Computer Industry? (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara: sales, salary, live in)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Alright, so I was just tipped off in the general Cali forum that San Jose is where it's at when it comes to the computer industry. I'll be graduating in December from K-State and I want a sales job on the west coast for a company in the general technology sector. I know about a bunch of the big dogs (fortune 500) but I was just wondering how to find what smaller and possibly up and coming tech businesses are located in SJ. I'm most interested in computers, phones, the technology and innovation that drives them, and other technological infrastructure. Also I'm interested in the companies who are notable for their corporate citizenship; taking care of the community, environment, and whatnot. Motorola and Qualcomm are high on my list right now. It's pretty hard to find this stuff without some help, so I appreciate all that I can get!
How can we get job in California? I am from Philippines working here in UAE. I just wanted to know of how can I get there and found a good job.
Do you have any websites or agency that may able to help me in getting there. I love America!!!
The American government, because it has a tough time reconciling reality with the wishes of the masses, greatly limits the number of work visas allowed.
Silicon valley would be happy to let in a lot more creative, talented foreigners. Silicon Valley is all about how good you are. Unfortunately, the decisions are made over 2000 miles away.
Stanford's engineering PhD programs have been >50% foreign-born immigrants for some 25+yrs.....and doubt many Stanford PhD alums have ever chosen to leave US (or even SV) post-graduation....figuring out immigration nonsense isn't as difficult as claimed....
Suspect tech cos. play a delicate game of public protests vs maximizing economic efficiencies....
Many lower-end engineering jobs are better outsourced into far cheaper Dallas, Phoenix, India, etc where plenty of less intelligent, but cheaper, engineers exist for grunt work than in high-cost, high-IQ SiliconValley....shareholders of these cos. prob expect nothing less.....kinda wasteful paying Stanford-caliber wages/stock options to a grunt engineer who adds far less value....
The IT industry in general is down right now and since everyone wants to move to Silicon Valley the pay scale is lower than Bostonr, Houston, Colorado (unless you are extremely specialized) google for instance pays below average since everyone wants to work for them. Look at the discussions on dice.com.
Alright, so I was just tipped off in the general Cali forum that San Jose is where it's at when it comes to the computer industry. I'll be graduating in December from K-State and I want a sales job on the west coast for a company in the general technology sector. I know about a bunch of the big dogs (fortune 500) but I was just wondering how to find what smaller and possibly up and coming tech businesses are located in SJ. I'm most interested in computers, phones, the technology and innovation that drives them, and other technological infrastructure. Also I'm interested in the companies who are notable for their corporate citizenship; taking care of the community, environment, and whatnot. Motorola and Qualcomm are high on my list right now. It's pretty hard to find this stuff without some help, so I appreciate all that I can get!
You have to be resourceful, persistent, creative, and think of ways to distinguish yourself. In the early 90s, I used to interview candidates for software jobs at the big job fair in Santa Clara at the Convention Center run by Westech. At times, there were some 900 companies there looking for people. As the decade wore on, I began seeing more an more foreign labor showing up for interviews. All were very professional, exceptionally qualified (2 Masters degrees for instance), and aggressive. I found it hard to see how any of these candidates could be refused. They were that impressive. This increased until I interviewed my replacements, two younger Indian software developers. I was laid off soon after they were hired. Good for them. Good for me too because I was ready to go on to better things.
Now I find a preference for cheaper foreign labor and an overwhelming acceptance of workers with Visas, like those from India. You are likely to be interviewed by an Indian or an Asian, interviews that get very technical. Phone interviews are conducted very frequently. If you do get a person-to-person interview, you may be subjected to a written test to demonstrate some of your technical knowledge. But I think there is always a need for talented engineers. So consider yourself one and package yourself that way.
There are many options. Take a look at some Defense firms in the area. They can't hire foreign nationals because a clearance is required. You will be allowed to work there in an engineering environment until you get your clearance and this could take almost a year. There is one company in Sunnyvale that has a very high turnover but you will get your hands involved in a lot of what you're looking for. The co. is Applied Signal Technology (AST). Check them out, then send them your resume. Once you have worked there, you would be more attractive to places like Motorola. I know some engineers from AST who are working at Motorola now.
Before contacting a firm like AST, you could start developing your own company that is designed to do what it is you eventually want to get your hands involved in. if you want to know about telecommunications and the infrastructure, then pick some technology such as data security and begin working on ideas. Pick the company you want to work for and tailor your effort to what they want. Put this company on your resume as where you are currently working as this will get you more consideration when they scan your resume. Candidates with no experience and no resourcefulness in this way get less consideration. At least you'd be showing that you're eager to immerse yourself in the field, that you have initiative, that you possess leadership qualities, and that you are resourceful and self-motivated.
Most companies have entry-level positions (0-2 years) where they specify what qualifications they're looking for. Check this out in places like Monster.com, craigslist. Register with Monster and post your resume. Put an ad on craigslist, briefly stating your qualifications and what you're looking for. Hiring managers from small firms frequently find people to bring in this way (craigslist ads) because it eliminates the middleman.
It may require you to spend some time here too, so think about that. Easier to find what you're looking for when you live in the area and can get the feel of the place. Finally, don't harp on salary at all. If companies feel that you are concerned about whay salary you will make right off the bat, you will not be taken seriously. You don't want to make more than the job calls for and will take less if it means that you can learn the technology. I started out this way, worked on some really good projects and built my resume this way. Now, I'm doing very well. Starting salary is not always indicative of future earnings.
Well, that's all for now. Sorry to make this so long....and good luck!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Computer Industry?
