Didnt get it :(

millworx

Well after 4 interviews with Cisco, and being 1 of 4 candidates being considered for the 2 available positions, I got my answer. I was not hired

I asked him for some pointers to aid in my job search about why I was passed up. And he told me that I interviewed very well and am very strong on the networking side, but they needed someone more experienced with VMWare and EMC SAN Storage. Since the vblock architechture uses vmware and emc clarion units

There goes my dream job of working with about $250mil worth of VBlocks

He was friendly though and said if I needed any help in the future getting a job with Cisco / VCE to keep him in mind. He also told me to followup with the other person that was on the interview to see if he had any insight into any positions that may fit me there.

This job search has been going on for sooooo long, and when I get interviews I usually get widdled down to the last few candidates considered, but never get the job.

It's pretty depressing especially when your out of work so long and down to the point where you only got 140 bucks left in your pocket and 2 mos past due on your rent. After being in IT for 10 years, and gaining so much knowledge and experience... I might just have to face reality and get a mcjob

Excellent1

There's not much I can say (or anyone else) that will ease the disappointment you're feeling. I can only tell you that I've been there myself and that it's important at this point not to lose perspective.

You didn't get the job. That's the thing that's surging in your mind right now, and that's what you're focused on. However, you were selected and made it through all of those interviews in a time when there is huge competition for each opening. This is a very positive indicator that you need to not lose sight of in the current situation. You may very well need to take a "lesser" job in the short term to get yourself to a place of financial solvency. Don't see this as an indicator of failure, which is what most people (including myself) have done. Look at it and see it for what it is: a way to keep moving toward the job you're looking for. Progress toward your goal will not always be forward. Sometimes you have to move tangentially before you can move forward again, it's just the way things are.

Keep looking, keep positive, and refuse to let this setback define your outlook. It's a tough time right now, no doubt about it, but better days are ahead. Best of luck, man.

shodown

You got further than most people here can dream of. Some of us wouldn't even apply for a Cisco job cause we feel we wouldn't get called. You on the other hand applied, got interviewed made it down to the wire. Thats pretty impressive to me. I'm sure you will eventually find something.

IRONMONKUS

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get the position, but please take this experience and learn from it. Use it to search and aid you in your next attempt, which I'm sure will work out for you.

Like Excellent1 said and you already are aware of, jobs are tight, and companies are being really frugal with money. Keep looking to the stars for the perfect job, but you might have to settle for the time being with a lesser-than-you-wish-for position.

There are two IT positions open now (Network, Security) where I work and a third to follow (VOIP), so people are hiring. I want the Network position, but I need to get my CCNA and move closer to my degree. I know with 10 years of experience you will find one soon.

I wish you the best!

millworx

shodown wrote: »

You got further than most people here can dream of. Some of us wouldn't even apply for a Cisco job cause we feel we wouldn't get called. You on the other hand applied, got interviewed made it down to the wire. Thats pretty impressive to me. I'm sure you will eventually find something.

Funny thing is I never actually applied, I had my resume posted on Craigslist in the resume's section and they contacted me. Primarily because of my exprience, especially with the huge amount of VPN setups I've done.

I guess I got my hopes up because they did the background check on me, and I figured why do a background check if your not going to hire. But then again they needed someone yesterday, so makes sense to get the ball rolling in case.

SteveLord

millworx wrote: »

I might just have to face reality and get a mcjob

The only reality you need to face, is the reality of putting this behind you and moving forward. I learned early on it's best to not bet your life on a potential job...until you've been offered the position. Until then, your job is finding a job and that should be the focus of all your energy right now.

jmritenour

millworx wrote: »

This job search has been going on for sooooo long, and when I get interviews I usually get widdled down to the last few candidates considered, but never get the job.

Been there, done that, my friend. It's crushing when you really want a certain job, and think you'll be a great fit, and they pass on you for someone else.

Look at it this way, though - in this economy, there are a lot of very qualified people competing for a comparatively smaller number of jobs. Even getting called in for an interview means you've got a leg up on a lot of people.

I truly do believe everything works out, and you eventually find the right job. I was getting pretty discouraged myself, but on a whim, I sent my resume into a company asking them to let me know if they had any systems administrator positions opening in the future. The next day I got a call from their HR department. A couple interviews and a a month later, I start with them on Wednesday next week.

Seriously, the right job is out there waiting for you. Just enjoy the interview experience for now, and keep pushing forward.

N2IT

millworx wrote: »

Well after 4 interviews with Cisco, and being 1 of 4 candidates being considered for the 2 available positions, I got my answer. I was not hired

I asked him for some pointers to aid in my job search about why I was passed up. And he told me that I interviewed very well and am very strong on the networking side, but they needed someone more experienced with VMWare and EMC SAN Storage. Since the vblock architechture uses vmware and emc clarion units

There goes my dream job of working with about $250mil worth of VBlocks

He was friendly though and said if I needed any help in the future getting a job with Cisco / VCE to keep him in mind. He also told me to followup with the other person that was on the interview to see if he had any insight into any positions that may fit me there.

