Reflection

 

1. Why did you choose this job ad? Do you feel that you are qualified for the position? (paragraph)

 

I chose this job ad because I am actually going to interview for this job.  We had an interview set up last week, but it was cancelled and we have not agreed on a compatible time that works for the both of us.  This job ad appeals to my interests more than what is asked in a candidate in Job Ad 1 with Ontario Systems.  Ad 1 and Ad 2 caught my attention because they are at the ideal location for me this summer and I would not have to commute to Indianapolis (where most jobs are that are of interest to me).  I feel I am qualified for this job because I will have received my degree from Purdue in an area they have requested.  So far, this job ad is the best fit for me and it fits my circumstances (location, duration, skills needed). 

 

2. How long has the ad been posted? If it has been posted for a long period of time, are you sure that the position is still available? How? (short answer)

 

This job ad has been posted since the middle of December.  I spoke with the Vice President and confirmed that Fuseworks is still trying to fill the vacancy.

 

3. Where is the company located? Are you willing to move if it is out of state or in a foreign country? (short answer)

 

The company is located in Muncie, IN and it is very unlikely that I will have to travel to their new office in Indianapolis.  I am not willing to apply for a job out-of-state at this time.

 

4. Why is living in the area that the company is located appealing to you? (paragraph)

 

As I quickly mentioned in Q1, living in Muncie is the best case scenario right now because I will be starting Graduate School in the fall and am only interested in a summer internship.  Graduate school will take place at BSU, and my living arrangements have already been made around my school decision.  It does not make sense for me to commute or live in Indianapolis for only the summer.  Possibly for my first entry-level job out of Graduate school will I be willing to move permanently, but not at this time.

 

Job Ad Analysis

 

1. What skills is your prospective employer seeking, from most important to least important? (list)

 

Pursuing a degree in an area related to Computer Science or Management Information Systems.

 

Technical abilities that would allow for the candidate to perform his/her job at a “No Worry” and reliable level of service.  This entails knowing and understanding the requirements for maintaining the services in a Windows 2003 Server environment and other network services.

 

Teamwork abilities and also being able to effectively communicate with others while working individually.

 

2. What exceptional skills do you have that prove you to be
invaluable to this company or organization? Remember that your resume is not a record of what you’ve done, but a persuasive document that proves indisputably that you are the best person for the job. (list)

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

 

Windows Server 2003 administration    

UNIX system administration

LAN/WLAN/WAN analysis, design, management

Digital telephony equipment

System and network security

HTML/XML/JSP

MS Office Suite

SQL in Oracle

OOP with C#

UML/SDLC/Diagramming

 

BUSINESS SKILLS:

 

Support users via phone, e-mail, IM, and remote control software

Interpersonal skills with a strong customer support focus.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business, professional, and technical documents.

Ability to write presentations, reports, proposals, and memos.

Ability to prioritize tasks, work under deadline pressure, and work extra hours if needed.

Very willing to learn new skills and technologies.

 

3. As an exercise, list the skills, professional experience, personality traits, etc., the job ad is asking for in the left column, and in the right, write paragraphs that elaborate on and illustrate your skills, experience, etc.

 

Your prospective employer (list)

 

You (paragraphs)

 

 Maintain work order documentation

 

In my previous job as a technical communicator, maintaining work order documentation was a large part of the job I performed.  I documented complex healthcare software and contributed my work to a knowledgebase and book for publication.

 

 Maintain Windows 2003 server roles including DNS, DHCP, WINS, IIS, Host Integration Server and others.

 

I have experience with every single one of these services and understand them at an advanced level.  I have had at least 3 classes of coursework devoted to services of this nature.

 

 Manage users in a multi-domain Active Directory forest, applying strong knowledge of Group Policies,

 

Scripts, User profiles, DFS and AD sites, trusts and replication.

 

 Again, being an assistant to a Network Administrator in my past internship gave me experience in all of these categories.  In addition, I have completed a few courses pertaining to user management and policies within a multi-domain forest.

 

 Fulfill work orders / service requests to repair computer equipment, software and peripherals

 

I worked as a PC Technician for a summer which addresses everything listed and wanted by Fuseworks.  I also build computers for friends and neighbors on the side.

 

 Assist other FWS team members in troubleshooting network problems.

