing for two years but is steady and with paid sick leave. I can talk my way through most of the “advantageous” stuff if needed – I know my way around even if I may need a torch every now and again when it gets to the heavy stuff (networking sticks in my throat for example). I’m hoping that that side of things would be for creating/managing server side components, which I am fine with. It’s an entry level position so hopefully they will accept some of the commercial work I’ve done before as references (some places won’t accept references from companies you’ve worked with on a freelance-contract basis, even if you’ve been with one company for over a year :(). I hope these guys will because I’ve got some great ones up my sleeve. The money isn’t great when you get into a place like London, but for the South West of the country that is over three times the minimum wage and more than double the average. Most other jobs I’ve been applying for have been offering the bare minimum £7 a year because I am under twenty one. :(( I will apply regardless because one has to keep trying or not try at all. If I can get them to interview me then I would do much better – I hate writing CV’s, they're so cold and impersional. Do you have any tips
I can totally understand your position. I've just come off an industrial placement (internship) and that gave me a great deal of experience, so glad I included that as part of my degree and not just do a straight through course. However, I'm still finding it a real pain to apply for jobs and my once optimistic outlook has been tarnished somewhat. Although I feel I'm strong in the development side (and certainly wouldn't class myself as the stereotypical computer science geek facing inter-personal problems) it's tough. I'd really like to go work in a large organisation like Accenture and fight onto projects, but the demand appears to be outstripping supply for work. Still, the immediate issue is exams so employment is secondary for the time being. Good luck with the application though, I'd definitely punt off a CV if I were ready-for-employment right now! Incidentally, if any other loungers have any suggestions for a speculative strategy with regards to recruitment, be great to get tips :-D -- Paul "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." - David Brent, from "The Office" MS Messenger: paul@oobaloo.co.uk Sonork: 100.22446
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(This should go in the “work issues” forum I suppose, but there is a deadline for applications of next Tuesday and I’d like to get mine off this week, which basically means tomorrow, so please accept my apologies.) As I’ve said before, pimping my time to the highest bidder just isn’t offering me a life career so I have been looking for full time employment for the last 6 weeks or so. From my local paper tonight: “Web Developer Exciting opportunity to join rapidly expanding Exeter based software development house. Practical experiences of HTML, ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, ADO, SQL, SQL Server 7/2000, Access 97/2000 required. Knowledge of Internet Information Server, Visual Basic, MFC, C++, ODBC, TCP/IP, Winsock, would be advantageous. Starting £23K” I may need to touch up a bit on my VBScript, uck, I’ve been getting a lot of SQL Server experience the last month or so (at least the kind I suspect they are after; I’m no DBA but I can setup a database and do the basic admin stuff) and the rest I feel I can meet to a high enough standard if not exceed it based on what I’ve seen of this company and their current work. I know enough VB to bluff my way through most tasks I’ve ever needed it for, so that may even be enough. It’s pretty much what I’ve been doing for two years but is steady and with paid sick leave. I can talk my way through most of the “advantageous” stuff if needed – I know my way around even if I may need a torch every now and again when it gets to the heavy stuff (networking sticks in my throat for example). I’m hoping that that side of things would be for creating/managing server side components, which I am fine with. It’s an entry level position so hopefully they will accept some of the commercial work I’ve done before as references (some places won’t accept references from companies you’ve worked with on a freelance-contract basis, even if you’ve been with one company for over a year :(). I hope these guys will because I’ve got some great ones up my sleeve. The money isn’t great when you get into a place like London, but for the South West of the country that is over three times the minimum wage and more than double the average. Most other jobs I’ve been applying for have been offering the bare minimum £7 a year because I am under twenty one. :(( I will apply regardless because one has to keep trying or not try at all. If I can get them to interview me then I would do much better – I hate writing CV’s, they're so cold and impersional. Do you have any tips
I agree with CG. Enthusiasm will vault you to the top of the list every time. You may not have all of the skills, but make sure you ask plenty of good questions and express excitement about the possibility of working for them.
