Microsoft Tech Junkie? Like Your .NET, C#, SQL? Come to Code Mastery, Boston – It’s Freeeeeeee……

So, this is a little bit of me helping out a favorite client (Magenic), a little bit of me helping you out (if you’re a smartie who happens to dig developing in and around the .NET platform, or just wants to be around a bunch of nice geeks on a Wednesday), and a bit of me helping, well, me (because, I’d like to meet you, and help you with your next career move into a great company).

Magenic is a very cool, high-end custom application development shop. They do big project based work for clients that have hard problems to solve. The projects typically run 6 months+, are local to the office, six-seven figures in size, and require the use of the most cutting edge Microsoft technology available (for those of you whose religion is, say, Java, Ruby, whatever, calm down – .NET people are good people, too, they just develop in a diferent church platform than you do). The typical project team is a mix of architects(s), senior engineers, design, QA, project manager, etc. They don’t tend to outsource, as it helps with quality control. In between projects, consultants focus on training, speaking engagements, etc. Because they have to do some pretty heavy stuff, they hire really engaged, talented engineers and architects to get that done. Then, they give them lots of training opporunities, cool projects to work on, and the opportunity to speak at technical events like Code Camp, SharePoint Saturday, etc, about what they’re working on.

Which brings us to the post in question. They also run a series of events called Code Mastery. These are free, day-long events where they talk about what’s happening now, and whats coming, in the future for Microsoft. The speakers are interesting, bright, and highly informed, and include MVPs like Rocky Lhotka You’ll walk away with a ton of actionable information, as well ast contacts who do what you do, so well. There’s one coming up near Boston in a week that I think you should get to, if it sounds like your kinda gig.

And, if you’re looking for a job, you may well walk away with an interview scheduled…

Here’re the particulars:

Register here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3290438791?ref=ebtnebregn

Go here: 21 Jones Rd, Waltham MA o2451

View Larger Map

On: May 2nd, 2012 at 8 am

Hope to see you there.

If Common Sense Ruled the Universe….

If you’re applying for jobs that require written communication (business analyst, project manager, copywriter, etc etc), and don’t include a great cover letter, you’re missing a chance to show off.

A Sweet, Vast Cover Letter

You tell me – does this work for you as a cover letter?

Hi, My name is Bob and I’m planing a relocation with my sweet wife to the US. I have a vast knowledge in integration and specifically in BizTalk.

If relevant we can schedule a video interview.

Thanks, Bob Melbat

Dear Spamming Recruiter – Really? Does This Ever Work?

We (recruiters) get a bad rap at times. I’d love to say it’s not deserved, and that we’re all good people, who love their craft and see the intrinsic value in matching the right people to the right jobs/ companies.

Alas. I’d also like to say that on weekends, I fight crime as part of a team of super-humans. I’d also like to be able to be able to juggle. The former, considering my and-eye coordination, seems more likely.

I’m reminded a bit too often about why our industry gets black eyes – there are a few reasons, but one of the ones that really gets to me are the recruiters who spam people with jobs they aren’t fit for. You can’t help but be sympathetic when you reach out to one of these fine, harrassed-by-our-industry folks, and they growl “I hate recruiters” to you before ending the conversation. They’ve been beaten down by people who don’t really care about the craft behind recruitment, to the point that it’s almost impossible to convince them that you’re actually a decent person who can help them.

There are lots of bad practices – the one that’s stuck in my craw at this particular moment are the “recruiters” (I think we need a different name for them – grifters?) who spam jobs out to people that they aren’t qualified for, wouldn’t pursue, etc. I just got one of them, from a large, international agency based out of Boston. It’s possible that they’re a fine agency, with principles and morals and best practices they strive to hold up, and this is a bad apple… but… I dunno. If/ when I start to build up my agency with a team, it’s going to be a firable offense if they spam.

Here’s what I got:

Dear Martin

I came across your resume on an online job board and wanted to reach out to you to see if you might be interested in a contract opportunity in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

My client is looking for a Leadership Development Contractor to join their team on a contractual basis. My firm TalentBurst, Inc. is headquartered in Massachusetts and provides nationwide staffing support to our client.

Please carefully read the Job Description below, and if you would like to pursue this opportunity please email me an updated MS Word version of your resume and call me at your earliest convenience.  I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.

Job Title: Leadership Development Contractor   Duration: 3+ Months with Possible Extension   Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

  Job Description:

Work on various culture projects independently:   Attend meetings / collect and synthesize outcomes   Design board-level presentations   Work on various Leadership Development projects independently:   Organize names and locations of people registering for programs   Support the development and organization of content and materials   Leverage internal communication channels to market programs   Work on various Talent Planning projects independently:   Organize data from across company to be used in board presentations   Drive the adoption of process through meetings and presentations

  Strong, confident presence and ability to clearly articulate findings to management level   Extremely strong analytical skills, expert Excel skills and ability to generate analysis independently   Ability to consult with Management and Senior level HR professionals, with a high degree of credibility   High attention to detail   Able to present information clearly and accurately   Able to handle multiple projects and stay very organized

  Education:   HR professional with an MBA (preferred) and a minimum of 2 years of Development experience

 Best Regards

Just a couple of things. First, who says “online job board” in the 21st century? (For that matter, who uses them?) Second, I’m pretty sure my resume isn’t on any “online job board”. I own a business. Third, I’m not qualified for the work – I could probably muddle through, but I’ve never done “leadership development”. I work with HR at times, and enjoy it, but it’s in parallel. They’d be doing your client a disservice by representing me to them – and, for that matter, if they actually had seen and taken the time to understand my resume, that would be obvious. They’d also be doing me a disservice by placing me in a role like that.

Unless, of course, they just don’t care. It’s entirely possible that to them, it’s about getting seats in chairs that they can make money off of, and nothing else. Throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. This is terrible, IMHO. People aren’t spaghetti. It damages lives, and damages companies. It also makes my real job – the one I’m actually qualified – that much more difficult.

Could you stop – maybe go do something you’re proud of, instead? Like, juggling? I’d be jealous of you then.

Please Do the Needful

Hi ,

In concern of the available vacancy and recruitment in place at your end, I am forwarding here with my updated resume as attachment. Please do the needful .

During my tenure at your organization I can be proved as the best suitable employee as I possesses qualities of

- A Strong Candidature with excellent problem solving skill

- Strong verbal and written communications skills (both inter and Intra Official)

- Professional attitude and Self motivated with strong work ethics of a self starter

- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member as well as individual contributor.

- Strong technical experience sufficient to administer and configure test environments.

- Thorough at concepts.

Please do the needful for the ongoing recruitment in your esteemed organization and revert me with any relevant feedback.

Regards