Wes Short

Letter of Interest

My name is Wes Short, full name John Clinton Wesley Short, but I just go by Wes. I have been following OSE's progress for several months now, on a daily basis, but have just within the last 2 weeks freed up my time to be able to divert some of my energy to this project. Monday of this week, I saw that you started posting recruitment interviews and quickly realized that I must get my ducks in a row and contact you, and was under-prepared considering the scope of my intentions. I have spent most of my energy since, between working to keep the bills paid, doing so.

I realize that you have a busy day/night ahead of you at this juncture, the Friday follow up interviews with Marcin if I'm not mistaken, and I don't want to hinder you, so I will get straight to it. Over the last two days I have developed a complete website from the organizational work of a small group of individuals in my area, myself and two others. We would very much like for you to view the material provided, as at this point we do not even have your authorization to be displaying your logo, or representing OSE in any way. The design work is all mine, including all (JOS) logo work from scratch, by my own hand (in open-source scalable vector graphics), all font work, and the technical writing- including our purpose and mission statements. As such, and because it clearly defines what my intentions are, I would like you to please consider this site as my application to volunteer for a Dedicated Project Visit to FeF. I am hosting the JOS site on my (self-employed) design company domain, and temporarily as well, due to your pending approval (and that I have it installed to the root address of an unfitting domain name). Here is the link:

https://jowesho.com

Speaking of applications, I have also this week been filling out your forms for the Wiki profile and the full application questions. I have been unable to complete them as of yet, due to the pace of my projects this week. However, I have reached a great stopping point, and will be completing the forms and have them posted for your resource by the time we both wake up on Fri, is the goal. Speaking of which, you probably know this, but we are a few hours apart here in California, specifically when I'm up and taking calls by about 7am here (Pacific), it's already about 9am there (Central), just to note.

P.S. In a video posted earlier today, titled Recruiting Interview - Miguel Castro Jr., you spoke with a man who identified that he happened to be in our group's region of concern. He may be happy to hear of our efforts and is very welcome to plug in with them. You may forward the site address to him if you feel it is appropriate, but I leave that to your discretion.

Logistics and Practical Checklist

Did you submit a resume?

Please introduce yourself and what position you are applying for (if not clear on position, it will be covered later)

Documentation Process

Are you interested in working on-site at FeF or are you interested in remote collaboration.

June 15 going to Missouri for 2 weeks, hopes to stay at Factor e Farm. Will continue working on his business.

How many hours can he commit to work at FeF?

Are you applying as a volunteer or for a paid position?

1 to 6 months of volunteer time - can telecommute - pay would help -

How much time would you need to telecommute?

I have a small client base, I would need to spend time building a client base, currently finishing an independent job - half of his time goes to telecommuting - 30+ hours working for OSE/30 hours telecommuting

Are you ok with a 2 week trial period? One month trial period?

If it's the paid position, is $2000/month acceptable to you?

Which track are you interested in (management or admin/apprentice/entrepreneur)

When are you available?

He left his full time job to develop Jefferson Open Source, see website, wants to have a workshop with the full 50 GVCS machines. In the meantime, he wants to communicate the documentation to the public. The Last week of June

How long will you stay with us?

Long term if it works out

How did you find out about us?

Have you seen my TED Talk?

What do you care about?

Fascinated with the Universe and humanity's place in it, I'm passionate about humans building the capability to expand our existence beyond this rock, there are thousands of scenarios where our planet could fail, we have a ton of major problems here on the ground, so I want to solve these problems.

What do you see yourself doing with us at Factor e Farm?

Plug into the morning ritual, eat breakfast quickly, get to work doing physical stuff early, more productive in the morning, design work in the evening, working most of the time.

How does our work relate to your care?

Through producing the tools that are essential for decentralization of economic models, localization, I"m passionate about efficiency systems, I can cite one example - the global food production systems results in a 30% efficiency loss every year -

For that which you care about doing with us, what is your track record/work samples?

Which tool would you most like to work on?

CEB is a wonderful tool, my personal favorite is a 3D Printer/Scanner,

Are you self-motivated to do things that need to be done?

I'm not a very tidy, organized person. I pick up trash when I go on hikes, but I'm not the guy who keeps things tidy for the betterment of everyone. I'd be more than willing to play my part.

Have you ever done physical activity by yourself?

Yes, I work better with people.

Have you ever been fired?

No

How do you manage conflict?

Take a deep breath, its important that everyone involved be heard, make people feel like their opinion matters

Do you have any training on conflict resolution/psychology?

I managed a team of 8 people, there were difficult times, I'm pretty good on keeping everyone focused on the task at hand and deal with problems when its appropriate. I worked at a packaging warehouse, I did purchasing of products, graphic design for the packaging and products that were manufactured, I researched the legality of their products, I managed their daily operations of the floor crew, I did payroll I use [Workflowy]

What experience do you have in technical writing?

I'm trained in technical writing, translated documents from the source of the person who wrote it and put it into a usable format, websites, etc. Manual writing, took courses at the community college, learned to write brochures, manuals,

What is your level of understanding of the product you write about?

I do research beforehand.

Are you interested in weekly blog post writing?

Yes - absolutely, blog writing is my business right now.

Animation in blender?

No - just modeling - studying the process. Blender is my foundation.

Are you a quick learner?

I am a relentless learner.

Have you done any video editing?

I'm familiar with iMovie - I have only basic skills - I'm mostly a vector artist in the graphic world -

Are you interested in learning video editing?

Yes

Can you draw with vectors?

Yes, I can send you examples.

Flash Mob Platform

How do you see yourself working in a team?

I usually end up as a project manager role, that's what I've been tasked to do for many years. I'm learning Scrumming, I'm not necessarily qualified for a scrum master position, but I might be.

I'd be very interested in project management.

Check out Open Design Alliance for a specific API to link up everyone's work on a Flash Mob.

Select Questions

Tell us about yourself.

Commercial Artist + Web Developer + Independent Design work in the Design Industry. To meet with design concepts - design and construction work. Vector graphics to routers and cutting machines; channel lettering design. Rudimentary engineering for wind loads. Managed sales dept, worked with CAD designer. Conveying info simply to people.

Generalist and avid learner - trial by fire - real problem solving.

Inkscape SVG is forte. 3D also in open source. Photoshop if has to. OS alt to dreamweaver.

Tell me about the last 5 years of your life.

What are you interested in getting out of this opportunity?

What do you think is the best use of your time?

What are your three strongest skills that you bring to this position? Substantiate.

What are the principles you use as guidance?

What are your professional accomplishments that you are most proud about?

If you could investigate anything, what would it be?

What are your most important resources?

What are the qualities that are inspiring about you?

What opportunities are you hoping to get?

What inspires you?

What are your outside interests?

How do you add value?

What are 5 of your greatest accomplishments in your professional history?

What are 5 of your greatest failures in your professional history?

Illustrate your creativity.

What do you look for when hiring someone?

Would you rather create strategy, design a solution, solve a problem, or create a process? Why that?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What did you learn in your present job or position?

How long would it take you to make a contribution to this company?

What do you imagine that contribution would be?

Why should we hire you?

What can you offer that someone else does not?

What interests you most about this position?

What interests you least about this position?