Last night I got a call from a guy looking for "talent".
He works for a company in Beverly Hills, CA and does "proprietary stock trading". Beats me what that means but it appears they want Java and NIO.
Having interviewed around L.A. and driven around in L.A. I have no wish to set foot in L.A. again.
May 22 update: the guy called again and started to talk the "proprietary" Gobbledygook again; told him I am not interested.
-ulianov
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Recruiters' Capital Sins (Part 5)
A company called Beacon e-mailed me. They addressed me as "UNIX" (which is part of my e-mail address).
These low-lifes are not even using a human to do the Ctrl+F thing, they simply have some sort of a bot that prowls the web for resumes.
But I suppose they would being that they extol these virtues on their website:
May 21 update: a co-worker tells me that some recruiters want MS-Word instead of PDF so they can change the Resume and pass it to the employers. He advises me to password-protect the Resumes I send out. Good bit.
-ulianov
These low-lifes are not even using a human to do the Ctrl+F thing, they simply have some sort of a bot that prowls the web for resumes.
But I suppose they would being that they extol these virtues on their website:
- "Leading edge internet recruiting techniques which dramatically extend your company's reach, ensuring both quality and volume in your candidate pipeline"
- "Access to our deep, talented network of contract recruiting professionals"
May 21 update: a co-worker tells me that some recruiters want MS-Word instead of PDF so they can change the Resume and pass it to the employers. He advises me to password-protect the Resumes I send out. Good bit.
-ulianov
Friday, May 9, 2008
J**diva is a SPAM House
I've been getting e-mail (i.e. carpet bombing) from various recruiters that use J**diva as their delivery man.
I keep unsubscribing but it's no use. And THAT is what makes J**diva a spammer!
May 28 update: masked company name.
Jul 22 update: Yes, they are BFS'es (i.e. Big Effing Spammers). I blacklisted them and redirected their SMTP traffic to a fake MTA and lo and behold all e-mail coming from them is random job ads spamming crappy jobs that have no meaning whatsoever for me.
Just like the V:/\gR@ ads but coming from bottom-feeding recruiters instead of your friendly neighbourhood scammer.
-ulianov
I keep unsubscribing but it's no use. And THAT is what makes J**diva a spammer!
May 28 update: masked company name.
Jul 22 update: Yes, they are BFS'es (i.e. Big Effing Spammers). I blacklisted them and redirected their SMTP traffic to a fake MTA and lo and behold all e-mail coming from them is random job ads spamming crappy jobs that have no meaning whatsoever for me.
Just like the V:/\gR@ ads but coming from bottom-feeding recruiters instead of your friendly neighbourhood scammer.
-ulianov
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Know-It-All Recruiter
D.G. of NJ writes:
This nincompoop does not bother to read Resumes (Ctrl-F is GOOD) or he would have learned that I don't do FreeBSD.
PLUS he sent me the whole job requisition including the comments that the employer meant for him-only:
-ulianov
I saw your profile on Job Site, which I believe
well qualifies you for a position with Intel in
Portland, OR. Please contact me ASAP [...]
This nincompoop does not bother to read Resumes (Ctrl-F is GOOD) or he would have learned that I don't do FreeBSD.
PLUS he sent me the whole job requisition including the comments that the employer meant for him-only:
Should be a graphics software developer with a
degree, or at least 3-5 years of experience.
Mid - Sr. level.
Validation experience is a plus.
Need an experienced resource familiar with BSD,
validation methods, driver level or kernel level
debug and/or driver development.
Analyzing the test coverage of BSD stack,
identifying & filling test gaps, helping to develop
debug methodology for BSD environment, offering
input to developers as to potential problem areas
in design.
We are creating a FreeBSD kernel here in VCG. If
someone has extensive experience with unix/linux,
then that would helpful. Ideally someone who is
comfortable with debug and test of BSD is preferred.
A SW developer with test/validation experience is
exactly what we want.
