race week

Kicking off hurricane season, tomorrow's big interview in Georgetown, DE has been pushed up by one hour. The call came in while I was at the ENT allergist. This is my first choice so keep your fingers crossed. If it doesn't work out, plan B entails searching from a newly found resource: WorkBaltimore.com

Roxanne

DSP has received my application but it has not yet been reviewed to see if I meet their minimum qualifications. Testing starts this fall of 2007 for a 2008 Recruit Class. Applications are reviewed in July and notification comes in the mail.

Rejection stings.

The TV station called back one weekday this week. It was in reference to setting up an interview. Unfortunately I wasn't home, and the message got scrambled. I didn't catch the little detail that they were in a rush to hire. So tragically, I delayed one day in returning their telephone call and upon doing so I learned that they had already filled the position in master control.

In more rejection news, yesterday I received a reply to my employment inquiry with my big second choice: D3 Corp of Ocean City, MD. The short 3 line reply: "Thank you for your inquiry. We have recently filled the position, but our company continues to grow. I will keep your resume on file and will contact you when another position becomes available."

Graphic Design

"Graphic designers work with drawn, painted, photographed, or computer-generated images (pictures), but they also design the letterforms that make up various typefaces found in movie credits and TV ads; in books, magazines, and menus; and even on computer screens. Designers create, choose, and organize these elements—typography, images, and the so-called “white space” around them—to communicate a message...Graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas..."

"Designers are the link between the client and the audience. On the one hand, a client is often too close to the message to understand various ways in which it can be presented. The audience, on the other hand, is often too broad to have any direct impact on how a communication is presented. What’s more, it is usually difficult to make the audience a part of the creative process. Unlike client and audience, graphic designers learn how to construct a message and how to present it successfully. They work with the client to understand the content and the purpose of the message. They often collaborate with market researchers and other specialists to understand the nature of the audience. Once a design concept is chosen, the designers work with illustrators and photographers as well as with typesetters and printers or other production specialists to create the final design product."
- Graphic Design: A Career Guide and Education Directory
Edited by Sharon Helmer Poggenpohl, Copyright 1993
The American Institute of Graphic Arts

re: Salisbury U

That postings on SU which I replied to must have been stale listings. Those half a douzen couver letters I wrote generated a single line response: "The position was filled several months ago. I'm not sure why it continues to appear on the job alert page. Thank you for your interest."

Graphics and Printing Tech I

"Your application for Graphics & Printing Technician I 041207-MCCE01-100200 has been screened and been determined that you have met the job requirements and you are on the eligibility list for this recruitment. Your application may be further reviewed by an agency hiring manager and you may be contacted for an interview. Your application will remain active until the vacancy is filled or the recruitment is closed. You may check on the status of the vacancy by visiting the Delaware Employment Link (DEL) Career Opportunities website at http://www.jobaps.com/de/ and clicking on Status of Closed Postings."

Oooh boy, well I went to Monday's interview at the state OMB. I had some minor trouble finding the place and I had to wait a half and hour for them to call me back into the conference room. But the actual interview itself was like 7 minutes long. No joke, shortest interview of my life. Not like my previous 2 hour interviews at some other places.

Upon asking questions I learned that the job pays around $11 an hour and it's not a casual seasonal position as the bureacracy lists it but it is actually a permanent part time position at 30 hours a week. The job has no benefits and it mostly pertains to bindery and finishing or folders and cutters. Again no graphic design, and no benifits...? Anyhow they said that they would be contacting me for sure in the next two weeks.

Application Interface Designer

"The main role and responsibility for this position is to design clean and intuitive graphical user interfaces for our interactive, data-driven web applications. The challenge is to create outstanding and innovative user experiences which solve complicated problems without burdening users with complexity.

The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, be highly creative, have expert diagramming and screen layout skills, be proficient with graphic and web applications, be action- and team-oriented, and possess strong oral and written communications skills.

We are looking for someone outstanding in interaction and web design as well as information architecture. Please note that this is NOT a graphic designer or application programmer position. This position reports to the VP of Product Development.

Requirements
Responsibilities:

1. PLAN & ANALYZE
   
   
   
   • Analyze users’ goals and needs for our target audiences.
   
   
   • Understand our business needs and requirements.
   
   
   • Translate needs into design specifications that merge business and user goals with technical capabilities.
   
   
   
   
2. DESIGN
   
   
   
   • Develop effective interface components and assemble them into highly usable and coherent web designs.
   
   
   • Create sketches, concept and navigation maps, page and task flows, wireframes, and design specifications for proposed designs.
   
   
   • Create prototypes based on written requirements and/or meetings.
   
   
   • Build user interfaces using HTML, CSS, and DHTML.
   
   
   • Conceptualize and document the design of proposed interactions and interfaces.
   
   
   
   
3. COLLABORATE
   
   
   
   • Work with multiple project managers simultaneously as part of cross-functional project teams.
   
   
   • Help shape vision and requirements for product experience; transform requirements into wireframes and functional specifications.
   
