Marketing Yourself - Wireless Recovery

Source: WirelessJobs.com ( by Harry Daniel Richards)

I was laid off from my job in March of 2008. It was the most painful separation I have ever experienced and since I came to LA 5 years ago to work for this company, I am feeling very disconnected. I was responsible for the companies wireless technology and have been in wireless since 1985.

This the longest time I have ever been unemployed since I graduated from college in 1977. In this time, (spent wandering around through my network looking for a job) I have learned a couple of things.

1. I will never be able to retire as long as I am married to my wife of 30 years - I am driving her nuts
2. I will never be able to retire regardless of who I am married to - I am driving myself nuts
3. I need to simplify my life - its amazing how much money I have spent on stuff I don't need
4. My kids are all out of high school and need to move out
5. Watching other people go to work is depressing when you have no where to go
6. Listening to other people complain about their jobs is infurating when you don't have a job
7. Your resume is never good enough for those people who review them and want you to pay for improvements
8. A lot of the jobs posted on job boards aren't real and are really scams for people who want you to pay them
9. My professional network isn't as good as I thought it was
10. I spent the first part of my career being underqualified - now it seems I am over qualified. When was I qualified?
11. My wife needs to go to work
12. I don't market myself very well

Number 12 is the most painful piece, since I have been responsible for wireless sales and marketing a couple of times in my career. However, all the jobs I have had in the last 15 years have been a result of knowing people so I didn't have to send out resumes and interview - just show up and go to work.

So now the journey begins to learn how to market myself better and here's what I have done so far.

Hooked up with a professional coach - I didn't know they were out there, but I need someone to get me on track, help me plan and hold me accountable. I miss the structure of a job

Went to a local university and met with the Dean of Business (and facility) I am offering to lecture on wireless technology and business in general

Get business cards that identify me as a "Technology Consultant" and start attending some events

Wrote a white paper on mobile marketing to send to ad companies to generate some interest

None of it has generated anything yet, but I have just started to focus on the self marketing aspect so it will probably take some time. I don't really want to start my own business again so what I am really looking for is a job. Nothing fancy, don't need to rule the world or be a CTO, but need something to do for the next 15 years or so.

What I am going to try and do is use this blog to track my efforts. Anyone that wants to jump in is welcome.

Anyone that wants to give me a job is more than welcome!

Dan

Come Join the WirelessJobs.com Community

Connect with other wireless professionals...at WirelessJobs.com.

Senior MAC Software Engineer - ZanderMax.com

Featured Job of the Month:
Salary: Great!
Location: Silicon Valley (aka The Super Bowl of Technology)
Referral Bonus: $1000.00 USD

Senior MAC Software Engineer
Would you like the chance to take part in the implementation of our cutting-edge WiMAX Base Station MAC (media access control) layer and proprietary extensions within a multi-DSP processor environment? We are searching for the right candidate for this integral role to work with MAC layer software, advance your professional skill set with WiMax technology, and work inside a company leading the advance of wireless technology!

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Close collaboration with the Integration & Test team in debugging and tuning of the MAC layer software in lab and field trials.
- Implementation in C++ of the MAC layer for our WiMax-compliant Base Station.
- Integration of the MAC layer software with the hardware, the operating system, and the PHY (physical) layer.
- Close collaboration with the Systems Engineering group in development, optimization, & tuning of the key algorithms for the current and next generation processors.
- This is a full-time position and reports to the VP of engineering.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & SKILLS:
- BSEE/BSCS or degree in related field
- 4+ years experience implementing high-performance networking/MAC software in embedded systems.
- Superb C/C++ coding skills
- Experience with the MAC layer algorithms of OFDM &OFDMA communication systems, and in particular Mobile WiMax (802.16e), is a must.
- Familiarity with hardware/software integration
- Experience writing code using a real-time operating system.
- Expertise with TCP/IP protocol stacks, Network management and embedded SNMP agents, telco FCAPS requirements & implementation, test equipment, and compliance/certification testing are all desirable

Interested? Get in touch with the ZanderMax-man...Samuel Barnes

GSM and UMTS Optimization Engineers (nationwide)

On behalf of our global telecom client, we are searching for GSM and UMTS Optimization Engineers (post service) across the United States (location does not matter).

