Ricky Martin’s Blog

Well as I had stated before, I have been working on getting certified. With several different ones in mind. But given my new position, I figured the Microsoft route would be most beneficial right now and would apply most to my current environment. That and the fact my exposure to network infrastructure in this position is minimal to non-existant the Cisco certs can be put on hold a little while longer. But with everything that has happened in the last 6 months that was kind of hard.

But I took a big step towards my goal about 2 weeks ago. I wrote the 70-290 Microsoft exam, and I passed! It was funny after reviewing the transcript online I realized it has been almost 10 years exactly since I wrote my first certification exam for Microsoft back in the days of NT 4.0.

So with that feat done I have my goal of writing 1 to 2 exams a month does not seem so hard I took about 3 weeks of prep for this exam by reading the ms press book and preparing with simulation exams. That seemed to be what worked best for me as I wrote the exam in about 1 hour.

Now on to the next exam which is the 70-291. I have already booked it for December and am working on prepping for it now.

Will keep you all posted on the progress and outcome.

Well The job hunt continues, so far a few good interviews and now waiting to hear back from the latest one I think went really well. But I still am waiting for news on some other leads and until I secure something I am still looking for interesting positions out there. I have been getting a lot of good luck wishes from my friends and Family on Facebook. I have also come to the conclusion with the help of my wife, that we have to broaden our search as much as we would like to stay in AZ, reality is the pool of companies is smaller than other markets especially in IT, so I have been looking at positions in CA and NV and even looking at the east coast again even though would prefer to stay here in the southwest.

Have also started to look into starting a company with a friend of mine, that is still in the beginning stages but is showing some promise as we explore it further.

Well with all the doom and gloom about the economy all around the world, are people who need jobs actually finding any?

I heard many stories over the past few months that there are millions of people loosing there jobs in many different sectors all over the world, with the financial crisis and bank collapses in the news is anyone safe?

Then on the other side of the coin you also hear the stories about companies that are hiring and other that are in a shortage of qualified staff. What can you believe?

I have several friends who had lost their jobs recently, and a few that left willingly to take care of personal matters, now the ones who lost their jobs had some idea that it was coming but it was still a blow to them none the less, at this time 1 of them has managed to find a new job, but he had to relocate almost across the country. I don’t think that everyone would be so willing to do that.

the other friend of mine was in a higher position when he was let go, at a certain level you could say where jobs like that don’t open up every day, now he managed to get a package on leaving from his employer that would hold him over for a while. but without knowing how long it might be before finding a job you really have to wonder. He is somewhat fortunate that his wife is still working and they have at least one steady income. Even with that though they can’t last forever on the one income, and with the job market as it is right now, things are not looking promising. he had asked for any help I could provide so I figured I could put something out here at the same time.

The one thing I would suggest as most good recruiters will tell you is make your resume/CV stand out, The other would be to reach out to all your contacts both personal and professional, you never know where there could be an opening that you might be a match for and your contact may just get something from you and think you would be a good fit or know someone that is looking and your name may come up. This has happened to me in the past, I have been lucky especially when looking for a job, it usually happens that you get a call or e-mail from a unlikely source especially if you put yourself out there and reach out to the people you know.

Also I would suggest you post your resume/CV on as many Job websites as you can, chances are you will get a hit on at least 1 of them maybe more, and especially in this economic climate you want to be seen, so even if a company is advertising on multiple job boards if they see your resume/CV pop up on all of them that may be a good sign that you are a fit or at least a qualified candidate.

One other suggestion I would use is to do some research into the companies you would be interested in working for a good website I found is Fortune Magazine, They have an excellent page on the best 100 companies to work for as well as a list of the companies that are hiring even in the current economic climate.

Hope this helps anyone that is looking if so please let me know?

OK, as I have been writing of late I am looking into getting my certifications up to date, as we are suppose to be doing it through work, I am a little weary of getting started on the MCSE, I have finished one of the books, and was getting ready to schedule the exam, but there is a possibility that I may be in the next round of training with work, so I decided to hold off on that for the moment.

