1. Web/internet sources for job ads:
www.Dice.com
www.headhunter.net
www.monstor.com/www.monstor.ca
www.careerpath.com
www.thestar.com
www.theglobeandmail.com
www.workopolis.com
newsgroups: tor.jobs, can.jobs (Deja.com /=> power search)
Public library
Free IT magazines --
www.lti.on.ca (Computerworld Canada) www.HiTechCareer.com (HTC HiTech Career Journal)
Ads they send you may be helpful (good seminars)
Practice your interview skills
Toronto Star web site
www.thestar.com www.kaplancareers.com4. Agency / Consulting Companies:
a. should contact good agencies - they may control lots of openings
b. HR dept of companies may prefer cv from agencies (relationship)
c. agents may give you good advices before interview;
d. always ask the name of company to which they are going to submit your cv
=> don’t let two agents send your cv to same company – your resume will be put to garbage
e. the way they are working – collect cv; wait for a long time; do not like people on the market too long; phone call to confirm an offer
f. where to find them - from job ads (paper, web, newsgroup), yellow page, their web site
(to find a job in US, can try Technisource
www.tsrc.net)g. consulting Companies: Be careful in signing Employment Agreement – check if anything will be against you in the future (e.g, if you resign in the two years you have to pay US$10,000)
Even you have signed the agreement, if you haven't started work and got the first paycheck, you can change your mind anytime (e.g, go to another company)
5. Resume:
a. Revise, revise, revise
b. Keep a record of company names you send out resume - no big change (in employment history)in cv to send the same company
c. you have to have some experience on your resume (experience is more important than anything else, including certification)
d. About all-purpose resume
6. Interview:
a. good preparation for questions about your cv
- can explain every word you put in your cv
- can explain every projects you put in your cv (from technical point of view)
- organize your experience and skills (to answer simple questions like "tell me about your experience with Java")
- can explain every "time gap" you have in your cv
- can explain reasons for every job change(tricky)
- remember all salaries you earned before
b. find a job interview book and read carefully about how to answer those TOP 10 (or 20 whatever) questions - HR people would like to use them in interview or first phone call.
c. always give a "strong" answer to "are you good at XXX" question, say "I am very good" first ! even you will fail the technical interview later – any weak word will be seen as a sign of unconfidence and you will be kicked out
d. Technical Interview
Ace the Technical Interview
e. Get an interview in another city - ask for covering transportation expense (a way to check if they are really interested). If it’s expensive to go and they don’t want to pay, and also your skills doesn't fit the job very much, you need to think about it. Or you can ask to change to a telephone interview.
f. prepare a few "asking back" questions (at least two): about company. Team, project , system (do a research), dress code; don’t ask about benefits;
g. speak slowly to avoid mistake - try to be a good listener (let them talk more)
h. if you already has an offer or other companies are interested in you, let them know.
they like people other companies want to hire
7. Some example Interview Questions for IT jobs:
(or: Did you do any analysis work?)
(see the example answers in the end of this outline)
8. References:
- could be very important
- every time you get into a new company, find a friend there (not your boss) who could be your future reference
9. Salary:
- don't give them a specific amount until you have to
open, market rate, flexible, same job same pay, high fifties, 50-60k are some words you can use
"What type of compensation (salary) are you looking for in your next position?"
"I’m open. It will depend on the entire package as well as the position’s growth opportunities. Could you tell me what the range is for this position?"
Try to turn a question like this around by asking for the salary range of the position if you don’t already know. Do your homework and be prepared to give a realistic answer based on the size of company, the industry, and the position you’re applying for.
- salary calculator on web may be not correct - be careful to use them as your reference
- changing company may be a good way to increase your salary
10. Contract/Perm:
- perm is suitable for first job, but a contract working for consulting company is still ok
- after you get some experience contract may give you more money
- to be a contractor
- advantages: making more money, big tax saving
- disadvantages: less training opportunities, less chance to touch other software, tired; need to be in job hunting often; bookkeeping; find an accountant
- how to be a contractor - set up a company
Appendix: Example answers for listed interview questions:
(NOTE: Be sure to provide an answer that demonstrates experience applicable to the position and/or a fundamental knowledge knowledge of analysis-and-design concepts. The interviewer will attempt to evaluate your ability to analyze and design, and also how well your programming skills stack up.)
b. I haven’t held a position where I deal with a customer or client per se; however, I’ve dealt with internal end users who do not have much computer experience. In general, when there was a problem at my last position, I was the end-user contact.
(NOTE: In many cases you may be required to talk directly to a customer or client in order to evaluate a bug or complete a design. Even if you’re not communicating with an outside customer or client, you may be talking to an end user who’s not computer literate. It’s important to demonstrate that you have the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of computer-knowledge levels in order to make yourself more valuable.)