narod@cfashap.harvard.edu (Joel Narod) (09/05/90)
Hi Netters - I'm hoping to learn if Boston area jobs advertisement data would be of interest to you or other folks you know. The database described below exists now and can be easily modified to serve others. My leads database currently contains one record for each of 1300+ Greater Boston area companies - firms whose Boston Globe Sunday employment ads since 1987 have sought computer people with skills identified by one or more key words such as: unix, vms, mac, ultrix, msdos, tcp/ip, real_time_processing, C, fortran, basic, database, graphics, windows, lotus 123, dbase, insurance, health, medical equipment, technical documentation, inventory and manufacturing etc. I currently track approximately 110+ key words. From each ad, I make note of the presence of key words inside the database record associated with its advertiser. As a simple example of its use, the database will quickly list each Boston area firm whose advertisements have mentioned: (c AND unix) AND (real_time_processing OR oracle OR ingress) It will further reduce the list to include only those firms with: zip_code = 01810 OR 02173 OR 02154 It will still further reduce the list to include only those firms whose advertisements appeared after date X. With the list of companies generated in this fashion, I can provide more company information from the paper ads themselves, which I clip and save for each advertiser. The electronic database also permits a search on company name segments and zips to yield information helpful, for example, to the handicapped. I also add relevant information to the database from some magazine articles. I've used the database to obtain my own work. I have also used it to help persons whose work focus is medical equipment and medical data analysis. The data is probably less productive of leads for work subjects remote from my current key words. Company name generation usually precedes more library research about the firms. I have done both letter writing and cold telephone calling - usually NOT timed with the appearance of advertisements. The data is fundamentally useable by folks seeking either consulting work or full time employment. The data should be particularly useful for direct campaigns by candidates considered unappealing to headhunters and consulting agents. Please let me know if you think this data would be of interest to you or others you know. If the response is sufficient, I'll consider making this information available. I design and implement database applications for a living. I'm neither a headhunter nor a contract agency - nor do I want to be one, nor am I in cahoots with one. Databases are what I love. If I can create and maintain them to help private people, so much the better. With this posting, I'm hoping to learn if such data would be of interest to you or other folks you know. What form and kind of data would be valuable and how might you use it and so on. Your thoughts, comments and ideas on the subject of obtaining specific leads to Boston consulting and full time jobs will be helpful. Please feel free to REPLY to this posting or send e-mail or telephone me (9AM-5PM EST please) or use the postal service. ===================================================================== Joel Narod narod@cfashap.harvard.edu 255 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, Ma 01773 Tel: (617)259-0753