Summer turns into fall...

I have been looking for a job since April of 2013. I have applied to over 250 applications. I have been to around 40 or 50 interviews. It has been very frustrating. Every day, I am looking for a job. 

The most recent applications have been for:

Vocational Assistant - for the county of Humboldt. I passed the "oral" exam. I was then invited to a formal interview. I was then sent a letter stating that the position was not going to be filled. Thanks for coming and sorry we wasted your time, is how I read the letter.

Social Service Aide - for the county of Humboldt. I have been to two interviews. I have not yet heard back from them.

Northcoast Co-op - IT technician - I applied for this June 3, 2014. I was invited to an interview on August 13. The interview seemed to go well. I saw my "opponent" before I was interviewed. When he was done with his, he walked by me and without any eye contact he says to me "good luck". I smile, and think he must not have impressed them very much. I feel the interview went well, and the person that interviewed me, walked me out of the interview and talked to me much more than he did with the previous candidate. They said they would contact me within a week, if I make the cut for a "second" round. So, hopefully I get to the second round. It took them almost 2 months just to get to the interview process from the date of application.

Open Door Clinic Arcata - Desktop Support Technician. I applied for the position, and gave my primary care physician my resume, she says she handed it personally to the IT supervisor. I have not yet heard from them.

I am about 1.5 months from defaulting on my mortgage. I am doing the best that I can to stay positive. It isnt easy, then again, no one said it would be.

I am working on studying to re take my Microsoft exam 70-410. I attempted this exam on June 27, and did not pass. I plan a different approach to my study tactics and pass this time around. I am also going to take the exam when it is available locally, sometime after September 4th. I would normally have to drive out of the area, to take this exam.

I have been doing the best that I can. I have been doing everything that I have been told to do.

I have been working on a website for a local merchant, and that project is another story, but in short, things are a little weird. At first I was told that all the images, materials, write ups, were ready and available. Then I find out that a photographer is in the process of taking the pictures of the products, but it is taking longer than expected. I was hoping to get this project up and running for this client within a time frame of 3-4 weeks, and its approaching the 4th week, with no images of the product yet, and there are other details to work out such as shipping, and forms of payment.

So, that is a slice of my life, right now.

A list of applications thus far for 2014...

Applied for Windows System Administrator at HSU - 12/31/2013
Applied for Global Support Specialist, Eureka - 1/2/2014
Applied for District Technology Technician, Miranda - 1/6/2014

Fixed a printer issue at Wells Fargo Administrative office, Eureka 1/7/2014

First interview with Southern Humboldt School District for District Technology Technician, Miranda 1/9/2014

Second interview for Southern Humboldt School District for District Technology Technician with Superintendent Susie Jennings on 1/13/2014

Applied for Field Service Technician on Craigslist 1/10/2014 (Scam)

Received card from Humboldt County Personnel, "we are sorry to inform you that you have not been invited to continue in the testing process for this position..." (Vocational Counselor I) - 1/25/2014

Applied for Technical Specialist, Fortuna 2/11/2014
Chris replied back and basically told me I was overqualified and they didn't have a need for a full time Network Administrator.

Applied for IT Technician at Blue Lake Casino 2/12/2014

Signed up for mock interview and interview skills improvement workshop with my vocational counselor at Department of Rehabilitation 2/21/2014

I have been invited to join the Patient Advisory Group for Humboldt Open Door Clinic as a volunteer technology consultant. 2/7/2014, my first group attendance will be 2/28/2014.

Applied for Help Desk/Live Support K-Force, Eureka via Indeed.com 2/25/2014
Applied for Network/System Administrator (work from home) at Joberest.com 2/25/2014
Applied for Eligibility Worker I for Humboldt County 2/25/2014

Went to two of three interview boot camp workshops, at the job market on Tuesday and Wednesday February 25th and 26th. The last day of the workshop is on Friday February 28th. We will be mock interviewed twice and utilize everything we have learned.

Applied for Network Analyst at HSU, Arcata 2/25/2014
Applied for Computer Technician Intern, Fortuna 2/25/2014
Applied for IT contract work at Syntechs 2/25/2014
Applied for Chief Information Officer (CIO), Ferndale 2/26/2014
Applied for Network IT Engineer at Ukiah Valley Medical Center 2/26/2014
Applied for IT Help Desk at Bear River Casino, Loleta 2/27/2014

Total applications for 2014:
15 applications
Total interviews:
2 interviews


I have been working on my CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) exam study. This has been very tough, getting the study time in and getting and keeping a study rhythm going. There are some topics that are tough for me to follow and I am having some trouble with sub-netting. I am going back and reviewing the study material to help myself understand it better. It has been going slower than other IT topics so far. Some of the information and material is somewhat intimidating, but I am learning it, just not as quickly as I had hoped for.

Application for Tech Specialist

 via craigslist 2/11/14

Applied for: technical support specialist

High tech position available for a technical support specialist in wireless field. 10+ year wireless network company is now hiring for full-time customer technical support of wireless and related products. Applicant must be a self-starter and motivated to learn in fast paced environment.

