Job Opportunities at Friedrich, Klatt and Associates
FK&A seeks: a .NET Core Technology Developer with object-oriented development experience; a Business Intelligence Architect/Developer with OLAP database and reporting skills; a SQL Server 2005/.NET Architect/Developer; and Interns with strong liberal arts backgrounds and analytical skills. Our Current Job Openings are posted below. To indicate interest in a job, please send us a cover letter and resume, either by e-mail or regular post. We recommend that you use your cover letter to tell us how you think your skills and experience would be helpful to you in performing the specific job you are applying for. Our e-mail address and other contact information can be found by following this link to Applicant Contact Information IMPORTANT: To complete your application, you must submit to us a full application packet, which includes our Application Form, three references, a writing sample, and a work sample. These items are required in addition to the cover letter and resume mentioned above. Before submitting your application packet items, we recommend that you read our Application Packet Overview If you would like to know more about our hiring process, and the stages it involves, we recommend that you read our Hiring Process Overview. To find out more about the benefits and amenities our company offers to employees, please read our Employee Benefits Overview. If you have questions about our policies concerning applications for non-US citizens, read our H1-B Visa Policy Statement. If you are interested in an internship, please read about our Internship Opportunities. Please note that we cannot accept job applications from employees of our clients.
Current Job OpeningsCore Technology DeveloperFriedrich, Klatt and Associates (FK&A) seeks a creative, experienced software developer to join our core development team, creating a metadata-driven framework of object-oriented components to support the firm’s applications development teams. This position is perfect for somebody who enjoys approaching software development from a strategic, high-level perspective, who likes complex problems, and who finds satisfaction in crafting multi-purpose tools that can be re-used by other developers in a wide variety of contexts.
Business Intelligence Architect/DeveloperFriedrich, Klatt and Associates (FK&A) seeks a database and systems architect with experience in: relational and multidimensional data modeling, OLAP, enterprise reporting, and stored procedure development. Ideally, mastery of statistics, time series analysis, clustering, and other analytic techniques. This position is perfect for somebody who enjoys interacting with clients, analyzing client business patterns, practices and needs, and applying software development skills to craft custom applications in close collaboration with other development team members and client representatives.
Information Modeling SpecialistFriedrich, Klatt and Associates (FK&A) seeks an analyst and global schema builder for an array of innovative market-specific structured document applications. The specialist will work closely with software developers to gather application requirements specific to vertical markets; analyze industry documents and processes and create targeted, reusable schemas; coordinate research and schema building/testing with interns; document schemas produced and develop a set of best practices for schema building; oversee the continuing evolution of existing schemas; assist with quality assurance testing and revisions; research competitive products. Ideally, candidates have experience developing XML or relational schemas and structured document mark-up. Knowledge of specific verticals, and content/document management is a plus.
Internship OpportunitiesThough we have no formal internship program, Friedrich, Klatt and Associates does from time to time hire interns on an as-needed basis. Interns work under the direct supervision of a designated "mentor" employee, performing tasks that relate to projects on which the supervising employee is engaged. While each actual internship is therefore unique in its description and duties, internships do tend to fall into certain categories. These include: Writer / Analyst InternWriter/Analyst internships build on an applicant's strong writing and analysis skills, applying them to a variety of business and software problems. Internship duties include drawing up specifications, proposals, research summaries, feature summaries, billing descriptions, printed and on-line documentation, data analysis results, and other similar items. Administrative Support InternAdministrative Support Interns learn what it takes to run an office, manage overlapping tasks, master administrative and financial software, and related activities - all the things that are needed to keep projects moving ahead on time, on specification, and on budget. Programmer InternProgrammer Interns work under the direction of a senior Programmer, assisting in the development of project deliverables. To qualify for a Programmer Internship, candidates must have some training or experience in computer programming. We do not require that candidates be familiar with any specific programming language. Rather we anticipate that a well-qualified candidate who is reasonably well-versed in some programming language would be able to learn the particular programming languages and tools used by our firm. Portal Designer InternPortal Designer Interns work under the guidance of a senior Portal Designer, assisting in on-going web portal projects, and learning about our firm's portal-related services, which form an increasingly important part of our overall consulting and development practice. To qualify for an Portal Designer Internship, candidates must have some training or experience in web development or HTML authoring. Graphic Artist InternGraphic Artist Interns work under the guidance of a senior Graphics Arts Developer. Internship duties include learning to effectively use 2D and 3D graphic design tools, and applying these skills at many points in our firm's ongoing software development and business development processes. Applicants for this internship must present a portfolio of previous work. Applicant Contact InformationWe strongly encourage job applicants to submit as many of the items in their Application Packet as possible by e-mail, or as attachments to e-mail. Items that cannot be sent via e-mail should be sent by regular mail. Items may also be hand-delivered to our offices. Applicants who wish to hand-deliver items should call in advance to make appropriate arrangements and to receive directions if needed.
