job-seeker contacts/advice

[NeedMoreFans]

I've been a teacher for three years. Lately, for some reasons I still can't put into words, I have had this desire to continue my education to become an administrator. It almost makes my prior education seem like a waste. I worked very hard to get to where I am right now, now I'm thinking of moving on. I am totally happy with what I'm doing, so I don't know where this desire is coming from. In order to do this, I will have to return to school, again, to get my Master's and license. It's going to be difficult to afford to pay for my Master's, but I'd have 7 years to complete it (and the pay as an administrator would pay for the degree in no time). I guess I'm trying to figure out 1)whether I should do it or not and 2) when to start/how long to take. I think my wife is on board with whatever decision I make, now I just have to make one.

[GAME05]

i wanted to give an update since people helped me out and i'd made a lot of posts about downloading a virus on my work computer. before the boss came back from vacation, i stopped by work to pick up my phone and said "Sorry about that virus" to the secretary, who told me she'd downloaded a virus that next day, too. IT told her it was an issue company-wide. she also said she was going to mention to the boss that she'd downloaded a vurus, too, which made me feel better about it. the boss is back and he didn't say anything to me. regardless, i've since stopped using the computer entirely. i bought a book and read that on night shift, instead.

[jjkoestler]

Has anyone ever used a headhunter? If so, I'd appreciate hearing about your experience. Are there any headhunters you'd recommend? I've been sending resumes for positions I've found on job boards, online, etc, and I haven't had any luck. I have a non-profit and project management background, a mba, and I am willing to move anywhere in the world. Ideally I'd like to get out of the non-profit world so I can actually pay my bills and get ahead. Thanks in advance.

[rwa12]

JJ,

I've used them in the past, I'm not in WI, so I'm guessing my guy won't be all that useful to you. These days, I think you almost need one, or a recruiter. So many job boards and online applications lead to a black hole. I've found a recruiter so useful in at least learning about and getting interviews for opportunities. I work for the gov't, so I feel you on getting somewhere that actually "pays" you. I just haven't found the right one yet. Good luck, if you are looking for something in the STL area, I'd be happy to PM you the guy's info.

Rob

[jjkoestler]

Isn't headhunter synonymous to recruiter? Ideally I'm looking to move to Cali, New Orleans, Seattle, or Alaska.

[ewizabeff]

I guess I'm trying to figure out 1)whether I should do it or not and 2) when to start/how long to take. I think my wife is on board with whatever decision I make, now I just have to make one.

Are you in the Milwaukee area? There are plenty of masters and superintendent programs in the area that would let you sit in on a class. I could put you in touch with plenty of administrators I've had classes with if you'd like to chat with them.

[NeedMoreFans]

Are you in the Milwaukee area? There are plenty of masters and superintendent programs in the area that would let you sit in on a class. I could put you in touch with plenty of administrators I've had classes with if you'd like to chat with them.

Unfortunately (well, fortunately in my mind) I live in the Madison area. There are 4 programs over here that I can attend. The biggest question mark for me is would I be happy leaving teaching...What if I become an administrator and hate it? Also, I have a very good relationship with most of my students, and that would be hard to give up as well. I guess I could go through the program and keep my options open.

[dadofandrew]

Decided to get everything ready to send out my cover letter/resume (or take them) to local hotels, and was surprised to read that cover letters for PT jobs are all but unheard of. In fact, sites say you really do not even need a resume, just go in or online and fill out the application.

 

While I was aware this was what happens in the real world, I'm surprised that it's also recommended on employment/writing websites.

[Worm8181]

For part time jobs, you don't want to look over qualified. Cover letters and resumes might help cause this. I do some pt hiring, and prefer that they have one of our applications filled out, because it has all the information I'm looking for in the hiring process.

[dadofandrew]

I used to hire a ton of PT people, and admittedly, did not use letters and resumes, but certainly did not hold it against them.

[mothershipconnection]

I remember giggling when a few HR people called when I was applying for jobs out of grad school. Not one of them could pronounce "curriculum vitae", and that made me realize that they probably never got them from applicants.

[CheezWizHed]

I didn't read through all 5 pages, so forgive me if I duplicate here. But here is my $0.02.

 

Write a specific resume for each specific job you apply for. Not to lie on your resume, but to emphasize specific qualities for that job. Obviously, in order to do that well, you need to know what that job wants (which would be recommendation #2).

 

My company is hiring quite a few people for engineering positions. But they are also being VERY picky about who we get. Not that there are so many candidates that we can choose among a pile of many. But because its so hard to get approval for hiring someone, that people want to be sure you are going to get a someone that can do the job. Less "chance taking" on someone with potential.

 

BTW, if you know of any software engineers that have MatLab/Simulink/Stateflow experience that want to work in Detroit (follow Prince!), let me know! http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif

[ilikewisco]

I have a question for anyone who might have some insight? I am currently attending a Wisconsin university school, majoring in chemistry. I have taken quite a few economics classes as well and am planning on majoring in economics in the school of business there also. I know these two fields are not very related, but it kind of just worked out that this was an option for me. I returned to school after a long lay off and am now in my early 30's, so I don't think graduate school is an option for me.

 

My question is, does anyone have any thoughts on what kind of job opportunities I would be looking at after I graduate? I worked for seven years full time in manufacturing, so I have a record of consistent employment as well. Any help would be appreciated, I have some ideas, but I haven't really heard of anyone with this type of background.

[TooLiveBrew]

I preface this by saying that I have zero knowledge of any chemistry-based professions, but it would seem like someone who could work in the lab AND on the finances would be extremely valuable to a company with needs in both places. Is that something that's really unrealistic? I'd think like a smaller company would really see the value in versatility.

