He found a job: My Interview with Joerg Schulze-Clewing
Joerg-
Thank you again for taking the time to share with us what you’ve done to land your job.
Can you give a brief over view of your background and the circumstances that led to your unemployment?
My background is electrical engineering, my degree is from RWTH Aachen University in Germany. I specialize in analog circuit design, something that some of our professors told us would be a dying art. Of course they were wrong and I knew it but many others believed them. Then I started my career at Squibb Medical Systems, designing parts of medical ultrasound machines.
I was not unemployed. What happened was that my first employer closed their whole R&D facility in Europe. They offered us jobs in the US but the deal wasn’t all that attractive. So I became self-employed. Loved it. Back then I was able to turn a profit for my first year although I was only self-employed only the last six months of that year. This really baffled the tax folks (they called, asking if that was really true).
Thanks for the background and clarification. What was the first thing you did when you started looking for a more permanent or full time opportunity?
For my first job I compiled a binder with brief outlines, photos and schematics of all the hobby projects I had completed. Plus summer job projects as far as I was permitted to disclose them. Other students and even faculty at the university said this would be silly and I’d be ridiculed. Not so. At my first interview a hiring manager was poring over this binder, became really interested. I nailed it. Later when this manager’s car was in the shop and I gave him a ride home he said “Hey, can we swing by your house? I want to see that monster amplifier you had in your binder when you interviewed last year!”
Interesting approach. Why did you chose to do that?
It shows potential employers that you can organize your work all by yourself, get the design done and tested, plus furnish proper documentation. So they saw that they didn’t have to teach me to do that, they could just toss me into the pool and I’d be able to swim.
What was the most valuable or successful thing you did to land the job?
This binder, for the first job. Later when self-employed I wrote proposals. Whenever I saw something in whatever branch of the electronics industry where I thought “Hey, this could be done much better” I found out who the upper managers were at a particular company, or the CEO. This was not so easy in the 90’s but now with Internet it is very easy. All you have to find is the typical email prefix convention, the correct spelling of the person’s name, and bingo. Usually. It doesn’t work 100% of the time but then there is always the mail.
A proposal can take up to a week which is unpaid time. I try to condense mine into a maximum of 6 pages, or three double-sides sheets. No fluff, cut straight to the chase. This has landed me numerous consulting assignments and the best job I ever had (upper management).
What advice, based on what you’ve gone through, would you give someone who is looking?
Don’t shy away from he more unusual methods of contacting upper managers. Don’t listen to others when they say it’s a stupid idea. Try to get to talk to some managers at trade shows, not at job fairs where they usually won’t be present anyhow. But only do that when you have some ideas for their business, else they’ll politely end the conversation with some small talk.
I would not use platitudes in resumes, things like “team-oriented person”. I find it more important to outline achievements and personal goals, and where exactly you believe you could contribute.
Hint for engineering students: Get cracking with that solder iron. Build stuff. Just learning theory and simulations isn’t going to cut it. Try to land a technical summer job, not serving guests at some restaurant. Yeah, the tips may bring you more money but future employers will be much more impressed if you can say “I designed a so-and-so gizmo at SuperDuper Corporation” or “I worked on an oil rig” (I did both).
Think about whether self-employment is for you. It’s not for everyone but it is a very viable path for engineering and similar professions. Be frugal. I bought almost everything second hand. Desks, equipment, gear, and so on. Curb convenience expenses. No, you don’t really need cable TV, the daily stop at the coffee shop, and a pricey gym membership can often be replaced by chopping your own firewood, hiking and so on. Heck, I even have a prepaid cell phone for business. Costs me about five Dollars a month. We have no cable TV or satellite, my car is well past 10 years and in perfect shape, I use CostCo phone cards for business long distance calls. Not that I have to, but by choice. Resist the temptation to live from check to check, because one day an expected check might not show up. And don’t forget health insurance which can be the big show stopper for self-employment. If you have known risk factors or had too much illness in the past most likely you’d be unable to get any.
Last but not least give back to the community. Volunteer. Be active. My wife and I mostly do this through our church and it is very rewarding. Money is not the most important factor in life.
Joerg - thank you again for your thoughts and insights. Your approach has obviously worked for you and could do the same for others. If anyone would like to reach out to Joerg, feel free to contat him through his site http://www.analogconsultants.com/
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Tags: Career, Career Advice, Duane, Impressions, Job Search, My Interviews
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August 13th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
This has potential. More discussion about what actually works amid the dynamics of the Central Valley’s business climate may be key to reducing State UI claims.
