Bad mentoring for job stability 8

[bassmasterclassic]

Hi all, wanted to get some fellow opinions on this.

I recently was laid off by a company and saw newer, lower paid engineers who made it past the cut while older engineers were cut. I was rehired the same company but different facility in a different state. I am the only engineer on site here but we have an intern that they plan on hiring after his graduation. As the title states, I have not been the best mentor because I am scared of getting laid off and getting replaced. I answer all his questions but never share more than that as I do not want to get replaced. This is a probably a poor mindset but I work at a very large company where you are more of a number than anything. This is the industry (hobby/leisure) I want to be in the most but the only company with an opening. I feel as if even though I was a better engineer, this company would choose a lower salary to keep on board over anything else. Should I change my approach to this and be a better mentor as I have experienced in the past? Is it okay to keep going on this way? I've been thinking about this for many weeks and I feel bad about it but the fear of getting laid off/replaced is still fresh in my mind.

 

[phamENG]

How do you go about reaching out for a position that's not available?

You need to know the decision makers, or at least people who can influence them. Do you have trade shows or conferences within your niche? If so, make a point to attend all of them and build your network. Let them know you exist and that you're hungry for better work (without making yourself look desperate). They may drop a hint like "if only we had somebody who can do X" that gives you an opening to say "I'm very familiar with that and have some ideas. I'm interested in this, this, and that about your company. Maybe we could talk about it sometime." Or they may call you and let you know that they have an opening for you before they advertise.

Cold calling and spamming everyone with your resume is okay for new grads, but an experienced engineer should have a network to leverage. If they don't, it's a red flag.

 

[SWComposites]

How do you go about reaching out for a position that's not available?
As mentioned above - network, network, network.
Find your peers in other companies via trade shows, conferences, LinkedIn, friends in the industry - make relationships and talk to them about their companies needs, etc.
Cold calling doesn't work well, and HR is typically to be avoided at all costs (they are NOT your friend).