xybermatthew

So for you recruiters out there, here is some more information about me — me trying to be transparent.

Some typical questions that have been asked, thus far:

1. Still looking for other opportunities?
   • Yes, I’m still entertaining new opportunities — though in all honestly I’m always open to hearing what you might have to offer.
2. Why are you looking?
   • Well I was laid off due to reduction in the workforce. My prior company’s parent company required a 10% cut across the board.
3. Previous positions perm or contract?
   • For the last few years, my previous positions have all been permeant.
4. What would you like to earn?
   • My current salary requirement would range from $**,000 to $**,000, with specifics flexible, negotiable, and dependent upon such factors as benefit
     structure, responsibility, tele-commuting and advancement opportunity. (masked for personal reasons)
5. What are you looking for in a position?
   • I’m looking for opportunities where I can expend my extensive knowledge across many areas of web design and development in a dynamic team environment that allows me to manage the entire web product process as well as think and act beyond just the tasks at hand (no silo positions please, small awesome team preferred).
6. Give me your commuting or relocation guidelines.
   • I’m open to relocating to any other place but would have to entertain it case-by-case. However, at a minimum, there would have to be a relocation package — I can’t afford to do it on my own.
7. What percentage of travel would you be willing to do?
   • I’m okay with travel up to 50-60%.
8. Relevant experience:
   • Some highlights of my qualifications include:
     • Ten years professional web experience in front-end web development.
     • Strategic thinker and planner, skilled in the execution of innovative website solutions.
     • Gifted communicator, able to form relationships with colleagues and clients at all levels.
     • Adaptable to diverse situations and projects while maintaining focus under tight deadlines.
     • Intuitive worker able to complete projects reliably with minimal supervision.
     • Outstanding leadership abilities; able to coordinate and direct all phases of project-based efforts while managing, motivating and leading project teams with a commitment to deadlines.
9. Are you available to interview on short notice?
   • Possibly.
10. When can you start?
    • A.S.A.P.
11. Have you ever worked with a recruiter before?
    • Yes
12. What is your current work eligibility?
    • I’m an US Citizen.

So this weekend I come across a couple bits of information that informs me that things might be a bit bumpy.

Our state economy, as everyone knows, is at an all time low. Not only has unemployment hit a record high, in December 2008 Colorado unemployment had reached 168K unemployed (Rocky Mtn. News: http://bit.ly/20ZWzM), but Colorado might also be in the pre-stages of a boom, let me explain. CNN did a survey (http://bit.ly/Uuu05) and found that some 43% of those surveyed want to move to Denver. So the bad is I’m competing for jobs, that aren’t there, with a lot of people, the ugly is I might have to compete with people from out-of-state.  However the good, might be our home value might go up, or at least stop dropping, if there is a surge of people wanting to move here.

According to CNN, Nearly half of all Americans want to live elsewhere, study finds. Though “Denver, Colorado, was the top choice of people surveyed by the Pew Research Center,” here is a list of locations I would consider moving to if the job was right (in this order):

• Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – The city looks beautiful, very clean, and I hear the climate is great as well as the people.
• Anywhere in Hawaii, United States – Who wouldn’t want to live there; plenty of beach, ocean, and sun.
• Eastern Half of Washington or Oregon, United States – I love the outdoors, could be some really great weekend family camping trips.
• San Francisco (bay area) or San Diego, California, United States – Though it’s way to expensive!
• Austin, Texas, United States – Lots to do and friendly people.
• I’m also open to others states in the Mid-West or other countries like Switzerland, Australia or New Zealand.

As is stands I have the opportunity to change my life and that of my family’s for better or for worse, let’s hope it’s all for the better.

Recently being laid off, in a dwindling economy, I’ve been forced to consider some things. Questions I’m asking myself are, “who am I?” and “what do I want to do?” as well as “how can I provide for my family and glorify the Lord?” As a result I’ve considered a few ideas.

The first idea of going freelance, providing web design and front-end development for any client that needs the service. Yet, I don’t think I’m ready for this step nor do I think I want the stress of finding clients, managing clients, an invoice and billing system, let alone the start up cost to providing such services (i.e., I need a new computer, monitor, external hard drive, and a some adobe software — my current computer is an older PowerBook G4; donations anyone?).

Second, do I just take whatever job comes my way and forget about building a career path. If I do that what kind of money will I make? Will it provide enough for the family? Will I be forced to take on two or more jobs? What will it be? A truck driver, a cook, an electrician, quality control agent for some warehouse and distribution company?

Third, maybe I should switch roles and focus more on a Product Manager instead of a Front-end Web Developer. Seems to fit my personality and background a bit more — will have to give that more thought.

Forth, take whatever job, but try to build out a few of my product ideas. Whatever happens I might still end up doing this anyway. The only problem again is cash to hire the help needed to get them off the ground and marketed.

Fifth, maybe I could have some fun and try out for The Best Job Ever. I’m sure my whole family would enjoy the adventure.

Sixth, should I just go out and create some buzz about some random topic and video stream and blog about it. Maybe I’ll find a niche that will take me to the next job. I just need to spend some cash again and get some equipment.

Hum, there’s a lot of stuff to think about and some mountains to climb. Anybody have a crazy thought or suggestion?

• I’m at Denver, CO (Denver, CO, USA) – http://bkite.com/01Wlv #
• it’s hard to do your job when the tools you expect to work are broken yeah, that’s how my day is going. #

• I’m at Littleton, CO, US (Littleton, CO, USA) – http://bkite.com/004e3 #
• day 8 at the new job, starting to feel better about it — however there is still tons to learn #
• I’m at Denver, CO, US (Denver, CO, USA) – http://bkite.com/004M3 #
• I’m at Littleton, CO, US (Littleton, CO, USA) – http://bkite.com/004PY #