OT: I need some brainstorming, folks!

[Muffstser]

On a personal note: anyone have ideas on how to get past "gatekeepers" at major corporations? I've applied for the job of my dreams, but it's one of those deals where you send your resume online, and pray the computer picks you or that some HR guru chooses your resume. I've been trying to speak to a "real live person" in their HR, but all I get is a receptionist who says, "we list by names, not departments." I may have found a way around it, but this is insane! I've Googled, Yahooed, hit up my friends for info, etc.

Have any of you come across this in your job searches, and how did you handle it?

Thanks so much for any ideas you have. I wish I could tell you where this is, but I don't want to jinx it! (No, it's not in Secaucus, working for a show called "Countdown With Keith Olbermann.")

[crispini]

1. I do most of my networking

through linkedin.com. What about professional organizations? Also check the company's SEC filings for names, of course those will usually be names of muckety-mucks higher-up in the company, but maybe one of those names will be a shared acquaintance or something? :shrug:

[SharonRB]

2. Can you tell us what company it is and what kind of job?

Maybe one of us will know someone. Not likely, but you never know.

[crispini]

3. Yes, tell us the general field

and you could PM one of us the company if we think we are in the right area? :shrug:

[Muffstser]

4. Okay, here goes:

It's Microsoft's HR department, at their Redmond headquarters. This is actually a subcontracted project, but from what I can tell, Microsoft in Redmond is doing the screening and hiring process. I actually do have an “email buddy” there that’s trying to help, but they guard that personnel list like Fort Knox. It’s nuts!

[gkhouston]

5. I don't know any Microsoft types; sorry

got my fingers crossed for you, though. What kind of work do you do?

[Muffstser]

6. More info:

I’m currently working as a legal assistant, but have done some paralegal work as well. This position is as an executive assistant, which basically uses all the skills I have now, but gets me out of the legal field and into a company where I would have (a) benefits, (b) ability to transfer to other departments, (c) potential help with funding my education, and (d) the ability to transfer out of state without losing my seniority.

It’s a dream job. I couldn’t even believe it when I saw it was listed. I’ve been unemployed for over six months due to a layoff, and this will get me going in the direction I really want to be in. I’m not spilling ALL the details…let’s just say I hope you’ll all be happy for me if I get it. J

[gkhouston]

7. of course I'll be happy for you if you get it

and it does sound like a good fit. Any idea on the time frame for this position -- how soon might they bring you in for an interview, if they're interested?

[Muffstser]

8. Okay, here's the somewhat full story:

I really don’t know. Since the posting’s been taken down, what I’m trying to find out is: (1) does that mean the position is filled, and if so, (2) what additional schooling and/or experience should I get so, if another position comes up, I have a shot at it? I want so much to take my skills and get into a field that’s media related, or where I can use my writing talent to good use. (Once upon a time, I did some local radio here in town, and did both on air and written stuff. Unfortunately, the market’s dried up, and almost all programming now is syndicated.)

I’ll spill the beans a little bit here: it’s at MSNBC.com. They lock up their Redmond facility tighter than Fort Knox, and the folks in Secaucus aren’t much help. So close, and yet so far!!!

[gkhouston]

9. well, if they've taken the posting down,

they aren't accepting any new applications right now; that much is certain. They might have filled the position, or it could be that they got enough promising-looking applications that they've decided to interview that pool first, and then re-post the job only if necessary.

If you apply for a specific position, some companies will do you the courtesy of telling you when that position has been filled, but others don't, so it's hard to say what's going on at this point. I'd say if you haven't heard anything from the company and a week has gone by since they took the posting down, they've filled the position without notifying the unsuccessful applicants.

on edit: and if you don't get the job, bear in mind that some companies require managers to post jobs even when they have a candidate in mind, which is hard on outside applicants -- realistically, they have little chance of actually getting the job, but they don't know that.

[Muffstser]

12. I've actually been thinking that might be it.

I've run into that before...where they have someone pre-chosen to fill the spot, but have to post it according to Federal law.

My main goal at this stage is information. I really want to do this career transition at some point, and my concern is going back to school, taking media/journalism/technical editing classes, and having them say, "too bad, so sad, that's not what we're looking for."

In the meantime, I'm looking at publishing my work with local, small publications. I also have a possible job opportunity at a larger law firm here in town. It's NOT what I want, but if it gets the bills paid and gets my education started, it might be worth it in the short haul.

Thanks again for your ideas, folks. I haven't wanted a job this much in a LONG time. For a news junkie like me, working there would be paradise!

[gkhouston]

13. I'm seeing two issues here

1) getting this particular job

2) getting this type of job at some point in the future

If you're wanting to get this type of job in the future and you think the media/journalism classes would help (and perhaps they would; I didn't see the job posting so I couldn't say), then wouldn't the additional education probably help you get a similar job in the future? (Meaning you might want to take a job that pays your bills while you go back to school.) I don't know how important the formal education is in this field, perhaps Clark2008 could tell you, as she was a reporter for many years.

[crispini]

10. Somewhere on the web....

Microsoft's HR department keeps a blog. Try starting at blogs.msdn.com ....

[SharonRB]

11. Oh, darn -- the one person I knew who was there is gone

and now at eBay. He hated it at MS. Used to be a communication consultant with my firm and became, I think, head of communications at MS, but I just found out he's gone.