Advise.

lendarios · 11-01-2006, 02:34 PM

I don't know if this is the correct forum but here it goes.

I need advise from developers and people that know the business side of programming.

I graduated a Bachelor in Computer Science from FIU, in South Florida, this summer. My curriculum included Java, C++, VB, C and C#.

I been trying to find a job as a programmer, but i have been unable. The local job offers are controlled by companies such as Robert Half and Tek, that give you 3 month contract-to hire options. I have spoken with friends that have gone with them and they give horrible references about them, basically its a 3 month contract and then the company does not hire you, since that will give Robert half or Tek a big % of your initial salary.

I currently have a Full time position in IT that pays 35k a year, (non programing related) so its hard for me to leave that to go for a 3 month position, where i know i may be jumping from one job to another.

Is this the current state of programming across the USA? Do head hunter companies controlling the job market, serving between as middle man and getting a huge % by just introducing person A to company B are the norm?
Also how much is the expected per hour salary of a junior programmer?

Any help or comments will be appriciated

Zippygoose · 11-01-2006, 06:17 PM

If that is really the state of affairs in your city it looks like you need to move man. Did you do any internships in college?

If programming is really what you want to get into it'd be in your best interest to get into something-anything that makes you do it every day. If your resume says you have 2 years (or worse, 5 years) of IT experience and you're applying for a programming job the interviewer is going to raise an eyebrow. That's not to say that some diversified experience is a bad thing-far from it, but you need to get some other programming experience besides a college degree.

As far as finding job offerings without going through recruiters-have you tried monster, careerbuilder and local job sites? If there are zero local job sites in Florida (which I highly doubt) then make one! There's an impressive thing to put on a resume.

The market is always good for experience and talent. The hard part is getting your foot in the door. That might mean a non-paid internship, an $8/hr internship or an extremely low level programming position. Hell, you might be able to find something that keeps you in your regular job while you gain that experience. Salary shifts all over the place depending on where you live. Check out Monster's salary center to give youself an idea: https://secure.salary.com/salaryrepo...psr&p=mnstr42x

lendarios · 11-01-2006, 08:05 PM

Thats the thing, all the careerbuilder.com are actually posted by the headhunters.

Benito Fireslinger · 11-02-2006, 11:10 AM

try these sites

http://www.ajb.dni.us/
http://www.usajobs.gov/
www.indeed.com

I posted my resume on hotjobs and monster and got only 1 serious offer which I took in Atlanta. Because I lived in a small town with absolutely no opportunities I was forced to move to Atlanta for work. Luckily I had a job lined up with I graduated (heh I graduated May 6, moved to atlanta may 7, and started working may 8).

Government jobs are paying really well right now, I have seen some in the 60-80k range with little experience.

11-01-2006, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
lendarios weeeeee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, Fl. Posts: 706	Advice. I don't know if this is the correct forum but here it goes. I need advise from developers and people that know the business side of programming. I graduated a Bachelor in Computer Science from FIU, in South Florida, this summer. My curriculum included Java, C++, VB, C and C#. I been trying to find a job as a programmer, but i have been unable. The local job offers are controlled by companies such as Robert Half and Tek, that give you 3 month contract-to hire options. I have spoken with friends that have gone with them and they give horrible references about them, basically its a 3 month contract and then the company does not hire you, since that will give Robert half or Tek a big % of your initial salary. I currently have a Full time position in IT that pays 35k a year, (non programing related) so its hard for me to leave that to go for a 3 month position, where i know i may be jumping from one job to another. Is this the current state of programming across the USA? Do head hunter companies controlling the job market, serving between as middle man and getting a huge % by just introducing person A to company B are the norm? Also how much is the expected per hour salary of a junior programmer? Any help or comments will be appriciated Last edited by lendarios : 11-03-2006 at 05:47 AM.

11-01-2006, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Zippygoose Math Enthusiast/Badass MC Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 586 -1 Internets	If that is really the state of affairs in your city it looks like you need to move man. Did you do any internships in college? If programming is really what you want to get into it'd be in your best interest to get into something-anything that makes you do it every day. If your resume says you have 2 years (or worse, 5 years) of IT experience and you're applying for a programming job the interviewer is going to raise an eyebrow. That's not to say that some diversified experience is a bad thing-far from it, but you need to get some other programming experience besides a college degree. As far as finding job offerings without going through recruiters-have you tried monster, careerbuilder and local job sites? If there are zero local job sites in Florida (which I highly doubt) then make one! There's an impressive thing to put on a resume. The market is always good for experience and talent. The hard part is getting your foot in the door. That might mean a non-paid internship, an $8/hr internship or an extremely low level programming position. Hell, you might be able to find something that keeps you in your regular job while you gain that experience. Salary shifts all over the place depending on where you live. Check out Monster's salary center to give youself an idea: https://secure.salary.com/salaryrepo...psr&p=mnstr42x __________________ Join the FoH stock market game Last edited by Zippygoose : 11-01-2006 at 06:21 PM.

11-02-2006, 11:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Benito Fireslinger Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 333 +0 Internets	try these sites http://www.ajb.dni.us/ http://www.usajobs.gov/ www.indeed.com I posted my resume on hotjobs and monster and got only 1 serious offer which I took in Atlanta. Because I lived in a small town with absolutely no opportunities I was forced to move to Atlanta for work. Luckily I had a job lined up with I graduated (heh I graduated May 6, moved to atlanta may 7, and started working may 8). Government jobs are paying really well right now, I have seen some in the 60-80k range with little experience. __________________ Archimonde

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11-01-2006, 08:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
lendarios weeeeee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, Fl. Posts: 706	Thats the thing, all the careerbuilder.com are actually posted by the headhunters.