   
   • Work with usability engineers to develop user profiles, analyze user tasks, create scenarios and use cases, test interface designs and translate usability study findings into improved designs.
   
   
   • Work with application/systems programmers to ensure that web interfaces connect in real-time with underlying data sources.
   
   
   • Work with development team to review and refine prototypes, and to ensure correct implementation of interaction functionality (including participating in executing unit test plans).
   
   
   
   
4. PROCESS
   
   
   
   • Utilize and promote user-centered design methodologies.
   
   
   • Follow an iterative process along the complete product life cycle.
   
   
   • Provide multiple viable solutions to complex user interface and information design problems.
   
   
   • Help create and enforce standards and guidelines for user experience.
   
   
   • Research best practices and propose improvements in designs and methods.
   
   
   • Experiment with new interaction types that push the boundaries.
   
   
   
   
5. LEAD
   
   
   
   • Take creative direction to deliver a consistent high-quality user experience.
   
   
   • Manage full lifecycle of design tasks, from concept and design to production.
   
   
   • Articulate ideas and direction in writing and/or storyboards.
   
   
   
   
6. LEARN
   
   
   
   • Review competing products and recommend design solutions that differentiate our products from theirs.
   
   
   • Keep up to date with industry standards and trends as well as advances in interaction design technologies.
     
   
   

Qualifications:

• EDUCATION:




• Bachelors degree required, preferably in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Visual Communications or related field.


• EXPERIENCE
  
  
  
  • 3-5 years full-time experience designing interactive user interfaces for web or software applications
  
  
  • Experience with online consumer software product interfaces.
  
  
• KNOWLEDGE
  
  
  
  • Thorough knowledge of web and interactive design processes, best practices and tools.
  
  
  • Working knowledge of HTML, DHTML, and CSS.
  
  
  • Understands information architecture, usability testing, and how to leverage AJAX, JavaScript, Flash, XML, and XHTML.
  
  
• SOFTWARE
  
  
  
  • Highly proficient in desktop UI/graphics applications (such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Visio, InDesign, QuarkXpress).
  
  
  • Microsoft Office.
    

Keywords: user interface, application usability, web designer, interaction design, user-centered application design, application designer, information architect, graphical user interface, human computer interaction, HCI, GUI, UI.

Salisbury U

Evidently SU has a nice part time listing for college students available through their career services website. Isn't it funny that I've found their smaller website more user friendly than that of the larger University of Delaware? The MBNA career services is now the BoA or Bank of America Career Services Center at the University of Delaware. It's too bad they couldn't help there with any information on such a cutting edge field like interactive media. The university is supposed to be one of the top wired schools in the nation but they are truly lacking when it comes to wired jobs and wired majors. Meh.

Anyhow, while on SU Career's site I applied to:
"Akman & Associates, PC: Receptionist/Administrative Assistant- We are looking for a part-time receptionist/administrative assistant. You must have good personal and phone skills. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about the law for those interested in legal careers. The practice is a general practice, with one attorney and one paralegal. Schedule is flexible, to work with class schedules. Status: Part-time Job Locations: Salisbury, MD. Compensation Details/Other Benefits: Negotiable. Email to Receive Applications"

American Insurance

As a result of posting on CareerBuilder.com last night, today's random email comes from the recruiting director for American Income Life Insurance Company. It reads: "...Your resume was posted online and I would like to have a conversation with you regarding an exciting employment opportunity we have available in Sales Management...providing supplemental life insurance products to North America`s associations, labor and credit union members. We are located and licensed in all 50 states, New Zealand and Canada...Currently we have full-time and part-time openings at entry level sales, junior and senior management and marketing. There is no need for cold calling or telemarketing as we provide 100% qualified warm leads. I am looking forward to speaking with you about this opportunity on a first interview...Please call...so I can book a personal interview with you."

Then I received another insurance recruitment email, this time from United American Insurance Company. It reads: "Whether you have insurance sales or management experience or are looking for a new vocation, we need to talk. I am in the process of hiring 100 new agents and 10 sales managers in Pennsylvania and adjoining areas to market our vast portfolio of life and health products. We specialize in both the senior market as well as people under the age of 65, offering individual as well as payroll deduction life and health plans." Hmm.

I continued reading email and find the very next one to be from the CEO of American Income. Nice marketing tactic in that it grabs my attention. It persuasively reads: "I recently found your resume online and wanted to get in touch with you. We are expanding our sales force by interviewing applicants from a variety of different backgrounds and we believe you have the potential to be an excellent match. We are looking for goal-oriented individuals like you right now. First year earnings, advances and bonuses can range from $45,000 to $75,000 for new representatives. No experience is necessary. Full training is provided to help maximize your earning potential. ...P.S. You received this E-mail because you responded to our ad or placed your resume on one of the internet job boards."

