[ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?

[Scott McBrien]

At the end of the day, it's up to you to ensure you're being treated fairly.  By and large I've found that if I highlight that I've put in extra hours one week and would like to take some free time off another week, my manager has been happy to do it.  But if you're not happy with how you're treated, start looking and move.  Some managers believe that because of the unemployment numbers, they have little incentive to work to keep you.  However, it's been my experience that if you're well skilled and do good work, you won't have a hard time finding a new gig.  Dept. of Labor numbers released last week highlight that the unemployment rate among IT professionals is 3.5'ish percent, which is well below the national numbers.  So there's need out there.  The other thing to remember about Atlanta, specifically, is that it's a really big small town.  So a lot of folks in our industry either know each other or know of each other.  That can be an asset or a detriment.

-Scott

On Aug 30, 2012, at 9:21 AM, simontek at gmail.com wrote:

> In LA, I worked a salaried job, it didn't bother me when I worked 60 hours, and I didn't get over time, but the following week, when I worked 35, and only got paid for 35, I was very annoyed. When I asked about it, I was told we don't get paid overtime. So I was treated like an hourly employee til I hit 40. I learned a valuable lesson out of that. 
> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Lightner, Jeff" <JLightner at water.com>
> Sender: ale-bounces at ale.org
> Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:13:54 
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<ale at ale.org>
> Reply-To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
> Subject: Re: [ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?
> 
> Once again totally unrealistic advice for most people looking for a job.
> 
> The real fact is that in most IT jobs you are salaried because you are classified as a "professional" and just like salaried managers "professionals" are required to work "until the job is done".   This means usually you're NOT going to work only 40 hours a week because there is always more work to do.   While SOME organizations do have structured compensation for additional hours or on call (or at least "comp time") the reality is that MOST do not have official policies because being salaried means you're "exempt" from overtime by law.   Usually comp time is an understanding between you and your manager.  If you're salaried and had to work 60 hours because something was down or something critical was due then most managers recognize it and will allow for time off in the following week.    "Insisting" on things during the interview process is a good way to have interviewers simply think "Next!"
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Bob Toxen
> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 6:54 PM
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> Subject: Re: [ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?
> 
> For full-time (meaning not paid by the hour) be very VERY careful about how many hours a week are required!!!
> 
> The American standard is 40 hrs/week.  It seems most Atlanta full-time computer job holders are expected to do at least 45 hours/week with no additional compensation.
> 
> Since the economy went south in '08, many employees are forced to work
> 50 or even 60 hours a week for no increase in pay.  Thus ask and insist on some commitment in writing.
> 
> If they won't give a written statement of job requirements, including average hours per week and how they handle exceeding that, they are dishonest and one should keep looking!
> 
> Bob
> 
> On Fri, Jul 27, 2012 at 05:41:06AM -0400, Leam Hall wrote:
>> On 07/27/2012 05:26 AM, Leam Hall wrote:
>> 
>>> So deepen your strengths, broaden your base, and the jobs will be there.
>>> 
>>> Leam
>> 
>> Caveat. Yes, there are jobs I'm not qualified for by skills or aptitude.
>> Learning what you're created to do is a part of that and one of the
>> reasons I put the Parachute and 7 Habits books on my 10 Vital Tips list.
>> 
>> My new job pays a significant amount less than one I didn't pursue but
>> is much more in line with my career goals and personal drives. There's
>> no need to retire if you're doing what keeps you young.
>> 
>> Hope that helps! ATL is a great job market.
>> 
>> Leam
>> 
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