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The Expert Responds
This page is reserved for responses to interesting questions submitted by our surfers. Following are a few of the more interesting queries we've had recently, with our boss' response. The original inquiries are displayed verbatim, typos and all. Just a reminder that penmanship (even on the net) is still of major interest to some of us old timers.
Mike's question was short and sweet:
Question: hi i am mike and i am 13 years old. i would like a job in lancaster. do you have any jobs avalible
The headhunter's reply:
Mike: We work in the computer field and find that almost all of our clients are looking for experience in that field, so I can't say we have any jobs of interest to you. However, I can suggest something. Due to the labor laws related to age of employment, unless you have a family business to work in, your best bet is probably the Buffalo News and/or USA Today. Both are always looking for route people - my son worked for the news for almost a year, learned some good self - discipline, how to balance his own books, etc. While the schedule isn't the best, I can recommend it highly. Unfortunately, that is about the best you'll be able to do for at least two or three years. Good luck!!
Another Mike (not as easy an answer):
Question: I LIVE in Buffalo and I continue to be frustrated - I have a Masters, 13 years experience and a good work record - why do my best offers come from California and Texas? I WANT to stay here (family) but when someone in Dallas uses double my curent salary in a sentence how can you stay? Why are so many firms in this area so tight?
The headhunter's reply:
I could write a book about it. No simple answer to your question - cost of living certainly contributes to it. I placed a young woman recently from San Francisco who gladly took a 15% pay cut to be closer to family - the 15% cut really amounted to a healthy raise (One bedroom apts there start at @$1K+). Another young lady who wanted to move here from Chicago eliminated a 90 minute (each way) commute and saw a 40% lower cost of living.
That all said, the reason firms here are so tight is because they can afford to be. The job market is one of the most cut and dried supply and demand environments I've ever seen. If you don't want the job at $X, someone else, with equal or better qualifications, will take it. Even when we are short of people (as is starting to happen in some industries) the employers know that they can wait a month or so and have someone well qualified turn up, willing to work for their planned range.
You've got to decide whether you can afford to live in Dallas on 2x your salary and are willing to put up with the heat and humidity and distance from family. A surprising number of people make the decision to stay here. Not sure why, and I'm one of them.
Good luck on the search.
Jean's question:
I am a female truck driver. I am having trouble finding employment in this industry. I have gotten a few employers that won't hire me because they would prefer a man. This is very frustrating, I need a job just like the men do! What can I do to snag a job in the local job market?
The headhunter's reply:
As you can probably note from the site, we're an IT (information technology) driven organization. So, I'm not going to claim to know a lot about the trucking industry.
That said, if I were looking, I'd start with the school or organization where I got my training - they should have a "placement" person and undoubtedly get inquiries from the trucking companies for recent graduates. Not knowing the industry, I'd guess that you shouldn't start with the biggest firms, who typically look for someone with several years of experience. Might have better luck with smaller, local haul firms at first - to get enough experience to qualify in a few years for the big ones. Finally, I'd start surfing the net for a chat group or referral service. Try keying in: ("Truck driver" and jobs and groups) at the Dogpile web search site (http://www.dogpile.com/) I just did and got a bunch of hits that might be of interest to you.
Lisa asked:
I was reading your advice regarding Ikon and I was wondering what you think of New Horizons Computer Learning Centers? I was there the other day and was quite impressed.
The headhunter's reply:
I'd just learned that New Horizons was back in Buffalo. The current IKON center kind of spun off of a former NH center about five years ago, when IKON bought the franchise company in Buffalo which owned the local NH franchise.
To my knowledge - NH is a strong, national firm with good educational programs available. In the future I'll be glad to recommend both (along with ITT - which has a broader based technical school here but one which teaches very good IT programs as well).
Another question:
Hi Jack. I am considering a career change from Engineering into IT. There are so many different areas - in your opinion what are the best/most lucrative IT areas to train in and consequently what courses/local tuition centers would you recommend. Thank you in advance for your advice.
The headhunter's reply:
At the risk of being flip - don't get the cart before the horse. The words "best/most lucrative IT areas" may be mutually exclusive for you. The key to anyone's decisions on career should be their level of job satisfaction. If you're really happy in a job, the money will (eventually, if not immediately) follow.
If you change to an IT career for the $, you may not be successful - a lot of the effectiveness of any individual in his/her job is a function of how much s/he likes the work. Having said all that, the next question is one of ability to learn the business. IT is almost more of an art than a science. I've seen geniuses who couldn't code to save their lives - high school grads who could design the most beautiful applications on the fly.
Depending on how much computer exposure you have right now and how much time you have to devote to the change, I'd suggest contacting ECC or SUNYaB about: 1) aptitude testing and 2) "selective" courses which might make you functional more quickly.
Good luck on your decision.
Russ asked:
Hi i was wondering if there is somewhere on the inernet that could help me with a resime. I am looking for somewhere that could guide through into making a good resime. Thanks
The headhunter's reply:
Assuming that you are local, there are a number of excellent books available at the main branch of the Erie County Public Library (William St. downtown - "Lifelong Learning Center").
On the net, I'd surf with a search tool (my favorite is Dogpile.) A search there (terms: "resume preparation") turned up a number of sites who will help you for a fee - not necessary - and a couple of decent free sites:
About.com has one: http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/resumes/index.htm
Another is at: http://www.10minuteresume.com/ and is apparently free - may be a catch to it.
Some schools have resume prep info on their sites.
One is at: http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocecs/CRC/manual/resumes.html
One employer (Fairchild) even offers one for potential employees - try it at: http://www.fairchildsemi.com/cgi-bin/resume_builder.cgi
With the books at the library and the free services on the net, you shouldn't have to pay to put together a very nice resume.
Stacey asked:
I'm interested in a postal carrier position any tips? I will accept full time or substitute. thank you
The headhunter's reply:
Best suggestion would be to head over to your nearest post office. Don't just ask for an application - ask for the station manager - tell him/her that you're interested and would like to know how to apply/prepare for the test etc. I'd go there dressed professionally - you're kind of forcing an interview - and let the individual know that you are sincerely interested in a career with the USPS. The WORST you can do is get someone to hand you an application and testing data. If you're lucky, you'll make a new friend who might help you in the application process. (People ALWAYS want to help - it's human nature). Good luck on the search.
Whatever you do, keep doing the right thing. You may not win, but you'll keep your enemies guessing.
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