On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:02:52 +0100, Orchid XP v8 wrote:

>> But for fiction writers that I know, having a manuscript is generally
>> considered the norm (so it seems to me).
> 
> Heh. Almost makes it sound like I could just sit here, write some crap
> about crap, give it to a publisher and make a stack of money. :-D
> 
> I rather doubt it's quite that easy though... ;-)

Have you read some of the crap that gets published?  The trick is to be 
able to just toss the rejection letters out and move on to the next 
publisher until you find one that is willing to publish the crap.  :-)

>>>> 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.
>> 
>> It's important to choose your words carefully.
> 
> That's what I'm getting at, yes.
> 
> You can describe your qualifications in a few short abbreviations, and
> this puts across what you know. [Stop laughing at the back there!] But
> explaining stuff you don't have a little certificate for is much harder.

Not really.  I provided you with one example a couple messages earlier.  
Here's something from and old version of my CV:

"Have experience in resolving critical server problems with NetWare 3-6, 
having used techniques outlined in various Application Notes issues and 
sessions held at BrainShare in 1995."

And another:

"Experienced in the use of protocol analyzers including Novell’s 
LANalyzer for Windows, Network Associates’ Sniffer, and Ethereal to 
troubleshoot network problems and monitor network performance."

And something that shows a personal drive:

"Operate a lab of my own at home with NetWare 6, 5, and 4 products 
installed, as well as cross-platform directory services on Linux and 
Windows platforms."

Now, in the education section of my CV, I list:

"EDUCATION
Aerospace Engineering / Aviation Computer Science
1989-1993
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, Florida

Activities: Elected Vice-President of the Student Chapter of the 
Association for Computing Machinery, and elected to the position of 
Student Liaison to the Computer Science Department within the 
association.  Participated in the 1992 Southeast Regional Programming 
Contest held by the ACM."

I didn't earn my degree, but I was there from the fall of 1989 to the 
spring of 1993.  There's nothing here that even remotely suggests a 
formal education in computer networking, protocol analysis, or the like.

>> One of the things about a
>> limited space to enter that in is you can get an idea (as a prospective
>> employer) about the ability of the candidate to say a lot with few
>> words.
> 
> Probably, yes. I tend to whaffle a lot. :-P

If you mean you tend to be verbose - I do as well (you can see that from 
some of the posts I write here).  It takes practice to say things in a 
succinct manner, and often takes rewriting.  If I'm writing something 
that's particularly important, I tend to revise my text a few times 
before sending it.  I also often will ask someone to read what I've 
written to find out if it makes sense to someone other than me.

>> country they're in, and on the other side of the planet.  Logically, it
>> must not be impossible to do.
> 
> Like I said, I'm looking at Oxford. I'd prefer not to move to Bristol or
> Leeds, but Oxford would probably be OK.

Oh, were you thinking of moving if you got the job in Oxford?  If so, 
that's a great step forward. :-)  But I'm talking about broadening your 
search to find something that leverages your skills regardless of 
location.

What I would do (in your shoes) is start by saying "what do I want to do" 
and then using one of the job search sites (and LinkedIn) to see where 
jobs like that are.  Then I'd go and look to see what the cost of living 
is like, salaries in the area and in that profession are like, and what 
it's like to live in the area (for broad definitions of "the area" - if 
the job were in, say, San Francisco, I know I would likely not make 
enough for a place to live there, so I'd look in the less expensive 
suburbs and see if average cost of living matched up with an expected 
salary based on available data).

I might even visit the place to see if I like it - if I could afford to 
do so.  Or look for people I know online who live in the area or have 
been there to get some opinions.

I'd be unlikely to do that now because I have family where I am now (not 
parents, but wife and stepson), certainly not without consultation of the 
others I live with since it would be a family choice.  But being young 
and single as you are, those considerations aren't things I'd include.

>>>> 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...
>> 
>> You'd be surprised.  I work for a pretty big company (compared to
>> Wolfram, certainly; Wolfram reportedly has about 400 employees, at
>> least in their US headquarters), and things like this do get noticed (I
>> know because I've referred people for jobs here before).  Independent
>> initiative/self-motivation is a very strongly sought after
>> characteristic in employees because it means less time having to manage
>> the employee, which equates to a more productive employee.
> 
> Heh, well, depends on the company culture I guess. 

I've worked for a few companies, and even the ones I thought were awful 
places to work valued not having to babysit employees (which is what 
happens when the employee has no initiative).  It's a financial decision 
- if you have to hire someone to babysit someone else, it costs you money 
and detracts from the bottom line.

> (And how good their
> internal communication is.) Anyway, I'll give it a try at some point...

Do. :-)

Jim

Post a reply to this message