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Career Turning Points: Keep IT All About the Users

June 2, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

A chance elective in college brought Jackie Lucas into IT, but a passion for people led her to become a CIO.

Now VP and CIO of Baptist Healthcare System, Lucas has always had a business perspective on technology. While she fell in love with computers during a freshman class, she had entered college on an accounting scholarship and couldn’t abandon that field without leaving school. Determined not to give up her new dream, she took as many data processing classes as she could fit into her schedule over the next four years and sought out a job where she could apply both of her skills.

She ended up at a hospital in Tennessee, reporting to the vice president of nursing who had oversight of both financial and IT. There, she discovered a new passion—delivering service to patients, physicians and caregivers. Looking to move up and better serve that mission, she went back to school for her MBA. Even though she was still fascinated by technology and its potential for improving processes and service, she stayed in administration—in part because she couldn’t imagine being part of the hospital’s enterprise IT group, which was entirely focused on maintaining technology and had nothing to do with users.

Job Tips and Job News – IT Resume Writing Do’s

June 1, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

When it comes to any resume, you need to make sure that you are doing it right. Fatal mistakes can be made on a resume, and those mistakes can cause you to lose the chance to obtain the position you were going for. Before you rush into writing your IT resume, it is important to know what you should and shouldn’t do. That way you avoid those mistakes that others make. We will start with the things that you SHOULD do!

IT Resume Do’s

– Font Size: You should choose a good font size, and many people go with Times New Roman for its readability. Remember that your resume needs to get its point across, and it needs to do it fast. Giving your potential employer the ability to quickly read your resume is definitely a plus.

– Bullet Points: Another part of getting the point across quickly is to provide bullet points. These will be short, to the point, and they will show the potential employer exactly what you are capable of. Many people use these today rather than paragraphs because the majority of employers will not take the time to read a paragraph.

– Neatness: Making your IT resume neat is paramount to your success. You need to have the information organized properly and you need to make it very clear. If the employer cannot make heads or tails of your resume, he or she probably will not consider you for the position.

Tags: it resume writing do’s, it resume writing how to, it resume writing help, it resume writing guide, it resume writing tips, it resume writing

Category: IT resume

Mike Hanes
ProVisionTech

ProVisionTech Jobs – Dallas IT Jobs – Dallas Technical Jobs

Dallas IT Recruiter Guy

Integrity in Recruiting
972-200-7171

"Save Time, The Best Resources, Guaranteed!"

Posted via email from ptg’s posterous

Job Tips and Job News – Why You Need to Check Employment Applicants’ Backgrounds Thoroughly Before Taking Them On

June 1, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

ADV: This blog post is courtesy of eGrabber ResumeFinder – the easiest way to source resumes from the web.

It is nowadays considered standard practice to check employment applicant’s backgrounds, before taking them on board; or even before proceeding any further with the recruitment process. Things that are checked here include the likes of applicants’ criminal records, the applicants’ working histories, and the applicants’ financial histories, before taking them on board.

In the earlier years, when this practice began, people always knew why it was being done (in a situation where knowing why you are doing something is likely to help you do it better).

But as the years went on, and the practice became more and more of a standard practice (with the people who initiated it gradually leaving the hiring scene), we started seeing a trend where more and more people involved in hiring don’t actually know why they do it. This, almost inevitably, would lead to a situation where important things were overlooked, or where the whole background checking thing was haphazardly done; being as it came to be seen, ‘just a formality.’

It is from such a background then, that it becomes necessary to remind ourselves why we actually need to check employment applicants backgrounds keenly; so that we can be motivated to do the checking more thoroughly.

One, and (perhaps the most obvious reason as to why) you need to check employment applicants’ backgrounds before taking them on board is to avoid ending up with people who have criminal tendencies on your staff. It is worth keeping in mind that most workplace crimes tend to turn out to be ‘inside jobs’ – carried out by, or with help from, employees. Yet all it takes, sometimes, to avoid things like this is to conduct a simple criminal record check and avoid bringing on board people with dubious pasts. You may be clement, of course, and decide to bring people with dubious pasts who have ‘reformed’ – but it helps to at least be aware of those pasts.

Job Tips and Job News – Upgrade Your Bare-Bones LinkedIn Profile

June 1, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

LinkedIn could be one of your best job-search strategies right now, provided you have more than a bare-bones LinkedIn Profile. Hiring managers and recruiters are searching LinkedIn Profiles for job candidates more than ever before because it is cost-effective and typically yields higher quality candidates than the general job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder.

LinkedIn statistics reveal that nearly half of the 66 million+ LinkedIn members are from the United States and account for more than 42 percent of the global LI traffic. Only a little more than 5 years old, LinkedIn has become a hot social networking tool for professionals worldwide, whether employed or unemployed.

