I Need A Job!! Somebody Help Me!!

[viscousmemories]

As is probably obvious by the amount of time I spend here, I don't have a job. This would be a great thing if not for the fact that it costs money to live, and for a while now I've been relying on the kindness of others for that money. Now I need to find a job. I want something with decent pay and benefits, but I'm really not otherwise picky. I could survive comfortably netting just $1,000 a month and I would be content doing any kind of work.

A little history:

I've been supporting myself (in a manner of speaking) since 16. I have had dozens of jobs across the spectrum. From 16 to 24 I worked as a barista in a couple different cafe's, as a prep cook in various restaurants, the sandwich line at a few delis, in warehouses, answering phones, construction, security guard, etc.

When I was 25 I got a job making $4.50 an hour as a retail clerk in a software store, and with the cooperation of a friend I made there I managed to catch the tail of the computer networking boom and ride it to a nearly six figure salary as a Novell Certified Network Engineer in just a few years. Unfortunately, I walked off the last network contract I had in August 2001, and haven't found another contract since.

The market I was in is gone. Novell went from an 85% market share to wherever it is today (probably around 5%) seemingly overnight. So I've been basically living hand-to-mouth doing odd jobs, errands and this and that for several years now. And the time has come for me to get a real job. The thing is I really just don't know how anymore.

I feel self-conscious when I apply for unskilled jobs because my resume is far more impressive than such a job entails, but at the same time there just don't seem to be jobs for someone with my skills and experience. Getting a new contract job in the late 90's went something like this: Call a recruiter, mention CNE, interview, get offer, demand more money, get it, take the job, get offered more somewhere else a week later, go there, etc.

Now what?

[Petra]

I don't know about the States, but Telecom here is a good employer. They pay pretty well and have lots of benefits.

Could you get a job in telecommunications? - they have everything from tech-type jobs, to sales, marketing, management, everything.


Have you checked your local telecommunications websites for job vacancies?

[The Lone Ranger]

I really wish I had some more useful advice to offer, but it's my impression that it's easier to get a job if you already have one. In a worst-case scenario, could you get a job through some place like Manpower or some other such agency? Surely they must have something that you're qualified for, and in my experience, such places aren't too picky, so long as you're punctual and dependable -- which I'm certain aren't problems for you.

I worked for temp agencies during the summers while working on my Master's, and despite my resume looking nothing at all like that of one of their typical employees (on more than one occasion I was asked something along the lines of "What the hell is somebody like you doing in a place like this?"), they were usually anxious to offer me work once they realized that I'd actually show up when and where I was supposed to. The temp agency actually had employers call them and try to hire me on a permanent basis, and even though I'd told them that I was only interested in summer work, a few of them flat-out offered me permanent employment.

Anyway, in a worst-case scenario, maybe going to such a place would be a good way to get your foot in the door, so to speak?

Best wishes,

Michael

[seebs]

I know the feeling; last got paid April 2nd. Of course, I'm working - but freelance writing pays erratically.

Drop me an email with more details, I have contacts; the mere fact that they haven't got any work that matches me doesn't mean they don't have stuff that matches someone else.

[LadyShea]

Luna, Telco is a bomb right now here due to various scandals and bankrupties of the largest networks (MCI, Global Crossing, and XO were all in bankruptcy at the same time and 2 of them have been under Federal investigation for fraud), then the economy. All the major telcos are laying off by the thousands and sending many many support jobs to India. I had a lady call me (I am listed as an exec LOL) to talk to me about outsourcing...I said "Why the hell would I send my own job overseas? Are you nuts?"

VM, I would second the idea of hitting some temp agencies. If nothing else you might get introduced to the companies in the area and see if any feel like a good fit for longer term or permanent employment. Hell, you could run an office no problem and make 15/hr with benefits I am sure.