Employee Benefits OverviewFriedrich, Klatt and Associates offers highly competitive salaries, bonuses and benefits, along with very high quality physical amenities.Benefits SummaryFriedrich, Klatt and Associates currently offers the following benefits for all full-time employees:
Location and Transportation Friedrich, Klatt and Associates is located in the historic Hyde Park
neighborhood of Chicago, For those commuting by car, inexpensive monthly parking passes are available in the parking lot immediately adjacent to the Bank. Street parking is also usually available on nearby neighborhood streets, and in a metered city parking lot across the street from the Bank.
Other Attractions and Amenities Numerous restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and other shopping venues are situated within easy walking distance of the Bank building. First-rate museums, art galleries, and film showings are available on the University of Chicago campus. Nearby Promontory Point and the lakefront offer jogging and bicycling paths, tennis courts, picnic areas and beaches for lunchtime and after-hours enjoyment during the summer months. Application Packet OverviewBecause we at Friedrich, Klatt and Associates ask our job applicants to submit several items along with the standard resume, and because applicants often have questions about these extra items, we've written the following notes to help explain them and, we hope, answer any questions you may have. If you have further questions about our application requirements, please don't hesitate to let us know.Work sampleWe require a work sample from all applicants, for all types of position. We expect the work sample to be something that demonstrates to us that you have the ability to produce high quality work, with thoroughness and appropriate attention to detail. It is of course preferable that the sample represent work that you did yourself, either alone or, if in collaboration with others, as a principal collaborator and participant in the creative process. It is also important that if you submit a work product on which you collaborated with others, you clearly identify the portion or aspect of that work for which you are primarily responsible, and that this portion or aspect be distinct and separable from portions of the collaborative work that was undertaken by others. For Software Developer PositionsIf you are applying for a software development position that specifies particular programming skills, your work sample should focus on those skills. You may either submit to us a sample of your code, or a working executable whose source code modules can be viewed. Whichever you choose, your work sample should demonstrate that you have the skills and are familiar with the programming tools that the position specifies. If, in addition to submitting sample(s) of your programming work, you also wish to submit other work samples of a non-programming nature (as outlined below for non-programming positions), we encourage you to do so. If you are applying for an entry-level software development and/or consulting position, for which either no specific programming skills have been specified or for which any of a wide variety of programming skills would be acceptable, your work sample should focus on the programming skill areas in which you feel strongest, or which you feel would be of most interest to us based on what you know about the position. As with skill-specific developer positions (see above) you may submit either a code sample or a working executable whose source code modules can be viewed. Similarly, we encourage you to submit, in addition to your sample(s) of programming work, any other work samples of a non-programming nature (as outlined below for non-programming positions) that you would like us to see. For Non-Software-Developer PositionsIf you are applying for a position that does not involve direct, hands-on computer programming (e.g. an executive, administrative, marketing, writing, or software testing position), your work sample should be something of modest length that you feel represents your general work skills well. This could the product of any kind of creative work you have done. If you are a sophisticated user (but not a programmer) of certain kinds of computer applications, such as spreadsheet programs or desktop publishing programs, or other similar programs that allow users to create and use such things as spreadsheet models or brochures or web pages, then feel free to turn in something you have created in this way. If you have experience in any art form such as graphic design, photography, painting or sculpture, and feel that you would like your work in these areas to represent you, you may turn in a sample of such work (please specify if you want such work returned to you). Or if you have scientific or research experience, and feel that this best represents your creative abilities, then turn in a short sample of your work product in this area (e.g., a research paper of which you were author or coauthor). Any product of sustained creative effort, whether technical or not, would be appropriate. Writing sampleWe require a writing sample from all applicants, for all types of position. The writing sample should be something of modest length that you feel represents your general writing skills well. This could be a short term paper, something you have published, or something you have written for a previous employer (e.g. a company brochure or other such promotional literature in which the text is sustained enough for us to see your writing skills on display). It should be something you've written by yourself, and not in collaboration with others. We recognize, of course, that it's often useful to collaborate with others, or to have your work edited by others, but we are mainly interested in looking at something of which you were the sole author. If you have a very long piece of writing - for example, a thesis - just submit a unit or section that you feel is well written and that you would like to have represent you. Also, the writing sample may be technical, but it doesn't have to be. Any paper that tries to explain or communicate something in a coherent manner, whether technical or not, would be appropriate. ReferencesWe require three references from all applicants, for all types of position. The two principal sorts of reference we are interested in are (1) work references and (2) academic references. The types of reference you submit will of course depend upon the specifics of your situation and history. Work ReferencesIf you have significant work experience of a professional