So what does it take to get noticed by an employer or recruiter? Here are seven tips to turn your plain-vanilla LI Profile into a showstopper:

So Grateful For The Freedom We Have

May 31, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

I am so grateful for the freedom that we have due to those in our US Armed Forces and the soldiers that have given their lives for our freedom.

Mike Hanes
ProVisionTech

ProVisionTech Jobs – Dallas IT Jobs – Dallas Technical Jobs

Dallas IT Recruiter Guy

Integrity in Recruiting
972-200-7171

"Save Time, The Best Resources, Guaranteed!"

Posted via email from ptg’s posterous

Contract-to-hire SQL Server DBA/Architect/Developer Opportunity With Great Company in Marshall, TX

May 31, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

We pay for referrals, so if this opportunity is not a good match for your skills or you are not available but know someone who is, please forward this email to them.

MUST BE WILLING TO RELOCATE TO MARSHALL, TX

Position Summary:

The SQL Server DBA performs under minimal supervision to install, configure, and administer all of our SQL Server systems. The DBA will administer databases for transaction-processing systems and participate in the development and refinement of the Enterprise Reporting and data warehousing initiatives for the company. This includes the development and design of database strategies, monitoring and improving database performance, capacity planning, defining optimal configurations and integration requirements, and planning for future expansions for all SQL Server environments.

Education/Training/Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or a related field desired

· Minimum 4+ years of experience in development and management of complex database implementations

· 4+ years of progressive database experience including 2 years of experience in Database Administration

· 2+ years of experience developing complex SQL queries

· Prior experience in Database Administration and Development positions is required

· Experience in Enterprise Reporting and/or Data Warehousing is desired.

Skills:

· Demonstrated abilities in SQL Server Database Administration and SQL Server Database Programming and Development. SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 (SQL Server 2008 a plus) with preferred abilities in SQL Server Database Architecture and Design (OLTP/OLAP)

· Strong SQL skills and experience in SQL performance tuning and optimization

· Experience and knowledge in designing scalable, high-performance database systems

· Experience designing, implementing, tuning and maintaining SQL clusters for highly available OLTP and OLAP systems

· Demonstrated success with database optimization, performance tuning, thorough database analysis and troubleshooting

· Experience with SQL Replication, as well as Backup and Recovery methodologies

· Understanding of multi-tiered application technology

· Design experience with data warehousing projects, multi-dimensional databases, CRM systems, and retail focused software applications is strongly preferred

· Advanced level experience with Analysis Services, Integration Services, and Reporting Services for data extraction, reporting, and analysis is desired

· Good understanding of Windows OS and Infrastructure / Network layer is a plus

· Experience in Designing and Implementing enterprise wide BI solution preferred

· Demonstrated ability to establish and build strong relationships across a broad range of personality types

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· Outstanding customer service/focus skills

· Strong attention to detail, process, deadlines, and quality results

· Team player

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Function as the MS SQL Database Administrator. Perform both routine and emergency systems administration tasks in daily operations.

· Carry out performance profiling, tuning and optimization, as well as database schema refactoring

· Optimize database storage, file group settings and partitioning

· Maintain the integrity of the database and system operations for a 24×7 operation, including designing backup strategies and disaster recovery procedures

· Translate logical database designs into physical implementations optimized for each database’s uses (transaction processing or analytical workload)

· Configure and manage database replications, SSAS, and SSRS

· Interact with hardware and software vendors for new releases of database software, scheduling and implementing operating system/database upgrades as necessary

· Function as the MS SQL Architect. Responsible for design, development, testing, and implementation of database systems.

· Design and create complex data structures to support data-driven applications, ETL processes, ETL development, and data integration standards and reporting solutions

· Manage the consolidation and interconnectivity of all database systems including new design and installation, configuration, security, resource monitoring, designing preventive mechanisms for systems/databases and growth reporting

· Perform code reviews, analyze execution plans, and refactor inefficient code

· Set up and manage scheduled jobs

· Develop technical system documentation.

· Support IT staff and business users in the development, usage and troubleshooting of database-driven applications

· Participate in special projects as needed and performs other duties as assigned.

· Provides on-call assistance as needed.

· Adheres to Code of Conduct and Mission Value Statement.

Working Conditions:

Requires prolonged sitting, some bending, stooping and stretching. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports. Work is performed in an office environment. Work may be stressful at times. Contact may involve dealing with angry or upset people. Staff must remain flexible and available to provide staffing assistance for any/all disaster or emergency situations.

