Looking for work in the northwest... (feel free to drop me advice!)

[mjf]

As I just mentioned in another thread, I was recently laid off from Wizards of the Coast. The parent company mandated shedding of several million from the budget. The timing was awful as my group was about to release a highly anticipated project we'd been working on all year. I'd put together the team, lead the design work, lead the development team, and done a fair share of developing on it too. It was essentially done and I was pulled out of a meeting where I was calling for some last minute tweaks to the graphics to be let go. Rather disappointing.

Anyway, so I'm looking for work as a Director of Engineering / Sr. Software Development Manager, preferably in the gaming, ecommerce, or online industry. I would also be interested in a Lead Software Developer position if the opportunity was exciting enough. I've been doing this stuff for years and have a decent resume behind me. I'm not necessarily cheap, but I can be flexible for the right placement (I took a 75k pay cut to move to Wizards as the chance to be in the gaming industry piqued my interest).

Despite bold claims I might make, I am considered well grounded. When looking for work, I try to be direct and confident, please don't mistake that for foolish arrogance.

If any of you are willing to review my resume, I'd appreciate the feedback. If anyone knows anyone in the gaming industry in the Seattle area, please point them my way. I am directly tied to the Seattle area and cannot relocate, though I would be willing to telecommute.

The resume is very much a work in progress.

Oh, and for the lotustalk folk, pretend my qualifications also list 'and I drive a lotus'. =)

Thanks,

Michael

[R T]

Sory to hear Michael .... I'll keep my ears peeled

[EliseAtLeast]

Originally Posted by mjf

Oh, and for the lotustalk folk, pretend my qualifications also list 'and I drive a lotus'. =)

Then no need to look at your resume. You are hired! Good luck in your job search Michael.

[Moto44]

Very sorry to hear this Michael. You might want to post your info here as well:
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f68/looking-work-67617/

As evomind mentioned, this is a connected group. It only makes sense that we let each other know what we do when we are looking for work or simply a job change. I hope you find something soon.

[Interceptor]

Well you could help design programs for the government, heavens knows some of the online programs they have suck. Government jobs are pretty nice if you like benifits and livable pay. If you're desperate, go to Logistics Solutions Group, Inc. if you're desperate (thats the company I currently work for).

[33truballa33]

Try 6speed as well. A few guys on there own smaller software companies. The sources I have are for entry level engineer jobs so I wouldn't be too much help. Sorry to hear that this happened. Best of luck. And if all else fails the army is always recuiting jp

[33truballa33]

Also I think gretas son deals with gaming at microsoft.

[Rugbyduck]

Good luck. Have a couple friends who are anticipating the loss of their jobs down here at Intel too.

[Noisycow]

Yep.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Intel Corp. said Wednesday it is consolidating its manufacturing operations as a part of a restructuring bid that will affect thousands of jobs from the U.S to the Philippines.

[charliex]

microsoft are staffing up for the new halo project, they're looking for 3d superstars etc.

join up on their staffing web site, 251837 is senior software engineer, ai senior is 237401 i can put you in touch with the recruiter if you need it.

[mjf]

Originally Posted by charliex

microsoft are staffing up for the new halo project, they're looking for 3d superstars etc.

join up on their staffing web site, 251837 is senior software engineer, ai senior is 237401 i can put you in touch with the recruiter if you need it.

Sure, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[charliex]

Andrea Courtie, "a-andco@microsoft.com"

join up on their jobs site though, there is a lot on there and they do pretty much everything through it Microsoft Jobs - Locations - Global Careers

[RacyTracy]

Originally Posted by Moto44

Very sorry to hear this Michael. You might want to post your info here as well:
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f68/looking-work-67617/

I copied it over to there.

[glb]

I can help a bit with a cover letter.

Assuming the job description lists a number of specifications/desireable assets, you want to make very clear how you meet those. This is the format I use for friends:

Must have experience managing lj;jxx projects: I've managed these projects successfully for the past 14 years, including.....


Knowledge of YIUY Software is a plus: I am proficient in all versions of that software, as well as 0908 software and ipipi software.


The KEY is to use their exact words to prove how you are a great candidate. I bold their words, as you can see.

You want to evoke in them the feeling that this guy could be perfect for us

I would be happy to help if you want to email me this stuff.





oh...........don't forget to lie.

-g

[Noen]

FYI as a Microsoft Employee... AFAIK there are lots of "job openings" posted, but there is no external hiring for FTE's. That may vary from division to division, but I know our hiring freeze looks to extend to at least June.

Also, I realize this likely wasn't your call at all, but that DnD app was butt-tugly in terms of visual styling.

see PM

[charliex]

I don't think the hiring freeze is for all depts, i did my interview ( again ) recently, and the recruiters just called me this week looking for more peeps, i just can't do seattle.

[mjf]

Originally Posted by charliex

I don't think the hiring freeze is for all depts, i did my interview ( again ) recently, and the recruiters just called me this week looking for more peeps, i just can't do seattle.

Actually, it's quite nice here. After having lived in New England for so long the weather here was really refreshing. Being able to drive the lotus year round is a very nice perk. Housing market is more stable than most of the country. No state income tax. Police are remarkably reasonable compared to other parts of the US. Schools are top notch, and the people here, while a little more laid back than I'm used to, are over all very nice and more worldly than I'm used to.

To be honest it reminds me of home (England) a lot more so than when I lived in New England.

[33truballa33]

I think charlie is afraid to get wet he's in vegas according to the location under his name.

[Lotus-Position]

Originally Posted by charliex

I don't think the hiring freeze is for all depts, i did my interview ( again ) recently, and the recruiters just called me this week looking for more peeps, i just can't do seattle.

Oh man! Come on... you would love Seattle! Right now its sunny with a slight breeze... beautiful! We got ocean, mountains, casinos, a road course, karting, vintage racing, SCCA, Microsoft... what more could a guy want???



















Oh... it's 31 degrees too... but NOT raining!

[charliex]

Its raining here !

yeah it rains too much, its dank, cramped and the traffic is ridiculous