-ulianov
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Recruiters' Capital Sins (Part 4)
My recruiter genie has managed to condense wisdom & experience in a gem:
I couldn't have put it better. Now I understand why they insist on having Resumes in Word format... PDF seems like rocket science to most of them.
-ulianov
"Using Ctrl-F as their primary method for reviewing resumes"
I couldn't have put it better. Now I understand why they insist on having Resumes in Word format... PDF seems like rocket science to most of them.
-ulianov
Recruiters' Capital Sins (Part 3)
C.A.H. of NH wants me to take a f/t job in Franklin, MA which pays up to 90k.
The job requires "1-5 years C/C++ programming experience under Linux". To an astute reader this means "Junior/Intermediate".
She either did not read my Resume or she is desperate. Or maybe her client is desperate and cheap.
The name of the sin is not matching job requirements with candidate's experience.
-ulianov
The job requires "1-5 years C/C++ programming experience under Linux". To an astute reader this means "Junior/Intermediate".
She either did not read my Resume or she is desperate. Or maybe her client is desperate and cheap.
The name of the sin is not matching job requirements with candidate's experience.
-ulianov
Recruiters' Capital Sins (Part 2)
The moron from Oxford (WI) called again to see "how I am".
The name of the sin is not having a job to push.
Such creeps are a positive waste of time. I told him to sod off.
He's slow on the uptake and he sent me three jobs, two in Cali and one in Kitchener, ON. The latter is in R*M land and I suspect it's a low-paid job :(
-ulianov
The name of the sin is not having a job to push.
Such creeps are a positive waste of time. I told him to sod off.
He's slow on the uptake and he sent me three jobs, two in Cali and one in Kitchener, ON. The latter is in R*M land and I suspect it's a low-paid job :(
-ulianov
Recruiters' Capital Sins (Part 1)
M.M. from Frisco, TX commits this sin:
Blah, blah blah. This guy is a rookie with his foot in his mouth.
The name of the sin is communicating w/o a subject.
Love and positive thoughts are a waste of my time. What matters is:
1. location;
2. pay rate;
3. job description.
-ulianov
This is to ask for your interest and availability for
a Contract to hire/Full time position with a Telecom
Client. Would love to have your thoughts and a copy
of your updated resume in a WORD document along with
contact details. I will be glad to get in touch with
you to discuss the opening in person.
You can get in touch with me through mail or also call
my cell phone number given below. I look forward to
hearing from you soon and hope you have a great day!
Blah, blah blah. This guy is a rookie with his foot in his mouth.
The name of the sin is communicating w/o a subject.
Love and positive thoughts are a waste of my time. What matters is:
1. location;
2. pay rate;
3. job description.
-ulianov
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
B**derware in Mississauga
E.C. of Bay Area, CA wishes to send me to B**derware in Mississauga, ON.
The world is small - it happens that many co-workers from a previous company went to work for B**derware, including the VP of Eng. so I asked him to convey my salutations to them.
Update: after one week he called again for exactly the same job. Told him to beep off.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
The world is small - it happens that many co-workers from a previous company went to work for B**derware, including the VP of Eng. so I asked him to convey my salutations to them.
Update: after one week he called again for exactly the same job. Told him to beep off.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
Recruiters' Fees for I**el Gig
K.S. of NJ wants me to go to Oregon to work six months for I**el on W2 for $55/h.
My recruiter genie tells me that they charge I**el $90/h and pocket the difference ($35/h).
Not bad for an agency to make $35,000 for six months of somebody else's work.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
My recruiter genie tells me that they charge I**el $90/h and pocket the difference ($35/h).
Not bad for an agency to make $35,000 for six months of somebody else's work.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
NAS/FreeBSD in Pittsburgh
S.B. of Pittsburgh, PA writes:
I asked what's the salary and S.B's feathers got ruffled:
Well I could not resist replying to that:
Later she became a bit more reasonable but still pushing recruiters' BS:
Translation: Client will pay the least they can get away with. But don't they all want that?
