Long IT employment sabbatical, hire Resume writer and change to functional over chronological?

Forums › IT Pro and developers › Long IT employment sabbatical, hire Resume writer and change to functional over chronological?

1 | 2

gjm

810 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 122

#2829869 10-Dec-2021 11:57

IMHO the high demand for I.T staff has been caused not just by the lack of immigration but also from a massive backlog of projects that got put on hold when Covid first hit and then has compounded a bit from the latest lock down. Businesses have now figured out how to work remotely and all these projects that were on hold, are now back on the table. Good candidates that we interview often end up with multiple offers on the table and it's not uncommon for people to verbally accept roles at the moment and then turn them down a day or two later as they have found something that pays more.

Things will slow down a bit over Xmas and January but I imagine the job market will spring back to life in Feb which looks like it will suit your timeline. Good luck with your job hunt!

Do surveys for Beer money (referral link) - Octopus Group

Link for buying beer (not affiliated, just like beer) - Good George

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2829899 10-Dec-2021 12:45

gjm:

IMHO the high demand for I.T staff has been caused not just by the lack of immigration but also from a massive backlog of projects that got put on hold when Covid first hit and then has compounded a bit from the latest lock down. Businesses have now figured out how to work remotely and all these projects that were on hold, are now back on the table. Good candidates that we interview often end up with multiple offers on the table and it's not uncommon for people to verbally accept roles at the moment and then turn them down a day or two later as they have found something that pays more.

Things will slow down a bit over Xmas and January but I imagine the job market will spring back to life in Feb which looks like it will suit your timeline. Good luck with your job hunt!

That makes it clearer, I can see the logic in that. Its not just money, its operational. What do we do with middle managers now if everybody can work remotely? oops. They always been looking for a reason to thin out middle management, but just like school class rooms, 1000 students doesnt work, so I dont see the need for human resource IT management going anywhere. Just isn't my gig, can't think of anything worse. Which is prob why my friends in Aus are all CEO/CIO types and Im a grunt PM lol. I think its the thought of having to deal with micro management of peoples personal problems that puts me off that avenue. But limits my executive level as the only way to the top is either SA/EA or Management. Not sure Id want to be at the top, I enjoy solving peoples problems at a lower level, letting people know what is needed and then delivering what I say in my business cases that I can, trying to avoid people work around systems and adapting systems to work for people etc is my passion.

So being a PM with a lot of remote staff will be interesting, but Ive worked mostly for very large utility Corps and usually my resources are not local to me anyway, so I dont see the telecommute being an issue, provided the work gets done on time.

Thanks GJM, I was really nervous posting this as I was expecting a bit of spiteful trolling, but Ive only found honesty and a lot of positivity. When you feel overwhelmed with such changes, the last thing you need is false negativity. Reality I can handle, which is I dont expect to start at the top. But sounds like there will be work there, I just need to sell myself, which I have never had an issue with. I do find it easier in Sydney etc though, with so many agents, you find a handful of really good ones and you have a job well before your contract finishes. I hope to find some kind of consistency in NZ before I head back over. A permanent role for a couple of years would be good. If I enjoy the environment and the people and believe in the products, give it 110% for couple of years and reassess where Im at.

Financially we could get by as is, but it sure will make things a lot more comfortable as such. My partner is pretty entrenched in her work and is a well regarded scientist, so we may have to do a bit of trans tasman boogy if I head back over. But after her working from home so much last decade and me having to deal with a lot of hard life issues. I think it will work out well, shall make the heart grow donder and all that hahaha. It shall make my super grow fond thats for sure. Already seeing a massive rebound in manage funds.

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2830046 10-Dec-2021 17:00

OK so thanks everyone, I feel more optimistic now. I will continue to finish this degree and make sure my health is 100% by March.

In the mean time. Should I concentrate on certifying my Azure knowledge or revisiting my Prince 2 certs? Or both?

Im not sure TOGAF is a priority right now. Possibly a SCRUM cert could be. But trying to fit in what I can by March probably means 1-2 certs. So I need to prioritise.

I was one of the early adopters of BABOK and its certification, but that was a long time ago now. My degree is largely around the PM and BA work required for building systems, but the reality is I think, people want a degree but they also want some evidence of industry knowledge.

I have a diploma in web development circa 2000. Ive had many a cisco cert but again, all lapsed.

My gut says get my Prince 2 back, it proves I know how to manage projects somewhat and IT related and study and certify my Azure knowledge which proves I understand a technical framework. Does that seem logical?

frankv

5705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3666

Lifetime subscriber

#2830081 10-Dec-2021 19:08

TeaLeaf:

frankv:

When times are good, all those deferred projects suddenly become possible, and companies are growing and expanding and want to upgrade their software & systems to match their capacity. But they only have enough people to maintain existing systems, so they start hiring, or hiring contractors.

