Job Search

[HillbillyGeek]

I'm having a tough time finding a job in the computer industry, and was wondering if you guys have any leads or advice. I worked as a software test engineer in the Windows division at Microsoft for almost nine years and ended up taking some time off to get my blood pressure down to a non-lethal level. (My average was ~160/110 :pale: )
It was really nice to spend time with my wife & kids, go fishing, and catch up on chores around the house -- all of which had been badly neglected due to the endless 12-hour days + weekends. This low-stress lifestyle was so refreshing, I decided to quit my job and take a couple of years off to decompress.
My wife & I are now faced with an increased financial burden that is associated with a near-fatal brain injury that my daughter suffered in a car accident five years ago. She now needs professional tutoring + couseling to cope with her disability, and being a stay-at-home dad is no longer an option for me. Unfortunately, two years of "dead time" has made me very undesireable in the eyes of recruiters. Working for Microsoft again is still an option, but my wife is afraid that I'll end up in the same boat, and she doesn't want to repeat the past -- regardless of the financial consequences. She likes to say "it's better to be unemployed than dead" -- which is a good point...
We would really appreciate any help you guys could provide. I am willing to lower my salary expectations for a relatively low stress job that is closer to home (Lake Stevens/Everett area). If you need more information, shoot me a PM.
Thanks!
-Andy

[A9]

I can't help you out but I'd like to wish you luck in your job search and I'm sorry to hear about your daughter...I hope things turn out better in the coming days for your family...

[kzoo]

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes man.

I work for the port of Seattle and there's always job posts. Check out the following website every week.

http://www.portseattle.org/about/employ ... ings.shtml

[Marc Martyn]

Hillbilly, I wish that I could give you an instant fix, but I can't. I feel for you and your family. The only thing that I can suggest is possibly check the job listings for the colleges and universities in the area. Most post openings on their website. A few years ago I was thinking of getting into something different and I was checking Gonzaga and Whitworth for listings and over a month or so they had quite a few listings. It is worth a try. There are a lot schools on the west side.
I hope that all goes well with your daughter.

BTW, fishing helps get the BP down:thumright

[AdsBot [Google]]

Man I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. You have my prayers. Secondly, that high of BP isn't going to kill you any time soon...I have high BP too and I'm 22, but I have an illness called orthostatic intolerance which doesn't allow me to stand for any longer than 15 minutes without passing out. It's a little known illness and has shook my life - had to drop out of school on medical leave and still am battling this illness, but working with it, instead of fighting against it. My BP on Atenolol (which is a beta-blocker) has come down to 135/90 which isn't great, but not bad either. I would suggest either Micardis (angiotensin blocker) or Clonidine (alpha-blocker) - Clonidine will push your BP so far down it'll be scary...I know cause I've tried it. So you have lots of hope here! One website that you might scoff at is Craigslist, but there are some quality jobs posted there everyday in the Seattle/Everett areas that are in the IT field. I do hope you find a cure for your borderline high BP, and a job remedy in the near future. Best of luck.

[A9]

If you have a resume set up, it might be worth your time to post that up on sites like Monster.com. You never know who's out there looking...

[The Quadfather]

Hillbily,

Of course you probably already know more of where to look for your stuff than I do..........but check out

http://information-technology.careerbui ... st_enginee_

There seemed to be a lot of stuff here in Everett.

Chris

[ReelFisher]

Sounds like a rough time but just remember that there are always people around to help out in whatever way we can. Your family will be in my prayers.

[HillbillyGeek]

Thanks for the kind words and advice. You guys are awesome! :thumleft:

[Gringo Pescador]

I signed up with MONSTER.COM awhile back - most of the hits I got were from headhunters, but it is an option. There is also a site called NWJobs (http://marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs/).
Also, check out the city, county, & state webites and Boeing (http://www.boeing.com/employment/).
Good luck on your search.

[michaelunbewust]

my prayers are with you and your family. cant help on the job front, but, the job outlook for your profession is kind of rosy right now. so, GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!!

[lskiles]

HG,

I feel for you, man. I will pray for you and your family.

As far as jobs go one might consider the gigs on craigslist. There is always some one on there looking to have a geek come and fix this or tweek that or load/teach the other program. Not steady reliable money, but I would if I could.
Last year I could not afford to get a fishing license due to a short unemployment so I went to craigslist gigs and found a one day labor job and got my license! Who knows, might work!

[Gisteppo]

If I were you, Id start taking civil service exams. Look at the various cities around you, each of which have IMS departments that could use you. While your there, look at police and fire jobs as well, most requiring nothing more than being 19 and having a diploma.

E

[kevinb]

Hey Hillbilly,just wanted you to know everyone here wishes you the best. About your BP,try eating garlic(sounds crazy,I know) I'm not preaching herbal cures but garlic has been well proven to lower BP and of course take prescribed meds. Best of luck on your search.
Take care brother.

Kevin

[kuttkilla]

Any luck in the search to find a job Hillbilly? Finding a new job isn't always the easiest of tasks. I know from first hand experience, especially when you have an chronic illness such as lupus to deal with. My thoughts are with you as you transition into a new job.

[kuttkilla]

look at police and fire jobs as well, most requiring nothing more than being 19 and having a diploma.
E

Contrary to some opinion police jobs are hard to land. Dave knows a ton about this because he works in LE. Pasing all the little tests is hard work, and very few actually make it through. The "system" is based around a military mind-set where they strip you down and build you back up. It's tough work, a buddy of mine at college is going to be a police officer in Idaho and he's been working him butt off for a good 3 months now and says it's the hardest thing he's ever done in his whole 25 year old life. Many people believe being a police officer is easy, but ti's very, very hard to be one, and with it comes a great respect for the profession and all that it entails.

[Gisteppo]

The only reason I stated that is that anyone can test. No requirements of training, education, height, experience, etc etc.

The fire process is similar, requiring some serious devotion to learning, testing, reading, and physical strength and endurance.

Not to mention initial testing numbers (615 tested for 28 total positions in my test).


BUT...

Its worth it!

E