Jason Henderson
start page ; articles henderson is coming henderson is an opponent's worst nightmare * googlism * -
I'd suggest that you're in a similar situation to me when I started out. The thing I believe that you have and should try to present is raw *enthusiasm* for what you do. The trick is to make your resume as slick as possible without lying, get before them at all costs, and then convince them you're the man not just because you CAN do it, but because you WANT to. For example, it's 7:30 am here, and I am doing some quick posts before I start work. Most people get here at 9:30. On another front, the prices I'd seen on British web sites led me to believe that while 23,000 pounds is more AU$ than I earn, the price of things in pounds in the UK was not that different to the price in dollars here. I must be wrong, because the average wage here is $25,000 or so, I would guess. The official average is about $35,000, but most people make about 10 less than that. I'm on $45,000 myself, which is pretty poor for a programmer, but pretty OK for someone living in Tasmania. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002Christian Graus wrote: On another front, the prices I'd seen on British web sites led me to believe that while 23,000 pounds is more AU$ than I earn, the price of things in pounds in the UK was not that different to the price in dollars here. I must be wrong, because the average wage here is $25,000 or so, I would guess. The official average is about $35,000, but most people make about 10 less than that. I'm on $45,000 myself, which is pretty poor for a programmer, but pretty OK for someone living in Tasmania. But David is 19, living with his parents and is in Tiverton. That is the main point. David said 23,000 would suck for London but in southern England where he lives it is very good money. I believe he said he is generally offered 7,000 as this is minimum wage for someone under 21 in his part of the country. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
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Christian Graus wrote: On another front, the prices I'd seen on British web sites led me to believe that while 23,000 pounds is more AU$ than I earn, the price of things in pounds in the UK was not that different to the price in dollars here. I must be wrong, because the average wage here is $25,000 or so, I would guess. The official average is about $35,000, but most people make about 10 less than that. I'm on $45,000 myself, which is pretty poor for a programmer, but pretty OK for someone living in Tasmania. But David is 19, living with his parents and is in Tiverton. That is the main point. David said 23,000 would suck for London but in southern England where he lives it is very good money. I believe he said he is generally offered 7,000 as this is minimum wage for someone under 21 in his part of the country. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
When he said that it was double the average, I took that to mean the average wage, not the average for his age. I guess it's no different to me trying to live in Sydney on my $45k. It could not be done. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002 -
Certainly, being honest and truthful is a must. Although you can "tune" your CV and letter more specifically for what they are looking for. Having a good letter is important, as it will get you in door faster. A bad letter will certainly drop you into the "maybe later" pile. Regardless of your circumstances, you can tell them that the reason you have been freelancing is to get exposure to a wider variety of projects than are typically available at entry level positions in companies, and that you believe that having the exposure to this wide variety on your own gives you the better experience over others. Also, the greater challenge implicit in working for yourself has been very exciting and personally rewarding. The logical question, then, is "why are you wanting to settle down and give up that challenge?" and your response can be something like "because I want to settle down and apply my experience to working within a larger group of people and within a corporation." Like I say, this is regardless of your actual circumstances. If you address these topics in your letter, then you shouldn't end up in the "maybe later" pile. Good luck, Dave "You can say that again." -- Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
David Chamberlain wrote: you can tell them that the reason you have been freelancing is to get exposure to a wider variety of projects than are typically available at entry level positions in companies, and that you believe that having the exposure to this wide variety on your own gives you the better experience over others. Duely noted, thanks. David Chamberlain wrote: "because I want to settle down and apply my experience to working within a larger group of people and within a corporation." Good point, I probably wouldn't have thought of that on the spot. :-O
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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In my personal opinion as an ex UK software manager. CVs are good but if you have a pile of 50 on your desk for 1 job it is just about impossible to read them, because each one is different, and none are 100% pertinant to the job on offer. So I would read the covering letters, and if the letter impressed me, i.e. the guy stated he had the right skils for the job in question I would put it to one side, then I would look at the CVs for these applications, if from this I found 5 good applicants, then I would interview them, and the other 45 would be put on one side just in case. In my opinion the letter should be typed, not handwritten, it is very difficult to read 50 hand written letters, I would, if possible ignore agencies, too expensive and the candidates could be totaly wrong for the job. So in your letter state that you have the skills the company wants with some background, basing it on their advert. I wish you the best of luck, BTW one of my friends techniques was to employ only motorcyclists to work on the shop floor, because he felt they had the right skills and attitudes. So every interviewer is different and probably knows less about inverviewing than you do!