If you have this experience, feel you are a fit for this position, and are interested, please answer the questions below:

1) Do you have an updated Word copy of your resume?

2) What is your availability to start?

3) Are you open to a contract-to-hire position?

4) What is your current salary or pay rate?

5) Are you currently eligible to work for any employer in the US?

6) When is the best time to contact you and what # can you be reached at for this opportunity?

We pay for referrals, so if this opportunity is not a good match for your skills or you are not available but know someone who is, please forward this email to them.

Regards,

Mike Hanes
ProVisionTech
mhanes@provisiontechgroup.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehanes

http://twitter.com/mikehanes
Visit our website: www.provisiontechgroup.com
A Division of RAI Consulting: http://www.raiconsulting.com/

"Save Time, The Best Resources, Guaranteed!"

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Job Tips and Job News – House Votes Yes to Discourage Outsourcing

May 31, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

The package, which among other things is aimed at creating jobs and closing tax loopholes, passed the House.

"In this legislation, which is job creating, it closes the loophole which has allowed businesses to ship jobs overseas. Can you believe that we have a tax policy that enables outsourcing? So if you have one thing to say about this bill to your constituents, you can say that today, you voted to close the loophole to ship U.S. jobs overseas and giving businesses a tax break to do so. It is not right. It will be corrected today.”

So said Speaker Nancy Pelosi to House lawmakers just before they voted on H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. For the record, and as many of you already know, the House of Representatives approved the package Friday on a 215-204 vote. The bill will now move to the Senate, which is scheduled to begin work on it June 7, after a Memorial Day recess.

Among many things, the bill renews expired tax breaks like the research tax credit and state sales tax deduction, extends federal unemployment benefits through November of this year, and includes billions for tax-favored bonds for state infrastructure spending.

Job Tips and Job News – IT Resume Writing Don’ts

May 30, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

– Graphics: Though graphics were very popular at one point, they are quickly fading from the public’s perception of style. If you have graphics, make sure they enhance your resume rather than serving to entertain the reader. This will be viewed as childish and will probably result in your resume being thrown away.

– Excessive use of Features: Yes, you are applying for an IT position, and yes, the employer probably knows that you are familiar with the different features of Microsoft Word. You do not need to flaunt this ability, so keep that in mind. In other words: keep it simple!

– No Vertical Lines: Many people tend to make the mistake of using vertical lines in their resume. You should avoid doing this as much as possible, as it can completely destroy the message of your resume. It looks unprofessional, and if submitted electronically the vertical lines can cause problems.

These are just a few tips that will help you with the creation of your resume. If you do it right, you will have a great IT resume that represents you well. If you do it wrong, you could have a disaster on your hands that will take years to rectify. That being said, do it right the first time!

Tags: it resume writing don’ts, it resume don’ts, it resume writing mistakes, it resume mistakes, it resume tips, it resume writing tips

Category: IT resume

Mike Hanes
ProVisionTech

ProVisionTech Jobs – Dallas IT Jobs – Dallas Technical Jobs

Dallas IT Recruiter Guy

Integrity in Recruiting
972-200-7171

"Save Time, The Best Resources, Guaranteed!"

Posted via email from ptg’s posterous

Job Tips and Job News – IT Spending Recovers After Recession, IDC Says

May 27, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

IDC is predicting that worldwide IT spending will jump 3.8 percent this year, to $1.47 trillion, after a recession-plagued 2009. Hardware makers will be the big winners, with spending on PCs, servers, storage and networking gear expected to soar. However, there are some areas of weakness, in particular in Western Europe and Japan, IDC said.

IT spending is rebounding in the wake of the global recession, with businesses spending on everything from PCs and servers to storage devices and networking equipment, according to market research firm IDC.

In numbers released May 24, IDC is estimating that worldwide IT spending will grow 3.8 percent this year, to $1.47 trillion.

Hardware vendors will be the biggest winners, with spending jumping 6.4 percent, followed by software at 3.1 percent and services at 1.5 percent.

Job Tips and Job News – Certifications Are a Stop on the Road to IT Licensing

May 25, 2010/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by admin

My column "Certifications Are No Longer Optional" generated emotional responses on both sides of the issue, split roughly 50-50. I agree that certs aren’t worthwhile if you’re well respected within your company, close to retirement or employed by a company that doesn’t value certification. But if you might change jobs in the next few years (voluntarily or not), certifications will strengthen your résumé.

And certs’ relevance goes beyond that. They are the first step toward licensing IT professionals.

Many disciplines have established licensing procedures. Anyone working in those fields who lacks a license is severely restricted in what he can do. For example, accountants can offer tax preparation and bookkeeping services, but only CPAs can audit and certify a company’s books.