Topic: Job Seeking Advice????????

[d3buttz]

Hey guys,
ive been unemployed for a while and it seems that it is way more difficult to find employment nowadays.  Noone posts in the paper anymore and craigslist, monster and career builder have not come thru for me in my field(metal fab/sheetmetal/machine operator).  Ive found many companies in my area that i have sent my resume online and even cold shown up to their HR.  One thing ive noticed that  has changed over the years is that alot of businesses frown upon physically showing up to submit a resume!  luckily i have unemployment keeping my head above the water.  anyone found any good websites or  tips for finding work in this market?

[bucky katt]

like the song says........things are tough all over. saw an article in my local paper recently that said there are approximately 45,000 available positions in south carolina..............with 250,000 out of work

[TE 450 Pilot]

I work as a fitter/welder. I always speak with our weld consumable supplier. I would suggest if you can make contact with the guy who supplies most of the weld shops he can likely tell you who is hiring.

Randy

[tomkimberly]

Only mom and pop shops use want ads. All others use temp agencys. Make up a list of them in your area and send them all a copy of your resume. In no time you should be able to figure out who in your area uses what temp agency.

You can churn (keep fresh) your resume on Monster by just "refreshing" it every week so it will keep looking like it is a new submittal.

Good luck!


Tom

[sangyo soichiro]

When creating your resume and applying, be very careful to use proper English, grammar, and spelling.  Your application package is the only thing they have to judge you by.  This is very important, because careless use of the English language could be a sign of carelessness in other things.  You may be good at what you do, but your opening post wouldn't pass my job interview (just saying... for your benefit).

Also, be professional.  You want to always portray yourself as a professional.  Showing up at their door is not professional (unless you're a hitman). 

Dress appropriately and maintain an inoffensive appearance.  People get a first impression, and they tend to notice things that support that first impression.   This is called confirmation bias.  It seems to be human nature.

You may need to tailor different application packages for different jobs.  For example, you may need to emphasize different skills depending on what you're applying for.  For each job you apply to, rethink your resume and see if you can tweak it in order to bring out the important things for that particular job/company.


And (possibly for the interview)...
a coworker (a journeyman, when I was his apprentice) asked me this when I was very young:
"Why are you working here?"
I can't remember what I said, but it was something like 'to help you build machines/trim dies, etc.'
He said,
"NO!  You are here to make the owner rich."

I thought a lot about what he said; about what it would take to make the owner rich - repeat customers, which means quality work at a competitive price and doing it fast to beat the deadline, no mistakes that would cost the company money, innovative designs that would save time and material, not getting hurt so as not to cost the company workman's comp., and the list can go on and on.  And if you're costing the company money, then you'll probably get fired.  So it makes sense.  It may sound shallow, but I think it's a good work philosophy for an industrial setting.  You'll notice that every benefit for the company turns out to also be a benefit for me.  So it works out for everyone.

Anyway, it's something to think about...

 

The job application/interview process kind of sucks - the applicant must draw attention to their assets (i.e., brag... something normally frowned upon), and the employer must judge the applicant (another thing that is usually frowned upon).

[BobbyR]

I know it is a hike but Kawasaki in Lincoln Nebraska has a large Train factory there. It is almost all hand work and precise metal fabbing and welding. They have a large order of Railcars to build.

[Uncle Ernie]

Yeah- if you're willing to travel, I've heard some railroads are re-habbing cars.  A Ton-O-Money is being spent, too.

I've been out of work for over 2 years now.  I finally got a little work by volunteering.  Try the temp agencies.   Get a feel for a company and tell them how you can improve something.  Forget applications- put a face to the name first.  Be a pest- what have you got to lose?  The talking to suppliers is good. 

Make a list of skills instead of jobs.  Where are your skills needed?  Maybe volunteer for Habitat For Humanity.  Around here, it's not what you know, it WHO you know.

[seaweb11]

When creating your resume and applying, be very careful to use proper English, grammar, and spelling.  Your application package is the only thing they have to judge you by.  This is very important, because careless use of the English language could be a sign of carelessness in other things.  You may be good at what you do, but your opening post wouldn't pass my job interview (just saying... for your benefit).

Also, be professional.  You want to always portray yourself as a professional.  Showing up at their door is not professional (unless you're a hitman). 

Dress appropriately and maintain an inoffensive appearance.  People get a first impression, and they tend to notice things that support that first impression.   This is called confirmation bias.  It seems to be human nature.

You may need to tailor different application packages for different jobs.  For example, you may need to emphasize different skills depending on what you're applying for.  For each job you apply to, rethink your resume and see if you can tweak it in order to bring out the important things for that particular job/company.


And (possibly for the interview)...
a coworker (a journeyman, when I was his apprentice) asked me this when I was very young:
"Why are you working here?"
I can't remember what I said, but it was something like 'to help you build machines/trim dies, etc.'
He said,
"NO!  You are here to make the owner rich."

I thought a lot about what he said; about what it would take to make the owner rich - repeat customers, which means quality work at a competitive price and doing it fast to beat the deadline, no mistakes that would cost the company money, innovative designs that would save time and material, not getting hurt so as not to cost the company workman's comp., and the list can go on and on.  And if you're costing the company money, then you'll probably get fired.  So it makes sense.  It may sound shallow, but I think it's a good work philosophy for an industrial setting.  You'll notice that every benefit for the company turns out to also be a benefit for me.  So it works out for everyone.

Anyway, it's something to think about...

 

The job application/interview process kind of sucks - the applicant must draw attention to their assets (i.e., brag... something normally frowned upon), and the employer must judge the applicant (another thing that is usually frowned upon).