This job search has been going on for sooooo long, and when I get interviews I usually get widdled down to the last few candidates considered, but never get the job.

It's pretty depressing especially when your out of work so long and down to the point where you only got 140 bucks left in your pocket and 2 mos past due on your rent. After being in IT for 10 years, and gaining so much knowledge and experience... I might just have to face reality and get a mcjob

I know a former business analyst who is working as a manager at Pizza Hut. Bachelors from Vanderbilt, 3 years of BA work. Super smart. Managing Pizza drivers and cooks.

Sucks!

*** I don't think he will be there long to be honest, he can hit it from the technical side or the business side so he has double the chance but still..........

Hypntick

N2IT wrote: »

I know a former business analyst who is working as a manager at Pizza Hut. Bachelors from Vanderbilt, 3 years of BA work. Super smart. Managing Pizza drivers and cooks.

Sucks!

*** I don't think he will be there long to be honest, he can hit it from the technical side or the business side so he has double the chance but still..........

Read an article a while back about something like this. It mentioned a few job postings the author had seen that basically said "If you don't already have a job, don't bother." That just seems a little counter-intuitive to me, why would you want to hire exclusively people who probably don't need a job?

That gap in employment is what's doing a lot of people in these days though. I would imagine that most hiring managers are aware that a good percentage of folks out of work are through no fault of their own, yet they still brand them with the same stigma as those who did get let go for their own issues. Something is going to have to change otherwise a lot of good hard-working people are going to be out of work for a very long time.

N2IT

Hypntick wrote: »

Read an article a while back about something like this. It mentioned a few job postings the author had seen that basically said "If you don't already have a job, don't bother." That just seems a little counter-intuitive to me, why would you want to hire exclusively people who probably don't need a job?

That gap in employment is what's doing a lot of people in these days though. I would imagine that most hiring managers are aware that a good percentage of folks out of work are through no fault of their own, yet they still brand them with the same stigma as those who did get let go for their own issues. Something is going to have to change otherwise a lot of good hard-working people are going to be out of work for a very long time.

Absolutely right. I had the hardest time finding a gig when I was unemployed for 1 month. I have first hand experience with this. I was delivering Pizza's to friends who owned houses that went for over 400 large. I was angry and frustrated, but I still kept at it. Thank God I was given a break and I haven't looked back.

Now that I have had a few IT jobs I don't get asked, but that one month gap in employment came up more than any positive experience or achievement. They want to know why you aren't being a tax paying citizen? Why are you not working? Why are you a loser? That's how I felt when I was getting drilled.

Break in service is damn hard to over come. FACT

millworx

Fortunate for me I have no gaps in my resume, because I still do contract work, but it's far and few between. I just negotiated a contract last month, and executed it last week. But it's only a small contract.

Actually here's my resume. If anyone wants to chime in on what I can do to improve it, it would be welcome. It's gone through tons of tweaking over the months. (sorry the formatting will probably look like crap from copy and paste)

Jason Miller

Systems / Network Engineer

Summary

Goal oriented and collaborative IT professional with over 10 years of experience applying network hardware and systems software design, installation, and administration to support growing and established businesses. Proven analytic and problem solving skills with keen ability to asses needs, and execute technical solutions that streamline operational efficiency.

Technical Expertise

Systems:
Windows 2000/2003 Server, Windows XP/Vista/7 Desktop
Programming:
PHP5, MySQL Scripting
Software:
Exchange 2003, Symantec Anti-Virus, Symantec Backup Exec, VMWare
Hardware:
Routers (Cisco, Adtran), Cisco Switches(L2 and L3), Force10 Switches (S-Series), SonicWall Firewalls , Cisco PIX/ASA Firewalls, Barracuda Spam Filters
Networking:
NAT/PAT, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, RIP, HSRP, Frame Relay, VPN

Professional Experience

Concurrent Computer Corporation – Palo Alto, CA
Network Engineer (Contract) (Jan 2011 – Present)
Provide professional networking support as directed by the company and in concordance with the company’s IT policies and procedures.
· Design, manage and maintain the corporate network infrastructure for the Palo Alto office.
· Setup and deploy PIX/ASA solutions for telecommuter access as well as site to site connectivity between corporate headquarters.
· Provide network and systems support to local office team.


Devknob Web Media – Anaheim, CA
PHP Web Developer (Contract) (Dec 2008 – Present)
Provided excellently designed PHP applications for company clients and maintained multiple client websites, as well as developed client facing applications for e-commerce and custom payment solutions integration. Increased customer website visibility through ongoing SEO campaigns as well as pay-per-click solutions.
Accomplishments:
· Designed a custom solution allowing clients to be able to track campaign performances for non-internet call based leads and internet based leads.
· Created and maintained an organic SEO campaign that increased customer conversions by 50% and site traffic by 280%.