[dave_a]

When I was 25 I got a job making $4.50 an hour as a retail clerk in a software store, and with the cooperation of a friend I made there I managed to catch the tail of the computer networking boom and ride it to a nearly six figure salary as a Novell Certified Network Engineer in just a few years. Unfortunately, I walked off the last network contract I had in August 2001, and haven't found another contract since.


If you are interested PM me with your phone number and I will ask my father in law to call you. He teaches networking/security for a community college and knows who is hiring.

I work for SBC, a telco and I due to the size of the company we react late to economic trends. That means that we are still in a semi hiring freeze even though the economy is heading upward. That said, we employ a lot of network savvy people. SBC doesn't operate it's own network, Williams does that, but we own a large part of them and we manage our network traffic ourselves even though we don't own the hardware.

I would suggest a temp agency and work your way into a large company. Otherwise just apply anywhere and everywhere to get a job and then look elsewhere, it is indeed easier to get a job once you have one.

A big field for the future in security. Networking is great, but if those networks aren't secure it is a liability, not an asset so perhaps enroll at a community college in a network security class and network from there. Most of the people in those classes are already employed and can give you leads.

You said you can get by on 1000/month, but with a network/security job the pay is exponentially higher. More is better than less. Anyway a Novell certification can easily be turned into a Cisco certification which is where it is at right now.

[lisarea]

You get ME a job first!

Honestly, the market's just bad. Pretty much any tech market. You've got the combination of the 90s trend toward everyone and their dog getting into technology, the downturn of the market, and the massive upsurge in outsourcing, and we're just not all that employable anymore.

I've given up on even asking my old work friends if they know of any openings. The ones who aren't unemployed or out of the market entirely are usually just hanging in until the next round of layoffs.

I've worked in a good variety of functions in a couple of broad vertical industries (software development/IT and telco). Everything's gone. Companies have cut back, there's a glut of people looking for jobs, and they're outsourcing pretty much everything they can.

If you want to get out entirely, explain to interviewers that you're out. A lot of companies won't hire you if you're overqualified or if you made a lot more money than they're offering, but I'm not sure how you can get around that. Be really vague on your resume, maybe? Obfuscate your hourly rate by lumping together all your contracts and calling your rate 'variable'? I dunno.

If you want to focus on technology, think of something they can't outsource. Something where you have to be there, something where you have to be conversant in the culture. On-site support, marketing, sales, something like that. You're still going to be competing with a whole lot of people, but there's a better chance the jobs will at least be there. Try dantonac's idea, too. I can't speak to that firsthand or anything, but it sounds logical.

If it helps, it's not just you.

[Dingfod]

I had a lady call me (I am listed as an exec LOL) to talk to me about outsourcing...I said "Why the hell would I send my own job overseas? Are you nuts?"Your priorities are all screwed up. If you were concerned at all about your company's profitablity, you'd outsource yourself in a NY minute. That's what I'm trying to sell my company's management on, that they should outsource themselves. It would save a lot more money than outsourcing me. Besides, I'm sure there are lots of Indonesians or Chinese people that would just jump at the chance to run a big American company for a lot less money than the execs get paid here.

vm, get thee to Plano. Don't they have a bunch of high-tech companies there? OTOH, since the big bucks aren't where it's at for you, how about being the part-time network guru at some small company somewhere there?

[Gawen]

And I too second the temp services. Also, VM, get resumes in the various cities around you for their IT departments. Burleson just hired someone for their position. Could be others lurking about.

[Godless Dave]

I got my current job through a temp agency. The temp-to-perm concept really works for me because I suck at selling myself in an interview or resume; the best way for me to sell myself to a potential employer is to let them see how hard and well I work.

[viscousmemories]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. The consensus seems to be that I should get my butt to the temp agencies. I did register with Manpower a few weeks ago but I didn't follow up by calling them once a week to remind them I'm available, and I didn't register with any other agencies. I'm rarely mistaken for someone driven to find a job despite being a very good worker when I have one.

