[PLUG-JOBS] Not enough experience.

[Robert M. Riches Jr.]

Michael, here are a couple of ideas:

Contracting and temporary jobs often require less experience
than "permanent" jobs and can be useful to build up an
experience base on a resume.

Some companies (such as a large semiconductor company with
facilities in Hillsboro and Aloha) hire Recent College
Graduates.  At times, there have been more RCG openings than
experienced openings.  If you are an Under Represented Minority,
make sure that is evident in your application and (if possible)
on your resume.  (Disclaimer: The preceding is my personal view
and not necessarily that of my employer.)

Network.  Many jobs are filled by referral rather than the HR
pipeline.  WorkSource Oregon has a group that meets at the
PCC facility near 185th and Baseline.  Also, build as large a
professional network on LinkedIn as you can.

Register with WorkSource Oregon and take their seminars on
resume writing, interviewing, and such.

Best of luck.

Robert



> From: Michael Christopher Robinson <michael at robinson-west.com>
> To: plug-jobs at lists.pdxlinux.org
> Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2017 17:22:21 -0700
> Sender: plug-jobs-bounces at lists.pdxlinux.org
>
> The software developer market in Portland doesn't appear to have any
> need for junior level programmers.  I constantly find jobs for senior
> level people on indeed and beyond and nothing for someone with 0 years
> of experience.  I see people are coming to Oregon with experience and
> effectively wiping out the entry level completely.  Short of having had
> internships during college, how am I supposed to compete?  A degree is
> not experience, it's a lot of theory that has to be applied and
> polished in an actual job.  I have experience maintaining a network
> on my own, but it is hard to quantify where I'm at.  I'm pursuing an
> LPI level 2 certificate now and have an LPI level 1 administrator
> credential.  I'm curious if anyone talented out there is facing the
> same can't get past the lack of experience problem that I'm facing 
> and if they would like to join me to open a shop in Portland that
> builds and supports Linux based desktop systems for people?  To be
> successful, I need a computer engineer that can do hardware selection
> and physical builds.  I want to specialize on the software side.  There
> are a few companies elsewhere that do Linux laptops and desktops, but
> they are elsewhere.  I want to open an actual shop here in Portland. 
> Maybe hosting is something the shop can do as well.  Thankfully, some
> recruiters are interested in me.  Sadly, I can't produce experience
> out of thin air.  I have a lot of talent, but I need hands on
> experience.  I need a good partner one that does hardware with a 
> speciality in Linux compatability.  What I'm proposing instead of
> continuing to look for a job is to start a business and find a 
> partner.  I understand that there are venture capital firms in
> Portland.  Anyone interested?
>
>      -- Michael C. Robinson