http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php A current listing of cheap video games, video game sales and video game deals: CAG en Sat, 25 May 2013 03:00:17 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8126 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:28:16 GMT For those that read my previous posting titled "Whoas of a Fallen Economy" you'll remember that I said when getting let go of your job, keeping a positive attitude will prove beneficial; and here I am to say that it did for me.

I was released from my job on April 15th and hit everyone I knew up for leads and sent my resumes out. I joined LinedIn and added as many of my past co-workers and friends that I could and hit them up as well. By my first week of Unemployment I had two set positions I was interviewing for and two offers if I could move (which unfortunately I couldn't). The two positions were somewhat similar in task, but differed in that with one I would work for a consulting company to work on client's issues and projects (not at client sites full time) and the other was to be hired on to work in-house. Though I'd prefer in-house, that job required me to drive 60 miles each way each day. I was to meet with the VP of IT tomorrow to discuss the position face-to-face.

I met with the consulting company today and they made me an offer. Now I'm not saying the offer blew my socks off, and I'm actually taking about a 20% decrease in pay, but I do get paid better when I'm billable and I've calculated that if I'm billable about 45% of the time (which it sounds is rather easy at this place) I'll be bringing in the same pay as I was at my old job. It's more than the pay though, I'll be glad to get my hands back into everything (servers, routers, switches, SANs, wooo hoooo). This place is so laid back that during my first interview, the director told me "don't wear the suit next time."

Regardless, I have a job now that will allow me to sharpen my techy skills and hopefully move into the manager's spot (which is the position the guy I'm replacing had) so I can finally put to use all those college courses I spent good money on. So for those who are seeking jobs or will soon be, keep focussed, keep positive, and take control of the situation; many times a potential employer will choose you over someone with a similar skill set because you took the iniative to persistantly follow up. ]]> CrimsonPaw http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8126 http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7723 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:49:12 GMT It's amazing how our lives are affected by outside influence. War, famine, even decisions made in a far off, seemingly insignificant country can have a dramatic toll on a person's life. For me, and many others, the failing economy has hit home.

I was informed last Monday that as of April 15th, 2009 my current position would no longer be available and that I would be unemployed. Now this isn't my first trip to the unemployment line; that was in 2002 when the IT bubble burst and everyone scrambled to drop their dead (i.e. IT) weight to save their sinking ships. I learned a lot from that time in my life that has prepared myself for times like these. See, I would consider myself an IT veteran; I've been in the industry for over 14 years and have held a multitude of positions. I've done helpdesk, desktop support, server installation and support, DBA functions, network design and implementation, management, and most recently project management. What I found during my first layoff is that no matter how bad you THINK it's gonna get, it always gets better. Also, I realized that school was a big barrier to entry for those jobs that were available, so I'm thankful that I had gotten my undergraduate degree last summer.

Though some may see my time after 4/15/09 as a vacation, after all I'll gain back an extra 9 - 10 hours a day, that's not how I roll. That's the time to start prepping for whatever next job I get. As the topic says, it's a fallen economy and that means that when there would have been 3 people vying for a job, there's now going to be 12 - 15. I need to bust my ass to make sure that I'm not only at the top of my game, but that a potential employer will see that I'm serious about what I do and that I'm willing to keep focused even when out of work.

It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and at almost 35, things aren't getting any easier. There's a job out there for me, I just need to sniff it out. I know they say patience is a virtue, but unemployment only lasts so long. Regardless, I have a word to my CAG brethren that are in a similar situation: keep your head up and your attitude positive, things will turn around, this I'm 100% sure of.

For those who are gainfully employed, learn what you can from you job and think about where you want to be; you may not be in the perfect job, but you can prepare yourself for your perfect job while still bringing home a paycheck. I advise everyone to keep their skills sharp and always be looking forward. Again, if you find yourself out of work you will most likely not be the only one shooting for an open position.

On a positive note, I do have one hell of a backlog to keep me busy as well :D. ]]> CrimsonPaw http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7723