On Jan 12, 4:37 pm, Alan Harris-Reid <aharrisr...@googlemail.com> wrote: > Hi there, I wonder if any Python folk out there can help me. > > For many years I was a contractor developing desktop and web > applications using Visual Foxpro as my main language, with Foxpro, > SQL-server and Oracle as back-end databases. Unfortunately Foxpro was > killed-off by Microsoft, hence my work dried-up and my last 'big' > contract ended about a year ago. Since then I have taken time off > programming doing house-renovation, and in the last 6 months I have been > updating my programming skills by learning Python (3) with SQLite, > JavaScript, HTML and CSS to a level where I can create and deploy > data-based web-sites. > > My situation now is that I am reasonably comfortable with the above > languages and am now in a position where I wish to return to employment > using my new and/or existing skills (contract/permanent, full/part-time > or teleworking). However, I have yet to find any UK vacancy which will > accept a relative 'beginner' - they all require at least 2-3 years > Python in a commercial environment. It's a catch-22 situation - it's > hard to get a job without experience, but you need a job to get > experience in the 1st place! > > I would even consider doing small projects for nothing so that I can > 'get my foot in the door' (although I hope to be wise-enough to know > when I am being taken advantage of!). I am also mailing CVs to agencies > I think may be interested. > > If anyone out has ideas as to how to proceed towards achieving my goal, > I would be grateful for any advice. > > Regards, > Alan Harris-Reid
Hi Alan, Just some ideas (not in any order, just as they're thought of):- - Emphasise your experience with Oracle & SQL Server, and use Python as a "I also have". It may be someone will accept that as viable (saves them a DBA or something), and maybe you'll get into an experienced group and get on the job training. (I assume you have good SQL skills). - Look at cwjobs.co.uk / monster / etc..., and search for Python. Get a list of agencies there. Phone them *first*, explain what is it you've done, and what you can do. If the person seems to know what they're talking about send your CV - but chase often. - Look at web-frameworks. Django seems to be the most listed for "required"/"nice to have". Also check out javascript-frameworks - jquery & extjs are the biggest 2, so at least you can say you've had some experience. - Perhaps phone your local job centre, and ask for a contact for their local volunteer centre. They might have something like work for a small charity that just needs a couple of pages done. The idea being: 1) If it's a cause you believe in, it makes up for not getting paid; 2) You can use it as an example and reference; 3) You might be able to use it as networking - might get a free lunch from an event and meet someone with money, that's impressed with your good will and work, and just happens to have a job going spare... - Build a copy of your CV designed for the web. Make sure it looks good, is HTML/CSS compliant, and even add some nice interactive stuff to it, and include it as a link in your CV. [The other thing you can do, is only display the CV on entry of a short PIN (different for each one you send - '2431' or something'), then you can log who's bothered looking at it, and when, enabling timing of a follow-up better)]. - Look in local papers for local companies that offer not necessarily web design, but possibly just print design. See if you can't have a chat with them and get some work your way. Other options might be new- starts up, non-chain pubs, community/sports clubs, a local church for fund-raising, your local chinese/indian takeaway - wouldn't hurt to put their menu online with an online order form would it!? [What you might find about this, is that as they're not likely to be technical, you can take your own time, charge a reasonable amount, experiment a little and learn, and not have too tight deadlines or someone looking over your shoulder]. Brain (or somewhere else) dump finished. hth Jon. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
