Help: Opinions needed

Hi,

I need your opinion(s) about how I should go about landing a position in a new environment. I work on a mainframe, although I have been taking many classes , like java, c,asp,vbscript,etc to increase my chances of being able to do other things besides mainframe work. I have not been successful. Do you have suggestions for me? I unfortunately don't know people who are in a position to help me get another position(including my own boss) which makes this tough. I think that I am a strong worker, but I am not a geek. I can say that my work is very good. I think that I am capable of moving to another platform , but can't convince those who are doing the hiring! I need serious suggestions.
I am asking on this site because I know you attract smart conscientious people.

What are the best languages you can suggest that I should really focus on in order to get out from where I am? Maybe that's not the right question.
Thanks very much !

Do you have a resume? Write a good one up, detailing the extra training you have acquired and turn it in as if you were coming off the street instead of trying for an internal transfer.

If I were hiring I'd be impressed with this attitude.

I think that doing research oin the company you are applying to is very helpful. Know their business, and then tell them how you will help their business.

thanks for your opinions- I appreciate them both.

I would go with .NET - teach yourself some .NET and create some project. come
to the proper people with this project in order to show them what you're capable of.

That sounds like a good idea too- I'll do that. Thank you.

I know a few individuals who hire in IT, they all have horror stories about people lying during interviews. Which in the end wastes everyones time.

Once you get through the HR interview, bring up some projects to demo to the IT manager. If you want to be a web developer setup a website in the language you are targeting (I have a website that contains all my dvd movies - and I build a checkout/cart website with it)

Whats the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Good luck!

@ublguy - this is a great idea! I'm using this the next time I'm job hunting!