Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 10:14:23 -0500
Subject: Re: Not Nortel Network update
Well, here's another success story for you.
About three weeks ago, I saw a job posting on monster.ca for a Senior Systems Analyst at a brand-new, very agressive start-up company in Toronto. Unlike 99.999% of the jobs posted out there, this one had a contact phone number, besides the usual email and fax information. So I called them up, planning to find out more about the company in order to tailor my resume and cover letter.
I got the project manager on the phone, and really hit it off with her. As Right Management has coached me, I had all my accomplishment stories ready and was able to ask intelligent, probing questions about the company and intelligently discuss the product they plan to launch. Four days later, I was in Toronto meeting with their CEO, and a week later, I had a job offer. They've given me a good starting salary (only about 7% lower than what I was making at Nortel), and a generous relocation bonus. They are privately funded and their funding is secure for the next year and a half, which I figure is more job security than most big companies can guarantee right now!
The moral of the story is:
1. Things ARE picking up; don't lose hope!
2. Be prepared. You have to get out there and talk to people -- it really does make a difference!
All the best to everyone,
Vivienne.
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From: Stephen Lovshin
Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 21:17:04 -0500
Subject: RE: Not Nortel Network update
Add to this to the success page.
My new title as of January
Stephen Lovshin
Senior Business Analyst
Canadian Egg Marketing Agency
"There is life and money outside of the tech world"
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From: Sean & Gwen Boers ([email protected])
Date: Sunday, February 3, 2002 2:20 PM
Subject: RE: Not Nortel Network update
I have been successful in finding other employment. I have just accepted a
full-time position, which pays MORE than Nortel as an Account Branch
Manager. I start training this Thursday and Friday in Montreal and then will
start my new career in downtown Ottawa on Monday. The position is with
Quantum!
I hope others will contact you with other success stories as well!
Gwen
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From: Alan Nisbet
I read your letter and found it to be rather interesting, informative, and
thought provoking at the same time. As a result I made the decision to take
the time to send in my story as a message to others.
I guess you may say that I have a success story, albeit, one that is
indicative of the type of labour market that is available, the type of wide
skill set required in order to be successful, and the ability to be flexible
in order to survive in times of economic uncertainty, such as those we are
experiencing today.
I have been unable to land the killer job that offers the high wages, travel
and training opportunities and benefits that were experienced while working
at Nortel Networks. Instead, my income is now substantially lower and
modest, but I'm working, keeping my customer services and design skills
honed, and am always exploring the opportunities made available to me. Here
is my story, so far.
During the winter I took advantage of the time off to indulge in one of my
passions, skiing, where I worked as a ski instructor at two of the ski hills
close to Ottawa. The pay was minimum wage, however, private requests for
lessons were recognized and rewarded by the ski schools with a higher rate
of pay for the lesson. This provided the instructor's with the incentive to
treat the client with respect, patience and understanding. In other words,
we were given the opportunity to market our skills in the hopes of
developing a long term relationship with the client. The result for the
instructor, was the creation of a customer base that requested services,
plus the pleasant surprise of the odd tip and recommendation from pleased
customers.
The rewards gained while instructing were immeasurable, and I had a blast.
For example, while other skiers were paying upwards of $50.00 a day to ski,
I skied for free four times a week and was presented with the opportunity to
develop a number of new friendships with others who have similar values when
it comes to sports, outdoor activity, and lifestyle choices. The
opportunity also allowed me to further develop my coaching, communication,
and mentoring skills.
Now that the snow has gone and the ski season ended, I've been able to take
advantage of the gap in skilled labour and customer demand for tradesmen.
Drawing upon previous professional experience gained as an architect and
home builder, I have found work doing odd jobs such as installing ceramic
and hardwood flooring, renovating kitchens and bathrooms, designing
additions and decks, and generally keeping busy.
The pay isn't great (at least 1/3 of my salary while working at Nortel)
however, the work allows me to network with a great deal of people I
wouldn't normally interact with, which increases the number of people who
now know of me and the skills and services I provide. The demographics of
the client base is an interesting one to note as well. The vast majority
are in the medical field employed as specialists, with the balance made up
of retired professionals that were lawyers or judges, high ranking public
officials, or teachers. This type of clientele is educated, know what they
want and expect and demand a high level of customer service.
As a result, it's important to exercise skills in defining the customer's
requirements, expectations and budget. Along with this type of work is the
need for developing detailed documentation, feasibility studies, and
specifications. Plunk in the words "software engineering" and you can see
the parallels. So although I may be banging nails, ripping out cabinets and
carpet, there still is the requirement for using the skill set used everyday
in the information technology industry. As a result, those skills are being
kept sharp and up to date.
I imagine that the message here is, keep busy, do what you can, and look for
the opportunities in the problems that present themselves, however disguised
those chances may be. We all have something to contribute, talents we can
share with others and be rewarded for, and the ability to learn something
completely new and different.
Alan Nisbet.
Date: Sunday, May 12, 2002 8:55 AM
Subject: RE: Not Nortel Network update
[email protected]
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