Hello All,
I would like to wade into the debate about Ottawa jobs. Not all hope is
loss, so don't give up. I offer these words of encouragement and hopefully
some insight. Sorry for the length, but now that I'm on the soap box, I
should say something useful.
I too was cut from the Hi-Tech work force in July 2001. In what can only
be said as a degrading and awful way. That's right, to my cube with a box
and escorted out of the building. No exit interview, no so called
enlightened HR practices, (but in fairness this had nothing to do with the
local HR director and everything to do with the director of IT in San
Jose), just chop and boot! Was I bitter? Dam right I was. And I had the
right to be.
So I decided to enjoy the summer with my family, and enjoy my forced
holiday. I went on EI and watched it run dry, sure I did a stint with
Nortel because they dropped the tech support to positively ridicules
levels and got buried in there own short sightedness. But that was it.
About three months ago I got word that my wife's employment (contract) was
running out, and by Aug. we would both be unemployed. Mortgage, car,
school, kids, etc. on the line, things looked bleak.
I, like many of you, were complete disillusioned by the apparent lack of
jobs in Ottawa. I did the headhunter thing and found only two agencies
worth dealing with. I tried the federal government, and frankly I can not
see how anyone actually gets to work for them. If there is any
organization in this country that needs to learn how to recruit and retain
good people the feds are it.
But now I was very motivated to find work. I was coming to the end of EI,
and once Aug. was done all cash flow was off and I was faced with a high
burn rate. I needed to change the way I looked for work.
NO MORE HEADHUNTERS / AGENCIES or what every they call themselves. Your
wasting valuable time. Go to the sources, the companies themselves. Some
organizations are quietly hiring without posting to the job boards, and
groups, sometimes they don't even post on there own web sites. All they
usually have is "we are always looking for talent" or something like that.
Here is what I did:
1 Find a company you want to work for
2. Email the CV or Fax it or what ever
3. In 2 days follow up, ... not for the job, but to confirm they got your
CV usually the receptionist will give you the HR persons name by then,
maybe even the extension. YES SUCK UP TO the receptionist, blow this one
and your dead in the water.
4 Contact the HR person, talk to them, confirm they have your CV, it makes
them look through the hundreds of CVs they have, and guess who will have
your CV in there hands at this point. If they can't find it, get his/her
email and send one (if you have cable or DSL send it as your talking to
them). Ask if you look like a good fit.
5. Ask when they plan on filling the job. NOTE: any HR rep that can not
give you a ball park time is wasting your time, move on. Don't be rude,
just move on. You may want to follow up in a week or two and see if things
have changed. If not, it's vapor ware, just move on.
6. If you have the time frame, work the HR rep, call, email anything to
get them to keep checking your CV. And ask if you are still being
considered. If the answer is no move on that why your not waiting for
someone to call. This may sound pushy but I was able to get 2 cold call
interviews with this technique alone. The important this is to get the
interview, once your in the office focus on how your talents will fit the
open position ... focus on them!
NOTE: you may find yourself interviewing for jobs you normally would not
consider (because of pay or reputation or what ever) but do them. In only
two interview I was able to sharpen my interview presentation skill to a
point were my confidence in the process and my skill were showing through.
IT REALLY HELPS.
7. Now when you get a serious opportunity your ready! Go to the interview,
shine, and in one day, remember to follow up, thank the interviewer for
their time. DO IT, it shows respect and it lets them know your serous
about the job.
8. At this point your on your own, if you get the call back for the second
interview, your in the running, it's all up to your skill and personal
presentation. Good LUCK !
One quick thought, Gentlemen put on a suit for the first interview, I'm a
UNIX Sys Admin, in my world golf shirts and Bermuda shorts are considered
over dressing. PUT ON A SUIT AN TIE for men it's the GREAT EQUALIZER.
(Sorry ladies I have no grounds to give your advice on this matter, my
wife tells me the outfits I like here to wear make her look like she is
part of that oldest of profession ;-)
I hope some of this was helpful and not just pointing out the obvious, I
got a great job this way with a great company that I'm planning to be with
for a long time. I'm starting before my wifes contract ends. Yes, I did
have some luck, but I think my attitude, determination, and skills had
something to do with too. And it only took 3 months or real job hunting.
I'm almost 40 and I've been through a couple economic down turns before.
This one is no different, recent grads with limited experience trying to
find work in a tight market have always been in that position, middle
career guys like me racing to keep your skills current and relevant is
nothing new. Headhunters, agencies, recruiters, etc. are OK when times are
good, but in this market, YOU need to make it happen don't wait for a
call, make the call, network as may people as you can, and stay positive.
I've attached some boards I used to track down companies and real jobs.
Good Luck to you all.
http://www.jobsonsight.com/CDNITA.HTM
http://www.praxis-training.com/
(go the the "Tech Employment Vortal" on left side of page)
http://www.carleton.ca/startupsportal/ http://www.omnet.ca/employment.htm
PS: If your EI is running out soon, try to get on their business start up
program, they help you start your own company (with your capital of
course), but they let you earn income while extending your EI for another
full year, they can even cover child care costs. Call EI and ask about it
if your thinking of self employment.
