Steve’s Job Search 2012: Relocation

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I have a confession to make.  In May I lost my job.

Oh, sure I wanted to tell you, loyal readers.  But I had a job search, Anime North, and frankly I had no idea what to SAY.  Also I was insanely busy just getting my normal posts done.

The good news?  I found a job about three weeks after my layoff.  I did this by applying a lot of my techniques, and I’m going to be writing it up for you folks – because I learned a lot and had a few surprises . . .

So let’s dive in, because I’ve got a lot to write about!

Regional Issues

Doing an actual full-time job search in Silicon Valley, while other people I know do full or part-time job searches elsewhere in the world let me draw a lot of contrast.  Namely, places are really, really different job-search wise.

Yes, this is a “No sh*t, Shatner” moment, yes it’s “obvious” but when you experience the contrast it’s really incredibly, painfully obvious.  It’s also apparent how I didn’t get regional differences, and how anyone can miss them.

It’s easy to assume areas are relatively similar in the Geekonomy as we gravitate towards creative-type megaregions – SF Bay, Seattle, LA, Chicago, Boston, Toronto, etc.  But as much as these regions are alike, their differences are as great as, or perhaps greater than their similarities.

This allowed me to find out a few things:

  1. Job titles can vary radically, especially from coast to coast.  This was a great shock to me, but now it makes sense.  I saw first-hand how resumes could be re-interpreted based on region, and thus job titles.
  2. The usefulness of job search boards also varies highly.  Some regions will favor job boards – and certain boards – some won’t.  For instance, I think everyone in Silicon Valley uses Dice.
  3. The value of certain experiences and certifications – and how they’re communicated – also varies highly among regions.  Certain certifications are more universal, and thus more valuable, but even then you need to communicate them right.
  4. The use of regional language and understanding is important.  My ability to discuss my commute and so forth really made a difference.
  5. Your history and how people react to it varies greatly from place to place.
  6. Attitude also varies in your search.  I’ve found Seattle, Silicon Valley, and Toronto to be less formal and more friendly, with Boston surprisingly casual.  Not so much New York.

A shining example of this was seeing how people with a writing background were treated in Silicon Valley.  Here, we’re up to our armpits in tech writers, so even very senior people with a publishing background can get assumed to be “just writers” unless it’s communicated properly.  At times, it was mind-blowing.

Another example is employment history. It’s a running joke in Silicon Valley that people with short employment histories (2 years at each place) are unremarkable.  At times I’ve even heard people talk of those staying in one spot a long time with suspicion.  Meanwhile that seems to not be the cast, say, out east.

So when doing a job search, make sure the region fits you – and make sure your strategy fits your region.  If you are leaving one region for another, make a concerted effort to adapt your strategy and expectation to that region.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

Promoting Professional Geekery #43 – Cooperate On A Book

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(For more Promoting Professional Geekery, see this Roundup of past columns.)

So you’re really not up for writing a book on your particular progeeky subject.  Fine, that gives me a room to sell more.

But still you might have knowledge that’ll help on a book.  You may have editing skills that would come in handy.  You may be able to do cover art (and of course pick up a credit).  You may pen an introduction, you may . . .

. . . well you get the idea.  You could be a big help in getting out that progeeky book on careers, or skills, or whatever your friends, family, or co-workers are working on.

Go for it.

  1. You probably have something to contribute to a book of some kind, even if it’s a viewpoint.  Ask just what that something or somethings are.
  2. You likely know people who want to write a book, or people that do want to write a book; probably they’ve already talked to you about it.
  3. If you don’t, mention to people that you’ve got an interest in helping people on certain subjects.  They may know someone or have advice (or point you in other directions).
  4. If you help one person, they may know others you can help.

This may sound simplistic, but as a writer of books, let me note a few things:

  • Putting out a book is pretty bloody hard.  Any support is appreciated.
  • Almost no one is able to do a book on their own, and those who can do a book on their own probably shouldn’t (usually there’s a need for editing).
  • Authors need all the support they can get – sometimes it’s that extra person that gets the book out.

So, you’re not up for a book.  You can just help make others possible in the realm of progeekery.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

The Future Of Computing Is Maybe

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So a few trends came up we’re going to need to follow, progeeks:

First, yes, as everyone not comatose under a rock in an alternate dimension knows Microsoft announced it’s own entries into the Tablet wars, Surface. Er surfaces.  Anyway, read the article, once you wake up and crawl out of your other-dimensional Rock

Of course this doesn’t surprise anyone since there have been rumors and speculations for awhile, and since Windows 8 and even the X-Box looked awful tabletesque.  Rather strong design however, though we really do NOT have a lot of information whe you look at it.

Also, the question remains how does everyone else on the planet feel who makes Windows boxes?  Since Microsoft sort of became their rival/enemy all in one go.

Secondly, if you didn’t follow the Wired teardown of the new MacBook pro with Retina display, you need to.  Yes, the thing is basically a brick, but there’s a larger point they make.  Mac is essentially trying out systems that can go two ways – the sealed unfixable/unhackable system (that probably is “repaired” by swapout), and a more open system.  Mac really is following consumer lead, and upcoming choices will likely focus their efforts – so what are we going to choose?

This makes perfect sense, but there’s part of a larger picture – what Mac does is going to affect what other people choose to do.  Like say . . . Microsoft.

We’re going to need to pay attention.  How we use devices, develop for them, repair them, etc. may come down to consumer decisions we’re not expecting because we’re making different ones . . .

It would be an interesting time with just one of these announcements.  With two of them, well, I’m going to have to process this for awhile.  But my thoughts:

  • If you work at any company that makes Winboxes, watch what’s going on. Microsoft could be your enemy, or your friend, or a trendsetter.  Or they may not know.
  • If you’re a developer and you didn’t think you’d be “thinking tablet,” well, you’re thinking tablet now.  Get used to it.
  • The Apple trend bears watching and we should see if sealed/unsealed systems change in popularity and who follows the trends (as it could give competitors an in – or they may just follow suit).
  • I’m not sure how powerful the Wintabs are going to be, which may affect the apps they use.  I don’t think these are exactly gaming machines.
  • The Wintab design looks pretty solid to me – it’s “beyond tablet,” and I expect it’ll be influential if only because it’s what a lot of people want anyway.
  • Google will do something.  The question is, what . . .

 

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/