I know this is a long shot but I thought I would post this job that my company has on the off chance that we may find someone, the j0b boards are not providing good candidates at the moment. Leave me a comment if you are interested:
.NET DEVELOPER – Consultancy, Chicago IL – Local Candidates Only
We are a growing, Chicago based consulting company and Microsoft Certified Gold Partner with Microsoft competencies awarded in Custom Development Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Data Management Solutions. Local candidates only please, and no corp-to-corp.
Requirements:
• A technical degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Internet technologies and databases.
• 3+ years of professional programming experience in C#.
• Understanding of the .NET framework, ASP.NET (2.0 and 3.5), ADO.NET, AJAX, and LINQ.
• Test Driven Development experience using Visual Studio, NUnit or equivalent.
• Experience with SQL Server and T-SQL programming.
• Ability to communicate (verbal and written) effectively with a variety of cross-functional groups.
• Time management skills & ability to multitask.
Experience with any of the following technologies is also beneficial:
• Microsoft Patterns and Practices
• Microsoft Enterprise Library
• Microsoft Team Foundation Server
• Microsoft SharePoint Server
• Microsoft Commerce Server
• Microsoft BizTalk Server
• Microsoft SQL Server Reporting
Benefits:
• 401(k) with 4% matching
• Medical and Dental HMO/PPO/HSA
• Flexible scheduling
• Casual environment
Greater compensation considered for exceptional talent.
Please send resume and salary history to the email address above
On Monday January 18th I will be starting a new job as a Business Analyst / Project Manager, at a small IT consultancy that creates custom web applications as well as offering hosting solutions. They predominantly use Agile methodologies where possible, however the final approval comes from the client, so if the client wants Waterfall then so be it. This is a very exciting move for me, and I cannot wait to get started on Monday.
I started this blog in 2008 to track my career change from a recruiter with 10 years experience to a Business Analyst (hence the blog name, see my first post). My first role however was not ideal, and I knew that going in as it was an Implementation Consultant role for a SaaS product. Although it involved business analysis type work, such as requirements gathering and extensive customer interaction, it was within a very confined environment. Essentially the product existed, we were just tailoring where possible and getting the customer trained, live and bringing in revenue. It was a good starting point but not what I wanted long-term. I entered Business Analysis with the idea of working on new software product development and release, preferably web applications as that seemed so fluid and exciting. This new role seems very much in line with what I saw in my minds-eye when I started this career change adventure.
This new job is a combination, they are bringing together the Business Analyst and Project Manager roles. Previous experience has shown the owners that at present there is not enough work on either side for a full role and that there is also a lot of cross-over. I will get involved in so many different areas, from requirements gathering, developing and managing a project plan, wireframes, information architecture, testing and so much more I’m sure. I have a lot to learn.
I will be working my way through the following books recommended by one of the company owners as I get started, and will post a quick review of each as I go:
So a new chapter opens in my career change, and again I will be blogging my progress.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has worked in a joint BA /PM role such as this, and any other suggestions on readings would be most helpful.
Ok so I am officially a bad blogger. Terrible in fact. My idea of tracking my learning experience in business analysis has been thwarted by a combination of workload and life changes. But I am now the proud father of a 5 month old boy, Owen, who is the light of my life and I wouldn’t swap any time I have spent with him for anything.
The job has been a challenge. Following training last year I was assigned 2 accounts for a go-live in January 2009, and one of them was an absolute nightmare. Both the people, who were obnoxious, bitter and just angry, as well as the role I had to play which was to be a subject-matter expert in a field in which I had no hands-on experience! Difficult to say the least. But I battled through, both went live on time and successfully, and I learnt a lot. I then was swept in to my next 2 accounts with a April start and my son was born April 18th, so it all just got a little messy.
But here I am, September already and I have hit my stride so I intend to return to this blogs objective and document my thoughts and learning experiences regarding Business Analysis. Watch this space, but maybe don’t hold your breath 
