Wednesday, May 06, 2009

How to find a new tech job

I must link to this post by Phil Montgomery, Marketing Guru and Tech Enthusiast.

An excerpt:

How to find a new tech job

Once you know what you are looking for, here are some suggestions, based on my own recent experience:
  1. Don't let your ego dictate that you need the job with the biggest salary or biggest title. Choose the role based on your career roadmap and best fit - the happier you are, with the best fit, will produce the best long term opportunities.
  2. Linkedin is easily the best job and contact finding service. Change your profile to show that you are now looking - insert a dummy company that says "looking for the next opportunity". Search the jobs available regularly, and apply for anything that looks promising. Recruiters regularly scan linked in looking for candidates.
  3. Make sure you have Linkedin recommendations, and ask for them before you need them.
  4. Always reply to recruiters, and build a relationship - even if you are happily employed. Recruiters remember people who helped them fill positions by recommendations.
  5. Update your resume to two pages maximum. Remember that the aim of the resume is to get an interview, not the job. Be as results focused as possible, and have friends and colleagues critique the document.
Some of the most fantastic (and common sense) tips I have ever read about job interviews and job hunting. I agree with almost everything he says, including the part about using LinkedIn well and presenting non-confidential material to demonstrate past success.


"Brijj", a LinkedIn like feature on Indian job portal Naukri.com


Big salaries and big titles (even big companies) can be the biggest seduction, especially early on in the career. Fresh out of college, you generally have no clue about what you want to do or what technology excites you (but for a lucky few who know at the age of 12!). In my experience, I just waddled till the right breaks came through.

As a 10 year veteran now (ahem!), this is the advise I'd generally give to freshers:

Join a big, branded company for the first 2-3 years. With the credibility behind you, spend the next 3-4 years in a small company or start-up. No place lets you learn as much about diverse things, as a small company. Use that opportunity, at every turn. By the 6th year or so, you'd have a fairly good idea what you want to do next. Depending on that goal, let your 3rd company be a big player or an exciting start-up. Try and stay there for the next 10-12 years or more....

If you happen to fall into Plan B, do not despair. Join a smaller firm out of college, the best thing to do is slog it out as much as you can in the initial 2-3 years. Take on every task, related and unrelated. This experience usually gets you into the established companies that need the "grass root" skills only you have. By the 6th year, you should be able to get back to Plan A.

Do not let petty thoughts of politics and exploitation distract you. I don't know if its ambition or just too much TV, I see more young people now than before worry about that at the start of their career. Believe me, at that level you are too insignificant to be picked on. Everyone gets equally ragged, no discrimination there, and in many cases it actually helps you 'evolve'. If they make you work 14 hours a day and reuse your skills as a delivery-boy, that's just a perk of the job. Bet you heard that "builds character" speech already, eh? It's true :-)

For the remaining tips, I encourage you to head over to that article now.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Useful post!
I agree completely with your suggestion about joining a small firm. A big name might give you a big start but it does take away the freedom and opportunities that a small company offers, but then that is true only when you already have a few years of experience in your profile.
Was a little surprised after reading about LinkedIn. Is it really THAT useful/important?

G said...

LinkedIn? am i outdated or what! am still browsing naukri, monster, jobstreet.. and no denying that a startup or a small company lets you learn immensely!!! can swear by that any day!

Mama - Mia said...

great stuff there! you have to be terribly lucky to KNOW what you wanna do and then actually GET to do it!

most keep drifting and waiti9ng for the right thing to happen!

cheers!

abha

Rahi Jain said...

Right thing at right time... thanx

i needed that stuff as i am right out of the college and feeling the same.

One thing i want to ask is how useful is opensource in job hunting and attending the conference talks like barcamo and proto to make links?

Swati said...

Very nice post and useful too !

Vidooshak said...

LinkedIn is definitely emerging as the most reliable job tool. The fact that you get a full "sense" of the person, his accomplishments, his contacts and his recommendations far outstrips the traditional job portals. Naukri.com is trying add a social network component to it's portal now.

Incidentally, I got my current job through LinkedIn. Interestingly, I never received any parallel information for the opening through Naukri, Monster, etc.

G said...

cant thnk u enuf for this article! am just exploring LiinkedIn and i see all my seniors out there...now tht i am bck to job search after 2 long years, was wondering how to call them up suddenly out of the blue ... but now i know how i can get in touch non-intrusively.... thnks a ton and yeah, i think i'll get in touch for more gyan :)

The HR Store said...

Great Post!

I've been hiring for long enough to realize that LinkedIn's never been more useful/helpful than now. Hired great folks from there & will continue to do my searches regularly.

Hope LinkedIn doesn't change its business model anytime soon!

Cheers,
The HR Store

Toonfactory said...

Creative Job Hunt ke liye kuchh aisa Gurumantra milega kya??

Vidooshak said...

@Toon

Creative jobs are a lot more cut-throat than tech. Why do you think I opted for the shelter of a boring lab? There is just too much risk and frustration in doing something creative and getting APPRECIATED for it. Getting PAID for it is a whole different challenge.

I salute you guys who stick by your passion and produce great art. Eventually. Good luck, boss!

The HR Store said...

Can you mail me at thehrstore@gmail.com? I have a proposal for you ;)

The HR Store said...
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