I would like to wade into the debate about Ottawa jobs. Not all hope is
loss, so don't give up. I offer these words of encouragement and hopefully
some insight. Sorry for the length, but now that I'm on the soap box, I
should say something useful.
I too was cut from the Hi-Tech work force in July 2001. In what can only
be said as a degrading and awful way. That's right, to my cube with a box
and escorted out of the building. No exit interview, no so called
enlightened HR practices, (but in fairness this had nothing to do with the
local HR director and everything to do with the director of IT in San
Jose), just chop and boot! Was I bitter? Dam right I was. And I had the
right to be.
So I decided to enjoy the summer with my family, and enjoy my forced
holiday. I went on EI and watched it run dry, sure I did a stint with
Nortel because they dropped the tech support to positively ridicules
levels and got buried in there own short sightedness. But that was it.
About three months ago I got word that my wife's employment (contract) was
running out, and by Aug. we would both be unemployed. Mortgage, car,
school, kids, etc. on the line, things looked bleak.
I, like many of you, were complete disillusioned by the apparent lack of
jobs in Ottawa. I did the headhunter thing and found only two agencies
worth dealing with. I tried the federal government, and frankly I can not
see how anyone actually gets to work for them. If there is any
organization in this country that needs to learn how to recruit and retain
good people the feds are it.
But now I was very motivated to find work. I was coming to the end of EI,
and once Aug. was done all cash flow was off and I was faced with a high
burn rate. I needed to change the way I looked for work.
NO MORE HEADHUNTERS / AGENCIES or what every they call themselves. Your
wasting valuable time. Go to the sources, the companies themselves. Some
organizations are quietly hiring without posting to the job boards, and
groups, sometimes they don't even post on there own web sites. All they
usually have is "we are always looking for talent" or something like that.
Here is what I did:
1 Find a company you want to work for
2. Email the CV or Fax it or what ever
3. In 2 days follow up, ... not for the job, but to confirm they got your
CV usually the receptionist will give you the HR persons name by then,
maybe even the extension. YES SUCK UP TO the receptionist, blow this one
and your dead in the water.
4 Contact the HR person, talk to them, confirm they have your CV, it makes
them look through the hundreds of CVs they have, and guess who will have
your CV in there hands at this point. If they can't find it, get his/her
email and send one (if you have cable or DSL send it as your talking to
them). Ask if you look like a good fit.
5. Ask when they plan on filling the job. NOTE: any HR rep that can not
give you a ball park time is wasting your time, move on. Don't be rude,
just move on. You may want to follow up in a week or two and see if things
have changed. If not, it's vapor ware, just move on.
6. If you have the time frame, work the HR rep, call, email anything to
get them to keep checking your CV. And ask if you are still being
considered. If the answer is no move on that why your not waiting for
someone to call. This may sound pushy but I was able to get 2 cold call
interviews with this technique alone. The important this is to get the
interview, once your in the office focus on how your talents will fit the
open position ... focus on them!
NOTE: you may find yourself interviewing for jobs you normally would not
consider (because of pay or reputation or what ever) but do them. In only
two interview I was able to sharpen my interview presentation skill to a
point were my confidence in the process and my skill were showing through.
IT REALLY HELPS.
7. Now when you get a serious opportunity your ready! Go to the interview,
shine, and in one day, remember to follow up, thank the interviewer for
their time. DO IT, it shows respect and it lets them know your serous
about the job.
8. At this point your on your own, if you get the call back for the second
interview, your in the running, it's all up to your skill and personal
presentation. Good LUCK !
One quick thought, Gentlemen put on a suit for the first interview, I'm a
UNIX Sys Admin, in my world golf shirts and Bermuda shorts are considered
over dressing. PUT ON A SUIT AN TIE for men it's the GREAT EQUALIZER.
(Sorry ladies I have no grounds to give your advice on this matter, my
wife tells me the outfits I like here to wear make her look like she is
part of that oldest of profession ;-)
I hope some of this was helpful and not just pointing out the obvious, I
got a great job this way with a great company that I'm planning to be with
for a long time. I'm starting before my wifes contract ends. Yes, I did
have some luck, but I think my attitude, determination, and skills had
something to do with too. And it only took 3 months or real job hunting.
I'm almost 40 and I've been through a couple economic down turns before.
This one is no different, recent grads with limited experience trying to
find work in a tight market have always been in that position, middle
career guys like me racing to keep your skills current and relevant is
nothing new. Headhunters, agencies, recruiters, etc. are OK when times are
good, but in this market, YOU need to make it happen don't wait for a
call, make the call, network as may people as you can, and stay positive.
I've attached some boards I used to track down companies and real jobs.
Good Luck to you all.
http://www.jobsonsight.com/CDNITA.HTM
http://www.praxis-training.com/
(go the the "Tech Employment Vortal" on left side of page)
http://www.carleton.ca/startupsportal/ http://www.omnet.ca/employment.htm
PS: If your EI is running out soon, try to get on their business start up
program, they help you start your own company (with your capital of
course), but they let you earn income while extending your EI for another
full year, they can even cover child care costs. Call EI and ask about it
if your thinking of self employment.
