Resume Worthy Roundup

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This is a little experiment to help out our readers – a monthly roundup of companies in the news that we think may be resume-worthy. This could be because of a cool thing they do, an infusion of venture capital, a good report, or because they simply said they’re hiring.

Note that there are many amazing companies out there, and this roundup is not considered an endorsement per se. This is just what came across this month that you may want to pay attention to for potential employment

So who is Resume-Worthy this June?

-Steven Savage

Forgotten Geek Job Resources

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You know how you want a job?  You know how you're a blatant geek?  Guess what, as you sit there panicking over your employment, you've forgotten the unique resources that you have to help you find a job.

Yes, here are the geek job resources people forget.

Your Social Network: Honestly, have you told your fellow geeks, anime fans, et al you're out of work?  Then go do it.  You're probably got a lot of people you play games with, read fanfic with, or chat with.  Go see if they can help.

Your Favorite Companies: Those publishing, gaming, and technology companies you're mad for?  Come on, go to their sites and check out their career options.  If you get an interview, think of all the knowledge you have from using their products.  Ask yourself – whose products do I admire and use that I'd want to work for?

Your Industry Knowledge: Hand-in hand with your company knowledge, your blatant meekness means you know a lot about certain industries.  Rack your brains and see if you know any trends that suggest potential ideas for employment.

The Internet: Yes, you probably know there are job search sites, but you're forgetting that the Internet has:

  • Resources to research companies, from LinkedIn.com to Crunchbase.com.
  • Ways to get news feeds on companies that you may want to work for – or in fact they may have RSS feeds or other ways to send you information.
  • Do research on companies in detail.
  • Random surfing for ideas.

Your Creativity:  Come on, you're the person that created incredible fanart, ran a fan site, cosplayed something that couldn't normally exist in 3 dimensions, or wrote epic fanfic.  Start dreaming up career ideas!

Go on, let's see some geek pride – and appreciate what you have for resources!

– Steven Savage

News of the Day 6/29/2010

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Hulu is running on everything but your toaster, Roku will carry music, and porn may help HTML 5 win the format wars with Flash. It's media madness time in your must-know geeky career news!

Career:
Was (or is) Paypal a great talent incubator? Some food for thought.

A look at ways people sabotage their job search.  Quotes from yours truly!

Economics/Geekonomics:
Ireland was facing economics problems so it engaged in belt tightening.That didn't work out so well. Ireland seems to have really set itself up by relying on exports too much, cutting some taxes too far, and of course its real-estate bubble. Now it's even facing a brain dreain. Expect Ireland's issues to be brought up (along with Greece and Spain) as people discuss the current economic crisis (there's even a book on it). You know me – stimulus now, austerity later. Oh, and maybe actual regulation and electing politicians who think ahead.

. . . and there goes consumer confidence.

Publishing:
Barnes and Noble has 20% of the eBook market. It sounds like they're going to get pretty aggressive about this. The eBook Wars aren't over (but boy I bet publishers are hoping it'll reach some agreement soon).

Social Media:
Continuing rumors Google wants to get into Facebook-like Social Media. Continuing "duh" reaction from me because that's obviously something they'd want to do – and it's part of their 'finger in every pie' strategy. So if you work in Social Media, follow what they do – it's going to affect what you do.

Social game company Crowdstar embraces Facebook credits in a five-year deal. Just like Zynga. It appears Facebook credits are something people . . . well, credit. Of course not going with Facebook right now is a loosing proposition for many companies.

Technology:
What may give HTML 5 a victory over Flash? Adaption by the erotic entertainment industry of course. A good article that explores some of the twists and turns of format wars, and why the adult entertainment industry may be inclined to HTML 5.

Tesla Motors raised another $226 million despite never having a profit. Investors think its the future (for obvious reasons). They have a new plant in Fremont, California, more money – and maybe your resume? I suspect greentech has to bubble, but as greentech has been diversifying, I'm not so sure anymore.

Music service MOG just got an iPhone App and a deal with Roku. The iPhone App surprises me since it's a bit iTunish, but the Roku deal is interesting as Roku seems very busy. Roku is one to keep an eye on because their web-set-app-approach sounds like they can offer a lot very quickly.

Video:
Hulu coming to the PS3 and the Xbox and iDevices – most iDevices now, PS3 soon, XBox next year, part of the whole Hulus Plus endeavor. Hulu's world domination plans are pretty much complete (remember how well Netflix did on consoles). Hulu may have a lot farther to go in content, but they've got the presence down – which also means if you work in TV, video, etc. Hulu is going to be a factor of distribution. Come to think of it, why not see if they're hiring?

Video Games:
OnLive has the Harry Potter Lego Game. This is a simultaneous release with the ones in the stores. Let's see what this does for OnLive – and if it becomes a trend (it might even affect movie and TV releases if it sets standard). However I've yet to see much information on how OnLive is doing . . .

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What other devices should Hulu aim for?

-Steven Savage