Beginning my new Job Search...

homerj742

It's been about 3 years, due to certain circumstances at my current position, I feel it's time to begin looking for new opportunities. I live in NY, about 30 miles outside of NYC.

I'm basically a Windows based Systems Administrator.

I've been searching on the popular job sites ie- Monster, Careerbuilder, Dice, craigslist, indeed etc...

I only receive response for short term contract positions. I'm not really sure what other avenues to take in my job search. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Can anyone recommend a good recruiter?

Again any advice, suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks all!

tpatt100

I would check out Linkedin, I have had a few calls there. Check out some people's profiles first and Google "job searching using Linkedin" for tips on how to use it.

I pretty much used some of the tips, got on there and connected with all of my former or current coworkers who happened to be on there. I get contacted by recruiters every day on there asking to join my network so it expands from there. I also joined every group that pertained to what I do in my career. I got an interview for a position in Washington a while back by finding a recruiter that was in a group that I shared. It did not work out for an actual position for me but that person joined my network who in turn had somebody in his network that saw me and my status as "Is Actively Seeking Employment In Information Security", asked to join my network for future opportunities.

"Cold Calling" where you call around and do an active job search works for many, that is how my wife got her job where she called and they were going to put an ad in the newspaper but since she called they would take her resume now anyways. She faxed it in and they called her for an interview the next day and she was hired that Friday and they never did place the ad in the paper.

BUT that was back in the day when the economy was doing good. Now in Michigan when I try cold calling its pretty difficult because everybody is cold calling and most of them are desperate I guess and **** off companies.

homerj742

Interesting, thank for all that info. I'm going to be updating my linkedin profile tonight!

Firemarshalbill.com

I have to agree on the Linkedin stuff. Get connected there are even job postings on there. Also once you get conected get recommendations from your connections. I have found several people that I have worked with in the past and am in the process of trying to hire them (some of which are unemployed) to jobs that are not posted on the internet. It is another tool in the belt. The economy is in the tank so contract jobs are a way companies can "temporarily hire" people and then if it doesn't work out boom the contract period expires. Often if the contract employee is a good worker a full time offer is extended

Good luck

burke_jb11

Great to hear you're going with a LinkedIn profile -- it's really your resume that you can use to network with recruiters, hr managers, other current employees (these are sometimes a great source of referrals since they can see internal postings of jobs that may not have been posted online to the public yet). My cousin was talking about her experience (after seeing the typical recruiter salary, I must agree) with a recruiter, one that landed her the job the following week -- definitely don't stop interviewing recruiters...yes, you interview them to make sure they'll work hard for you. Best of luck!

homerj742

Awesome, I've been updating my linked in profile and have reached out to a few colleagues for recommendations. Hopefully someone will post one soon

homerj742

I recieved a call for an interview, however before I trek all the way into NYC, I would like to inquire about salary. Is it appropriate to ask about it when I call back to "accept" the interview?

joey74055

I don't think that there is anything wrong with asking what their salary range is. There is no need to waste their time or yours and to go through the pain of an interview just to find out that the pay is less than you are currently making. They will usually give you a broad range or they will answer the question with there own question of what are you making now or what are you looking to make. You answer the question and they will tell you if you are in the range or not.