I have decided then to go for the CCNA instead as in terms of value it probably makes more sense, and is in higher demand. The CCNA can be done in one or two exams depending on your preference. I am going for the one exam approach. I think it makes the most sense and is the most cost effective option. the exam itself is only about $150. That being said one exam and your certified as opposed to the MCSE which is about 7 exams to get your full certification.

I started reading the material on the 26th of January, and my plan is to take the exam by the 24th of February. So roughly a month time frame to get up to speed and prepared for the exam. From the resources I have found the exam itself is between 55-60 questions and there is a 110 minutes to complete the exam. You need to score an 85% or better to have passed.

Now I am not completely new to Cisco, I have worked with them in the past but it has been about 4 years since I have had to work on a router or switch. I did take the course through the Cisco academy about 6 years ago at McGill University in Montreal. I passed the course, but never got around to taking the exam. So in essence it is kind of a refresher, as I probably know most of the stuff just have remember how to do it again.

as part of tools I have gotten I am currently reading the “CCNA : Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide (Exam 640-802) , 6th Edition” by Todd Lammle. I am also using Dynamips Cisco Router simulator to practice as it simulates almost exactly the router environment as it uses actual Cisco IOS.
I will keep up my progress and list things I have found along this adventure, hopefully by the end of it I can say I am officially a CCNA? we’ll have to wait and see.

Ok, well I managed to finish off the study book, was a long 14 chapters, 18 if you count the appendices. I have managed to do a couple of practice tests from the CD that goes with the book, and am doing pretty well, about an 89% pass rate each time I do the test. I think I will try and schedule the actual exam around the time I get back from Denmark. I think if I force myself to do it I will be ready to go for it. It is like a lot of the self help and getting things done books and people say, if you give yourself a deadline it will take as long as you give yourself. So if you set a target too far ahead you will only get there when the deadline gets close, and if you never give yourself a deadline it will never get done.

Just finished reading through this book, bought it a couple months ago and started it and kind got side tracked. the Book is basically an extension of the website lifehacker.com. The book itself talks you through 88 Hacks you can do to speed up your computer, or make your life simpler using technology. Very interesting and useful information. I enjoyed it and wish I would have finished it sooner…

As previously mentioned in the post Very cool Free INC or LLC, they have actually extended the offer to the end of this year. So this give you a chance to get this before the end of the year and still save the fee from my Corporation.

Well have to say it has been a while since having a proper Work Christmas party. I guess it is a different thing when you are in more of a true office environment, I have to say it was an extremely good time. for those that are interested I have am adding a link to the pictures on Flickr.

Have to say it was a great night and an excellent venue, here is a link to the place, very nice. Wotton House.

I think this is fitting given the recent link to Tim Ferriss and his pilot for his show.

Well I am in the beginning process of going for my MCSE. but at the same time I have always been looking at other ways of making money besides working the usual 40 hour week or more…

A such I came across the book the 4 hour work week, which I had mentioned in a previous post. I like the ideas presented in the book still trying to put some of them in practice. As such I am looking at other avenues to generate some income one of them would be this blog, others I am looking at are online photo stock sites, and investigating a few others right now. Will keep you posted with the outcome of what works and what doesn’t.

One of the other things I have come across in my research over time is also the Bank on yourself concept which is something that intrigued me when I came across it, and there is not that much clear information out there. I will go into more detail on that in a future post as it deserves more dedicated space to that subject.

But at this point as it relates to the Blog, I have already signed up with Google Adsense, and am running a feed through feedburner as well. So far have not seen any monetary results from this but if you have any ideas or suggestions please share them with me?

Well If anyone is interested this would be a great time given the current situations in most countries of an economic downturn. if your even thinking about starting your own company, Intuit’s My corporation is offering a free promotion this week till the 5th of December 2008 where you can use their service to set up your corporation or LLC for free, normally $149. I know I will be taking advantage of it and would suggest anyone else, especially if you are thinking for the future to take advantage of this opportunity.

please find the link Below:
Form a Free Corporation or Free LLC
MyCorporation.com, the leader in online incorporation, is offering its filing services free of charge when you form a corporation or limited liability company at their website between December 1 – 5, 2008. Now that’s economic stimulus! Bookmark this web site so you won’t miss out.