[ilikewisco]

I would think you are right, but I don't really know of any type of lab environment that is small scale. Usually they are associated with a large company, though I could be wrong. Ideally I guess I would like to work on the financial side of a business with a strong background of how the technology of that business works.

[TooLiveBrew]

Even so, (again I'm speaking from no specific experience here), if you could get a job at a big lab, wouldn't you at worst have the opportunity to pursue both avenues? I also still think that, if framed/presented correctly, your versatility could be a strong selling point even to a large operation. I get where you're coming from in asking about this, since finance & chemistry don't exactly share a lot of prerequisites, but still. http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif

I would just guess that a chemist with knowledge of finance or an accountant with knowledge of chemistry would have a solid leg up on a lot of competing job applicants.

[ilikewisco]

That is what I am hoping. Thank you for the response, its kind of an odd situation so I don't know of anyone with similar circumstances. Anyone I talk to at the school says they have never encountered something exactly like this either. One area that interests me much is renewable energies and efficiency in general. I originally went to school in Madison for engineering, and I would have chose that again, but it is not offered where I am going. I am trying to concentrate more on the physical aspects of chemistry pretty much for that reason. Also probably going to carry a minor in physics because it relates closely to my chemistry studies. I kind of got into the business sequence on a whim and enjoyed it. And when I thought about a goal in some sort of "green" technology it all seemed to fit well.

 

Edit: I know in general they fit, but realistically I am having a hard time envisioning a scenario where they would.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Anonymous

[TooLiveBrew]

And when I thought about a goal in some sort of "green" technology it all seemed to fit well.

 

I think your instincts were right on this one. I'd guess many 'green' startups could really use someone like you. It's all about finding where they are... where I can't help in one bit.

[ilikewisco]

I also got in contact with a business that installs solar panels in my area. They have been around for quite a while and the owners are quite knowledgeable. They mentioned to me about MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association), and I plan on looking into it more in the future. I volunteered one day with them over winter break and I may work with them this summer also. They are right across the street from where I live, so it works out great, and they are a great group of people also. If I do pursue the alternative energy field I will definitely keep a close relationship with them. Again, thanks for the responses. It's something I have been thinking about quite a bit and I enjoy to hear of anything I may be overlooking.

[GAME05]

I would think you are right, but I don't really know of any type of lab environment that is small scale.

i work with a pseudo-governmental organization that deals with water use/usage in Texas, and we have a pretty small lab. (actually, i think we're hiring for lab technicians.)

[GAME05]

got a call this morning and the HR lady was very impressed with my resume, even said so twice. i think she mostly called because she wanted to find out if i actually did live 1,000 miles away like my resume indicated. once confirmed, the air kinda went out of that balloon. a phone interview is not an option, and there wasn't much of a reaction when i offered to fly out there because the pay really doesn't merit the expense of flying out there (at least in her opinion, anyway). i think the best route is to check my work schedule tonight, look at flights, call her back and be able to say "hey, i found a flight and i can get there next Wednesday. how would that work?" at the least, as an HR Director, she would be able to say if i'm a top top candidate to make the trip out worth my while, or if i'm kinda so-so and don't have a great chance.

 

i have the feeling that a lot of prospective employers are just disregarding my application since i'm applying for mid- to entry-level work from so far away. stinks to be an out-of-state applicant, but at the same time, i've become much more marketable in the field by taking this job than if i'd stayed closer.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Anonymous

[TooLiveBrew]

Have you had to write any cover letters? If so, have you addressed the distance between the job(s) & your current location? Even if a job doesn't require a cover letter, perhaps in your case (specifically meaning the distance) writing one would be helpful.

[ttsather]

Have you had to write any cover letters? If so, have you addressed the distance between the job(s) & your current location? Even if a job doesn't require a cover letter, perhaps in your case (specifically meaning the distance) writing one would be helpful.

I agree strongly. That is just the type of thing to address in a cover letter. That said, a lot of employers are going to jump immediately to thinking about what it'd take to meet you in person. If it's a serious, salaried position, a lot of employers will go through the expense of flying you out. Many won't and search for local candidates because of that. I used to work in recruiting for a large company, and it's actually putting the recruiter in a tough spot to offer to travel on your own dime, as you're essentially putting the decision about spending hundreds of dollars of your own money in his or her hands. That's awkward for anybody. If you're really serious about it, I'd try to introduce the idea (sort of like you're saying with calling back) in a way that does not put the decision about the expense on that person. You also want to avoid desperation. I remember interviewing candidates now and then who happened to be passing through town (no big deal), but I wouldn't have asked them to do it and I would've felt miserable if I'd gone along with someone offering to fly out and then ended up not hiring them.

[GAME05]

huh. the 'desperation' thing is something a friend also mentioned, though i hadn't considered that it puts HR in a tough spot. when the lady said "so do you want me to just take your name off the pile?" i said i'd still like to be considered (for whatever that's worth). i'm not sure how else to put it other than explaining that the opportunity is valuable enough to me to cover my own flight. and heck, in this market there aren't that many decent opportunities out there. but it wouldn't be the first time i've lost an interview because of distance.

 

going to bed now and will have to decide when i get up on calling her and pushing the flight or not calling at all.

[CheezWizHed]

My question is, does anyone have any thoughts on what kind of job opportunities I would be looking at after I graduate?

 

Like TLB, I have no experience in chemistry related fields. However, I'll just add: Don't limit yourself. College experience is about 80% learning how to learn. When I left college, I had a somewhat narrow view of what I was "qualified" for, but there was a lot more out there that I could do.

 

going to bed now and will have to decide when i get up on calling her and pushing the flight or not calling at all.

 

Of course, if she is going to remove you anyway, being "pushy" might not hurt anything... Good luck!