When I was desperately searching, I considered looking for a toastmasters
club I could join, even though I'm not that interested in public speaking.
I think toastmasters could be a good way to show your talent and versatility
to the business community.


ML <mlo888@usa.net> wrote:
>Hello everyone,
>
>I've been told that the best way in any field to find a job is by
>networking, or in other words, meeting IT decision makers by setting up

>"informational interviews" and then have those people refer you to other

>people.
>
>However, from my experience in IT, instead of referrals to more decision

>making people, I continually get referred to recruiters, which is what a

>job candidate is trying to avoid in the process of career networking.
>
>Some fanatical career networking advisers I know insist that it does'nt

>matter what you know, but what you do need to show is passion for the
>position that you are pursuing. However, the IT decision makers that
>I've dealt with already assume that you are looking for a job, and that

>the business of conducting "informational interviews" doesn't seem to
>register with them. Is there some nuance or step that I'm missing in
>the process? Or is my sneaking suspicion, that what you know in IT
>really does count more than who you do know correct?
>
>Do any of you have any luck penetrating small business using these kinds

>of techniques?
>
>I've had a few years of experience COBOL programming during Y2K and have

>partially engineered a switch to Java. What I mean by partially is that

>I've taken a class and have it working on a website I'm hosting at home

>for a non-profit (www.ocachicago.org). However, I am looking for a
>means to getting more meatier experience.
>