View Full Version : I recruit IT professionals for Uncle Sam
I spend my day scouring resumes for qualified IT professionals who I then cold-call and pitch the benefits of living and working overseas, in nearly every country on Earth, for the US Department of State.
It's an easy sell to candidates who think seeing history being made and living overseas with their families, and going to a new country every 2 or 3 years is an exciting cultural experience.
On the other hand, I live walking distance from the Yards. When it's my turn to go back overseas, it'll be back to getting up at 2 in the morning to watch a game. So there are clear downsides to working overseas!
On the other hand, I love my job.
itsernst
10-16-2008, 12:18 PM
I spend my day scouring resumes for qualified IT professionals who I then cold-call and pitch the benefits of living and working overseas, in nearly every country on Earth, for the US Department of State.
It's an easy sell to candidates who think seeing history being made and living overseas with their families, and going to a new country every 2 or 3 years is an exciting cultural experience.
On the other hand, I live walking distance from the Yards. When it's my turn to go back overseas, it'll be back to getting up at 2 in the morning to watch a game. So there are clear downsides to working overseas!
On the other hand, I love my job.
Is the pay that much better?
jamesenoch
10-20-2008, 03:37 PM
I spend my day scouring resumes for qualified IT professionals who I then cold-call and pitch the benefits of living and working overseas, in nearly every country on Earth, for the US Department of State.
It's an easy sell to candidates who think seeing history being made and living overseas with their families, and going to a new country every 2 or 3 years is an exciting cultural experience.
On the other hand, I live walking distance from the Yards. When it's my turn to go back overseas, it'll be back to getting up at 2 in the morning to watch a game. So there are clear downsides to working overseas!
On the other hand, I love my job.
I would be interested in that, just not sure my family would.
Sounds very interesting. I am graduating with a degree in CS and Math in May and overseas jobs like this will be tempting. I'm definitely trying to get a job with the government.
Is the pay that much better?Good question. For someone starting out, the pay is probably average but we pay for your rent and utilities when you are overseas and we send your kids to very good private school.
You get raises every year from Congress, and you get a small raise every year that you are not promoted (promotions are merit based). The money starts being pretty good in short order.
I think the average sysadmin for us does much better after a few years than his private sector counterpart.
Sounds very interesting. I am graduating with a degree in CS and Math in May and overseas jobs like this will be tempting. I'm definitely trying to get a job with the government.
PM me with your commercial email and I'll send you an email from work so you can stay in touch and ask questions as your grad date gets closer.
I would be interested in that, just not sure my family would.Living overseas is definitely not for everyone. But it's a unique cultural experience and a great career. We even have a professional career track for spouses if the work is available at your posting.
Kids get exceptional schooling that we pay for and they don't have to worry about bullying or violence and you don't have to worry about it either. One of the best draws for parents is the quality of the schooling that we pay for.
Sounds very interesting. I am graduating with a degree in CS and Math in May and overseas jobs like this will be tempting. I'm definitely trying to get a job with the government.We'd be interested in you as well. My advice is to get as much experience doing sysadmin work as you can to round out your resume, even if it's only part time. And since we're government, we have to base our decisions on objective stuff so we like certifications too.
When you start looking for IT career work, be sure you are working in the IT field when you start looking, even if its only part time.
MemphisOsFan
12-29-2008, 08:10 PM
I spend my day scouring resumes for qualified IT professionals who I then cold-call and pitch the benefits of living and working overseas, in nearly every country on Earth, for the US Department of State.
It's an easy sell to candidates who think seeing history being made and living overseas with their families, and going to a new country every 2 or 3 years is an exciting cultural experience.
On the other hand, I live walking distance from the Yards. When it's my turn to go back overseas, it'll be back to getting up at 2 in the morning to watch a game. So there are clear downsides to working overseas!
On the other hand, I love my job.
This sounds interesting. What type of skills are needed?
This sounds interesting. What type of skills are needed?
Well, we are looking for 4 different skill sets, for 4 different careers:
1. sysadm/network admin
2. telephone techs
3. radio techs
4. digital techs, or what DOD might call "signals" techs
srock
01-29-2009, 11:53 AM
Well, we are looking for 4 different skill sets, for 4 different careers:
1. sysadm/network admin
2. telephone techs
3. radio techs
4. digital techs, or what DOD might call "signals" techs
Like Wish I have a CS degree. To be honest, these skill sets are not exactly what you hope to do after the ordeal that is Computer Science. What degrees are normally held by your new hires?
On the other hand, the overseas experience may be worth it for someone young.
Like Wish I have a CS degree. To be honest, these skill sets are not exactly what you hope to do after the ordeal that is Computer Science. What degrees are normally held by your new hires?
On the other hand, the overseas experience may be worth it for someone young.Although I say "sysadmin", the responsibilities are much wider, and they have responsibility for the entire digital environment at an embassy.
But what is unusual, is that their career path is essentially the same as a diplomat's, in the sense that there is no ceiling for their promotion potential. The Foreign Service is a competitive service based on merit, and IT personnel can go all the way to the top, both in rank and salary.
The senior IT officer at an embassy is like being the Chief Information Officer of a fairly large business.