Tech Blogs
Check out our blogs on, well ya' know, ... "things"
<click here>
Join us at:
IT Networking.info
It's all about the "team work"...
website:
http://www.IT Networking.info
for Austin area needs:
.......(512) 782-9949
for San Angelo area needs:
.......(325) 716-4442
Beware of "the WARF"!
The "WARF":
"Website Applicant Restrictive Firewall" (WARF)
The WARF
is what we call the new website application process used by hiring officials. It is non-personal. It checks specifically for, and only for, unique needs and keyword phrases, and it is most effective at keeping "out" really good, qualified people. They are never even noticed by hiring officials! It's as though they don't exist!
The WARF blocks or filters out many qualified, experienced users,
usually because of some mismatch in the search criteria, some key "buzz word" that just didn't happen to be in the applicants resume, or a paraticular experience phrase that was not listed.
The system sometimes works, but usually it's hit ratio for success is very very low! Afterwards, as if to add insult to injury, you get a rejection email from the WARF that does not allow a response to refute the mistake, or explain or correct the error! This is what teenagers refer to as the "talk to the hand" response.
The big problem is, if you don't meet the analytical criteria of the search, you will never show up on radar!
Many, many excellent tech's go away, totally un-noticed! y! The very people that are being kept out are really the ones you want to get in! These are the very individuals who will make the biggest difference in your company's bottom line.
They are the folks who will be there when the others are long gone!
Who loses here, the applicant or the business looking for the position to be filled? The answer is "both"! The company loses because they don't get the benefit of the would-be employee who was ignored by the WARF. The tech also loses, because he (or she) doesn't get the benefit of the assignment experience, or the networking that comes from working these jobs. They also don't get the opportunity of the potential long-term employment, with a company that they could make a difference in.
After a while, the Tech begins to lose hope. Eventually, they end up and the neighborhood "Quickie Mart", pulling the night shift. And their talents, and their expertise ... go wasted!
I don't believe that is the best way to search for good people who can do the job! I believe that "God blesses those who help others", and those who are "gifted" will eventually find a place, but FIRST you've got to get the employer's attention! With that in mind, we are developing the IT NETWORKING consortium!
I Want to be your "IT Guy" ...
I want to be your "IT Guy"! That's right, when you have a networking or computer need, I want to be the "one guy" you call for help! Or, if you have a complicated cell phone problem, or there's something you want to do that's challenging ... I'm your man! I figure out all sorts of stuff! I'm your McGyver dude! I work with servers, pc's, home and office networking, cabling, telephone systems, running jacks (network, phone, cable TV, you name it), and more! And I consider myself a blessed man! You see, I've got all of these wonderful people behind me, and working with me, to help others "out there" like you, who have a networking need! Whether it be servers, network installations, cabling, tech support, or IT projects, we are here to help! And I am the one guy you need to call ... because I want to be your "IT Guy"!
We build customer systems too! Oh, these aren't the cheap systems you get in a bargain house ... these are "beefy" performance systems than not only look "powerful" on the outside but have inside components that perform! Like we said, these are "built to spec" so if you have a need or request, we can put together a system quote to what your needs are. We may not be the cheapest on the initial purchase, but then you won't be having to call us back to "fix it" later either!
We offer on-call phone support, tech support, network cabling and installations, computer/PC installs and setup, and should you need it, we also offer just plain "tech advice"! For instance, if you're setting up a home office, please take the opportunity to talk with one of our informed "guru's" on Home Computing! You can save yourself a lot of money if you do it right the first time! And we're there to help!
If you are a realtor and need help with software applications, or in developing flyers, we've got folks that can do that for you, saving you time to do other the things
that your business requires to get the job done!
Contact us at: (512) 782-9949 and find out today how we can be the one person you call when you need an "IT GUY"!
