Still unemployed

[magicmike]

Hey guys and gals,

I just usually lurk on here because I own a BJ legacy and I'm more prevalent over on the legacycentral site. I just come on here to read the interesting posts At any rate I don't know if I mentioned that I was laid off last year about a week before Christmas.

I've been looking for work in Project Management in the fields of production or manufacturing for the entire time that I've been laid off.

It has been difficult to say the least. I am in one of those situations where I have about 10 years of hands on very technical experience but I have not finished my degree.

I have been applying for positions that are literally half the salary I was making and I'm not getting any response due to the little check box that states "Do you have a 4 year degree".

A few months into my unemployment I decided to start up a small consulting business since I could do it from home and it wouldn't require any capital short of setting up a website and small things of that nature. I have helped a couple of clients now with some small tasks such as web redesign and some resource management but I would still love to have a full time position.

My website is basically my resume but I can send my resume to someone if they know of something.

If you know of an opening in your company and would like to check me out you can here: www.michaelmottaconsulting.com

I’m not one here trying to sell consulting services to anyone although I would surely welcome them. If anyone would like to see my resume just pm me with an email addy and I’ll send it right over.

I live in the Kent county area of RI but I'd be willing to drive to Boston or at least a 1 hour radius to me for work.

Thanks for reading, I know things are starting to pick up a little bit and I know companies are hesitant to hire unless they have an inside track on someone.

Thanks again,

Michael

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[imprezaowner27]

i like your website.

[gloves]

although i have nothing for you...i agree with the guy above...you have a really nice pro looking website...sorry for you job loss...i spent 11 months without a job a bit over 3 years ago and it was terrible...i looked and looked and looked

long story short i got two offers in the same week...i cried cause i was so excited...i am sure things will turn out just the same for you...just keep looking

oh yea, go to a head hunter...the job i took came from there...i know the thought of spending money right now sucks but it would be the best thing you ever do with that money.

[xilles]

this kind of makes me sad bc im going into the same field you are in..looks like my prospects are not looking well..

ps. good looking site very professional

[audio1der]

Ive got another interview with a subaru dealership today.... Job market sucks out there no matter what the field

[magicmike]

Thank you for the compliments on the site. I actually do a little web design also.

[Jack ffr1846]

If you can possibly afford to do it, go back and finish your degree now. Down time in the economy is the best time to do so.

[magicmike]

Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846

If you can possibly afford to do it, go back and finish your degree now. Down time in the economy is the best time to do so.

I didn't mention but yes I am finishing up a business management degree now as well.

I was in school about 4 years ago but had to drop out due to my career and position at that time. I was acting as the lead Field Service Engineer on a huge project that had me flying back and forth to Michigan weekly.

I was in one of those situations where I was promoted very quickly through the company and was doing quite well for myself. I quite foolishly just assumed I would be able to continue to find work if and when I left the company.

I read recently that for every job posting out today there are at least 60 completely 100% qualified applicants for the position. That is scary when I look at a Project Management position (entry level, 30k/year) and they are requiring a 4 year degree and 5 years experience? This is hard for me to swallow especially when I was in Senior Management and doing project management at the senior level. I would manage 25 to 30 large projects simultaneously. No easy feat, especially when most PM's deal with 1 or 2 projects at a time. And these were huge multiple hundred line projects that I would update and also had to see how each individual project affected the other.

It was very stressful but I loved it and can't wait to get back to work!

[Forgiven]

You are a very talented individual. I just turned down a job that would have me doing planning in the cable tv industry, it involved doing multiple (20-30) projects at the same time. I know my limitations and declined, I wish I could do that kind of work, but it is beyond my abilities. All the best to you, make connections in the industry and find someone who will realize your true value....
Having the degree does not show all that a person can do. Some people are just plain better than others. You appear to be prime material, go sell yourself.

[magicmike]

Originally Posted by Forgiven

You are a very talented individual. I just turned down a job that would have me doing planning in the cable tv industry, it involved doing multiple (20-30) projects at the same time. I know my limitations and declined, I wish I could do that kind of work, but it is beyond my abilities. All the best to you, make connections in the industry and find someone who will realize your true value....
Having the degree does not show all that a person can do. Some people are just plain better than others. You appear to be prime material, go sell yourself.

Thank you for the kind words. I am trying like to hell to "sell" myself but it is hard in this new mechanized HR market today. HR managers litterally set up all these qulaifications to weed out the "dirty laundry" and they never even get my resume or application because they have selected that they only recieve applicants with a 4 year degree. I know this for a fact because I was actually emailed on an autoreply by accident with a huge bold title that read
"APPLICANT DOES NOT MEET EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS"

This was right in the email subject line. Talk about a kick to the nuts...

[__raj]

I have been an IT contractor since September 12, 2001. Ups and downs for sure. The down time is the best time to get/finish your degree. It also does a huge thing for you in that once you get it you fall into the "recent grad" category that some quality employers use to hire. Your experience will be gold and put you at the cream of the recent grad crop.

