>> I'm puzzled as to how somebody with no formal qualifications gets to
>> write a book.
> 
> Well, I said "co-author".  My co-author asked me if I was interested 
> because he was impressed with my level of knowledge.

Ah. So it's a question of knowing the right people then.

>> If there's a box asking what qualifications you have, and another box
>> asking what commercial experience you have, it's very hard to convey
>> that you're not just some loser kid who wants a job, and that you
>> actually know stuff about stuff, even though you don't have the
>> credentials "on paper" to prove it.
> 
> The 300 word application box is a foot in the door.  It's not the entire 
> interview process.  They learn the details after the first step is done.

Not if you're unsufficiently impressive to get an interview.

>>> If you'd expand the scope of your search, that would certainly help.
>> Such as...?
> 
> Broader scope of locations for a start.  If I limited myself to 
> businesses within a 4 block radius (not saying you are that restricted in 
> your scope, but I live in a larger city), I'd probably have a hard time 
> finding something, too.

Well, I'm currently looking at Wolfram in Oxford. That's about 30 miles 
or something. I'd prefer a job in my home town, but I don't mind 
something slightly further away.

I don't care how much you pay me, I am NOT working in London.

>> You're looking at Wolfram Research Inc. I applied to Wolfram Alpha LLC.
>> Different company. ;-)
> 
> Same company, different department/division.  There's a high probability 
> they're in the same building, and if they're not, there's also a high 
> probability that the person you talk to at reception at the number on the 
> site I found (or via the e-mail address I found) can point you in the 
> right direction.
> 
>> IIRC, Wolfram Research does have a little more contact info readily
>> available.
> 
> Yes, and that's a starting point.  Call the number and say you'd like to 
> speak to someone about your submitted application on the Wolfram|Alpha 
> site, and if that person is in that office location, they'll connect 
> you.  If they're not, then ask if they have a phone number that you can 
> call for the other office because you'd like to follow up on your 
> application.
> 
> That shows initiative (and follow-through), and employers like that.

All true in theory. In practice, applying to such a vast company, I 
doubt anybody is going to notice. I also rather suspect most of their HR 
will be in the USA. But it's worth a go I guess...

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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