Like you, GD, I can't sell myself at all beyond "Hire me and you won't be sorry". I have worked numerous temp jobs throughout my life so I'm familiar with the routine, I guess I just haven't been thinking clearly.

Seebs and dantonac I'll send you my resume and info if nothing comes of the temp idea, but for now I think I'm done with networking. To be honest while I liked the $40 an hour and full benefits at my last networking contract I hated the job itself. It was far more handwringing and politics than working. And now that most companies are using Windows 2000 servers *shudder* I can't even imagine what it's like.

Anyway thanks again for all your responses and I'll keep y'all posted as I progress.

[AspenMama]

Well, I already gave you some sage advice before in a different thread a bit ago...

But if you want nonprofit work, here's where I hunt:

http://www.canpo.org/resources_jobs.cfm

http://afpnet.jobcontrolcenter.com/search.cfm

Nonprofits are in need of computer geeks to help bring them into this century, and to manage specialized software programs which track donors.

Finally, I suggest you go to Monster.com and post your resume. It's free and they have sent me some good job leads.

http://www.monster.com/

There's another site like monster that's really good too-- I'll see if I can find it.

[viscousmemories]

Thanks Aspen, somehow I forgot all about this thread.

I must have been caught up by the overwhelming joy of looking for a job. ;)

[LadyShea]

Dantonac, SBC made some smart moves when the other companies were freakin'....taking over PacBell (or buying out their market or merging or whatever the hell they did to take control of California) was pure genius. I think they may come out on top in this clusterfuck that is telco today.

I had a lady call me (I am listed as an exec LOL) to talk to me about outsourcing...I said "Why the hell would I send my own job overseas? Are you nuts?"Your priorities are all screwed up. If you were concerned at all about your company's profitablity, you'd outsource yourself in a NY minute. That's what I'm trying to sell my company's management on, that they should outsource themselves. It would save a lot more money than outsourcing me. Besides, I'm sure there are lots of Indonesians or Chinese people that would just jump at the chance to run a big American company for a lot less money than the execs get paid here.



Good idea! I'll call her back and outsource my uselss CEO and his retarded son, the President (who sends clients to me because "I know the system better")

Seriously, I stopped giving a fuck about the company when we merged and I lost my stock, my bonuses, my car allowance....oh and a steady paycheck. I have been two paychecks behind since August 2003...just got paid for September 1st this week. I stay because I do get paid, even though it's late, for doing pretty much this, surfing the net. We lost most of our customers. I also can come and go as I please since I work alone, which is great with the IVF. So, just cruising along on the Titanic until it sinks.

[Socratoad]

Although it is of no help to you at present I would recommend getting a trade of some kind, air conditioning, refrigeration or whatever. Even if its not really your cup of tea, at least you will most likely never be without work and you can always fall back on your trade when other job sources dry up. It worked for me several times during my working years. I owned two air conditioning companies and we we always looking for employees.

PS: I truly found mechanical trades boring ...... but the opportunities were almost limitless, and the money was great which allowed me the luxury of pursuing fields that did excite me.

Just a thought. I do get struck with one of them occasionally :D

[viscousmemories]

Good advice, Mr. Toad. My Dad, who would've been around your age had he survived, used to say the same thing. Except he phrased it as "learn a bread and butter skill". I never followed the advice for a couple reasons. First I always thought I was 'better' than manual labor and second I never expected to live as long as I have, and hence didn't really prepare for it. I no longer believe that people who work in an office are somehow superior to people who work with their hands, but I still suffer from a large degree of cynicism about the future so I still procrastinate a lot when it comes to planning for the future.

On the other hand I do have a fairly strong understanding of computer and computer networking technology as well as your basic office software skills (typing, etc), plus I have in the past worked in every unskilled position known to man (restaurant, construction site, warehouse, security guard, lawncare, etc.) so I do at least know how to do a few things. Anyway thanks for the input. :)