Job Advice?

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daves87rs

daves87rs

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I usually do get personal, but I figured this would be a good place to vent, as I'm guessing many people here may be going through the same thing...

You'd think a guy with a degree and a hard work ethic would have no problem finding a job, even in a tougher economy. but it's turning out to be quite tough. I'm pretty sure living in (last one out turn out the lights!) Michigan is not helping my cause either. And for a guy that is not being picky, puzzling as well.


Time is running out at my current job (layoffs are looming within the month),so I've been applying for all different types of jobs, some way out of my field. Doing custom resumes, even ones completely reworked/re key worded with good cover letters.
Tried temp places. Still nothing. As much as I would like to leave (MI), there is no one to help care for my mom. And it's not like I'm looking for lots of money/ one to afford the lifestyle kinda jobs, as my family lives a very basic, no frills lifestyle that we are happy with.

I'm looking for advice and ideas that you guys might have. I'm not in panic mode yet ( my health and family are important too), but I am starting to worry..
 
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If you're overqualified it's more of a problem because hiring managers want worker bees who do what they're told, and who won't compete within the organization for the next promotion.

Might be a good time to get your networking on, really turned up. Don't rely on the papers. Good luck.
 
Jobs are tough every where man. I know people here with BA's and Masters and can't get a job. You have to apply to the right place at the right time. I am Military and retire in Janaury 2012 and lost for what I am gonna do when I get out.
 
Yeah, I know the story. I have a bachelor degree (can't BELIEVE I can't simply type the initials of that degree in this forum) and have been self-employed for years. To employers, "self employed" essentially equates to "unemployed". I don't even get email responses anymore and have basically given up for the time being.
 
The only reason I am currently employed is that my Brother-In-Law told his supervisors about me.
It is very very tough out there.

Don't know what to tell you other than to keep networking with EVERYONE. Those who have been laid off can potentially help you out in the long run if you are looking for them and they are looking for you too.
Everyone is a potential contact for a lead.

I'm in the same boat you are. Well educated former Air Force officer with a decent resume, and it is still difficult to land an interview.

I was there for a few months earlier this year. My prayers go out to everyone who is still looking!
 
I'm in the same boat except it's been seven months now. The economy and my age are issues. Grin and bear it. Is going back to school an option? I'm giving it seious consideration at this point.
 
These day knowing peoples is a plus when come for getting a job. Try talk to your friends / family member. Ask them if them if their work need extra help or any open position, and they put in a good word for you.

Last year I knew a guy make 100k a years, now he ridding a dump truck every morning.

good luck man, time is tough, pray god and ask him get you thru tough time.
 
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People are desperately looking for work, but I read that corporations are sitting on mountains of cash, why? They're waiting for the consumers!! They're "afraid to hire" because they're not sure the consumers will spend! Cue the "Twilight Zone" music.
At my place we hired a guy from Michigan; he moved from Traverse City for the same reason...no work.
Is there a small business you could do? Is a career change in order? The demand for nurses is exploding due to the illnesses related to obesity and the graying of America. Your degree work will most likely satisfy the academic prerequisites to be admitted to an Associate Degree program.
There is an article about the 10 questions to ask when you're laid off. Sure hope something comes up for you. Maybe Mom just has to relocate so that you can continue to look after her.
 
If you could travel it would help a lot. Their is a bit of a boom in oil exploration, and well energy of any kind is very good.

In my little part of the world CT, UTC and GE are hiring away to build new jet engines, since fuel prices are up everyone is rushing to upgrade older aircraft to increase efficiency. Boeing is also doing quite well.

Working overseas is becoming pretty common, a lot of people I know work and live part time in Berlin, Spain, and Hong Kong to name a few places.
 
Originally Posted By: JRed
What's your degree in? What field do you have experience in? What are you interested in?



BBA Marketing/Advertising/Sales


In the above, also quite a bit of retail.....
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
If you're overqualified it's more of a problem because hiring managers want worker bees who do what they're told, and who won't compete within the organization for the next promotion.

Might be a good time to get your networking on, really turned up. Don't rely on the papers. Good luck.


Working it...quiet so far.


Believe it or not, I got rejected from both Wal Mart and Target for even part time for that exact reason...
 
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
If you could travel it would help a lot. Their is a bit of a boom in oil exploration, and well energy of any kind is very good.

In my little part of the world CT, UTC and GE are hiring away to build new jet engines, since fuel prices are up everyone is rushing to upgrade older aircraft to increase efficiency. Boeing is also doing quite well.

Working overseas is becoming pretty common, a lot of people I know work and live part time in Berlin, Spain, and Hong Kong to name a few places.



GE is hiring here as well...no luck so far.
frown.gif
 
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
I usually do get personal, but I figured this would be a good place to vent, as I'm guessing many people here may be going through the same thing...

You'd think a guy with a degree and a hard work ethic would have no problem finding a job, even in a tougher economy. but it's turning out to be quite tough. I'm pretty sure living in (last one out turn out the lights!) Michigan is not helping my cause either. And for a guy that is not being picky, puzzling as well.


Time is running out at my current job (layoffs are looming within the month),so I've been applying for all different types of jobs, some way out of my field. Doing custom resumes, even ones completely reworked/re key worded with good cover letters.
Tried temp places. Still nothing. As much as I would like to leave (MI), there is no one to help care for my mom. And it's not like I'm looking for lots of money/ one to afford the lifestyle kinda jobs, as my family lives a very basic, no frills lifestyle that we are happy with.

I'm looking for advice and ideas that you guys might have. I'm not in panic mode yet ( my health and family are important too), but I am starting to worry..

i completely understand and God bless you and your family.
things will get better.
sorry for the cliches, but sometimes, it is good to stay optimistic.
 
Networking, and finding a niche you can't be dislodged from. Maybe take a few courses to really learn Word or Excel or Powerpoint so you can be the "office expert" who everybody runs to when they can't do something? Something like that looks good on a resume, and when the boss knows who to go to before involving IT, it's pretty good.
 
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: eljefino
If you're overqualified it's more of a problem because hiring managers want worker bees who do what they're told, and who won't compete within the organization for the next promotion.

Might be a good time to get your networking on, really turned up. Don't rely on the papers. Good luck.


Working it...quiet so far.


Believe it or not, I got rejected from both Wal Mart and Target for even part time for that exact reason...


i dont really know too much about this; maybe im missing something but couldnt you just leave all that "good" stuff off the application, to make yourself appear more qualified for those "lesser" jobs?
 
Originally Posted By: Jakegday


i dont really know too much about this; maybe im missing something but couldnt you just leave all that "good" stuff off the application, to make yourself appear more qualified for those "lesser" jobs?


I've started to, but maybe the degree needs to "disappear" for these jobs....
 
I know how you feel because I graduated in 2001 bubble burst and was unemployed for 9 months, and was sitting in graduate school classes because application to master program is just as tough.

What I found is that finding a niche that you have and try to convince the employers that you can work below average salary (hopefully for non union jobs) is very important. That got me into a different field with way below average (but still a livable salary) for a few years and then I was able to move into higher paying bracket once I became good with the newly acquired skill.

Small businesses may not be hiring because they couldn't afford higher salary, but if you can convince them that you can work out a deal with them on lowered salary they may be able to afford a desperately needed worker. IMO going for a position that you are slightly underqualified and will work for less is better than going for a position that's overqualified and will work for market pay. Eventually time will get better and you will be making more.

Good luck.
 
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