-ulianov
The company is a well-known, well established, company
located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (voted “Most
Liveable” city). It offers competitive salary +
benefits + relocation assistance.
I asked what's the salary and S.B's feathers got ruffled:
Actually this company - for Pittsburgh - pays
beyond what most technical companies pay their engineers.
I'm not sure if this is cultural, but it is not
appropriate to ask that question up front.
Well I could not resist replying to that:
First the question is fair. Plus I've been around the
block a few times (10 years in business) so I know
precisely what the interviewing etiquette is.
It's cultural all right: some recruiters/companies
would have one do umpteenth interviews only to reveal
at the end that they want to go as cheap as possible
and pay below industry average.
It's the culture of "time well spent" on my side.
Therefore its is unbelievably appropriate to ask that
first.
As for the Pittsburgh locale they have to compete
with employers/wages found elsewhere so if they want
to attract good people their pay levels should be
sensibly similar.
Later she became a bit more reasonable but still pushing recruiters' BS:
Our Client ultimately makes its offers based on a
candidate's years of experience, and their salary
requirement.
I understand you don't want to waste your time,
and I appreciate that.
Translation: Client will pay the least they can get away with. But don't they all want that?
-ulianov
Monday, May 5, 2008
Q**lcomm in Disguise
R.G. of NJ writes:
Very boombastik! This smells like Q**lcomm to me. Well Cali is far away so I asked for $85/h.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
I saw your profile on a job portal and it seems to be
a good fit for an opportunity with one of our esteemed
clients, a giant in wireless communications industry.
Title: Embedded Software Engineer
Duration: 6 months contract to hire
Location: San Deigo, CA
Very boombastik! This smells like Q**lcomm to me. Well Cali is far away so I asked for $85/h.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
A**zon Calls
H.G. of A**zon (Seattle, WA) wants me for some Web/GUI job. Obviously she's not good at reading Resumes.
Told her to look at the kindle team as I am into Embedded Linux.
Don't think I shall hear from her again.
I think she had worked at MS before as her initial spam used the same wording.
May 9 update: J.E. of A**zon/handheld devices group has contacted me. Maybe she talked to H.G. or may be it's just a fluke -- her e-mail was rather boilerplate.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
Told her to look at the kindle team as I am into Embedded Linux.
Don't think I shall hear from her again.
I think she had worked at MS before as her initial spam used the same wording.
May 9 update: J.E. of A**zon/handheld devices group has contacted me. Maybe she talked to H.G. or may be it's just a fluke -- her e-mail was rather boilerplate.
May 28 update: masked company name.
-ulianov
Ring-Ring
From 9 to 10:30 the phone rang three times.
They want me ASAP! NOW! ON THE DOUBLE! They don't like Jul 21.
Got two missed calls later. Oh Well.
-ulianov
They want me ASAP! NOW! ON THE DOUBLE! They don't like Jul 21.
Got two missed calls later. Oh Well.
-ulianov
MS Access, No Thanks
Erika S. wants me to do MS-Access. She ain't got no clue.
I asked her what's the rate, just out of curiosity.
-ulianov
I asked her what's the rate, just out of curiosity.
-ulianov
Friday, May 2, 2008
Re-connecting with an old Acquaintance
Went looking for somebody on LinkedIn and remembered "Big Jim" M. of San Diego, CA.
He's a great guy who's been around the block a few times.
Pinged him but he has nothing around Boston, MA :(
-ulianov
He's a great guy who's been around the block a few times.
Pinged him but he has nothing around Boston, MA :(
-ulianov
Javascript (AJAX) / PHP / PostgreSQL Software Engineer
M.G. of Boston, MA wants me for a LAMP job.
This creep hasn't read my Resume. Told him to bugger off.
-ulianov
This creep hasn't read my Resume. Told him to bugger off.
