Microsoft Certifiation

[FunkyDexter]

Is MVP a good thing

Nah... that lot don't know nuffink

One extra piece of advice - don't drop your CV in to companies - email it to the decision maker. This might sound trivial but it actually serves a really important function - it gets you a name (company email address almost always include the individuals name). The initial contact and the CV you sent in aren't what will get you the interview - it's talking to the decision maker that will do that. The initial contact and CV are purely a smokescreen to get the decision makers name because no security guard worth his salt is going to tell you the name of an employee but he'll give you an email address without thinking twice - go figure. Then you phone up a week later, ask for him by name and you'll find that you'll usually get put through. This is actually quite a common trick used by marketting companies when they want to get hold of a decision maker. It might seem a bit underhanded but the only people you're cheating are HR and the receptionist - and, as Shaggy says, they're the enemy right now. It's actually quite surprising how happy the decision maker is to talk to you - I think it provides a welcome break most times.

i am not sure whether i will get calls for the interview or not

Don't wait to find out - phone them yourself! I can't stress this enough. The action that will get you an interview is TALKING to the right person. Anything less than talking to them is a total waste of time - unless it ultimately leads to talking to them.

The same follows post interview by the way. Always give the company a quick ring and say thanks. It just makes you stand out.

The only other thing to add is don't come across as weak and needy. You're a proffessional programmer (albeit one with no experience) and you have something to offer the company that hires you. If you believe this it becomes much easier to convince others of it.

edit>
In true academic style I ought to add a reference. Read the book "What Colour Is My Parachute". Can't remember the author. It's basically where I nicked my approach from.