Last Week and the Week Ahead

During the last week I've had many interviews with recruiting agencies. The vast majority of IT positions in New Zealand are hiring through these agencies, and they each specialize in different areas (government, large enterprise, medium enterprise, consulting firms, etc.). From these interviews I've gotten a good response about my skills, and learned where I need to focus my learning and my future IT certifications. Sadly I have yet to get a job, and have had only one interview with an actual company.

That interview was yesterday, with our Internet Provider "TelstraClear". The interview went OK, however I'm a lot less confident after having the interview. I'm not sure why, but it made me really think about what kinds of IT job I could get and how prepared I am to have another IT job. I have a lot of thinking to do about where I am in my career and where I see my career going. Many of you would be quick to point out that I'm young and have my whole life to figure that out, but alas I am going to be stubborn and do it my way. :) I do welcome all of your input in the matter, and always listen to your suggestions.

Another thing that hit me hard yesterday was after the interview I got an email about another job that a recruiter had emailed to me. I was very excited about the position as it seemed to be a perfect fit (if there is such a thing) and in my opinion I was perfect for it. Much to my disbelief, the manager of that position told the recruiter that they thought I was too "senior" for the role, or that it was below me. It hit me hard because here I was thinking I wasn't good enough for any of the roles I was applying for and then the next second I'm too good. I wish things were easier, but I know that they never are.

The economy has me a little worried lately, as I'm sure it has everyone worried. Because of the time difference in New Zealand when I wake up and eat my breakfast while watching the news the stock markets are closing. Yesterday I sat as the dow was down 800 points, thinking "how can people go to work knowing that everything is going downhill so fast?" I regret not voting absentee, and I do realize how important every vote is. At the same time I don't know who would be better in this time of uncertainty. I know what I believe, and I know who stands with me on 99% of the issues, but the issue that matters most is the economy and I don't know if either candidate will be good for it. I joke when I tell people that I'm from the USA that with the current state of the economy I got out at the right time. I don't think that's true at all. The way things are shaping up around the world there is no way to "get out" or avoid the economic downfall. Its made me think a lot about the great depression, and how America said that we wouldn't let that happen again. Look at Iceland! We're in the year 2008 and Iceland's economy got so bad in a week that it's currency dropped 30%! Iceland is an industrialized nation, they have a GDP, they export, they do stuff! How did this happen? If it can happen to iceland why can't it happen to us? Why can't it happen to the world? The way things are shaping up and crashing down it's only a matter of time before the entire world is in crisis. There was an article on CNN about a 25 year old lady who lost all of her retirement in stocks in the last few weeks and was devastated. What about the retirees who have lost EVERYTHING in the last few weeks? What about the 42 year old man with a wife and 3 kids who just lost the college savings for his oldest child? Are these things we've all taken for granted over the last century, or are these things we deserve as "Americans"? I don't know what's going to happen with the economy - nobody does. We can hope that it turns around. Maybe this is the economic "Katrina". We saw the warnings and we watched the first blow go by. Now we're here a few days later going "maybe we should step in and do something". Perhaps because of what's happening now and what may happen in the next months or years we'll be weathered for the storm. Perhaps this is good in the long run, after all who doesn't want to say the soundbite "the dow will bounce back". All I know it's hard to be motivated to find a job when you know there are less and less jobs, and the job I find may not last long.

I have another interview tomorrow at a company here in town that I'm hoping goes well. I don't know if I want the job, but I want my confidence restored and a good showing at an interview should do that.

I have more to say, much much more, but I don't want these posts to get too long. Let me know what you guys think about anything I discuss in these. I'm curious how the economy is affecting other people and how the elections are shaping up at home.

I hope everyone is well today/tonight, and I miss you all.

-Zach