What I don't understand is why we are in "good" times? Economic uncertainty is how Id describe our economy. Ever growing into Debt as the current Govt's way of dealing with things, when the hammer of normality comes down, will we plunge into chaos is the question most are wondering I suppose. Dont have the brilliance of the Key govt to save our economy so people can then hyper inflate the property market instead of running a real economy to get out of the hole the rest of the world felt.

Are you saying its all economics related the vast employee shortage? Nothing to do with migrant specialists? (genuine question, Id really like to know).

I don't know if it's *all* economics related (except that economics is the study of how everything interrelates). But the construction sector is going gangbusters, as is the transportation sector to keep up with the construction sector. Anecdotally, the used and new car and campervan and boats markets are also booming. It seems that all the money that would have been spent on overseas holidays is being spent in NZ. And, with interest rates near enough to zero, there's no reason not to borrow, including if you're the government. Yes, you'll have to pay it back sometime, but if interest rates are zero you can extend repayments out forever. Of course, there's the risk that interest rates may rise, which will be catastrophic for whoever has borrowed too heavily. Certainly there's long-term uncertainty, but the sun is currently shining and hay is being made. And I'd say the difference between the Key government and the current lot was more conservatism than brilliance. Bear in mind that the "housing crisis" was slowly taking shape during those "brilliant" years.

I think also, just like the trades and nurses and doctors, we haven't been training enough IT people for a couple of decades. That was fine while we could import workers at will, but this chicken has come home to roost now.

I think the economic boost of covid lockdown & border closures was completely unexpected. So the government was surprised to find it had several billion more dollars to spend than they expected, hence the extended covid support measures. But it didn't see that affecting the employment market. This economic wave has been amplified by the migration shortage wave.

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2830098 10-Dec-2021 19:56

frankv:

Anecdotally, the used and new car and campervan and boats markets are also booming.

I can atest to the boat market, its horrible, one minute you have a solid cash buy and next minute boats are 30% more expensive, especially known brands. Private sales known brands are selling for what they cost 17 years ago, nuts. I saw yamaha finance is 1.95% over 3 years, but thats new, I dont know about 0%.

When you say 0% borrowing, who is offering that? Our house is cheap, but if it goes nuts before Im working, the large mortgage will get tough. One of the reasons getting back to work, to get our properties under control.

Marine software is really what Id love to work in, oceanography mapping etc. There is a company in Albany that specialises in it and have jobs going right now, but Im not ready just yet, which sucks but Im not going to start a full time job that I flake on. Want to be able to give 110%. I might approach them regardless and explain my skill set and see if there is either part time or something coming up in the new year my skills might be better suited too.

Its amazing what a bit of hope and positivity does for a person. Cheers

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#2830101 10-Dec-2021 20:03

There are quite a few roles going in the Product space, Product Owners, Product leads etc. Former BAs often see it as a side step in their careers when they have a closer affinity to identifying and solving unmet customer needs.

So don't limit your search unnecessarily :)

Having said that, the contract rates for Snr BAs is still around the $125/h mark, and that much $$ can mask any niggiles you may have with your employer.

Good luck!

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2830202 10-Dec-2021 23:38

insane: There are quite a few roles going in the Product space, Product Owners, Product leads etc. Former BAs often see it as a side step in their careers when they have a closer affinity to identifying and solving unmet customer needs.

So don't limit your search unnecessarily :)

Having said that, the contract rates for Snr BAs is still around the $125/h mark, and that much $$ can mask any niggiles you may have with your employer.

Good luck!

That is something Ive considered. Wasnt sure if there was a product certification or post grad I could do, preferably cert.

Product manager can lead to tangible physical products, which is as close as Im ever going to get to my dream of being an industrial designer lol. So that might be worth a try. It can be a rewarding job, when it goes right, but a thankless one and often harrowing if it goes wrong, so best to be good at it haha.

I feel more comfortable with the Aus contracting market. The whole concept of indemnity and liability insurance in NZ makes it a bit of a turn off contracting. Where the insurance is in your rate in Aus, you dont pay for liability and indemnity yourself. Given that and potentially up to 14% super in some education or govt areas, makes it all very attractive. Of course, it depends if you like Aus as much as NZ. All the things I love about NZ are in Aus, but it will depend on whether the partner decides to end her cushy job for more money over there. Also a chance we may have to move to Europe for a while, which was the main reason for doing the degree as its definitely a requirement there. All a bit up in the air but will take it on step at a time.

