Looking for a new job is always a nightmare. If you happen to specialize in Microsoft SharePoint, weeding through job descriptions and speaking to (non-technical) recruiters can sometimes still tell you nothing about each position. So how do you quickly bridge the gap and find the perfect job you so desperately need? Don't be afraid to ask for help!
And guess what? Today is your lucky day...
The SharePoint Community is an amazing one and is always willing to help it's fellow followers. Fine tune your resume, get in contact with technical recruiters, and find user groups in the area that will expand your skills through a new site called SharePoint Careers. It's easy to use and will provide exactly what you need in order to take that next step on your SharePoint "ladder".
Now to just ace that interview...
Friday, February 8, 2013
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
SharePoint Community Woes: A Response to a Dissatisfied Blogger
A few months ago, one of our user group's members wrote a blog post regarding his "newbie" experience within the SharePoint community. (You can find Bob Dundon's original blog post here.) He explains his discontent with the SharePoint community, more specifically, the annoying sales people at conferences. He noticed SharePoint ISV's (independent software vendors) and consulting firms are promoting their products and services at every conference and user group. Even though he ended up not being able to attend the SharePoint conference he originally signed up for, his registration information was distributed to these sales people anyway! Now he is being contacted by these sales people on numerous occasions. Bob = annoyed.
Is this right? How does this happen anyway? Is it like this in other tech communities?
The SharePoint community is unique in my opinion. After all, SharePoint is a collaboration product with a community built around that very same factor - we all want to collaborate! When I first started participating in the community about 5 years ago, SharePoint Saturdays were free. Today, most SharePoint Saturday's are still free, but the shift has occurred where operating costs have reached exponential levels with more attendees, conference space fees, food, etc. This is where the sponsors (comprised of the ISV's and consulting firms) come in. The SharePoint community needs these companies to provide thousands upon thousands of dollars to help ensure these events continue to run. I run the Women in SharePoint DC user group and trust me, if it weren't for our sponsors, we wouldn't be able to have a user group at all. Even though I help organize the group in my free time and get no financial benefit from it, there are other operating costs. We advertise our sponsors in return for the help they provide us financially. Sure, some people hate sitting through the "sponsor talk" at the beginning of a user group meeting but others can get something out of it. For example, let's say an ISV can provide you with a migration product that will help your organization move from SP 2007 to SP 2010 in a quarter of the time it would have taken for you to do it with SharePoint alone. By the time you factor employee costs, it might be cheaper to purchase that 3rd party solution for your company, right? Sponsors utilize this kind of exposure to demonstrate their products. (I know I wouldn't buy anything without seeing it in action first.)
So back to Bob's original problem - he just wants to learn more about SharePoint. Yes, reading SharePoint books are a great way to learn, but you don't get the real-world feedback/conversation you are looking for. This is where user groups strive and conferences don't. A user group session contains less attendees, has only one (or a few at most) speakers and allows for a conversation after the speaker has concluded his/her presentation. (Hopefully over a beer at a SharePint!) Conferences usually contain many speakers, are on a limited time allotment and don't allow much time for the in-person interaction you need. I'm not saying that connecting with SME's within the SharePoint community is impossible at conferences, it's just harder. I can say this though: most speakers/SME's are willing to provide their contact information to those who attended their events. If they are "closed off" and don't like responding to questions outside of their time on the soapbox, then don't bother prying them for information. Find someone else or get in contact with the leaders of your local user groups. They should be able to point you in the right direction and connect you with other people who care about spreading their wealth of technical knowledge.
Bob attended a FEDSPUG user group meeting last fall. Coincidentally, I was speaking. My presentation was about Microsoft InfoPath form design and integration with SharePoint for beginners. In response to Bob's post about the product I presented on, it is part of the Microsoft Office Suite so it's easily accessible. I was saddened by his comment regarding the fact that he foresees that he will never use it, but hey, forms development isn't for everyone. My final advice to Bob, and to anyone new to the community, is to be open, ask questions, and welcome all information you can get your hands on. The possibilities are endless...
Is this right? How does this happen anyway? Is it like this in other tech communities?
The SharePoint community is unique in my opinion. After all, SharePoint is a collaboration product with a community built around that very same factor - we all want to collaborate! When I first started participating in the community about 5 years ago, SharePoint Saturdays were free. Today, most SharePoint Saturday's are still free, but the shift has occurred where operating costs have reached exponential levels with more attendees, conference space fees, food, etc. This is where the sponsors (comprised of the ISV's and consulting firms) come in. The SharePoint community needs these companies to provide thousands upon thousands of dollars to help ensure these events continue to run. I run the Women in SharePoint DC user group and trust me, if it weren't for our sponsors, we wouldn't be able to have a user group at all. Even though I help organize the group in my free time and get no financial benefit from it, there are other operating costs. We advertise our sponsors in return for the help they provide us financially. Sure, some people hate sitting through the "sponsor talk" at the beginning of a user group meeting but others can get something out of it. For example, let's say an ISV can provide you with a migration product that will help your organization move from SP 2007 to SP 2010 in a quarter of the time it would have taken for you to do it with SharePoint alone. By the time you factor employee costs, it might be cheaper to purchase that 3rd party solution for your company, right? Sponsors utilize this kind of exposure to demonstrate their products. (I know I wouldn't buy anything without seeing it in action first.)