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants. - Isaac Newton 1676
Ted Ferenc wrote: if the letter impressed me, i.e. the guy stated he had the right skils for the job in question I would put it to one side, then I would look at the CVs for these applications Thanks, I'll make sure I make an impact through the cover letter.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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David Wulff wrote: P.S. Can you put tenacious work-a-holic down as a skill? :suss: I thought that was pugnacious alcoholic. ;P As for the rest I have nothing that will help you. I searched for 13 months and couldn't get a job. Eventually being offered one out of my field by the people I was doing Work For the Dole with. So maybe I do have a suggestion. Don't do what I did. Obviously me and my methods sucks. Do the opposite. Now if only I knew what the opposite was. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
Michael Martin wrote: I thought that was pugnacious alcoholic. Bah. :rolleyes: Michael Martin wrote: So maybe I do have a suggestion. Don't do what I did. Obviously me and my methods sucks. Do the opposite. Now if only I knew what the opposite was. It sounds like you've just had bad luck. Everything in life revolves around being in the right place at the right time. This job here is an exception, the vast majority would pay me about £10 *a day* after travel and taxes which is only double what the employment service are currently paying me.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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I agree with CG. Enthusiasm will vault you to the top of the list every time. You may not have all of the skills, but make sure you ask plenty of good questions and express excitement about the possibility of working for them.
Jason Henderson
start page ; articles henderson is coming henderson is an opponent's worst nightmare * googlism *Jason Henderson wrote: Enthusiasm will vault you to the top of the list every time Uh huh, gotcha. Jason Henderson wrote: make sure you ask plenty of good questions and express excitement about the possibility of working for them That's usually where I fall down, but I'll try my best as ever. I can do the whole excitement thing but when it comes to asking questions I always come out with the strangest of things. :( :~
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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Ted Ferenc wrote: if the letter impressed me, i.e. the guy stated he had the right skils for the job in question I would put it to one side, then I would look at the CVs for these applications Thanks, I'll make sure I make an impact through the cover letter.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
Don't forget that is how I used to work, but if you think how long it takes to read a CV and multiply it by the number of applications, IMHO most people do not have the time to read them properly. But this company could be different. Best of luck
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants. - Isaac Newton 1676
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When he said that it was double the average, I took that to mean the average wage, not the average for his age. I guess it's no different to me trying to live in Sydney on my $45k. It could not be done. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002Christian Graus wrote: When he said that it was double the average, I took that to mean the average wage, not the average for his age. It may have been more that it was double the average for his area of England than fir his age. Christian Graus wrote: I guess it's no different to me trying to live in Sydney on my $45k. It could not be done. I wouldn't recommend it. I think I am on about $2-3,000 more than this at the moment. If I was single I could probably get by, even with my current debts. But add wife (doesn't work) and 2 kids it don't work. <thread hijack> How's it all going down there in Hobart? Haven't caught up for a chat for a long fucking time. So just out of interest not nosiness. By the way did you hear my daughter lost one of her front teeth when she rolled out of our bed New Years day. Banged it on the bottom of my computer chair which is setup on the side of our bedroom. Blood everywhere and spent the morning in a couple of emergency wards. Pediatric dental specialist hoped it would firm up (very fucking lose, pushed towards the back of her mouth) and move forward again. 1 week later (2 days after her 3rd birthday) it came out as it was still very loose and was hitting against her bottom tooth and causing shit loads of pain. I'm not happy as she will be about 3 years before the replacement comes in. </thread hijack> Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
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I agree with CG. Enthusiasm will vault you to the top of the list every time. You may not have all of the skills, but make sure you ask plenty of good questions and express excitement about the possibility of working for them.
Jason Henderson
start page ; articles henderson is coming henderson is an opponent's worst nightmare * googlism *Yes Enthusiasm is good. It was amazing the amount of people I interviewed that seemed to be in software because is "looked like a good career" and had no empaphy for it. One thing, I did not mind if the person I interviewed could not answer a question, as long as they knew how to find the answer. Making a guess is fatal, especially if you give the wrong answer.