Product manaement is definitely of interest. So will look into if there are any certs I can do, but the degree is all about these kinds of roles. Have done marketing papers in the past etc. Its definitely not a full on design role but there is a little bit in it. Side step as you say.

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#2830204 11-Dec-2021 00:18

I went from a Snr Solution Architect to Snr Product Manager, but fortunately within the same company so was very fortunate in that respect.
I don't know how easy it would have been to switch if I had applied at a different company, I'm guessing quite hard to get a foot in the door to explain what I had actually been doing. BA to Product Owner / Lead seems an easier transition. Also depends on the definition of product owner or manager as it can vary quite a lot from company to company.

For me it was a very gradual process with continuous hands on experience and a top notch mentor / boss. It took several years to fully get off the tools and be comfortable in not having root access to all systems etc :)

Join Product Tank Auckland or Wellington, they are local Meetup group of close to 5000 product people. Also has a slack channel whete loads of jobs get advertised and there's plenty of discussion around product thinking, frameworks and learning material, real life examples etc.

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2830661 12-Dec-2021 12:24

insane:from a Snr Solution Architect to Snr Product Manager

My friend years ago went from a Network Report Analyst in Aus telco to Product Manager in one move, he had a degree in sports science, quite strange. My friend from Uni 30yrs ago she was just doing telco BA stuff in NZ and she went straight to product manager. Although she would have been considered very senior BA or PM or whatever you want her to do type. Thinking about it, the first case, he is similar, would do anything without questioning his capability. Maybe thats part of it, I dont know. Perhaps I have that part, just need to get back in somewhere and steer where I am wanting to head.

There are some good Product Management certs out there now, delivered by well known Product Owners etc. Very similar to how PMI/PMP BABOK etc are structured, week long courses followed by assessment. Instead of doing something post grad, this could be an option? But hard to know which ones are really industry recognised.....

I do wonder whether finishing this degree was a waste of time, still have a ways to go, part time, will be finished next year. But seems every 2nd person has a management, bComm type degree etc. But then a lot of it is not human management related, its systems development, basics like marketing etc (already had these papers), so maybe it has some relevance. I dunno, is hard to be positive at the moment with so much uncertainty.

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2861358 3-Feb-2022 16:53

It sounds like the Govt are letting in skilled migrants in March.

So I better get my skates on.

I will aim for Proj manager role or a Tech Business Analyst to start and work on how I can transition to Product Management. There might be a post grade certificate for it and get my foot in as a Product Owner.

Anyway, for now, which certifications should I hurry up and obtain. Prince 2, MS Azure and MS Dynamics associate? I was also considering an Agile certification.

Im feeling a bit overwhelmed, Im still over weight and working on that in a hurry.

Are there any roles out there that are work from home?

gzt

18685 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7826

Lifetime subscriber

#2861373 3-Feb-2022 17:26

Long IT employment sabbatical, hire Resume writer and change to functional over chronological?

No need to be concerned about gaps imo. You'll be asked at any interview cover it then.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

gzt

18685 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7826

Lifetime subscriber

#2861376 3-Feb-2022 17:30

TeaLeaf: Are there any roles out there that are work from home?

Literally thousands more than a couple of years ago. No particular speciality, it's everything.

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2861402 3-Feb-2022 18:37

gzt:
Long IT employment sabbatical, hire Resume writer and change to functional over chronological?

No need to be concerned about gaps imo. You'll be asked at any interview cover it then.

Its that fear of nothing if you know what I mean. Also the fear that everything has changed so much Im out dated, but thats irrational. My tech skills might be a bit out dated as they hosted in servers called a cloud now ;-p, but I hopefully can learn the basics of Azure enough to be a Tech BA or Proj Manager.

Im still not sure if I should pay somebody to redo my old resume, but I had a very high success rate of interviews to applications in Aus contract market. I also have a very high success rate with interviews, I think its my people skills and confidence of being able to say what is being asked of me, but a little nervous about the sabbatical question.

TeaLeaf

6436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2862257 5-Feb-2022 16:48

I have a real yearning to move toward design, both personally with my art/photography but at work as well. Ive done a lot of design in IT. Im not sure how to work toward design outside of digital products without doing an industrial design degree which with 10-15 years of career left would be stupid.

I could work toward Product Management, which requires a knowledge of product design. Im not sure if that would allow me to side grade into a more design focussed role. There is strategy in IT, Ent Arch etc as Ive discussed but its a little less design and more strategy focussed. Struggling to find any short courses that give a taste of engineering and design combination as seen in industrial product design.

Perhaps the best I could hope for is more of the same, system design and subsequent UI design etc. I also enjoy UX and designing systems to work around people rather than processes which design people to move around systems.

I guess just get my foot back in and figure it out later. But I would like studying towards a product path if possible.

1 | 2