 

 A large part of my coursework and lab experiments are taken up by troubleshooting. Problem solving is a critical skill to have as a troubleshooter for the network or its systems.

 

 Install and prepare production server hardware

 

 I have a lot of experience from lab activities that give me the opportunity to learn new and old services for deployment.  I have experienced at the workplace these services in a production environment, not just in course laboratories.

 

 Maintain technical schematics and diagrams.

 

 I have strong skills in various sorts of diagramming used both in an IT department and a technical writing environment.  Because each lab I complete for my CIT courses requires a finished lab report, I am used to creating my own documents and diagrams.  When I create these documents, a large portion of the lab manual consists of diagrams because a picture tells a thousand words.

 

History of the Company / Organization

 

1.    Did you know anything about the company before you saw the job ad? (short answer)

 

 

I knew that there had to be a video productions center and Internet advertising division of Rutter Communications (its parent company) and it so happens that FuseWorks Studios is that division/company.

 

 

2.    Does the company have a website? What is the URL? (short answer)

 

 

Yes, http://www.fuseworkstudios.com/.

 

 

3.    What is the mission statement of the company? (paragraph)

 

Yes, they have an “Approach” and “Core Value”  statement that serves as their “Mission Statement.”

 

Our values drive and dictate our approach to business every day. We believe our people deliver extraordinary outcomes for clients because of our passion for what we do, an approach that delivers results and a value system that is centered on doing what is best for each other and our communities. Not sometimes or most of the time, but every time.

 

We've been deliberate about attracting and retaining people who share our values and then in turn can deliver those to our clients. That is how a company succeeds and sustains. These core values and the people at Fusework Studios who live them are what have made us a leader in our industry and the communities we serve.

 

INTEGRITY
Ever focusing on the customer, we are committed to choosing the path of integrity in
moments of truth and everyday decisions.

 

PERFORMANCE
Ever reaching for the stars, we are committed to making a habit of meeting and
exceeding goals, in doing and being our best.

 

WORK ETHIC
Ever driving to succeed, we are committed to the belief that good ideas are passionately
created and crafted around the clock.

 

PROFESSIONALISM
Ever knowing that perception is reality, we are committed to standing apart from the
rest of the crowd, by lending expertise to our clients with the best talent who have the
best training and the best tools.

 

STRATEGIC THINKING
Ever believing that extraordinary outcomes require planning, we are committed to a
thoughtful, analytical approach both in positioning our clients properly in the
marketplace and decision-making for ourselves.

 

COMMUNITY
Ever understanding that we get what we give, we are committed to partnering with our
communities to make a difference with our time, talent and our resources.

 

 

4.    What are keywords on the website that you can use in your cover letter and interview? (list)

 

Listening and learning

 

Development (in extraordinary ideas)

 

Exceed (your expectations)

 

 

5.      Write a few sentences about the history of the company. Remember that it is essential for you to learn as much about the company as possible; you can use such knowledge for your cover letter and interview. (paragraph)

 

 

This is a very new company and is part of the Rutter Communications Network that does local commercials and video production for the local area’s cable company, Comcast and local companies.  The two Executive Directors co-founded and launched Fusework Studios after working in previous web business, marketing, and tech-based companies.  The company has grown to 15 employees and it seems from their website that they are looking forward to expand because of high demand for their type of work.  They are heavily integrated into many types of technologies used in Web and Internet Marketing, Film and Video Production, and Hosted IT Solutions. 

 

6.    Based on your research, what is your personal sense about the company? What do you feel the company values? (paragraph)

 

 

I believe that every employee in the company deserves their job and that they excel at it.  I have viewed their streaming videos and it seems like a laid back and personal environment because it is not a huge corporate environment.  I feel if I would work there, I figure I would become a close friend/co-worker with many of them.  They all seem to have some sort of community service as a large part of each of their lives.  I feel that Fusework Studios values a personal approach to their clients, carries a strong sense of hard work and values integrity, and has a strategic way of thinking in their goals that leads to high performance and a valuable work ethic.

 

7. Does Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities have a networking system with this company? (short answer)

 

No, not that I have seen.

 

8. Do you have any personal connections to this company? Do you know anyone who works there? Does anyone in your family or friends of your family work there? (short answer)

 

I know who their Coordinator of Client Services who is on the Sales team – he is my sister’s boyfriend’s best friend.  I do not have any personal connections with this company and no one in my family works there.