1. Getting an
Open-Source Job in
This Post-Recession World
Todd Cranston-Cuebas
Metacloud, Inc.
@geekhunter • tcc@metacloud.com

2. What is a Recession?
A recession is a period of falling
economic activity spread across
the economy, lasting more than a
few months

3. Why was it “Great?”
Housing crisis
Near financial collapse
Stopped spending
Markets stagnate
Jobs are lost

4. It was LONG!
The Great R = 18 months
2001 recession = 8 months

5. When did it end?

6. Some Astounding
Numbers
When the recovery started,
there was 1 job for every...
9 unemployed Americans

7. Some Astounding
Numbers
By last December, there were 3 jobs
for every...
10 unemployed Americans

8. Some Astounding
Numbers
Today, the average unemployed
worker has been looking for a job
for...
35 weeks

9. Not all “doom & gloom”
There ARE technology jobs!
You can prepare to compete!
You can get a job!

10. Things to consider
What do you want to do?
What are your skills?
What kind of company “fits” you?

11. Things to consider
What do they want you to do?
What skills are they expecting?
What is their company culture?

12. Traditional vs. Progressive
Formal Informal
Many layers Flat
Political Apolitical
Risk-averse Risk-takers
ROI-driven Talent-driven

13. ROI vs. Talent
Resources Talent
Specific impact Broad impact
Hard-to-find skill High-demand skill
Immediate impact Huge potential
Diplomas/Certs Accomplishments
Contractors Super-stars

14. Widening Gap
What the employer wants
What people can do

15. Aggravating Factors
Off-shoring/out-sourcing
Rapid shifts in technology
Automation

16. Frustration
Applicants:
Sending resumes and no response
Hiring managers:
Can’t hire people they need
Recruiters:
Can’t present best potential “employee”

17. The Key for Job-Hunters
Apply to jobs
that you can do.
Plan for jobs that
you want to do.

18. Can you do it?
Analyze the job description
Out of place bullet points
Required years of experience
Required level of proficiency

19. Can you do it?
Look for the “soft” requirements
Communication skills
Client management
Vendor management
Leadership abilities

20. Bridging the gap
Self-evaluation
Look for “like” or “near” fits
It’s OK to stretch but...
know you’re stretching

21. Bridging the gap
If you’re constantly stretching...
you know what to work on

22. Self Improvement
Can’t speak? Go to Toast Masters
Automation = coding
Take bizdev classes
Work on org/time-management
One-step back, two-steps forward

23. Expose yourself!
Profile = a resume
Career opportunities?
Give / receive “recommendations”
LinkedIn, G+, Facebook, Twitter
Email & Phone in profile

24. Leave Breadcrumbs
Keywords
Share code
Blog, Google+ page, etc.
Share presentations

25. Get Connected
Social tech “influencers”
Scour profiles for contacts,
groups, events
Join online and off line
communities and groups

26. Ask for Advice
People like to help others
Find a good target for advice
You know where they work
Call them!
Be “recruiter bold”

27. Dangers of Being Social
Recruiters ;)
Get custom email/phone #
The public/private “oops!”
Breaking employer’s policy

28. The Recruiter
Recruiters are gatekeepers
We connect people to jobs
You have 15 seconds... go!
Find a back door

29. The Resume
There is NO perfect resume
Customize for each job
Do you homework

30. What to Include
Generic bad, detailed good.
Connect the dots
Everything is NOT relative
Forget the “one page” rule

31. Text search
Keywords again
Keep formatting simple
Use “biz” standard file formats
Keep contact info out of headers
Provide cover page
Fill in all other info asked

32. ATS Systems
Apply online
ATS parses resume
Auto-fills key fields
A new candidate is born

33. Do
Give job transition details
Indicate if you were a contractor
Give name of your actual employer
Include start and end dates
List technologies used in each role
Spell-check!

34. Don'ts
List every tech you ever touched
Lie
Use a “nasty” email address
Put a picture of yourself

35. The Elevator Talk
In less than 1 minute tell me:
Your target job
Why your skills match that job
How you can benefit your employee
Why you’re passionate about your craft

36. Things to Avoid
Things to Avoid
Stressing what you want to gain
“I’m a fast learner”
Multiple target jobs
Rambling

37. Interview Prep
Documentation samples
Code samples
A web “portfolio”
Links to public code repositories

38. Research
Company history
Products
Job descriptions for insights
Press releases
LinkedIn profiles
Why you want to work there

39. A special thanks to...
for supporting my presentation at
SCALE 11x