Job Titles

Have you ever really thought about job titles and what they really mean? I'm not very interested in obtaining a specific title, rather than a position where I can work hard and get things done, the only selling point of a title for me is that it gives me leverage to get things done. In looking for work I'm seeing titles such as "Chief Architect", "Director of Development", "Systems Integrator", "Post Sales Engineer", "Sales Engineer", "Director of IT", etc... I am also seeing a few that say "Vice President" (which I think has been replaced by "Director"), the title "Director" can be anything from a job that pays under $40k a year to a job that pays over $150k a year (I like to think I'm the latter).

To be honest I can't figure out where I fit, I think I'm too practical for a "title", I just want to get a job done and done properly. I tend to be relaxed when I work (many people see that as lazy), but then they see me actually get working on the details and see how hard I work when it really counts they realize that I'm just doing my job. I don't see the reason to be hyped up all the time, all that does is make everyone nervous, I prefer people to be relaxed and working hard than be nervous and looking over their shoulder.

I really do enjoy work, not only do I enjoy work, but I enjoy working hard and building products that are elegant in their simplicity ("simplicity" is actually very complex). How do you really convince someone that you can do the job before you get it? I know I can do the jobs that I apply for and I'm sure that with a little mentoring I can do almost any other job that comes my way. I am good at pushing beyond my comfort level, especially if it's needed to get the job done! I strongly believe that the customer is King and I am lucky to be working for them.

Fun Day...

TL vs TSX

I took my Acura TL in for a recall, the dealer gave me a TSX to use as a loner car, man after driving the TL the TSX is really a big step down. I doesn't have the horsepower of the TL and it just doesn't seem to be built as nice. If you are deciding which way to go, I'd say get the TL.


USMC

Went to the USMC Museum in Quantico Virginia. It was interesting, they have tons of very cool aircraft in the museum and many informative exhibits. While I don't agree with some of the wars we're currently fighting, I do support the people who fight them, it's amazing that to think that people will volunteer to go and fight whatever battle their country asks, they are all heros in my book.

Job Search

Still working on the job search, I have a couple of good leads, one that I cast aside (they wanted me for 3 months in Florida, anyone who knows me knows that I'm a mountain man, not a beach boy. The average elevation of Florida is only 100 feet, with the highest point at only 345 feet (Britton Hill).

Documentation

I got feedback concering the design documentation I'm working on, it was well recieved, but certain portions had to change. I've changed those, I've reviewed them, they are out for internal review right now with others. Once that's done I'll submit them for review by the customer. Then we can get on to the fun of development :).

Should I or Shouldn't I?

Kind of an interesting day yesterday, my dual personalities are showing :). No I'm not crazy (but don't most crazy people think they're sane?) and I'm not a super hero (though I do wear tights when I ride my bike, most people don't agree with me doing that, but I figure that's their problem), instead I'm a person who's trying to decide whether to grow their own business and "Live the Life" or get a job working for someone else. Right now my only concern is the next 6 months, I'm going to push both aspects, if I get another gig for QED, it needs to be significant enough to keep me going.

Now what did I do yesterday? Well here are the personalities:

President - Small Start up:

I met with someone about virtualizing some of their machines, they have tons of machines and most of them sit and use power. I think I also mentally decided to start pushing my own company some more and treating it as if it's a real company. I don't need a lot of work to get through the next 12 months. I don't think this issue will work, but I'm going to continue networking and sooner or later someone will see something and think "Hey Phil can do that".

Job Search Candidate:

I went out and met with a very pleasant and smart recruiter, she works for a growing company in Northern Virginia and hopefully she'll be able to destroy my business and find me a job :).

I did speak with another recruiter about a job opening they had, it looks like that position isn't going to happen. The company wants someone who is very hands on in development and managing (from what I've done I know it's almost impossible to be effective at both).

What's Next?

Well I have a call today with a recruiter, I also have another company that I interviewed with that I need to hear from. Other than that I need to continue my networking efforts and try to push both Philip the President and Philip the Job Search Candidate.

If anyone has ideas please let me know :).