OCLS LLC – Mission Viejo, CA
Network / Systems Engineer (Contract) (Jan 2003 – Dec 200
Consulted and managed the company’s medium to large sized customer networks. Lead several network upgrades and new network installation projects. Provided support to customer servers, LANs, WANs, and other equipment. Billed consistently among the highest engineers, and had the highest customer satisfaction.

Accomplishments:
· Redistributed multipath EIGRP into OSPF during client OSPF conversion with Cisco routers after a client corporate buyout, and implemented HSRP to bring network downtime down to almost 0%.
· Designed and implemented core network solutions, including multihomed BGP and OSPF, for WAN/Internet Service Provider connectivity of fortune500 clients.
· Implemented policy based routing solutions for several clients with redundant internet connections to provide load sharing, and QOS for increased network performance.
· Designed, managed and maintained a large Windows Server 2000/2003 mixed environment and supported several hundred users.
· Setup VPN connectivity solutions that interoperated with mixed vendor hardware including SonicWall, Cisco, and Adtran Routers, and administered user security policies across the VPN.
· Implemented Barracuda web and spam filtering products that virtually eliminated spam email, and increased overall employee productivity.
· Implemented a VOIP solution with Cisco IP Phones over a VPN that enabled the customer to reduce their long distance phone bill for calls placed between remote offices, and configured QOS to increase the voice quality over the link.

IBN Electronics, Inc. – Irvine, CA
Network / Systems Administrator (2002 – 2003)
Effectively managed the networks functionality to ensure smooth ongoing operations, between the Orange County central office and the 2 remote offices. Implemented and enforced security policies for the network domain restricting network resources to appropriate personnel.

Accomplishments:
· Upgraded the Microsoft Domain from NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2000 and Migrated Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2000 to increase employee productivity.
· Migrated the network to a new office building and redesigned the network from the ground up, replaced all hubs with Cisco Switches for faster throughput and scalability.

San Juan Capistrano USD - Ladera Ranch, CA
IT Helpdesk Technician (2001 – 2002)
Provided desktop support to teachers and faculty throughout the school district. Installed and configured new client desktops and assisting students with access to school network resources. Assisted in several large wired and wireless network expansions across several school campuses.

Digivent Inc - Irvine, CA
Network / Systems Administrator (1999 – 2000)
Primary job responsibilities included ensuring the proper functionality of the company’s networking equipment and server cluster. Provided top quality phone technical support to the company’s end user clients. Monitored and maintained network backups of mission critical servers. Maintained Cisco routers and switches and guaranteed reliable transmission of the company’s video broadcasts.

Accomplishments:
· Designed a network to handle live video streams from remote concert events via ISDN connections, and added failover capability in the event an ISDN connection was dropped.
· Implemented a Point-to-Point Frame Relay solution to connect the central office to the company server cluster.
· Monitored the network security, and controlled access to the network in accordance with the IT security policy.
· Recognized for quickly troubleshooting network issues and providing cost effective solutions on a minimal budget.

Lab Assistant Internship - Saugus High School - Saugus, CA (1998 – 1999)
Participated in several large campus wiring projects to bring additional connectivity to classrooms. Researched and advised the school technology board of new equipment purchases required by the staff and implemented the technology. Provided technical support to teachers and staff when technical issues arose.



Professional Certifications and Education

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Completed 2001
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) – In Progress

Saddleback Community College, Mission Viejo, California (2002 – 2002)
Major: Computer Science
Coursework completed in C++ Programming.

N2IT

Looks strong to me

jtoast

millworx wrote: »

Goal oriented and collaborative IT professional with over 10 years of experience applying network hardware and systems software design, installation, and administration to support growing and established businesses. Proven analytic and problem solving skills with keen ability to asses needs, and execute technical solutions that streamline operational efficiency.

I found a typo. Other than that it looks good.

Turgon

Hypntick wrote: »

Read an article a while back about something like this. It mentioned a few job postings the author had seen that basically said "If you don't already have a job, don't bother." That just seems a little counter-intuitive to me, why would you want to hire exclusively people who probably don't need a job?

That gap in employment is what's doing a lot of people in these days though. I would imagine that most hiring managers are aware that a good percentage of folks out of work are through no fault of their own, yet they still brand them with the same stigma as those who did get let go for their own issues. Something is going to have to change otherwise a lot of good hard-working people are going to be out of work for a very long time.

That's already happening and it's going to get worse. America get ready for a lot more unemployed people. A lot of people lose jobs through no fault of their own. The trend will continue.

jtoast

Avoiding gaps is the reason I incorporated. Whenever I was between contracts/got laid off it was "MyConsulting inc" to the rescue.