Best way to find professional IT employment

[baddabigboom]

I know I am piggy backing on this thread, but I just want to say I appreciate all the sources everyone has listed. I am in a similar boat as the OP, in that I also work in tech and am looking to relocate to Denver in order to give my children a more out doors type lifestyle. However, currently located in Austin, not Chicago. Issue down here is that it is to dang hot to really go out for any long periods of time and do anything.

I am a Database Administrator, and well I do see plenty of job postings for SQL Server knowledge, it does also seem that HR is usually looking for someone local, and not a relo. Any other tips on how to get past HR for a potential interview other then a P.O box? We definitely plan on moving to Denver, but would like to have a job lined up prior to the move.

[IL2SOCAL]

Originally Posted by ponyupgrl

Is there any opportunity to keep your Chicago job and work remote?

Hubby and I both work in tech and were able to keep our jobs while moving out here (neither one of our companies employs a lot of remote people outside of sales roles, but we were able to make it work). If you have strong knowledge of your current company's infrastructure, I'm guessing you're a valuable asset and they might make an effort to keep you, regardless of a move?

This would be the ideal situation. I have discussed this with my employer. Their attitude is that as a project manager, I need to be in physically on site with the team (50+ people) that I manage. I could move but I would need to commute weekly. I don't want to spend that much time away from my son. There is the outside chance that if I resign with the only reason being that I want to move away from Chicago, they may say okay, but it is not a gamble I want to take.
I am very well compensated with my current employer. The overall package is excellent, and I have been with them for a long time.
My challenge is do I go for a better quality of lifestyle and a lesser remuneration package, or do I stay where I am for financial reasons only?
Thank you for your response.

[IL2SOCAL]

@denver_hacker.
Thank you once again. I'll check out those links.
I've actually applied to Arrow Electronics for two positions. Heard nothing back (Shredder )
I've also applied with Kaiser Permanente. Same deal. Crickets.

I have been with smallish consulting firms (50 - 150 employees) for many years doing mostly consulting work for external clients. I've also been with large insurance companies and banks. I'm pretty comfortable in both types of environments, and with a mix of waterfall and agile approaches.

I'm going to have to network though, and actually get in front of people physically. I believe that is likely to show more results than the online route.

I will say that I am quite shocked at the unprofessional attitude of the recruitment industry in general. I have had several telephone interviews with recruiters. They seem interested primarily in hourly rate, and not much else. For the most part they have short term contracts, and they don't seem too concerned about a candidate having the appropriate experience. They seem to want to fill positions regardless of proper fit. And forget about them actually returning calls. Very unprofessional and leaves a bad impression of the industry.
I think approaching employers directly is a better option.

[flamadiddle]

Originally Posted by baddabigboom

I know I am piggy backing on this thread, but I just want to say I appreciate all the sources everyone has listed. I am in a similar boat as the OP, in that I also work in tech and am looking to relocate to Denver in order to give my children a more out doors type lifestyle. However, currently located in Austin, not Chicago. Issue down here is that it is to dang hot to really go out for any long periods of time and do anything.

I am a Database Administrator, and well I do see plenty of job postings for SQL Server knowledge, it does also seem that HR is usually looking for someone local, and not a relo. Any other tips on how to get past HR for a potential interview other then a P.O box? We definitely plan on moving to Denver, but would like to have a job lined up prior to the move.

That's because lots of people think it would be fun to relocate and jump at opportunities in other cities only to back out at the last minute when they realize how much work is actually involved in moving across the country. I know how painful it is, I'm in the middle of a cross country move right now.

However, if you already have a plan in place to relocate, it will make it easier for recruiters/HR to take you seriously. Assume that you've just been offered a position in Denver and they want you to start in ~3 weeks. Start writing down all the things you need to do to relocate within three weeks. If you have a checklist created and can discuss your plan to relocate in short order, you have a much better chance of the recruiters taking you seriously.

[denver_hacker]

Originally Posted by IL2SOCAL

@denver_hacker.
Thank you once again. I'll check out those links.
I've actually applied to Arrow Electronics for two positions. Heard nothing back (Shredder )
I've also applied with Kaiser Permanente. Same deal. Crickets.

I have been with smallish consulting firms (50 - 150 employees) for many years doing mostly consulting work for external clients. I've also been with large insurance companies and banks. I'm pretty comfortable in both types of environments, and with a mix of waterfall and agile approaches.

I'm going to have to network though, and actually get in front of people physically. I believe that is likely to show more results than the online route.

I will say that I am quite shocked at the unprofessional attitude of the recruitment industry in general. I have had several telephone interviews with recruiters. They seem interested primarily in hourly rate, and not much else. For the most part they have short term contracts, and they don't seem too concerned about a candidate having the appropriate experience. They seem to want to fill positions regardless of proper fit. And forget about them actually returning calls. Very unprofessional and leaves a bad impression of the industry.
I think approaching employers directly is a better option.

I've heard through the grapevine that Arrow hit a bad few quarters - my guess is that hiring is at a near stop.

Most of the "IT Recruiters" out there are just body shops trying to fill slots based on buzzword matching. You probably don't want those jobs anyway - if you want something at a decent software product company, reaching out directly is best as they generally don't use third party recruiters.

[OhioToCO]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

That's because lots of people think it would be fun to relocate and jump at opportunities in other cities only to back out at the last minute when they realize how much work is actually involved in moving across the country. I know how painful it is, I'm in the middle of a cross country move right now.

However, if you already have a plan in place to relocate, it will make it easier for recruiters/HR to take you seriously. Assume that you've just been offered a position in Denver and they want you to start in ~3 weeks. Start writing down all the things you need to do to relocate within three weeks. If you have a checklist created and can discuss your plan to relocate in short order, you have a much better chance of the recruiters taking you seriously.

I agree with this. You should come up with some compelling reason that will assure HR you will relocate. I wouldn't even exclude a possibility of fibbing, and telling that your spouse either already has a job offer in Denver or is in the final stages of interview process for a position located in Denver.

[goofygrin]

I sent you a pm.