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants. - Isaac Newton 1676
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Michael Martin wrote: I thought that was pugnacious alcoholic. Bah. :rolleyes: Michael Martin wrote: So maybe I do have a suggestion. Don't do what I did. Obviously me and my methods sucks. Do the opposite. Now if only I knew what the opposite was. It sounds like you've just had bad luck. Everything in life revolves around being in the right place at the right time. This job here is an exception, the vast majority would pay me about £10 *a day* after travel and taxes which is only double what the employment service are currently paying me.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
David Wulff wrote: It sounds like you've just had bad luck. Everything in life revolves around being in the right place at the right time. So true. Both of my last 2 jobs were ones I wasn't actualy looking for. But I had the skills and experience and the offers came. Both time they were paying $20,000+ more than I was then on. So it was a no brainer to move. If there is anything I can see now looking back, is that I didn't plan a career or at least plan what I wanted to get from each job. Be that technical skill or business knowledge wise. I just rolled with the punches which was great for me until the arse fell out of the market. You are young, have good references as far a working products/sites to show off go. As well as the interest to learn what you need to do the job. I would find a way to add in at the interview that you setup the company, found the work, did it and earned the money required to buy legal copies of all the software you use. It maybe hard as the Aussie/Pommy culture is not to blow your own trumpet. Having said that don't go over the top and if it doesn't seem appropriate don't do it. Read the interview situation and do what you feel is right. Short version, be confident while not being a twat and you should get it as you have done it all and can and have learnt what is required quickly and by yourself. That alone should be enough to get someone interested. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
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David Wulff wrote: It sounds like you've just had bad luck. Everything in life revolves around being in the right place at the right time. So true. Both of my last 2 jobs were ones I wasn't actualy looking for. But I had the skills and experience and the offers came. Both time they were paying $20,000+ more than I was then on. So it was a no brainer to move. If there is anything I can see now looking back, is that I didn't plan a career or at least plan what I wanted to get from each job. Be that technical skill or business knowledge wise. I just rolled with the punches which was great for me until the arse fell out of the market. You are young, have good references as far a working products/sites to show off go. As well as the interest to learn what you need to do the job. I would find a way to add in at the interview that you setup the company, found the work, did it and earned the money required to buy legal copies of all the software you use. It maybe hard as the Aussie/Pommy culture is not to blow your own trumpet. Having said that don't go over the top and if it doesn't seem appropriate don't do it. Read the interview situation and do what you feel is right. Short version, be confident while not being a twat and you should get it as you have done it all and can and have learnt what is required quickly and by yourself. That alone should be enough to get someone interested. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
I'm writting (with the aide of a spell checker ;P) my draft letter now. I'm not sure though if I may be making it, well, a bit too provocative and in-your-face. I’ve tried to include enthusiasm and a small part of my personality in my writing, but I don’t want to come off as you so eloquently put it: as a twat. That doesn’t happen in real life though, not even when I’m shitfaced. Damnit letters are so impersonal – I hate them!
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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(This should go in the “work issues” forum I suppose, but there is a deadline for applications of next Tuesday and I’d like to get mine off this week, which basically means tomorrow, so please accept my apologies.) As I’ve said before, pimping my time to the highest bidder just isn’t offering me a life career so I have been looking for full time employment for the last 6 weeks or so. From my local paper tonight: “Web Developer Exciting opportunity to join rapidly expanding Exeter based software development house. Practical experiences of HTML, ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, ADO, SQL, SQL Server 7/2000, Access 97/2000 required. Knowledge of Internet Information Server, Visual Basic, MFC, C++, ODBC, TCP/IP, Winsock, would be advantageous. Starting £23K” I may need to touch up a bit on my VBScript, uck, I’ve been getting a lot of SQL Server experience the last month or so (at least the kind I suspect they are after; I’m no DBA but I can setup a database and do the basic admin stuff) and the rest I feel I can meet to a high enough standard if not exceed it based on what I’ve seen of this company and their current work. I know enough VB to bluff my way through most tasks I’ve ever needed it for, so that may even be enough. It’s pretty much what I’ve been doing for two years but is steady and with paid sick leave. I can talk my way through most of the “advantageous” stuff if needed – I know my way around even if I may need a torch every now and again when it gets to the heavy stuff (networking sticks in my throat for example). I’m hoping that that side of things would be for creating/managing server side components, which I am fine with. It’s an entry level position so hopefully they will accept some of the commercial work I’ve done before as references (some places won’t accept references from companies you’ve worked with on a freelance-contract basis, even if you’ve been with one company for over a year :(). I hope these guys will because I’ve got some great ones up my sleeve. The money isn’t great when you get into a place like London, but for the South West of the country that is over three times the minimum wage and more than double the average. Most other jobs I’ve been applying for have been offering the bare minimum £7 a year because I am under twenty one. :(( I will apply regardless because one has to keep trying or not try at all. If I can get them to interview me then I would do much better – I hate writing CV’s, they're so cold and impersional. Do you have any tips
Paul W and I conversed a while ago about the importance of cover letters. To recap. I helped oragnize a study of it last year that focussed on IT jobs in the Australian market. When I posted some information here at CP about it, Paul confirmed after reviewing the employment decisions he had made that the cover letter did actually have impact. The research on cover letters I was involved with was not for advertised positions but more for submissions of approach. However feel free to contact me outside of the forums if you want someone to review your cover letter. As to the CV put everything down as experience that you have in a summary on the top of the CV. That way a future employer doesn't have to read all the boring details. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
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I'm writting (with the aide of a spell checker ;P) my draft letter now. I'm not sure though if I may be making it, well, a bit too provocative and in-your-face. I’ve tried to include enthusiasm and a small part of my personality in my writing, but I don’t want to come off as you so eloquently put it: as a twat. That doesn’t happen in real life though, not even when I’m shitfaced. Damnit letters are so impersonal – I hate them!
