Friday, August 22, 2008
Pounding the Pavement...
An article in this week's copy of The Roanoke Times was very interesting - http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/173720. Alex Ballin, a July 2008 graduate of Radford University, has advertised his career search using a sign board in downtown Roanoke. I think that this is a very innovative and creative way to promote oneself in the career search process. Go to where the people are located. While job boards are OK, a job board does not extend a job offer.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Return to Roots
Return to Roots (RTR) is an informative resource for people wanting to return to Southwestern Virginia and are searching for a place to live, work, and play. RTR is a campaign to connect employers in the region to the estimated 15,000 high school alumni who have graduated from high schools in Southwestern Virginia over the past 20 years.
In the 21st century, Southwest Virginia has exploded with new professional career opportunities and this region needs people willing to relocate to the region. Global IT giants Northrop Grumman and CGI are in the process of creating 700+ software development jobs in its' Southwest Virginia facility!!!
Three key areas - defense, health care, and education - need to find skilled workers for career opportunities such as computer programmers, network technicians, database administrators, industrial engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, electricians, and welders.
Funded by a Special Projects grant from the Tobacco Commission, Return to Roots is reaching out to former residents and companies through its web site, a direct mail campaign, and the media to inform prospective employees about employment opportunities existing in the region. Tobacco Commission grant funds are further supporting this transformational effort on multiple fronts. Opportunity Funds have been committed to the CGI and Northrup-Grumman projects, Southwest Economic Development funds are helping turn a former Food Lion grocery store into a training center, and Education grants are being used to train prospective employees in a fast track software development curriculum offered by the region’s community colleges.
Partnering together (colleges, universities, communities, residents, and employers), we can accomplish this goal of bringing our native sons and daughters back home for a high quality of living!
In the 21st century, Southwest Virginia has exploded with new professional career opportunities and this region needs people willing to relocate to the region. Global IT giants Northrop Grumman and CGI are in the process of creating 700+ software development jobs in its' Southwest Virginia facility!!!
Three key areas - defense, health care, and education - need to find skilled workers for career opportunities such as computer programmers, network technicians, database administrators, industrial engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, electricians, and welders.
Funded by a Special Projects grant from the Tobacco Commission, Return to Roots is reaching out to former residents and companies through its web site, a direct mail campaign, and the media to inform prospective employees about employment opportunities existing in the region. Tobacco Commission grant funds are further supporting this transformational effort on multiple fronts. Opportunity Funds have been committed to the CGI and Northrup-Grumman projects, Southwest Economic Development funds are helping turn a former Food Lion grocery store into a training center, and Education grants are being used to train prospective employees in a fast track software development curriculum offered by the region’s community colleges.
Partnering together (colleges, universities, communities, residents, and employers), we can accomplish this goal of bringing our native sons and daughters back home for a high quality of living!
Billable skills
We are currently in a war for talent. Please read the book entitled The War for Talent by Ed Michaels, Helen Handfield-Jones, and Beth Axelrod. The above-mentioned link allows you to read it online. This war for talent focuses on billable skills. Employers want to hire you to make money off of you. What billable skills do you have? foreign language proficiency? sales/marketing? technology? knowledge of a specific system/process?
The #1 question asked in an interview is "Why do you tell me a little bit about yourself?" Employers want to see if there is a "fit" and if there is "chemistry" based upon your response. Have you seen the movie "Goonies" before?
Here is the script....
Francis: Hey kid. I want you to spill your guts. Tell us everything.
Chunk: Everything?
Francis: Everything!
Chunk: Everything. Okay, I'll talk. In third grade I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade I stole my Uncle Max's toupe and I glued it on my face when I played Moses in my Hebrew school play. In fifth grade I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog...
When you go into an interview, do not be Chunk. Employers do not care what you did in elementary school. They want to know your billable skills. How will they make money off of you?
The #1 question asked in an interview is "Why do you tell me a little bit about yourself?" Employers want to see if there is a "fit" and if there is "chemistry" based upon your response. Have you seen the movie "Goonies" before?
Here is the script....
Francis: Hey kid. I want you to spill your guts. Tell us everything.
Chunk: Everything?
Francis: Everything!
Chunk: Everything. Okay, I'll talk. In third grade I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade I stole my Uncle Max's toupe and I glued it on my face when I played Moses in my Hebrew school play. In fifth grade I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog...