I got "laid off" from my contracting job at IBM after 5 straight years there. I have picked up contracting work here and there and found my fellow contractors are laid off people with great experience. Competition is fierce.

Two job offers in 6 months but pay so low and no real potential of moving up I turned them down. It worked out well for me as I have picked up contract work at 4-5x the hourly rate they were offering. However will this continue who knows?

I am thankful my wife works 20hrs and gets incredible health benefits for my family.

Good luck.

[Aceyduce]

This is a long shot but have you considered applying for a contract position at a pharma company (pfizer, wyeth etc)? They carry tremendous overhead in IT and regularily rotate personell. Try Pfizer in or around the 12-15 of October. Rumor has it vhanges are coming...

PS i feel bad for you. Many of my friends are in your same shoes. I'll keep my eyes open.

[kodiaksti]

[quote=magicmike;28392765]Thank you for the kind words. I am trying like to hell to "sell" myself but it is hard in this new mechanized HR market today. HR managers litterally set up all these qulaifications to weed out the "dirty laundry" and they never even get my resume or application because they have selected that they only recieve applicants with a 4 year degree. I know this for a fact because I was actually emailed on an autoreply by accident with a huge bold title that read
"APPLICANT DOES NOT MEET EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS"

This was right in the email subject line. Talk about a kick to the nuts...[/quote

dude call these people! dont just lay back. call hr and findout who you need to speak to about the application you sent in. dont mention the fact that you automatically got declined by a computer program, but get a body on the phone and sell yourself. you sold us on here, tell them all the stuff you can do that you just told us but do it on the phone to the person in charge of hireing. if you want it, take it.

[bugeye829]

don't really know of any jobs but just wanted to wish you luck with the job search. i honestly don't understand why people like you who have the skills and talent to suceed cannot find a job and the fact that there are so many idiots out there who have jobs.

[americanyouth]

I feel for you. Getting my first real job (after working abroad post-school) was the best day I had in months... probably because I spent those past few months sending hundreds of resumes and drowning in debt.

I know little about the IT industry but agree now might be the time to go back to school -- if nothing else its at least a self-esteem boost compared to applying for jobs.

[magicmike]

Thanks for the comments guys. Its crazy for sure out there and I'm getting to the end of the line soon with funds. I didn't even get into the whole mortgage thing with you all. That's a whole other huge mess...

[Dragon Wagon]

Ive been layed off for a year now as an electrician construction is hurting really bad

[Bob the fabricator]

My father's company is always interested in finding good employees. I'd say experience is far more crucial that education, as it's very much a hands-on trade. Good project managers are hard to find. Although the commute would be a bitch for you.

http://www.legeregroup.com/employment.htm

[chicakms]

Aww sorry dude I know what you're going through. The end of this month I will have been out of work for a year. I'm on my 2nd unemployment extension...or maybe it's my 3rd I can't keep track anymore.

I'm applying left and right for everything and not getting any responses. I've even applied for jobs and been told I was over qualified because I have a degree.

This is very frustrating but I'm thankful that I still live at home so money isn't a huge problem for me right now. I can still manage to pay my bills and save a little money for the future.

[chicakms]

If you're collecting unemployment have you looked into going back to school because in many cases they will pay for it and you can still collect your check. My problem is every time I get the extensions the semesters have already started and I can't sign up.

[magicmike]

Bob, sent a pm Thanks!

[magicmike]

Hey all, bringing this thread back from the dead lol.

I am actually still unemployed. It's going on over a year now and still no luck finding anything. It's crazy. I have taken this time to mature an idea that I had with a friend of mine for a message board that is aimed at guy stuff. Basically there are categories of all types but the main idea or premise is for guys to hang out and make some new friends. Its an attempt to make social networking "social" again.

This concept came about greatly due to my situation. I am 34 years old, never married, no kids, no girlfriend and I moved out of my home town to a new area about 5 years ago. Being a guy is tough, its practically impossible to make new friends. For women its easy, they exchange numbers and call it a day. Ever asked a guy for his number at the bar? Didn't think so lol. There is a pretty good description on the index page.

The site is about a week old at the moment so there aren't many members. We will be adding regions in the near future and will be working on setting up events at local pubs etc.

So, if the mods don't mind me spamming for a sec I'll drop the url so you guys can check it out if you want. The site is free of course and I'll be adding google adsense in about 6 months.

I know I'm not super active on this board but I figured I'd reach out to my subaru extended family

so heres the site if you want to check it out. http://www.thebroden.com/

[Snowphun]

Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846

If you can possibly afford to do it, go back and finish your degree now. Down time in the economy is the best time to do so.

+1 to this, it's clearly keeping you from the jobs you want. Double up on classes and finish you remaining credits by any means necessary. There are substaintial tax breaks for educational expenses as well.

[darkinc]

have you checked out EB? electric boat in groton? just a thought

[morph1n3]

OT/ Mike, you still live in EG right? I think I saw you at shell a few weeks ago, I was the PSM bugeye with PPG's.