These engineers will serve directly with Tier 1 Carriers in contact and regular full-time positions.

For immediate attention and placement email resume and salary requirements to: dennis@worldlink-us.com.

We are moving fast as this requirement will be filled quickly, but there are multiple (yep, MULTIPLE) positions.

I'll be working on this all weekend, so don't hesitate to get in touch.

Head of Marketing Communications - Sony Ericsson, NC

Sony Ericsson is on the cutting edge of one of the most dynamic areas in modern technology. Our devices are multiple award winning, “WOW” devices that make even grizzled hardware reviewers do a double take.

We are seeking an individual to join our incredible team of talented individuals to help us define the next generation in wireless and convergence devices. If you think you are up to the challenge and have the qualifications, drive and innovation required, read on.

Head of Marketing Communications

This Marketing Communications (Marcom) Manager will develop the marcom strategy for our North American Market ensuring a consistent, vibrant and unique approach to attain our goals for market share and brand. This will also be a key position in providing advisory services to the Head of Marketing.

The person in this role is part of the marketing team reporting to the Head of Marketing and works in close co-operation with our phone and Global Customer Unit resources, as well as the sales and customer service groups.

You will identify the market needs and translate them into the marcom strategy.

This is a unique industry and position. Our customers are typically large carriers such as AT&T but there is no denying that we are in a cutting edge consumer marketplace. Because of this our Head of Marcom will participate in account management to ensure identification and implementation of relevant marketing campaigns and strategies with our partners and internal sales and marketing people. We have national and global brand and marketing strategies and in some cases our customers have the same thing. We need to maximize our efforts with theirs and give the end customer a unique but consistent brand experience.

So…. to do that you'll have to develop, coordinate and implement media planning and campaign strategy by working with various media agencies.

You'll serve as the key contact for all regional and local media agencies and you'll need to stay abreast of international and local media developments.

To be successful you'll need a MINIMUM of 3-5 years successful marketing experience in a B2B2C or FMCG environment, proven experience making winning presentations at an executive level in a highly competitive environment, experience with mobile communications technologies and experience working with or at an advertising and/or media agency.

For more information on the details of this job and to apply, go to our web site, www.sonyericsson.com.

If you qualify we’ll be in touch to tell you much more, including a summary of our benefits, which we believe to be some of the best in any industry. FULLY paid family health, dental and vision care premiums, educational reimbursement, company contribution to your 401k whether you contribute or not, sick and kin care days, really too much to mention here.

Hardware Project Manager - WOW Technology - SonyEricsson (RTP, NC)

Sony Ericsson is on the cutting edge of one of the most dynamic areas in modern technology. Our devices are multiple award winning, “WOW” devices that make even grizzled hardware reviewers do a double take. We are seeking an individual to join our incredible team of designers and engineers to help us define the next generation in wireless and convergence devices. If you think you are up to the challenge and have the qualifications, drive and innovation required, read on.


We are searching for an experienced HARDWARE PROJECT MANAGER to lead DEVELOPMENT activities for a dedicated ELECTRICAL HARDWARE TEAM developing state of the art mobile telephones. This is NOT an IT job, a planning, manufacturing or mechanical engineering opening. Our version of hardware is some of the most cutting edge RF and electronics development in the world. We have the equivalent of a computer, camera, television, Walkman, GPS and phone wrapped up in a device that fits in your hand. Our products can let you communicate with the world, take pictures, listen to the radio, change things with the flick of your wrist or a wave of your hand, even measure how far you've walked. The variety and depth of knowledge, as well as flexibility that this position requires, can not be understated. We are doing things that most people will never have the opportunity to do.

Performing in the role the chosen candidate will be responsible for day to day project management activities of the HW team, working as interface between the HW development team members and external (non HW team) project management.

