RE: [xml-dev] Urgently need a reality check on the job market for XMLdevelopment

[Michael Brennan <Michael_Brennan@allegis.com>]

One thing you will find a critical shortage of -- even in this job market --
is developers who don't just know particular APIs and technologies, but
really understand sound software development lifecycle practices and how to
align systems with business processes. There is also a dearth of developers
who have a good, sound understanding of integration (where your XML
knowledge is a big plus). There is a glut of people out there who can build
a web site, but not very many who can link that web site into core business
systems -- or get disparate business systems to work together.

With your resume, I don't think you will have too much difficulty -- but be
willing to be patient (hopefully you have the cash to be able to do so).
Employers are very cautious and deliberate in their hiring, right now. One
word of advice: don't just talk about technology in your resume. Talk about
achievements. Talk about how something you did -- ideally even something you
initiated -- that produced positive effects for your employer. This sort of
thing can really make a difference. Show that you are more than just a
technologist, but that you get the big picture and know how to leverage your
technical knowledge to work with business people to solve business problems.
You mention experience in requirements definition and design. Talk about
that a bit more, with an emphasis on positive achievements that have made a
difference. Show that you have been able to work with business people on an
ill-defined problem to clearly define the problem and come up with a
solution that made a difference. You will have a stellar resume if you can
do that.

Good luck! Hang in there.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Murray [mailto:jmurray@best.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 8:17 AM
To: xml-dev@lists.xml.org
Subject: [xml-dev] Urgently need a reality check on the job market for XML
development


 
As I was laid off last Tuesday, I urgently need a reality check on the job
market for XML development.  I am hoping members of this list would be
willing to share their view on the market for XML developers.
 
Although I know this list is focused on development issues and not
employment related issues, I feel the current economic situation is catching
many of us by surprise and I was hoping to develop a brief thread on what
the market is really like.  Based on the information I have received from
recruiters during the past week, it looks like I may need to consider work
outside the computer industry.  
 
Since I am like many others in that I can not afford to be out of work for
very long, I need to make a decision whether looking for XML (or Java work)
is even reasonable given the current situation.  I have added a text only
format of my resume at the end since I know many do not like attachments.
 
Thank you in advance
 
Jerry Murray
jmurray@best.com
408-732-8874
 
 
                                  RESUME
 
Jerry Murray                                        977 Astoria Drive
jmurray@best.com                               Sunnyvale, California 94087
 
 
OBJECTIVE:  Obtain an Java / XML Development Position
 
SUMMARY
 
* Over 22 years experience in all phases from conceptual design,
implementation, product delivery and support
 
* Experience with software development in both small commercial companies
and large aerospace programs with multiple subcontractors
 
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
 
* Experience in definition of system requirements, design, implementation,
and system performance evaluation
 
* Experience with Java, JSPs, Servlets, EJBs, JDBC, XML, XSLT, SQL, HTML,
and UNIX shell programming
 
* Experience with Apache, WebLogic, and Oracle in NT and Unix environments.
 
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
 
6/00  to 9/01    Ironplanet,  Campbell, CA
Designed and developed B2B applications using XML to submit requests to a
third party and receive results as XML data which was posted to an Oracle
database.  Developed applications for receiving XML data by HTTP Post for
Linux, NT, and Solaris systems.  Developed JavaMail and Java 2D API
applications.  Supported site (http://www.ironplanet.com) capabilities using
JSPs in a WebLogic environment.
 
1/00  to 6/00    iVendor,  Sunnyvale, CA
B2B and B2C applications for iVendor, Inc.  Developed XML based application
for exporting eCommerce store category and product information. Develop SAX
based application for creating an eCommerce store using XML documents.
Designed a multi-logic product recommendation application using a Web Logic
application server and a SQL database. Developed Java application that
provide registered shopper information for iVendor's merchants.
 
4/99  to 11/99  Consulting,  Sunnyvale, CA
Java application for Information Management System providing patient and
employee administrative information for a long term care subacute facility.

 
12/86 to 4/99   NASA Ames Research Center,  Mountain View, CA
Responsible for software integration support evaluations of the U.S. Army's
Rotorcraft Pilot's Associate Program.  Designed a distributed
component-based system for system integration testing and human factor
evaluations.  Developed a simulation providing operator and qualitative
equipment models for the Army/NASA Aircrew Aircraft Integration Program.
Developed dynamic context sensitive presentation of information concerning
the human factors metrics associated with differences resulting from
man-machine interface design alternatives.
 
 
 
8/85 to 12/86  GTE Government Systems,  Mountain View, CA
Systems Engineer, Artificial Intelligence Group.    Projects included
investigating cooperating expert systems for the U.S. Air Force, development
of an expert system for intelligence analysis and advanced user interfaces.
 
3/80 to 8/85     Aviation Simulation Technology Inc.,  Bedford, MA 
Developed software for flight simulators providing scenario generation and
real time performance analysis, including user interfaces and voice
digitization.
 
4/78 to 3/80     Masoneilan International, Inc., Norwood, MA 
Product planner for a $4M industrial product line. Designed a timed-phased
manufacturing planning program for a $12M product group which presented
information in a temporal context.
 
RELATED PUBLICATIONS AND TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS
 
"Content and Media Analysis for Intelligent Helmet Mounted 
            Displays", Society of Optical Engineering, Orlando, FL, 1997
"Object-Oriented Programming in the Development of Real-Time 
            Rotorcraft Simulations",  1992 [SCS} European Simulation 
            Symposium, Dresden, Germany, 1992
"Integrating Multiple Expert Systems In Intelligent Crew 
            Stations",  I.I.T.T. Expert Systems Applications Conference, 
            Los Angeles, 1991. 
"Automation in Complex Man-Machine Systems:  The Role of Planning 
            in Evaluating Design Alternatives", The AAAI Workshop on
Automated 
            Planning for Complex Domains, Eight National Conference on 
            Artificial Intelligence, Boston, MA., 1990
 
RELATED EDUCATION
 
UCSC, Santa Clara, CA                      
            Advanced Java Programming,  
            Object Oriented Programming in Java,  
            Object Orient Analysis,
            Java Programming 2,  
            Java Graphical User Interface Programming 
            Using AWT, AFC, and Swing
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
            Autonomous Agents, Computer Systems
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
            Advanced AI, Data Fusion                       
Northeastern University, Boston, MA               
            C, Lisp, AI, Expert Systems,  
            Knowledge Engineering 
Norwich University, Northfield, VT
            B.S. Bus. Admin.
 
MILITARY
 
Major, Aviation Branch , U.S. Army
Active Duty: 8/72 - 2/77      Helicopter Pilot / Instructor Pilot
Reserves:      3/77 - Present   Served in Medevac,  Attack Helicopter,  
Air Cav, and Utility units