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Subject: Job Interviews - Failing cause...
Posted by: Promize
- [26952515] Mon, Nov 14, 2005, 14:33
I can't count the number of job interviews I have had in the last year, but I can't seem to seal the deal.
Almost all my interviews have been called in from my course work in COBOL. It seems that there is a TON of interest in people who know COBOL.
The problem is, they want Mainframe Programming in COBOL which basically is not taught in college. It is all PC.
Anyone have any ideas on how to get this experience? Or how to win these people over... It is getting EXTREMELY aggravating. |
| 1 | Sludge
ID: 581043311
Mon, Nov 14, 2005, 17:10
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I actually learned COBOL on a mainframe in undergrad. Unfortunately, I didn't actually do anything that would qualify as "mainframe programming". Also learned assembly on the same mainfram. An old VAX/VMS, as I recall.
Are there no textbooks/manuals on programming for these old mainframes?
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| 2 | youngroman
ID: 50818914
Mon, Nov 14, 2005, 17:22
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the problem is not only knowing COBOL (or PL/1 in my case) as a language, you also need the knowledge of the mainframe development environment (z/OS, LE390, TSO, ISPF, JCL, CICS, IMS, USS, ...).
when I went off from school 9 years ago I got all the courses (most at IBM) paid by my company. this trainee phase lasted 4 months and since then I am a mainframe developer. in the meantime I am developing on much more platforms in a lot of programming languages.
lots of documentation for aboves technologies/products can be found at IBM's homepage, but without a real system it may be hard to learn all of them. maybe they can give you an overview.
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| 3 | youngroman
ID: 50818914
Mon, Nov 14, 2005, 17:25
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the question is also: what mainframes are we talking about?
- IBM zSeries
- IBM iSeries (AS400)
- VAX/VMS
- HP-related
- other?
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| 4 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Tue, Nov 15, 2005, 18:07
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Find a company with a mainframe.
Get the necessary info and contact the Department Manager.
Offer to intern for free or a minimal wage.
One way to get the experience.
I'll try to find time tonite to drop you an email with some other thoughts.
Cliff
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| 5 | Promize
ID: 561050153
Fri, Nov 18, 2005, 12:54
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Hey guys, I appreciate your advice.
I think I finally got some good news, the company I have been trying so hard to get on... I believe I am getting an offer on Monday.
It will be mainframe programming also, but seems they are having trouble finding candidates as well with mainframe training.
From my understanding it is 70% Assembler (no nothing of it) and 30% COBOL (college trained)... So I must of left a really good impression on these people at my interview to bring me in.
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| 6 | Perm Dude
Dude
ID: 030792616
Fri, Nov 18, 2005, 12:55
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Assembler? Yikes, that was among the most boring classes I ever took.
Good news for you, though. Keep us posted.
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| 7 | Razor
ID: 36241218
Fri, Nov 18, 2005, 13:06
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From what I understand from my friend who just finished his Master's in CS, experience with a particular language means little. Completing coursework is just proof that you are capable of doing the thinking and programming required. It's rare that you'll actually have experience in what you'll be doing, but you should emphasize that what you did in college has shown that you have the necessary skills and cognitive ability to learn and program in any language.
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| 8 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Fri, Nov 18, 2005, 13:38
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Good news Bro.
Keep us informed.
Hope you do see the offer letter Monday.
Don't be too aggressive on the counter if you're not happy with it.
Another key would be to call and talk to the manager if you are going to counter and find out before you send the letter what will work.
To stop offer letter tag, I usually call the candidate and tell them what the letter is going to say and see if that is going to work.
Saves a lot of heartaches later.
Cliff
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| 9 | Promize
ID: 141018197
Sat, Nov 19, 2005, 08:23
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Hey Razor,
I really think that is one of the reasons I keep getting interview calls. Although I don't have any work experience with programming, I did try and take as many languages as possible in college. And I did this with being a MIS student and not a CS student. I'm pretty glad I did it now though.
Of course, once I have some income coming in I plan on going back and getting some certificates and continueing my education.
Thanks Cliff (not sure how much negotiating i'll be doing... 1 year without a job has me broke!), thanks Perm (yikes, don't tell me assembler is boring!?!?!? COBOL is boring enough as well!.. but a job before xmas would be sooo nice)
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| 10 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Tue, Nov 22, 2005, 13:43
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Promize,
Did you get the offer Letter?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Cliff
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| 11 | sarge33rd
ID: 5110132116
Tue, Nov 22, 2005, 14:22
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yea, and we nosey folks want to know too. :)
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| 12 | Promize
ID: 141018197
Wed, Nov 30, 2005, 16:20
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Today I finally got the letter!
Offered an entry level job starting January 9th. Pretty stoked, it is with a company I wanted to be with and listed as 1 of the top 100 places to work at.
Nervous at the same time having to learn a new language. But supposely assembler they only use on their old stuff and it is mostly Cobol on their new accounts.
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| 13 | sarge33rd
ID: 5110132116
Wed, Nov 30, 2005, 19:05
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Congrats!!!!!
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| 14 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Wed, Nov 30, 2005, 21:30
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Ditto on the congrats.
Good news finally.
Cliff
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| 15 | Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Dec 14, 2005, 12:29
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Grats Promize, I know you've worked for a long time to get to this point!
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