[Info-vax] Possible VMS jobs

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 12/19/18 1:49 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 12/19/2018 1:25 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> On 12/19/18 1:18 PM, Dale Dellutri wrote:
>>> On Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:31:55, Bill Gunshannon 
>>> <bill.gunshannon at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> So, if one is to believe the comments posted here, there are
>>>> a lot of places out there now with homegrown legacy applications
>>>> written in legacy languages still running on VMS (possibly
>>>> even legacy versions on legacy hardware).  Any idea how one
>>>> with legacy experience might find these people with the intention
>>>> of seeking some work they might need done?
>>>
>>> The major job sites allow you to post a resume and let employers
>>> find you.  Just make sure you repeat VMS and OpenVMS multiple
>>> times.
>>
>> Been there, done that.  I have posted with a preference
>> that said no NYC and then got inundated by NYC jobs.
> 
> You need to look for remote jobs.

That's what I said in one of  my posts.  I have added
that to a lot of searches and the results almost never
include remote as an option.  Some of them specifically
state it is not a remote position.  I told you, those
sites are a complete waste of time.  Pushed frequently
byu college job placement assistance offices.  Most of
my former students (who I still track) have very good,
interesting and good paying jobs.  I know of none that
acquired those jobs thru any of the large online job
sites.

> 
> There has to be some VMS Cobol/Fortran/whatever jobs.
> 
> But it is unlikely that they will be close to you.

I might consider relocating if it were to a warmer clime. :-)

> 
> And all sorts of companies allow for remote work today.
> Employees like to avoid spending a couple of hours in traffic.
> And the company bean counters like to save on office
> space.

Aware of all that.

> 
>> And, if you were following the discussion here VMS jobs do
>> not show up on those sites as neither do COBOL or Fortran.
> 
> Not so.
> 
> Roland frequently post VMS jobs from there.
> 
> And my search revealed COBOL and Fortran jobs.

Sigh, if they are even real, they are most likely IBM mainframe
requiring decades of specific IBM experience, JCL, CICS, DB2, etc.
Not VMS.

> 
>> Pretty much all searches there are a waste.  Ask for COBOL
>> get 500 Java listings.  Ask for Fortan get 500 Web designer
>> listings.  They are not even a good joke.
> 
> That is not what I see.
> 
> Cobol looks very regular:
> 
> https://www.dice.com/jobs?q=cobol&l=

 From Monster:
    Cobol Developer with Java from The Judge Group

    Ensemble, Directory listings, COBOL, UNIX, C, C++, Tuxedos 
experience required

All the ones that are even close to a COBOL job are IBM Mainframe

I expect all the others have exactly the same jobs.

> 
> Fortran seems to find jobs that require a lot more than Fortran:
> 
> https://www.dice.com/jobs?q=fortran&l=

Usually do.  They want a Fortran Programmer with an Engineering
Degree as well.  And I have even seen some that were more specific
requiring an Aeronautical Engineering degree.  Most require that
while not requiring a CS degree.

> 
> But:
> 
> https://www.dice.com/jobs?q=openvms+and+cobol&l=

1. They are a contractor looking for a body.  Guess who gets
most of the money from that job?

2. Converting SQL (whatever that is) to Oracle.  Where is the VMS
    connection?  "The candidate will be trained on OpenVMS or Linux
    platform if they don't have prior experience."  But nothing
    about this job speaks of VMS at all.

> 
> only find one and
> 
> https://www.dice.com/jobs?q=openvms+AND+fortran&l=
> 
> find none.

Not a surprise.  That's why I mentioned it in c.o.v wher people
at least know the VMS does not mean "Virtual Milking System" or
"Virtual Messaging System".

> 
> Anyway - I am not sure this is for you.

Wouldn't touch a company like Tek with a ten foot pole.
You notice the announcement never tells you who is actually
hiring.

> 
> These companies have a specific full time
> permanent positions they need to fill long term.

That's not what the ad says.  It plainly states "long term CONTRACT".
the idea that they have hired these kinds of people in the past
does not mean they would now.  What's more, based on what information
they provide this could well be a conversion away from VMS to Linux.
In which case if you are looking for VMS work it is likely very short
term.

> 
> I suspect that you are more looking for companies
> that have something they want done. It will take
> X months. The system is important so they can get the
> funding if they ask, but they have not asked yet
> because how to find an expert in a niche area
> for a short term engagement. So the opening
> will first show up when they know about you.

That's a likelihood.  When I first showed up at the last
COBOL gig I had (2012) I walked into a stack of SCR's
(Software Change Requests).  Because they had not had
a COBOL programmer for a while there were a number of
them.  Knowing that they have not been able to hire a
qualified COBOL replacement since I left, that pile is
probably rather large by this point.  :-)  I am sure
there are other places in the same boat.  Finding
them is the problem.  ANd then once you find them
you have to sell them on hiring you.  But finding them
is the first and hardest part of the quest.

bill