Computer experience is a must, as well as typing and ability to work with basic Microsoft programs. Minor networking experience / wireless experience is required and telephone customer support experience is required. Ability to work well with customers and quickly solving problems is necessary.

Other tasks -
- Basic web development skills and ability to perform website maintenance,
- Ability to work on basic PC and Apple computer operating systems and trouble shoot networking issues is a plus.
- Consumer electronic trouble shooting, phone support.
- Video editing, filming and support is beneficial
- Ability to clearly answer telephones for non technical support sales.
- Minor Electronic troubleshooting - replacing PC boards, cables and components.
- Training positions available as well. If you are in the technical field, we encourage you to apply.

Company offers salary, plus full medical and dental offer at 90 days.

Revised: Goals for 2014

Personal:

• Get a decent IT job
• Network with people
• Work on social/interview skills
• Work on photography skills
• Work on videography skills

Professional:

• Take and pass Windows 8.1 exam 70-687
• Take and pass CompTIA Healthcare HIT-101 exam
• Take and pass Windows Server 2012 400 series
• Take and pass CCNA exam
• Retake SSCP exam

Interview for District Technology Technician

I had an interview for District Technology Technician for Southern Humboldt Unified School District. The interview seemed to go well, and was a 5 person interview panel. The questions they asked however, seemed to be a list that was googled "what questions to as an IT technician".

I questioned my 102 friends on Facebook "how far would you drive for this job" and gave some details of the job and even posted on a IT tech forum of 300k members I belong to. Most of the answers were similar, most people said it was not worth the travel/commute for the pay. Some people said to take the job if there was nothing else available.

The interview pretty much confirmed this. I sat in front of a 5 person interview panel. Each person read from a printed list of about 20 or 30 questions that seemed to be a list that was googled or printed from a list of "what to ask an IT tech at an interview" type of questions. I was asked such a wide range of IT questions that it is not possible to find someone they are looking for, the pay they are asking. For example, they asked me if I have experience in fiber optics. Installing or maintaining fiber optics is a skill usually someone who does cable TV or Satellite installation do. It requires a specific certification and specific training to install and work with fiber optics. Normal IT technicians do not usually have this skill. They asked me if I have experience in designing, building, maintaining webpages. I actually do have experience with that, however that is not what an IT technician does. A web designer does this. They asked me if I have experience with installing commercial routers, switches. That is what a CCNA certified technician does, and they get paid $30/hr min for that type of work. That is extreme minimum. That is also something that is not usually a job that a Network support technician or even a help desk support technician does. Basically, they want a jack of all trades. I would be a one man show. The person they want is someone that is usually paid $35-50/hr. for everything they are asking for. There is a total of 6 schools in which I would be the sole technician for, the schools are very spread out and one of them is an hour from Miranda. I asked if I would have to drive my own vehicle between school sites, and they said no, they have county vehicles for the employees to use.

I have seen the ad for that job open for a while, and now I know why. If I did have the certifications to install fiber optics (CFOT/CPTC/CFOS), or routers, switches (CCENT/CCNA), I would not be working for these people, the pay is way to low for what they are asking for. By the time I do get my CCNA, MCSA titles, I will be overqualified for this position, and definitely would not take $22.42/hr base pay.

There is nothing in the town of Miranda. The population number on the sign says "350" and the number on wiki says 520, so I assume the "350" number is the number of people that reside within the "incorporated city/town" limits. There is one restaurant, one gas station (and one gas pump), one market. There are no medical clinics or hospitals. The closest Hospital is in Garberville and it is a small hospital, patients requiring serious medical attention are either transported or airlifted to Eureka from the area. Relocating there would make no sense. I would have to drive to Eureka to buy clothing and supplies, etc. There is a Mormon church in town.


The job is probably not worth the commute, even at the top end pay of $22.42/hr. They would need to pay someone at least $35/hr for everything they asked for. I am so desperate for a job, I applied anyways. If I make it to round two of the interview process and/or if I get offered the job you can bet that I will be negotiating very hard on getting the $22.42/hr on the grounds that I have to travel 150 miles a day, in a 2006 toyota and spend a minimum of $31 a day (based on current gas prices) to work and back which is approx 8 gallons of gas, plus 2hr and 40mins of travel time. I just want a job.

Applications filled as of 1/4/2014

Applied for:

Applied for Global Support Specialist- Eureka 1/2/2014
Applied for Desktop Support at Teksystems - Eureka 1/4/2014

Completed 19 Lexmark online certification courses 1/4/2014

Goals for 2014

Goals for 2014:

• Get a decent IT job
• Take and pass Windows 7 exam 70-680
• Take and pass CompTIA Healthcare IT exam HIT-001
• Re-take and pass SSCP exam
• Study and take and pass CCNA exam 200-101
• Study and take and pass CompTIA Linux+
• Study and take and pass Windows server 2012 exams 70-410, 70-411, 70-412 obtain MCSA title
• Study and take and pass CCNA security exam 640-554