 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial Ash Nallawalla ash@melbpc.org.au |
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Well, my personal job search is finally over. I accepted a marketing role at Macromedia's Asia-Pacific headquarters here in Melbourne. The main reason for naming my employer concerns the ethics of this editorial team: I will not write reviews of any product that competes with my employer's products. I was in such a position some years ago when employed by Hayes, the now-defunct modem maker. If a member wishes to review a Macromedia product (or any other product), please write to
editor@melbpc.org.au.
Job Hunting
Our user group job network is now managed by Anna Lyser, whose work experience includes recruitment. Yes, she is a real person. Our online discussion forum contains many recent messages about members' tips and experiences. Please check out
http://groups.msn.com/melbpcnet/
I won't write yet another article about job hunting but have some comparisons with the climate in 1997-1998 when I last looked for a Job. One theory has been changed - or has it? Short resumes were preferred then but lately I have been asked to resubmit a detailed resume. On the other hand, a one-page resume is more likely to get you a phone call from the recruiter or an interview, whereas a long one may result in nothing.
It is tempting to write off a recruitment agency on the basis of one or two knockbacks. I felt this way about a couple of prominent agencies that manage to get media attention month after month. Both had interviewed me just once in this round and I was not getting replies or the replies appeared to be ignoring my skill set. I persisted and realised I had judged one of them hastily.
All applications made through their Web site were not only acknowledged by an
autoresponder, but a few days later a human advised either a delay in the selection process or that I was unsuccessful. I also noticed that some individuals within the company were more professional than others, at least in getting back to you. A few recruitment companies have closed down or downsized, so one can only hope that the good recruiters will survive.
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Is the economy improving? This search lasted only six months, compared to fifteen previously, so I may be biased. All the same, the past month has been much better in terms of increasing my interview rate. It could be that I started experimenting with a one-page resume recently or it could be a fluke. Fellow job network member Roger also reported securing a non-IT position after a long search, so who knows? Nucleus Computer Services Recently, I had the pleasure to check out the office premises of a fellow member, Peter Holdenson, who owns Nucleus Computer Services. The office is conveniently located next to the car park outside Carnegie railway station. Nucleus specialises in all types of hardware, ranging from complete computer systems to any accessory or peripheral you can imagine. I met a couple of Melb PC members when I visited, so some of you already know it. |
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Correction: Ad-Aware 5.5
Apologies for the typo last month in the editorial, where I referred to a spy-ware removal program named Ad-Aware. The correct URL is
http://www.lavasoftusa.com.
RIP SIG Hardware Subgroup
One sunny morning I decided to visit the hardware subgroup of the Retired and Interested Persons (RIP) SIG. I learnt that they meet at Wadham House, which is a small building behind the public library near the Mount Waverley railway station. There is some parking inside the compound, which is accessed from Wadham Parade, off Miller Crescent. I missed the first session, which covered the installation of CD writers but I had a cuppa and sat through the second session. It featured installing a device that I was not aware
of - an external, self-powered drive bay that connects through a USB cable. You can mount an IDE device, for example, when you have used up all slots in your PC. There is always something new at our meetings and this was no exception.
Reprinted from the September 2001 issue of PC Update,
the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