So back to Bob's original problem - he just wants to learn more about SharePoint. Yes, reading SharePoint books are a great way to learn, but you don't get the real-world feedback/conversation you are looking for. This is where user groups strive and conferences don't. A user group session contains less attendees, has only one (or a few at most) speakers and allows for a conversation after the speaker has concluded his/her presentation. (Hopefully over a beer at a SharePint!) Conferences usually contain many speakers, are on a limited time allotment and don't allow much time for the in-person interaction you need. I'm not saying that connecting with SME's within the SharePoint community is impossible at conferences, it's just harder. I can say this though: most speakers/SME's are willing to provide their contact information to those who attended their events. If they are "closed off" and don't like responding to questions outside of their time on the soapbox, then don't bother prying them for information. Find someone else or get in contact with the leaders of your local user groups. They should be able to point you in the right direction and connect you with other people who care about spreading their wealth of technical knowledge.
Bob attended a FEDSPUG user group meeting last fall. Coincidentally, I was speaking. My presentation was about Microsoft InfoPath form design and integration with SharePoint for beginners. In response to Bob's post about the product I presented on, it is part of the Microsoft Office Suite so it's easily accessible. I was saddened by his comment regarding the fact that he foresees that he will never use it, but hey, forms development isn't for everyone. My final advice to Bob, and to anyone new to the community, is to be open, ask questions, and welcome all information you can get your hands on. The possibilities are endless...
Friday, March 30, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Video: Introduction to SharePoint 2010
Check out this presentation on the different strategies for upgrading to SharePoint 2010! Thank you to Microsoft for providing local user groups with this info!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Women in Technology Panel Discussion at SPS Philly
Women in SharePoint DC was in full
attendance at SharePoint Saturday Philly! Dr. Marie-Michelle Strah and
Rima Reyes represented WSPDC during the Women in SharePoint panel
discussion. Check out Dr. Marie-Michelle Strah's post on how women don't
need approval in the boardroom. They just need a little more
confidence!
You Don't Need Approval: Women in Technology Resources #spsphilly
2012: A Great Year for Women in SharePoint DC
Message from Michelle Strah, WSPDC Outgoing President:
As we celebrate the start of a new year and all the possibilities and opportunities 2012 has for all of us, it’s time to look at the past and plan our way forward as a community.
It has been a distinct honor to serve as President of Women in SharePoint DC since our inception in 2010 and watch the community grow from a handful of founders and members pulling together the first women in technology group for Microsoft technologies, to monthly technical events, dozens of sponsors, and national conference sponsorship, attendance and recognition.
Since our merger with FEDSPUG in September 2011, we have grown to be the largest SharePoint user group in the nation and have provided industry leading seminars on SharePoint for Government on behalf of Microsoft Corporation.
In addition, one of our stated goals was to provide effective professional development and mentoring opportunities for women in technology, and part of this is encouraging future leaders in technology to step forward and take the reins.
I am very happy to announce that effective February 1, 2012, Rima Reyes (currently VP of WSPDC and Technical Consultant at Hewlett Packard) will assume the title and responsibilities of President of Women in SharePoint DC. She has enthusiastically taken on every role since the group’s inception from volunteer, to marketing assistant, to moderator, to vice president and the growth and success of WSPDC is indistinguishable from her contributions.
Quite simply, without Rima, Women in SharePoint DC would not have survived our first year. Her exemplary, organizational, leadership and community management skills have been critical to our growth and I look forward to watching how she grows the group even further as an integral special interest group of FEDSPUG.
Please join me in congratulating Rima as well as wishing all women in technology a fantastic 2012. I look forward to seeing you all at the March 2012 WSPDC Career Development Panel!
Best regards,
As always, thank you for being a member. If you have
any questions, feel free to contact me. I look forward to see you at our
events this year!
Regards,
Rima Reyes
As we celebrate the start of a new year and all the possibilities and opportunities 2012 has for all of us, it’s time to look at the past and plan our way forward as a community.
It has been a distinct honor to serve as President of Women in SharePoint DC since our inception in 2010 and watch the community grow from a handful of founders and members pulling together the first women in technology group for Microsoft technologies, to monthly technical events, dozens of sponsors, and national conference sponsorship, attendance and recognition.
Since our merger with FEDSPUG in September 2011, we have grown to be the largest SharePoint user group in the nation and have provided industry leading seminars on SharePoint for Government on behalf of Microsoft Corporation.
In addition, one of our stated goals was to provide effective professional development and mentoring opportunities for women in technology, and part of this is encouraging future leaders in technology to step forward and take the reins.
I am very happy to announce that effective February 1, 2012, Rima Reyes (currently VP of WSPDC and Technical Consultant at Hewlett Packard) will assume the title and responsibilities of President of Women in SharePoint DC. She has enthusiastically taken on every role since the group’s inception from volunteer, to marketing assistant, to moderator, to vice president and the growth and success of WSPDC is indistinguishable from her contributions.
Quite simply, without Rima, Women in SharePoint DC would not have survived our first year. Her exemplary, organizational, leadership and community management skills have been critical to our growth and I look forward to watching how she grows the group even further as an integral special interest group of FEDSPUG.
Please join me in congratulating Rima as well as wishing all women in technology a fantastic 2012. I look forward to seeing you all at the March 2012 WSPDC Career Development Panel!
Best regards,
Marie-Michelle Strah, PhD
Past President, Women in SharePoint DC http://womeninspdc.org
Federal Program Manager, Applied Information Sciences http://www.appliedis.com
Message from Rima Reyes, WSPDC Incoming President:
I am both delighted and honored to be
WSPDC's new President! Working side by side with Michelle Strah over the
past 2 years has been an amazing experience, one of which I am truly
grateful for. I have learned the intricate details (and hard work!) of
running a technical user group from Michelle and promise you that 2012
will be one to remember, full of innovative events catered to our
members.
Regards,
Rima Reyes
O'Really Media 50% off #SharePoint deal #SPC11
@OReillyMedia: At #SPC11 + missed our SAVE 50% #SharePoint deal? It's back, through Sunday. http://oreil.ly/pgZF5h
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