employment

[Scott Gravenhorst]

KA4HJH <ka4hjh at gte.net> wrote:
>So whatever you do, be careful about what you say on that job application!

Very true.  Although "creative writing" is an asset.  My own short 
anecdotal story:

I had been a computer hardware tech for many years and quite tired
of lugging up to 100 lbs of stuff from site to site.  I had always
loved programming and did prodigious quantities of it at home.  To
the point that degreed guys commented on my chops saying "why aren't
you doing this instead?".  I knew there was more $$, more fun and
no heavy lifting.

So, I began to evolve my resume.  I attenuated my hardware experience
and amplified my software.  For example, I had to write little
diagnostic scope loops...  That's legitimate programming, albeit
small.  It goes on the resume.  Anything I wrote at home went into
the "other experience" zone of the resume.  Mind you that any and all
was easily demonstrated.  Eventually, the hardware stuff went away.

At this point, I have worked for a private consulting firm, then 
American Honda Motors and now Kinko's Corporate.  In the last two
jobs, software I wrote hit many thousands of machines.  (read: if I
screwed it up, there would be no way to hide it and nowhere to hide)
The last job jump I made (to kinko's) went from 50K to 6 figures.  
I am their "permanent consulting contractor".  My contract was written 
for two months... That was two years ago.  This is because I am able to 
do what I say I can do, I don't lie, and I get along with everyone.

I have no degree in anything.

-- Scott Gravenhorst : On The Edge, but the Edge of What?
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