nature, either in information technology or in some other professional arena, and if you have not recently been in an academic program of any type, we strongly encourage you to submit at least three references from former employers or colleagues. Academic ReferencesIf you have recently been in, or are currently enrolled in, and academic program (undergraduate or graduate school), then you may wish to submit one or more academic references. Academic references are most valuable to us if they come from a professor, teacher, or academic advisor who knows you well and can speak to your talents, character, and work ethic. Mixing Work and Academic ReferencesWhether you submit only work references, only academic references, or a mixture of the two, will depend upon your individual situation. If you have significant work experience, you will certainly want to include work references. If in addition you have academic experience that you wish to highlight, or an academic advisor who can testify to your skills, then you may also want to include academic references. In this case, we generally recommend submitting either three strong work-related recommendations, or perhaps two work-related references and one academic reference. If you have little work experience, or if your work experience consists mainly of nonprofessional jobs (e.g., odd jobs, unskilled jobs, and the like), and you feel that your academic efforts best represent you, you may wish to submit two, or even three academic references. However, keep in mind that academic references from people who do not know you particularly well, or who only have a tangential or once-only exposure to a small amount of your work are less valuable to us than work references, since co-workers and employers will tend to have had more close and sustained experience working with you. For All ReferencesThe important thing is that whoever provides references for you should be able to convey to us not only specific information about the quality of particular pieces of work they have seen you produce, but also more general information about your character, your work ethic, your organizational skills, and your ability to work with and under the direction of others. Finally, of course, you are free to submit more than three references, if you feel that you, or we, would benefit from our having them. Timing and Manner of SubmissionsApplicants are encouraged to submit items as attachments to email wherever possible. Items that cannot be sent electronically may be sent by regular post. Items may be submitted in any order, and need not all be submitted at once. We encourage applicants to submit as many items as they can, as soon as they can, in order to move the application process along. Hiring Process OverviewFriedrich, Klatt and Associates' hiring process has five stages:
Stage 1: Completing the application packetIn order for us to evaluate your material we must receive a complete application packet from you. A complete application packet includes the following items:
For a more detailed explanation of each of these required items below, please read our Application Packet Overview. Stage 2-3: Preliminary Evaluation and InterviewsAfter evaluating the material submitted by all applicants for a position, we will contact those applicants with whom we would like to schedule interviews. Please note that we make NO guarantee that any applicant will in fact be called for an interview. Moreover, we make no guarantee to provide status updates to applicants who have not been called for an interview. Applicants are of course encouraged to contact us proactively if they wish to know more about their status at any given time. Stage 4: Practical EvaluationApplicants who have been interviewed and who successfully pass the interview process (which may include more than one interview, either by phone or in person) are then invited to perform a practical task or "test." The design of this practical test is individualized for each applicant, so as to make use of the applicant's existing skill base. The idea is to structure a realistic work situation in which the applicant can apply tools and methods he or she is familiar with to a limited task that resembles the kind of task he or she would do if hired for a given position. We find that this kind of practical test gives us important information about an applicant's style of working and interacting on the job, information that cannot be obtained in any other way. For this reason, we strongly prefer that the practical test be performed in our Hyde Park office. The test usually takes no more than half a day to complete. Stage 5: Final Hiring DecisionOur final decision to tender an offer of employment to an applicant is made only after the applicant has completed all interviews and tests, as outlined above. Applicants who are not hired, but who have gone through the interview and practical test stages, will be notified by us when the position is filled. H1-B VisasFriedrich, Klatt and Associates has in the past sponsored employees for H1-B visas. All decisions about H1-B sponsorship are made on a case-by-case basis. It is not the general policy of Friedrich, Klatt and Associates to seek out H1-B candidates, but rather to hire the best person for a given position, whether that person needs H1-B sponsorship or not.
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Founded in 1984, Friedrich, Klatt and Associates (FK&A) is a Hyde Park-based consulting firm specializing in developing business intelligence, portals, and enterprise project management systems on the Microsoft stack. FK&A builds applications through Modular Reuse, a strategy based on recognizing patterns of functionality that are repeated across business problems. FK&A won 2007 Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year for "Information Worker - Enterprise Project Management."
within easy walking distance of Lake Michigan, the
Museum of Science and Industry, and the University of Chicago. Our offices
are situated atop the classic Victorian-style Hyde Park Bank Building on
53rd Street, just blocks from Chicago's Lakeshore drive, with views of Lake
Michigan, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the downtown Chicago
skyline.
Commuter rail service is available from Randolph Street Station in
downtown Chicago and from south Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs on the
Metra Electric Line, with a main stop at 53rd Street in Hyde Park, just one
block from the Bank building. South Shore train service is also available
from Indiana, stopping at 59th street near the University of Chicago.