To be successful this person will:
Develop and maintain detailed hardware sub-project schedule in MS Project (including dependencies on other sub-systems) based on understanding of work breakdown structure, task durations, input and output dependencies worked out with HW Development Leads. In other words, if you haven't actually been an RF or hardware componentry designer working on complex products, you may not be able to understand this process.
Ensure inputs/deliverables are provided to/from external groups.
When problems arrive you'll have to escalate to Technical Managers as needed to ensure the success of the project. We have a lot of targets to meet to make sure these incredibly complex devices get to market. You need to make sure we hit them.

You will lead weekly HW development status meetings, attend weekly project and technical meetings, update, manage and prioritize risk database and help to define mitigation of these risks.
Project manage hardware verification program, ensuring properly configured hardware is provided to system verification teams and all external customers.

You will work with Development Project Manager and others to plan and execute factory prototype builds and may even be asked to attend factory builds (international travel required).

If you meet the qualifications below you can apply and we will discuss it in more detail.

Please keep in mind:

This is a project management position, NOT a design job. We already have many talented hardware designers and are always looking for more. If you want a design job, apply for one of those. We hire people who have a passion for their jobs.
You will be dealing with the DEVELOPMENT of cutting edge, next generation consumer devices, not manufacturing. You may be a great project manager but if you lack experience in development or have only experience project managing on the manufacturing side, you won't be chosen.
Ideally you WILL have some experience in hardware design so you can understand what our teams are trying to accomplish. We'd like you to understand our kind of hardware; communication devices, stand alone, complex, electronic consumer devices.

Qualifications:
- Minimum 4-year Bachelor’s Degree required. MS Desired.

Must Have Capabilities:
- Excellent communication, team leadership and presentation skills are expected. Desire and ability to learn and work on fast-paced, team-oriented projects. Must be Flexible and open-minded
- Must be able to work with technical specialists as well as generalists or visionary product planners/sales and marketing personnel, etc.
- Must be able to lead multi-disciplinary team to achieve timely completion of project milestone tasks.
- Strong understanding of project management methods is required. Familiar with project management tools such as Microsoft Project or Clarity Workbench is required.
- 5 years of relevant industry experience including at least 2 years performing Project Management duties as part of a product development team. Experience leading project teams developing high volume consumer products is desired

Should Have Capabilities
- Understanding of mobile phone development / integration processes is highly desirable with Cellular/Wireless industry experience (GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS) preferred.

For more information on the details of this job, and to apply, go to our web site, http://www.sonyericsson.com/. You can also send an email to Staffing.USA@sonyericsson.com

If you qualify we’ll be in touch to tell you much more, including a summary of our benefits, which we believe to be some of the best in any industry. FULLY paid family health care, educational reimbursement, company contribution to your 401k whether you contribute or not, sick and kin care days, really too much to mention here.

Who Introduced You to LinkedIn?

Do you even remember who sent you the very first invitation to join LinkedIn?

I didn't.

The invitation seemed so inconsequential at the moment, I'm not sure I even gave it a second thought.

Until recently.

Without question, LinkedIn has been the most prolific recruiting tool in the last 12 months of my career. Yet, the idea of not knowing who sent me the first invitation just kept gnawing at me (it's the same feeling I have every year the Sooners lose in a bowl game). But I digress.

So I decided to call my friend, George Seiters, who happens to be extremely connected at LinkedIn. Well, he should be - he works there. I figured if anybody could get me a bit of history about my account, it would be George.

Sure enough. A few days later I received an email from George. My reply, "Wow, really?!"

So, here's a big thank you to one cool friend and awesome recruiter, Michelle Balatico-Hayes!

Thanks Michelle! You sent me the very first LinkedIn invitation that made me scratch my head and say,

"Now why in the world would I want to join a network like this?!"

Well, a few thousand connections later, it all makes sense.

So, who introduced you to LinkedIn?



P.S. If you haven't joined my "WirelessJobs" Group on LinkedIn, please accept this invitation! We're growing like crazy and would like to see if you can help us top the 5,000 member mark! In fact, I'll do a special post and recognize the person that becomes the 5,000th member to join!

(Click HERE to join)