Octopus Overlords

Ralph-Wiggum wrote:I applied for my first tenure-track faculty position last week. The likelihood of even being invited for an interview is low, but I thought it was time to at least put together a package. Plus, I figure I better start looking now before any likely federal hiring freeze goes into effect...

Captain Caveman wrote:We have a faculty position open here in my department, and I'm on the search committee. We have over 150 applications. Most are imminently qualified. The job market right now is no joke.

Paingod wrote:

malchior wrote:I have a BS in Business Administration and a CISSP currently.

Out of curiosity, how hard was that CISSP to get? It's listed as an "Expert" level certification, and I've eyed it - but something like a 6 hour test with 250 questions is a touch on the daunting side. Not that I doubt it would be worth it. I had found a couple sample test books on Amazon for like $25 and thought I might try one to see how I fare without any prep. My biggest drawback is my generalist nature in IT - a little of everything, no great focus, but I also feel that security is going to remain a HUGE factor going forward, and only get more intense and in-demand with time.

My next career goals include basically following your path - I've already got an Associates in Computer Science with 10 years of practical application, and a BS in Business Admin with a couple 'high level' certifications should tidy up my resume and shift it closer to a Director job eventually, or at least a larger organization where I'd manage a number of people and stop doing everything myself.

Octavious wrote:Seems they have stopped laying off all the old people, but now this is like the most depressing place ever. Everyone is just miserable and it's dead silent in here. I think I would prefer the DMV to this. I so want to find somewhere else to work, but I totally stink at finding something. Which is why I have put up with all their insane shit for 14 f'n years.

As someone who's shifted jobs a few times in the last decade, each step has been horrifying when I make it, but rewarding when it's done. I don't know if I could stay anywhere for 14 years if it was making me crazy. I lasted 7 years with one employer because I kept moving up there, but when I peaked I left with my chair still spinning before the door had closed behind me.

Captain Caveman wrote:

Ralph-Wiggum wrote:I applied for my first tenure-track faculty position last week. The likelihood of even being invited for an interview is low, but I thought it was time to at least put together a package. Plus, I figure I better start looking now before any likely federal hiring freeze goes into effect...

We have a faculty position open here in my department, and I'm on the search committee. We have over 150 applications. Most are imminently qualified. The job market right now is no joke.

But I believe in you and in the power of horseshoe crab ejaculate. Go forth and conquer.

PLW wrote:Now look what you did.

PLW wrote: We just cut it to 30 for interviews at our annual meeting in January.

Smoove_B wrote:I've noticed my employer has recently started hiring non-tenure track "teaching professors", probably to fill in the ranks and start differentiating between researchers and administrators. Meanwhile, I'm 5 weeks away from the Spring semester and have no contract. I'm confident it's coming, but thankfully we don't rely on my paycheck to keep the electricity on, pay for the mortgage or buy food. I can't even imagine what others are going through, but 8 years of work carved into 15, 6, and 4 week contracts is bananas.

Ralph-Wiggum wrote:

PLW wrote: We just cut it to 30 for interviews at our annual meeting in January.

I think the norm in Biology is to invite 3 - 5 candidates for an interview.

PLW wrote:We've starting pivoting away from contract lecturers and starting investing in longer term teaching professors. They aren't quite tenure track, but they are better paid and are on much longer contracts (3+ years I think) than contract lecturers. We call them "clinical professors".

Smoove_B wrote:

PLW wrote:We've starting pivoting away from contract lecturers and starting investing in longer term teaching professors. They aren't quite tenure track, but they are better paid and are on much longer contracts (3+ years I think) than contract lecturers. We call them "clinical professors".

Never thought I'd say it, but I think I would actually entertain the idea of something like that depending on the details. I teach anywhere from 9-12 credits a semester, always on a 15 week contract. At this point I'm pretty sure I am teaching more credit hours than some of the F/T tenured staff.

PLW wrote:It seems to suit our guy. He's never really done much research, so it's going to be a teaching role, for sure. Our tenure standards require an international research reputation, so that's pretty much out. I actually would support a parallel tenure-track for teaching specialists, but there's just not sufficient support for that, institution-wide.

hitbyambulance wrote:will be laid-off on Thursday, since the company i work for is looking to outsource as much as possible outside the US over the next few years. i have applications out now - talked to a few recruiters, talking to more later.... not expecting to see many job openings in December. i'm looking for work as a Senior Software Test Engineer/Junior Software Development Engineer in Test in the Seattle area.

hitbyambulance wrote:

hitbyambulance wrote:will be laid-off on Thursday, since the company i work for is looking to outsource as much as possible outside the US over the next few years. i have applications out now - talked to a few recruiters, talking to more later.... not expecting to see many job openings in December. i'm looking for work as a Senior Software Test Engineer/Junior Software Development Engineer in Test in the Seattle area.

started a new job this week as a contractor. i actually turned down several interviews/phone screens, as the first interview i had was at a company with a client roster and work culture so appealing to me that i felt i would be foolish to not take this one. it's a huge turnaround from the company i had been working at for the past few years (they purchased the start-up i was with, at the time) - to the point where i'd say being laid-off was the best thing that happened to me, last year. it's even somewhat disappointing (to me) to realize how much longer i would have just kept going trudge-trudge-trudging along had i not been shocked to action.

hitbyambulance wrote:

hitbyambulance wrote:will be laid-off on Thursday, since the company i work for is looking to outsource as much as possible outside the US over the next few years. i have applications out now - talked to a few recruiters, talking to more later.... not expecting to see many job openings in December. i'm looking for work as a Senior Software Test Engineer/Junior Software Development Engineer in Test in the Seattle area.

started a new job this week as a contractor. i actually turned down several interviews/phone screens, as the first interview i had was at a company with a client roster and work culture so appealing to me that i felt i would be foolish to not take this one. it's a huge turnaround from the company i had been working at for the past few years (they purchased the start-up i was with, at the time) - to the point where i'd say being laid-off was the best thing that happened to me, last year. it's even somewhat disappointing (to me) to realize how much longer i would have just kept going trudge-trudge-trudging along had i not been shocked to action.

hentzau wrote:So, anyone have any "Hey, I'm 52 years old and am about completely fed up with my current employer of the past 28 years and I need something new" recruiter websites they can recommend?

Asking for a friend...

Isgrimnur wrote:Update your resume on LinkedIn, and there will probably be a few contacts in short order.

tjg_marantz wrote:Did you try the breaking of the legs?
Maybe they'll come around.

Paingod wrote:They've failed to realize that it's easier to find the right person and train them to have the skills you want than it is to find someone with the skills you want and hope they're the right person.