As Web Liaison of the Sacramento Professional Network, I have noticed three vital keys used among those who have secured gainful employment. 1)Carefully crafted resumes that convey strengths without loss of integrity, 2) Polished interview techniques that include a well-formulated 30/60, and 3) that often neglected Thank You.
I am available to expound.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Anthony -
Agreed. The basics have to be done or the job search is a complete waste of time.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I have created over 100 resume versions.. and submitted over 3000. Edison did something simmilar, over 10,000 different versions. Don’t stop until you run out of bad ideas. PERSISTENCY is the key.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Good idea to show someone who succeeded, rather than explaining how hard is the job search. POsitive aproach. I like it ;-)
August 13th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Duane - I’d like to feature success stories on my talk show “Good Work NOW!”, which airs every Sunday night at 7:30 PM on Cable 17 - http://www.goodworknow.com. Maybe we can collaborate?
August 13th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Looking for a new project is … Whatever you want it to be… if you believe it is hard and frustrating, it will be. If you believe it is challenging, it will. You can even choose to believe it is fun and exciting. You only need to choose how you want to live the job hunting experience. I’m glad Edison chose, what he chose, otherwise some one else would have picked up where stopped and gain all the glory.
I believe the market is looking for winners not whinners. CHOOSE a powerfull state of mind… your future project sponsor will detect you can solve HIS problems, unfortunatelly he is not so interested in solving yours. But by solving his you’ll solve yours.
There must be a million books on success… so finding the “magic” formula is not difficult at all. But one needs to be committed and deciplined to reach success.
So remember, NO doesn’t mean NO, it only means NO YET. You have to figure out what you need to change in your methods and procedures. That’s all. A comma or period or letter in the right place can make the difference.
Be willing to accept critism. Asks someone who is willing to tell you truth. I’m world worst speller.. I’m sure you’ll pick up errors in this simple message. So you can imagine what I have had to put up to correct my literature….
Employers do not necessarily know what they are looking for. You need to help them see, feel, hear, …. you are the person they want.
Good luck to you. The unployment rate is high, but the employement rate mains higher. at least 90% are employed.
:)
August 13th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Eduardo - 100 resume version and 3000 sendouts - is that for you personally? How do you keep track of all of that job activity? I agree it’s important to keep trying BUT I’ve always touted consistency and being targeted in a job search. Not saying that you aren’t doing these things but I wanted to get a better understanding of your approach.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Lauranie - thanks for the well wishes. We hear to much about what doesn’t work and get advice from the experts (recruiters and HR folks like me) telling you to try this or that… I decided I wanted to talk to folks that have been there and been successful in finding a job. Watch this space.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Duane,
personally. no need to track. if they call the message works, if no calls… you know the answer. I got calls, interviews, job offers, and I have accepted a career offer. What else do I need?
Analitical people are obsesed about statistics… how many hits on you website etc… that is useful to entertain the mind. Results oriented people have a different focussed.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:26 am
By far, the best way to land a job is through contacts and networking. Hands down the most productive use of your time. I have landed 2 jobs in the last year in this economy through networking and contacts. Once you get in the door, you do need to prove yourself and interview well. Also come prepared with letters of recommendation. Blindly uploading resumes into databases takes forever, and you rarely get even a reply. Linked in has helped me tremendously in both of my searches. Keep every business card of everyone you meet, no matter where. You never know when that person can help you!
August 14th, 2009 at 1:32 am
My 6 months of job search were frustrating in terms of getting interviews. Without being a perfect fit, checking every single box, it was difficult to get the call back. I got tired of ‘looking’ for a job and took two commission only positions for firms with interesting technology. One of them I found here on LinkedIn. The other I found through attending a Vendor session and talking to some ISV’s that had developed add-on products. After demonstrating work ethic and proficiency one of the founders sponsored me in for a full time position. This company is full of extremely talented, hard working and intelligent people and has very exciting prospects. There would have been no chance of me finding this company without taking a chance to showcase my abilities.
For me the process of actually working into a position was more positive than working the the search process.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Joe - I appreciate the comments. Your approach has obvisouly worked (taking the commission only job) in getting your foot in the door. By doing this, you give yourself the opportunity to close a deal and have cash coming in.