constructive nonconformist

My Greatest Weakness?

The question “What is your greatest weakness?” is a job interview trope.

I don’t know my greatest weakness. I don’t know my greatest strength. I haven’t given thought to either superlative.

Whatever is my greatest weakness today, probably won’t be for long. I make mistakes. I have regrets. But I’m continually improving. Mistakes and failings are learning opportunities. I am better prepared the second time I encounter a given issue or situation.

Part of the territory of being a software engineer is to always be learning, adapting, and problem solving. In that mutual endeavor we should be generous. We should stand on the shoulders of others and be a shoulder for others to stand on.

Blogger's Block

I haven’t blogged for a while. Time and “blogger’s block” have been issues. But someone noticed and that’s encouraging. (Thanks for noticing.)

First my news. I’m back at work. Yay!

I won’t say where. It has been my policy to not identify my current or previous employers on my blog. My blog is a personal interest and the views and opinions expressed here are my own. It’s best not to create even a possibility for confusion about that.

I’ve never intended for this blog to be of the personal journal variety. That’s created a problem. What’s worthy of sharing in a blog post? And even if it’s worthy, is it too risky? I was sorely tempted to post about some of my job hunt experiences. For job seekers the market is improving but it’s still a buyer’s market. Sometimes when a buyer thinks they have all the power they can be — less than considerate. But whining about a bad experience won’t win points with the next prospective employer. And this blog may not be a journal but it is partly about self-marketing.

So what now? It’s time to just write and not worry about being worthy.

Link: 10 Ways to Tweak Your Tech Resume

From eWeek: 10 Ways to Tweak Your Tech Resume.

Related Posts:
Blogging for a Better Career.

The Job Search is Afoot

For most of human existence the average person’s life has been brutal and short. I’m grateful to be living in an age when I can survive by creating value with something as abstract and esoteric as computer programming — instead of foraging for roots and berries. Hooray for big brains, opposable thumbs, and a few thousand years of technological development.

But currently I’m in “employment transition” and the whole working-for-a-living thing kind of sucks when it’s not working. It’s tough to be home and feel guilty about spending time with the kids.

I had a dream the other night. There was a knock at the door. When I opened the door a man thrust a cartoonishly large sack into my hands. There was a large dollar sign on the side of the sack and money was escaping out of the top like popping popcorn.

“You’re brilliant and gifted”, he said. “We want you to be financially secure so you can do what is most important — nurture and raise your family and create great software — without concern for the vagaries of business cycles, restructuring, mergers, outsourcing, and corporate politics.”

Yeah. That’ll happen.

It’s time to pound the pavement, cast a large net, spread a thousand seeds, mix some metaphors, and see what sticks to the wall. The job search is afoot.

In Transition …

Not long ago my five year old son asked me “Daddy, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

His question has become more relevant. I have been laid off.

Proud to be Working for the Monster

In 1998 a remake of Godzilla starring Matthew Broderick was released and the US DOJ filed an anti-trust case against Microsoft. The Boston Globe published a political cartoon depicting Microsoft as Godzilla rampaging through a city.

The company I worked for at the time had contracted to have a Microsoft consultant on site and he posted the Godzilla cartoon in a prominent position on the outside wall of his cubicle.

He didn’t post the cartoon in irony or outrage. He liked the image of Microsoft in the cartoon and he was proud to be part of the monster that was stomping everything in its path.

You might be thinking this is just an anecdote about Microsoft arrogance. It isn’t.

This man loved his job. Gotta respect someone who’s found that kind of career happiness.

Blogging for a Better Career

A recent Boston Globe article described blogs as a career asset.

Link: Blogs ‘essential’ to a good career - The Boston Globe.

A not-so-recent O’Reilly Network article offered advice on writing.

Link: 10 Journalism Tips For Bloggers, Podcasters & Other E-Writers - O’Reilly Digital Media Blog.