When you go into an interview, do not be Chunk. Employers do not care what you did in elementary school. They want to know your billable skills. How will they make money off of you?
Professionals Find Jobs in Rural Hometowns.
Can you hear it? Can you see it? Can you feel it? More and more 20somethings, 30somethings, and 40somethings are heading back home. No, they did not lose their jobs & move back in with Mom & Dad. More people are returning to their roots. An article appeared in dozens and dozens of national newspapers regarding the Return to Roots movement.... http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2008/07/27/professionals_find_jobs_back_in_rural_hometowns/
Mini-technology corridors are springing up from the farm fields in Southwestern Virginia!
Working at Virginia Tech Career Services and Radford University Experiential Learning & Career Services , I would hear hundreds of students say "DC" "Richmond" "Charlotte" "The Beach" or "New York" when I would ask them where they planned to live following their upcoming graduation. Early 20somethings do not see the benefit of the wealth of career opportunities that exist in Southwestern Virginia. Mid 20somethings have a hard time seeing it too. However, once a RU or VT grad gets into his or her late 20s or early 30s, they start thinking about those halcyon days of yesteryear in Blacksburg or Radford or Christiansburg. When you get married, have children, and "find yourself" with regard to your career, you start thinking about what really matters to you in terms of place. While it might have been great to hang out with your fraternity brothers, in Richmond/DC/The Beach, for a few years, you realize that everything is more expensive in the big city (rent, utilities, food, clothing, entertainment, tolls, etc.) than the small town.
Please read the article and post your thoughts on it here!
Mini-technology corridors are springing up from the farm fields in Southwestern Virginia!
Working at Virginia Tech Career Services and Radford University Experiential Learning & Career Services , I would hear hundreds of students say "DC" "Richmond" "Charlotte" "The Beach" or "New York" when I would ask them where they planned to live following their upcoming graduation. Early 20somethings do not see the benefit of the wealth of career opportunities that exist in Southwestern Virginia. Mid 20somethings have a hard time seeing it too. However, once a RU or VT grad gets into his or her late 20s or early 30s, they start thinking about those halcyon days of yesteryear in Blacksburg or Radford or Christiansburg. When you get married, have children, and "find yourself" with regard to your career, you start thinking about what really matters to you in terms of place. While it might have been great to hang out with your fraternity brothers, in Richmond/DC/The Beach, for a few years, you realize that everything is more expensive in the big city (rent, utilities, food, clothing, entertainment, tolls, etc.) than the small town.
Please read the article and post your thoughts on it here!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Did you graduate from Tech or Radford?
For the past two weeks, I have worked as a Recruiting Manager at S.R. Clarke, Inc. We are looking for graduates from Radford University and Virginia Tech from the 1980s, 1990s, and 21st century for full-time, permanent career opportunities at our client sites throughout Southwestern Virginia.
If you have the below mentioned skill sets, or you know someone who does, please have them email me at emelniczek@gmail.com. Thanks!
Senior Design Engineer (Blacksburg) - Our client is an engineering, product development, and manufacuting company that serves the international food service and appliance industry. They specialize in power electronics and magnetics - the building blocks of induction heating technology. Due to growth, they seek a senior-level individual to help spearhead engineering. Ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five years of experience in power electronics and digital circuit design with experience in single ended and full bridge circuit design used with induction cookers. Advanced degree would be a plus. Ability to communicate with a facility in China is desirable as well.
Software Engineer (Lynchburg) - Our client is an industry powerhouse with an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by innovation and collaboration. The specific division is the wireless division specializing in Land Mobile Radios (LMR). Due to major growth, we have immediate needs for all levels of software engineers. Candidate must possess a computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering degree with at least three years of experience in developing MS Windows applications. The product lines are written primarily in the .NET framework. Common tools include C#, C, C++, SQL Server, STL, Win32, UML type tools, CLR and a variety of IP and networking protocols. Ideal candidate is one who is interested in a slower pace of life in a very affordable area.