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
David Wulff wrote: I'm not sure though if I may be making it, well, a bit too provocative and in-your-face.
Dear
[name of company], I want you. Not a moment goes by that I don't think of you, wishing nothing more than for you to hold me to yourself, spending eternity clasped to your bosom. My days spent walking your halls, my evenings making love to your coffee machines. For the chance at this, I would risk everything, lose myself for a chance to give you my all. Please don't push me away, you who mean so much to me! Read the list of qualifications I've included at least. Should you choose to snub me, I would be utterly crushed, but what a tragedy it would be for you not to know how much I could mean. I love you. Sincerely,[applicant]---
Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under
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David Wulff wrote: I'm not sure though if I may be making it, well, a bit too provocative and in-your-face.
Dear
[name of company], I want you. Not a moment goes by that I don't think of you, wishing nothing more than for you to hold me to yourself, spending eternity clasped to your bosom. My days spent walking your halls, my evenings making love to your coffee machines. For the chance at this, I would risk everything, lose myself for a chance to give you my all. Please don't push me away, you who mean so much to me! Read the list of qualifications I've included at least. Should you choose to snub me, I would be utterly crushed, but what a tragedy it would be for you not to know how much I could mean. I love you. Sincerely,[applicant]---
Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under
Josh, you need help. You have waaay to much time on your hands...;P
I don't know whether it's just the light but I swear the database server gives me dirty looks everytime I wander past. -Chris Maunder Microsoft has reinvented the wheel, this time they made it round. -Peterchen on VS.NET
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Paul W and I conversed a while ago about the importance of cover letters. To recap. I helped oragnize a study of it last year that focussed on IT jobs in the Australian market. When I posted some information here at CP about it, Paul confirmed after reviewing the employment decisions he had made that the cover letter did actually have impact. The research on cover letters I was involved with was not for advertised positions but more for submissions of approach. However feel free to contact me outside of the forums if you want someone to review your cover letter. As to the CV put everything down as experience that you have in a summary on the top of the CV. That way a future employer doesn't have to read all the boring details. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
Thanks for the advice. Colin Davies wrote: feel free to contact me outside of the forums if you want someone to review your cover letter I have done, if you wouldn't mind. Thanks! Colin Davies wrote: As to the CV put everything down as experience that you have in a summary on the top of the CV. That way a future employer doesn't have to read all the boring details. Noted. :)
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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David Wulff wrote: I'm not sure though if I may be making it, well, a bit too provocative and in-your-face.
Dear
[name of company], I want you. Not a moment goes by that I don't think of you, wishing nothing more than for you to hold me to yourself, spending eternity clasped to your bosom. My days spent walking your halls, my evenings making love to your coffee machines. For the chance at this, I would risk everything, lose myself for a chance to give you my all. Please don't push me away, you who mean so much to me! Read the list of qualifications I've included at least. Should you choose to snub me, I would be utterly crushed, but what a tragedy it would be for you not to know how much I could mean. I love you. Sincerely,[applicant]---
Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under
Mate, you are way beyond hope. Tony Soprano's psychiatrist would have no idea where to start with you. Doesn't the coffee machine burn? Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002