-ulianov
Attack of the Oxford Drones!!
Got THREE calls from three recruiters from Oxford from three distinct locations.
NONE has a job for me but all three want to "work me up". One promises to call later to "get to know me". Another one makes me promise to have him as the sole point of contact at Oxford.
These morons are fishing for Resumes. Shan't talk to them.
May 13 update: got a phone call from a fourth drone; I told him that I do not wish to be contacted by his company as I got too many calls from different persons in his company. I hung up but the bugger kept calling.
These guys are truly unflushable.
-ulianov
NONE has a job for me but all three want to "work me up". One promises to call later to "get to know me". Another one makes me promise to have him as the sole point of contact at Oxford.
These morons are fishing for Resumes. Shan't talk to them.
May 13 update: got a phone call from a fourth drone; I told him that I do not wish to be contacted by his company as I got too many calls from different persons in his company. I hung up but the bugger kept calling.
These guys are truly unflushable.
-ulianov
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Smart Cookie Calls In
N.F. of Salem, NH calls and wants me for Juniper. Cool!
He's one of the few good ones: knows how to listen and pulls references.
Oops! He knows my boss at Moto.
-ulianov
He's one of the few good ones: knows how to listen and pulls references.
Oops! He knows my boss at Moto.
-ulianov
SIP and C++ in Mass
K.P. of Westford, MA wants to know if I do C++ and SIP.
I said yuck to C++.
-ulianov
I said yuck to C++.
-ulianov
Pop Goes a Clueless Recruiter
Got an e-mail from E.L. of Cambridge, MA.
This guy has not read my Resume and he wants me for a Sysadmin. Oh, bugger.
-ulianov
This guy has not read my Resume and he wants me for a Sysadmin. Oh, bugger.
-ulianov
Perl in NYC
Got contacted by J. McG. from NYC for a PERL Developer/Architect in NYC with B**omberg.
Well NYC is a bit high on the cost of living scale and knowing that in NYC in the financial industry they charge $150/h so I asked for that.
J. McG. said no, f/t only so I quoted 150K/year. The guy called, he had a thick NYC accent (think Sopranos -- a bit scary).
He painted a rosy picture with me in it and said that yeah, relocation+ 150K base+bonus is OK.
He also wanted to know that I am committed or something like that, that is me jumping with joy.
Brief detour: I never commit to anything until I talk to some technical people inside so I get an idea about the scope of the work.
He did not like me not signing in blood and asking for 150K base. So is life.
-ulianov
Well NYC is a bit high on the cost of living scale and knowing that in NYC in the financial industry they charge $150/h so I asked for that.
J. McG. said no, f/t only so I quoted 150K/year. The guy called, he had a thick NYC accent (think Sopranos -- a bit scary).
He painted a rosy picture with me in it and said that yeah, relocation+ 150K base+bonus is OK.
He also wanted to know that I am committed or something like that, that is me jumping with joy.
Brief detour: I never commit to anything until I talk to some technical people inside so I get an idea about the scope of the work.
He did not like me not signing in blood and asking for 150K base. So is life.
-ulianov
Monday, April 28, 2008
Intro
I am a Sr. Software Developer specialised in Embedded Linux.
As my contract will expire on July 21, 2008 I started looking for another one on Apr 24-ish.
I made the mistake to apply for a job on Monster (the alternative was an ugly and crashy Or*cle monstrosity) and the pricks at Monster have cached my Resume and allowed recruiters to view it [I did not save it!].
I shall be logging my adventures in Recruiters' land up till the end of July.
-ulianov
As my contract will expire on July 21, 2008 I started looking for another one on Apr 24-ish.
I made the mistake to apply for a job on Monster (the alternative was an ugly and crashy Or*cle monstrosity) and the pricks at Monster have cached my Resume and allowed recruiters to view it [I did not save it!].
I shall be logging my adventures in Recruiters' land up till the end of July.
-ulianov
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