Project Application Engineers (nationwide) - Our client is an industry powerhouse with an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by innovation and collaboration. The specific division is the wireless division specializing in Land Mobile Radios (LMR). We are seeking several product application engineers to design and implex complex IP-based radio systems that satisfy specific requirements with guidance from the lead Engineers and Team Leader. The hire will work with systems involving company and vendor equipment, and typically including IP networks, microwave links, wireless data, RF antenna subsystems, 911 dispatch, and other custom design peripheral subsystems. He or she will provide systems engineering support after the contract award, including final design and equipment selection, implementation, documentation, factory support/testing, on-site support/testing, and as-built documentation. Candidate must have a four year degree and these skills: telecommunications, TDMA, and FDMA technology, two way radio systems knowledge, LAN/WAN and IP system level network design, LMR systems design, and C++/Assembly programming
Java/J2EE (Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg)
One specific area of our search expertise is in the JAVA space. We currently hvae multiple clients with needs in this discipline. All are permanent jobs at really cool and stable companies. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years of experience and strong Object oriented foundation. Candidate must have proven experience with C, C++, and Java building emerging and innovative applications and/or tools. Position needs range from developers (GUI and back-end) to testers, systems engineers, and lead roles to include management
.NET developers (Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg)
One specific area of our search expertise is in the .NET space. We currently have multiple clients with immediate needs in this discipline. All are permanent jobs. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years of experience and proven experience with C, C++, C#, asp.net, vb.net, ado.net, SQL server, etc. Some positions are geared around pure web applications and others are pure product development. Position needs are software developers, testers, systems engineers, and management.
Again, if you have an interest in one or more of the above mentioned positions, please e-mail me to chat. Thanks!
If you have the below mentioned skill sets, or you know someone who does, please have them email me at emelniczek@gmail.com. Thanks!
Senior Design Engineer (Blacksburg) - Our client is an engineering, product development, and manufacuting company that serves the international food service and appliance industry. They specialize in power electronics and magnetics - the building blocks of induction heating technology. Due to growth, they seek a senior-level individual to help spearhead engineering. Ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five years of experience in power electronics and digital circuit design with experience in single ended and full bridge circuit design used with induction cookers. Advanced degree would be a plus. Ability to communicate with a facility in China is desirable as well.
Software Engineer (Lynchburg) - Our client is an industry powerhouse with an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by innovation and collaboration. The specific division is the wireless division specializing in Land Mobile Radios (LMR). Due to major growth, we have immediate needs for all levels of software engineers. Candidate must possess a computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering degree with at least three years of experience in developing MS Windows applications. The product lines are written primarily in the .NET framework. Common tools include C#, C, C++, SQL Server, STL, Win32, UML type tools, CLR and a variety of IP and networking protocols. Ideal candidate is one who is interested in a slower pace of life in a very affordable area.
Project Application Engineers (nationwide) - Our client is an industry powerhouse with an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by innovation and collaboration. The specific division is the wireless division specializing in Land Mobile Radios (LMR). We are seeking several product application engineers to design and implex complex IP-based radio systems that satisfy specific requirements with guidance from the lead Engineers and Team Leader. The hire will work with systems involving company and vendor equipment, and typically including IP networks, microwave links, wireless data, RF antenna subsystems, 911 dispatch, and other custom design peripheral subsystems. He or she will provide systems engineering support after the contract award, including final design and equipment selection, implementation, documentation, factory support/testing, on-site support/testing, and as-built documentation. Candidate must have a four year degree and these skills: telecommunications, TDMA, and FDMA technology, two way radio systems knowledge, LAN/WAN and IP system level network design, LMR systems design, and C++/Assembly programming
Java/J2EE (Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg)
One specific area of our search expertise is in the JAVA space. We currently hvae multiple clients with needs in this discipline. All are permanent jobs at really cool and stable companies. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years of experience and strong Object oriented foundation. Candidate must have proven experience with C, C++, and Java building emerging and innovative applications and/or tools. Position needs range from developers (GUI and back-end) to testers, systems engineers, and lead roles to include management
.NET developers (Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg)
One specific area of our search expertise is in the .NET space. We currently have multiple clients with immediate needs in this discipline. All are permanent jobs. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years of experience and proven experience with C, C++, C#, asp.net, vb.net, ado.net, SQL server, etc. Some positions are geared around pure web applications and others are pure product development. Position needs are software developers, testers, systems engineers, and management.
Again, if you have an interest in one or more of the above mentioned positions, please e-mail me to chat. Thanks!
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