I might as well throw in my two cents worth. I've learned, through the years, that you get the most job offers when you don't seem to want the job. I learned this principle from a wonderful book, which I highly recommend you read - even if you are happily employed. (Its principles can be applied in many areas.) The name of the book is "What Color Is Your Parachute?". (Silly name -excellent book.) You should be able to find it in your local book store, and you can definitely purchase it online. The key to getting the job you want is to make the employer want you. As someone who hires IT professionals on a regular basis, I can tell you that there are hundreds of candidates, just like each other, who are looking for the same jobs. You have to find a way to distinguish yourself from the crowd. I'm not going to give you all the gory details, but using the principles I learned in "What Color..", years ago I was offered a job as a Truck Line Mechanic at a local Chevrolet dealership. Any of you who have familiarity with that profession will know that it's simply not possible to walk in off the street and get a job like that. You have to earn your way in. Yet I was offered this job sight unseen, over the telephone, without a resume or an application, and I even told the Shop Manager that I had no tools and no professional experience! Despite the fact that I kept giving him reasons *not* to hire me, he kept insisting that those were "problems that can be overcome", and he wanted someone with my "go-getter" attitude. This entire episode was a verbatim scripted session from the book! During that phase of my life, I was offered jobs with seven different local dealerships, in sales, service and parts. All the job offers were unsolicited, and all were turned down. You see, I *knew* who I wanted to work for. I just had to get them to want *me*. When the HR Manager of the company I *wanted* to work for literally begged me to come in for an interview, I almost fell out of my chair. But I accepted their offer, and I gained valuable experience working for them. And I owe all of that to that silly little book. I am now an IT professional, and I don't have to tell you how I got this job, do I? (In case you're wondering, I have no certifications and no degrees - yet.) Now, you *must* have the skills and ability necessary to *do* the job once you're hired, but if the prospective employer has gotten excited about hiring you, lack of knowledge in some areas is a problem that he or she will suggest ways to overcome. It is not a barrier to getting hired. I don't say this often, but read the book. It will change your life. If you want more detail, I'll be happy to correspond with you privately. It *is* possible to get the job of your dreams. You just have to make the employer *want* you. Paul Schmehl paulsat_private http://www.utdallas.edu/~pauls/ Supervisor, Support Services University of Texas at Dallas AVIEN Founding Member
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