Seeking employment and advice

mario.u

New member
Oct 19, 2004
9
0
0
Hello,

My father who lived here in the DR for more than 15 years, the last 7 of which have been in Puerto Plata has passed away. He posted here often under the name ehnony.

For many years he had tried to convince me of the advantages and freedom of living here. At the time, I had a good career, a home, a wife and three children to care for.

As of the past three years, I lost all that, including my health.

While my health has returned, all I feel that I have back home are debt, unhappiness and a very vindictive (not sure why) ex-wife. So, 6 months ago, while visiting my father in POP, I finally made the decision to move here after accepting his offer of support.

I liquidated my possessions and was 10 days away from moving here when he died in hospital, leaving almost nothing behind. I still however, would like to come here and try to make a fresh start. My resume is below.

I am aware that tourism is THE way gringos can survice here or owning a business, but my background is technical.

I speak English and French fluently and Spanish is coming along. Background includes a canadian private pilot license, a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, years of experience in Technical Writing, some in sales and I am an experienced and certified computer technician.

I would be grateful for any positive advice people can offer, especially after viewing my resume (below) with regards to leads, job offers, business ideas, etc.

I am, willing to try and make life livable here. No pain, no gain as they say.

Naysayers and negaholics who will tell me that the place is sh*t, that I have no chance of success and that I should go home, needn't bother wasting their time. I am not interested in negative perceptions, only ideas.

Thanks,
M.


PROFILE

Experienced professional with strong technical background. Possesses excellent troubleshooting, communication and customer service skills, comfortable working as part of a team or individually. Motivated self-starter with leadership qualities. Meets new challenges and responds well to a dynamic workload.

LANGUAGES

Fluent in both English and French, working knowledge of Spanish

SECURITY CLEARANCE

NATO Secret

COMPUTER SKILLS

-A+ Certified Technical Support Specialist

-Programming and Languages: FORTRAN, BASIC and HTML
Operating Systems: DOS, Windows 3.x, 9x, NT 4.0 Server, XP Professional, 2000 Professional , 2000 Advanced Server and Sun UNIX

-Software: Partition Magic, Symantec products, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office 2000, PRO/Engineer, Adobe FrameMaker, AutoCAD, Visio, Relex, MPP, CorelDraw and WordPerfect

EDUCATION

-A+ Technical Support Specialist Diploma and Microsoft 2000 Network and Operating System Essentials (2151B)
Graduated with High Honours, 2003, Willis College of Business and Technology, Ottawa, Ontario

-Bachelor of Engineering
Graduated 1996, Concordia University, Montreal, Qu?bec

-Introduction to PRO/Engineer
April 2000, RAND Worldwide, Ottawa, Ontario

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

-Provided superior hardware and software troubleshooting and support for commercial clients of HP. This included network cabling and software installations.

-Tracked all user requests, difficulties and dispatches with detailed and complete case notes.

-Identified and resolved LAN malfunctions and network connectivity issues via remote administration and methodical troubleshooting. Dispatched parts and on-site technicians, as required.

-Performed the installation, setup and maintenance of workstations and small networks for a home office and for individuals; resulting in substantial savings, and improving their bottom line.

-Created and edited on-line, web-based documentation for Maintenance, Inspection and Operation Manuals, Recommended Spare Parts, and Vendor Documentation Listings.

-Produced a vastly superior product to that requested by internal customers; and within specified deadline. Managed team members to produce faster and better quality of work to properly complete the project to better satisfy the end-user (external customer) upon delivery. The approach taken to this previously troublesome project earned exceptional praise upon completion.

-Screened RFPs (Request for Proposal) and provided estimated costs, feasibility and personnel requirements. In some cases this saved the organization from contracts that were not profitable.

Customer Service and Sales

-Resolved customer conflicts with retailer and resolved technical difficulties; thus improving customer relations and improving the bottom line by reducing warranty repairs by off-site technicians

-Guided customers to identify their needs and to choose the right product

-Managed store, staff and stock, when required

WORK EXPERIENCE

-Technical Writer, Appendix Publishing Inc. (contracted by AIM Personnel Inc.)
March 2004-August 2004

-Helpdesk Support Analyst, Hewlett-Packard (contracted by Global Skills Inc.)
December 2003-April 2004

-Commercial Desktop Support Analyst, Sitel Inc. (outsource for HP)
November 2003-December 2003

-Technical Writer, MDS Aero Support Corp.(contracted by AIM Personnel Inc.)
December 2002-January 2003

-Section Leader of Technical Writing, CMC Electronics Inc.
May 1999-May 2002

-Technical Writer, WorldHeart Corp, (contracted by Noramtec Consultants Inc.)
July 1998-March 1999

-Reliability and Maintainability Engineer and Technical Writer, Computing Devices Canada
September1997-June 1998

-Technical Writer, MDS Aero Support Corp.
February 1997-August 1997

-Technical Writer, Bombardier Inc. (contracted by TAD Technical Services)
October 1996-February 1997

-Security Agent, S?curit? S?lect
1992-1995

-Automobile Consultant, Parkway Plaza
1989

-Automobile Consultant, Cit? Nissan
1988-1989

-Assistant Manager, Radio Shack (Intertan)
1987-1988

LICENSES

-Licensed Private Pilot
 

Gringo

Bronze
Jan 1, 2002
1,314
58
0
I can't believe no hits?

There must be some of you out there with some sound information or advice for this young man who seems by his Resume (attached) to be a very experienced and talented Individual who wants to secure a Job and start contributing to the economic rebound of this Country!

I cannot believe that there is no room in this Cournty for a Man with his talents?

Gringo
 

Naufrago

New member
Sep 1, 2004
392
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0
I feel for you pal. I was pretty much drifting around after my divorce until i met my new dominican wife. I lost the house the kids the law practice. We're living here now, have 2 more kids, but don't know how i would be making the transition without her. My advice is come on down, find a nice girl from a good family with lots of friends and connections. Connections are everything down here, especially if your coming to build a life and not just retire into a gated community. Good Luck Amigo.
 

mario.u

New member
Oct 19, 2004
9
0
0
Gringo said:
There must be some of you out there with some sound information or advice for this young man who seems by his Resume (attached) to be a very experienced and talented Individual who wants to secure a Job and start contributing to the economic rebound of this Country!

I cannot believe that there is no room in this Cournty for a Man with his talents?

Gringo

Flattery will get you everywhere!
 

mario.u

New member
Oct 19, 2004
9
0
0
I feel for you pal. I was pretty much drifting around after my divorce until i met my new dominican wife. I lost the house the kids the law practice. We're living here now, have 2 more kids, but don't know how i would be making the transition without her. [/QUOTE]

Ahh yes, there are so many of us kindred male spirits from North America. They call it progress. "Drifting" is a most appropriate word. I too have met someone that I would feel lost without. Very helpful, honest young woman. She brings me no grief and no problems. Not yet anyway...

Too bad she is not connected or from well-to-do family. Ahh well, one hurdle at a time.

Naufrago said:
My advice is come on down, find a nice girl from a good family with lots of friends and connections. Connections are everything down here, especially if your coming to build a life and not just retire into a gated community. Good Luck Amigo.

The connections part I have figured out, having been here many times for brief visits; yet still, good advice. I'm way too young to retire, so what you said carries added weight.

Ciao
 

mario.u

New member
Oct 19, 2004
9
0
0
Thanks for the interest.

To those who contacted me via a post, or privately to enquire further about my resume, I thank you for your interest. :glasses: