Eternal Success Story in the Making

Just got a phone call from my dream company, it is among the world’s leading global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing organizations. They scheduled me to have a one hour phone interview (final interview) on Tuesday at 10:00 am! Wow, tell me about a high class company who considers their applicants’ comfort. I don’t even have to go to manila (2 hours trip).   

I just can’t help comparing it to a company who only sent me an instant message (text message) on my mobile phone last Tuesday. They asked me to come over to manila for an interview but they did not even bother to confirm if I got the message or not… sheeezzz. I did not attend that interview, thinking that their HR department is more concerned about their quota over the situation of the applicant. Imagine? Only a text message? I don’t know if I’ll regret not attending that interview, but I guess I deserve a little more than that. What do you think? 

Anyway, I’ll be preparing my self for that coming interview on Tuesday. The usual stuff, company and industry research, reviewing my resume, preparing for the usual questions, and different vignettes. 

Vignettes - or brief descriptions, should be used in every interview to describe knowledge, accomplishments, and experiences. A vignette should convince interviewers that you know what you are talking about and should replace the simple yes or no response to interview questions. The format of these mini-stories should include a company problem, action taken by you, and the outcome that benefited a previous employer.From – Winning the Interview Game; everything you need to know to LAND the JOB by Alan H. Nierenberg 

I am so excited! I thought they will not call me again. It’s been two months since I took their qualifying exam. I wonder why it took them that long. Too many applicants I guess.  

But before that, I’ll watch a movie first with my brother and cousin (SUPERMAN). I’m getting a little tired of having a 17 inch monitor 10 hours a day in front of my face. I need to have a break from my studies. See you later! Ha ha!

Since I started creating my sample "windows application", I've been away from this blog for a couple of days now. I just wanted to start my real job hunting as soon as possible. And I want to be sure that I will be successful in this career shift.

I've also created an online portfolio somewhere in the vast space of the internet. I think having an online portfolio is pretty cool since you can showcase your skills, experience, sample of works, goals, about yourself etc. I'm thinking if I will make it "searchable" just like this blog or just make it known to companies I apply a job.

I'm having second thoughts on having my real name being available on search engines… i don't know, maybe I'm just paranoid… thinking that there will be terrorists who will be interested in me and search my name on the web and they can have my profile in an instant. Too much movies I guess LOL

Ayayay its three in the morning! I better get some shut eyes…

It’s time to relax, ahhh… fresh air…

I think my brain cells were poof after almost two days of finding a solution to a program error, the longest time ever I delve in a problem (only 4 hours sleep). I tried to think of complex possible solutions, I’ve surfed the net and asked help in different forums but still no solution. 

Before I decided to call it a day, I suddenly realized something… a solution that is so simple it should have pop up on my darn head in the first place. Instead of rejoicing after I have solved the problem I immediately went to bed because of a terrible headache!

I remembered an engineering project in a soap manufacturing company that tried to solve the problem of having empty boxes of soap from reaching the shipping department. In the production line, finished bars of soap are packed automatically by a machine and are transported to the next process thru’ a conveyor belt. The problem was that some box have no soap inside. Engineers tried to device some sensors, x-rays  etc. to detect these empty boxes so that they will be removed automatically in the conveyor belt before going to the next process. High tech huh? 

One day the sensing machine broke and was sent for repairs, but production must go on even without it. The supervisor walked in the production line and was surprised to see an electric fan running near the conveyor belt. The electric fan blows away the empty boxes at the side of the conveyor belt (of course boxes with soap inside will not be blown away). A simple and cost effective solution from an operator. Genius!

The lesson… start with the basics before going to the complex. 

It's been 11 days and my program is still halfway finished! Replicating an existing webapplication is harder than I thought! :-? Anyway, I give myself another week to finish this so that I could start creating my first online portfolio. Untill then, I'll be temporarily out of blogging.

Guys, I need some advice. It’s about having a career shift.

Before that, just a little background of myself:

I’m an Industrial Engineer. I have over 6 years of experience in the manufacturing industry (electronics). I have been in a supervisory position for about 5 years. Through those years, I have been struggling to love my job (the tasks, responsibilities, nature of the job, the working environment, the internal politics etc.). I love some part of my job but the most part is not in harmony of my personality, temperament, etc. Nevertheless I have managed to adapt to the needs of the job; I can say I am flexible.