How To Get Started ...
by Rich Allcorn Story Title behind a computer thinking.jpg)
If you are a "computer guy", and you work in the IT field, or have experience in that area, please email us. We are currently developing an "online" form and procedure where you can place your information and set yourself up so that prospective employers can find you! Additionally, you are entered into our database so when we have needs you can be contacted and given the opportunity to work with us on a project.
Send us an email with your resume, a good headshot, and what you do, your experience, etc. Just send us what you think we will need. If there's something missing, we can always send you a line back asking. If you are talented in the web design field, we could use your help. We're not here to compete with employment and contracting agencies, but let's face it - the job market is getting tough out there, so we're trying to lend a hand, and we could use your help!
We will work with you, to help you get your information set up! What do we get out of this? Well, when we have assignments where needs must be filled, we have a pool of folks to contact. That in itself is priceless!
Something To Watch Out For ...
Recently,
I had a contractor try and offer me a low-end salary on a W-2 status, as an employee, for a short-term contract. In essence, a contract position that would normally pay between $25-35 dollars per hour, was being offered to me at $18 per hour, with no benefits! As a contractor, that is a slap in the face! You should normally make almost twice that of a full-time employee, simply because you do not have benefits or a long-term permanent position. When a company offers a "low-end offer" like that you know the position is unstable, and probably won't last at all! They are already out-of-budget money or they would not be "going cheap" on you. These, you must avoid! They will only tie your time up, and leave you hanging in the end, after you've made arrangements to be there ... for them.
After all, what's the point of being a contractor? Well, the financial difference is why many are in the consulting business. Other benefits are the job diversification, and learning and experience opportunities that come with it. If they offer you the "low-end", make them offer you that as a job! Make them offer you "employment", long-term. After all, it costs money to be "independent". If they want to low-ball you on an offer, make them 'commit' to a long-term agreement. And remember, if they "W-2" you then you are entitled to UNEMPLOYMENT - something you do not get as a contractor when the assignment is up ... at least, not from the former customer.
Anyway, we're not competing with these guys, but rather are giving them "and" employers a way to find you guys (and me) from one location! And "no", we are not a Monster.com site. This is only information. Job apps are not done here - this site is for finding "techs" that ge the job done. When they find someone they are looking for, they can then have them jump through whatever hoops they want, but the "work" of the job app does not have to be done over and over and over ... at least UNTIL they are interested in hiring you!
With that in mind, make sure we have enough information to put "your stuff" out there for prospective employers to find!
More to come ...
Our email address: .. CountMeIn@itnetworking.info
...or you can email: ... info@itnetworking.info
|
Need a Guest Speaker?
Looking for a guest speaker to come and  speak to your youth group or organization? Look no further! Rich Allcorn is available for meetings, seminars, assemblies, and rallies! Have Rich come and speak to your church or organization, and find out what the big difference is in success or failure in life!
You just might be surprised!
Click on Contact Me and send me an email,
or call and ask for "Rich"
at: (512) 782-9949.
Tell them you want Rich to come and speak for you ... today!
|
Voice-Over's, Voicemails, etc.
 Ever watch a cartoon and wonder where they get those crazy wonderful voices?
Have you ever listen to a really well-done voicemail system, and wonder who does the voices? Well, now you know!
Rich Allcorn does voice-overs for television commercials, movies, radio ads, and even records the various messages on the voicemail system for your business!
Putting in a new phone system?
Serious or hilarious, it makes no difference -
it will be done right, and with excellence! Have Rich do your voice recordings!
Click on Contact Me to send an email,
or call and ask for "Rich"
at: (512) 782-9949
|
Know Your Business?
 As a contractor, it is important that you know your business! One common practice you need to be aware of is where employers try to hire you on a W-2 status, or in other words as an employee, but without the benefits! Now there's nothing wrong with this "if" you are making a contractors wage. Most of the time, however, this is a ploy just to hire you cheap! They want to pay you the very same salary that they pay their full time staff, but they do not want to provide you with vacation time, or sick leave, time off, or medical benefits, which means you are working for less! Let me say that again: YOU WILL BE WORKING FOR LESS than a full-time employee!