The next email reads "Hi, my name is John Gore and I am the Senior Vice President of United Americans Branch Office Division. I found your resume online and wanted to contact you. We are now hiring applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and we believe you are an outstanding match. We have immediate openings for motivated individuals like you. First year earnings can range as high as $100,000 for new representatives and management positions are awarded for excellence, regardless of prior experience. If you are goal-oriented with good communication skills and have a desire to succeed within a company that has a well-known industry reputation for financial stability, quality products and streamlined services, then I would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience. We are a part of the Torchmark Corporation, a Top Forbes 400 company. We provide full training and a complete set of skills to help you build your earning potential. Bonuses and incentives are also a part of our commitment to your success."

I think you get the idea here. You know what I'm getting at.

Pay attention

9 o'clock this morning the phone rang. I never even heard it because I was in the most comfortable sleep of the past three days, maybe even the best of the week. But I was roused from my late morning slumber when it was indicated that the telephone caller was for me. Evidently the state job I applied for last month has closed the listing and decided they will hold interviews. Last night I made plans to leave town Sunday but those plans are unfortunately postponed since Monday is the only day they will be holding the interviews.

I was speaking clearly on the phone but my mind was still very groggy at that hour. I know what time my interview is scheduled, but I didn't catch the room number, interviewer's name or much of any information beneficial to me. Had I been on my toes, maybe I would have asked a few more questions. I've long since deleted the informative email I received upon applying. But I think I can find the original posting online and get a phone number and address from that page.

The job title is Graphics & Printing Technician I. It is an entry level, casual seasonal position and the pay is $10.94 per hour. Two hours will be spent every day commuting to and from Dover. I should pray that I don't obtain anymore speeding tickets via that route.

Pagination

According to the wiki, "Pagination is the system by which the information on a newspaper, bookpage, manuscript, or otherwise handwritten or printed document are laid out." A very pleasant voice called today from a local beach paper and invited me to an interview later this week! Rah, hurrah, just don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Circular reasoning

After lunch I received 2 calls from the uncle who got me my first job. Then his associate Eddie Spaghetti from the county called to speak with me briefly. He instructed me to go over to the County Building #2 on the silly circle and fill out an application. I followed a Pepsi car most of the way back home.

IED, UID, whatever

Usability Design/Test Analyst
Location: US-MD-Woodlawn
Job Category: Information Technology

Purpose:
TEKsystems is seeking an Human Factors/Usability Design Analyst to provide User-Centered Design support to project teams within a large government agency. This includes the ability to analyze user needs, assist in requirements definition, and design and conduct usability testing.

Job Requirements:
-11 Years of IT experience and 14 without an IT degree
-Bachelors degree or higher in Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors Engineering, Visual Design, Instructional Systems Design, or similar.
-Direct Interaction/Interface design experience including User-Centered Methods and User Analysis
-Experience designing and conducting formative and summative usability tests in both formal and informal settings
-Understanding of Requirements Definition process
-Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams
-Excellent written and verbal skills

Additional desired skills include:

-Direct experience with consulting to Federal agencies.
-Thorough understanding of iterative software development methods
-Experience with contextual inquiry methods.
-Experience with Section 508 compliance

UI designer

What a posting a UI designer...what is the job called? designer, engineer, specialist? what is it called? I want the entry level, but it's so new and so specialized, does everyone call it something different? I want this job.

around

This morning I've continued work on my online portfolio as well as send several emails out for networking and information. Also, I applied to two newspaper jobs as a paginator: De Cost Press and Salisbury Daily Times. I have got to get this resume done so I may apply to some more web design places. I'm unsure now as to how one would work their way up to usability engineer. What exactly is the entry level position leading eventually up to that? Does everyone have to start out as a graphic designer?

Life goes on

After picking up the dry cleaning, I stopped by the Lowe's Hiring Center again today. I filled out another application but for a different position. Unfortunately the large and in charge woman there would not accept my application, nor would she look at me when she spoke or answered my questions. When I left I felt sad and rejected. The portfolio is on hold now as we have a family member hospitalized.

Portfolio

This week I'm really putting a good effort in and working towards getting my online portfolio up and kicking. I'd like to be able to refer to it and use it when searching for jobs. I've got two at the top of my list locally that require a portfolio when applying so I can't wait to get this done. Ok, I can wait as long as it takes to do it right. Everyday I think I meet at least one goal and make some progress. I found alot of HTML4 has become obsolete or outdated (depreciated methods like the "b" tag versus "strong" tag and now font-weight:). The hardest thing to tackle is learning this new world of CSS. I can tweak templates but I really want to be able to type code with a good understanding. I suppose I could use Dreamweaver8 or GoLive and have it write the code for me but I've always been against that so why change now? Maybe I'm doing things the hard way but the goal is to get this portfolio completed so I can apply for jobs. Maybe at my next job we will use Dreamweaver8.

BTW, the riverfront job fair I went to on Tuesday wasn't much for me but I gave it a shot anyhow. It was a good day to get out in the sunshine and go for the drive. I picked up some info, some free pens, but I am really going to town no the portfolio.

Keywords

Designer
Developer
Interface Designer, UI Designer
Web Designer
Project Manager
Information Architect
Usability Expert/Consultant/Lead
Accessibility Expert/Consultant/Lead
Writer/editor
Creative Director, Art Director
Web Director
Web Producer
Webmaster, Web Master