Before I resigned I have analyzed my self and my career path. Although I’m doing well in my career, my level of job satisfaction is not enough for me to say that this career will give me the type of future I wanted for myself and for my family. So I have set criteria in choosing my next job.

1. High Salary. My ultimate goal is to earn 10 times of my previous salary… preferably a job abroad.
2. If it is a local job, it must provide me a good opportunity in having the first criteria. Like the opportunity to develop my KSA. To develop skills that are in demand globally.
3. Should be in line with my personality, skills and level of education.
4. I should like the job or it must be in line with my passion (computers).

With the above criteria set, I have taken actions for the past few months in having a career shift in the IT industry (information technology), specifically in Application Development.

I’m doing well so far. While I’m actively seeking for my first job in IT, I’m further developing and expanding the necessary skills needed.

Now the problem is, is this realistic? Is this practical? I mean, if I will change career I might end in an entry level position. I need to gain 2 years of working experience locally before working abroad (where the real money is). I need to earn another degree (B.S.I.T.) if I want to progress in this field.

Before deciding to have a career shift I have deeply thought about these questions. And I think it is worth the sacrifice because I will meet the above four criteria that I have set.

But this morning, I have second thoughts about this… because I was called for a job interview in a much larger manufacturing company for a managerial position; a much larger company, a much higher job level, a much higher salary than my previous one.

I believe in the saying “Love what you do and Do what you love” but the temptation of having this “high level position” is strong. I have been jobless for about 4 months now. Should I just try to give this a shot?
On the other hand, this high level position will not satisfy my set criteria. And I think it would just be a waste of my time ‘coz skills/experience in manufacturing would not merit me a good job abroad. With China’s low labor cost affecting the manufacturing companies, I think if I want to have a high paying job I need to shift career.

It’s already noon, I still haven’t sent my confirmation if I will go to the interview or not. I know most of you are busy but I do appreciate even a short advice. Thanking you in advance.

Confused,
Chazper

 http://www.successvibe.com/showthread.php?p=6842#post6842

I have nothing important to post today… my monitor just gave up on me yesterday so no programming :( 

Spent the whole day today in the city mall with my cousin. Bought an expensive monitor (atleast it will last longer than the first one). Then I had my eye checked… then I had my new pair of eyeglass. Then watch a movie (2x). Then at 6pm we went to fetch my pregnant cousin in her company. Then we went home. Ok… got to sleep early. Tomorrow will be a magnificent day!

I find programming challenging. It takes years of experience before one can master a programming language. But at the same time if you have a knack on it, you can create good programs but not as fast as those who have experience. So the only difference between a seasoned programmer and a beginner who has the talent is SPEED.

As I create this sample program of mine, I find several problems along the way. Especially in databinding. Nevertheless, when I found the solution… I jump for joy! LOL. This is why I love programming; I am able to solve problems on my own.

And if I really can’t find a solution to the problem after doing research and all that, I take my power nap and feed my subconscious mind details of the problem… just enough before I totally fall asleep, then upon waking up… out of nowhere the solution just pops out of my mind. Ha ha. I’m invincible!

You guys should also check http://www.noelkingsley.com/blog/archives/2006/05/problem_ask_you.html

It’s been a while since I last surfed the net. I was concentrating on my studies and in creating a windows application sample. My immediate goal this year is to have an IT job in
Makati (Manila), specifically in the areas of Application Development, before September.

Basically, I have finished reviewing my VB.Net programming. I’m now just expanding my knowledge on other programming related stuff like SQL and Web Application Development.

Since I do not have enough experience in the field of IT, having this career shift would mean using all the job hunting skills I have learned (and going to learn). But before I take job hunting seriously, I need to be confident enough in my programming skills. And that is why I’m creating sample applications in order to build my self confidence.

One way of increasing my chances to land my first IT job is through a little web advertising. I’m planning to create a blog wherein I could advertise myself and my services. I will place my sample works in that blog for prospective employers to see. I’m now creating a “sample” windows application. It is a windows version of the famous internet site “Friendster”.  Friendster was created by a team of programmers and if I can do it alone maybe I could convince my prospective employers that I have the talent and skills needed! Ha ha.

Well… got to finish this sample fast! See ya later alligator!