You might as well work for "free"! At the regular workers rate, but without the benefits, you can divide that wage in half, and "that" is what you will truly be earning for your efforts. THAT is the worth and the value that they have placed for you and your services.
When a contractor wants to go on vacation, or to take some time off, he doesn't get paid. It's on our dime! We have to pay for our own health benefits, and for any personal time off as well. And we usually only get that personal time off when between contracts!
For these reasons, and others, we generally get paid twice the normal wage of an employee. It is a fact that most agencies that hire you out are making at least half of your wage, and many times almost twice that! So don't let them sell you short. If they want you to take less, it's because the contractor wants more!
|
Off-Site Work Ethics
 Many of today's assignments will allow you the luxury of working from at home or from just about any location you can imagine. It is important that you keep your integrity, and that you get the job done!
After all, they see you as
"the professional".
With today's technology it is very much a reality that you can work "anywhere" and from any location! With my notebook, I have worked from home, from Barnes & Noble's coffee shop, from the local Starbucks, and even at a campsite! And it all works great, as long as you get the job done. Your client, your "customer", should not be inconvenienced by where you work. It should appear to them the same, whether you are in your home office, or sitting at a camp table in your base camp just before the weekend.
Good work ethics will place you in a position of demand. The client will definitely remember your work, if you've done the job well, and will want to use you again! And remember, "repeat" business is a real good thing for a consultant!
NOTE: ...Always be honest about where you work. Never try to deceive your client about where you work from. If you are service oriented, if you have a true heart and attitude that
"I am there for you" ... then they won't care where you work! The job gets done! It gets done right, and on-time, and that is all that matters!
|
|
|
|
The IT Networking Consortium is a "system"where we are pulling together a list of resources to make it possible for Techs to have a place to come and post their information, to be found by potential employers or customers.
In the IT Networking Consortium, we help these techs to put together their profiles, resumes, work experience, etc. along with references, and a brief bio. A prospective employer or project manager simply goes out and browses through the list based on their area of expertise. They can easily browse the list of Tech's in the category they are looking for, viewing their name, headshot, and all of this information that they will need to find the right person. The key is that this system is "NOT" automated with filtering. A live body has to look through the info. The resume's are automatically "searched", and there is no "autobot" to talk between systems to automate what needs to be a manual process! The human element is restored, and good people once again have a chance to be discovered!
When a prospective employer, or customer (wanting a contractor) finds the person they think they are looking for, all they have to do is click on the "Contact" button and an email is generated for the employer to tailor and send. Once sent, the Tech's phone is "paged" with a "text message" informing them that they have an email waiting in the ITNETWORKING system, from an interested party trying to reach them. In this way, delays are kept to a minimum. There is no need to fill out hundreds and hundreds of applications on multiple websites. In face, until the employer indicates that they are interested in making them an offer, there is no need to fill out an application. But this ... is something that is worked out between the hiring official and the applicant - not "automated".
This system is put together "by Techs" and "for Techs" ...
We work with the Techs to make sure their skills and expertise are properly represented in their resumes. We also work to make sure that their biography represents their personality, to ensure you have a good "fit" for your organization. All the while, the Tech is never bothered after setting up the process until he actually has an interested potential employer or customer. The wasted time and efforts in applying and re-entering your resume on system after system is avoided, as you do not have to "apply" until the potential employer or customer has contacted you that they are "interested".
Resultingly, their time is saved, and so is yours! It's a "win" - "win" situation!
You may say,
"But our company doesn't work that way". Well, to that I have to respond, "It's time to wake-up and smell the coffee! Times are changing, and if you and your company do not start treating your employees, and your job applicants like the "people" that they are, you are most likely going to find yourself looking for a job as well. Remember the age old "golden rule": Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Last time I checked, God hadn't changed, and I don't expect He is about to either! Some things just work, and treating people with mutual respect and professionalism is something that "works"! You reap, only when you sow it. If you sow otherwise, then your harvest is likely to be the same.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)