What to do now? Lost job. 5

[davidinindy]

I'm a plastic product designer with injection and vacuum-form mold design background. I just got let go today after 8 months... I've never been fired before. I lost my last job after ten years because of the economy. The comapny just closed it's doors. Here, there were dissagreements in management as to whether they needed an onsite engineer, or if they should do the engineering overseas... Anyway... I have a couple of questions.
1.)I am going to meet with the local technical recruiters this week, and in the past, they've said not to worry about dressing up for the meeting. Does it matter? We had no dress code at the office, but I still dressed better than torn jeans and a rock t-shirt. I wore nice jeans, and a nice collared shirt. I often helped on the shop floor so dress pants and shirt weren't practical.
2.) My steps from here are: File for unemployment. Call recruiters. Call contacts. Take part-time job until something is offered in engineering.
I read this site often, and have found it very helpfull.
Thanks for any tips.

 

[plasgears]

Limiting yourself to the local area could be a killer especially if it is not a large job and labor market.

I recommend the book:
"Finding Your Best Place to Live in America" Bowman et al
Warner Books, 1983 (There may be later editions)

It is an analytical approach to investigating places to live, which uses about 20 different criteria, incl economic, weather, catastrophic, ethnic, costs of living, taxes, etc. The analysis can be weighted to emphasize your main interests. As an engineer you will find it appealing. Include the area you live in; it's an eye opener.

I live in Michigan, but the criteria I chose indicated further south. I like it here so far.

 

[davidinindy]

Well, it's mainly a family thing for us. We like being 1 hour in either direction from our families. I'm also a car guy, and there are always cruise-ins, shows, races, etc. going on around here. There's enough manufacturing around here that I think it's realistic to think I'll find another job that I'll enjoy. My wife makes good money at the title firm she's at also. Overall, the cost of living here, in Franklin, IN just south of Indy is low. The same house we live in would cost 250k in Indy. We are close enough though, that we can still go out in Indy for a night on the town, or to visit our old friends.

 

[davidinindy]

Well, I've been on the phone almost non-stop since Monday.
I am meeting with RL Stevens tomorrow. From what I hear, they'r eone of the top technical recruiters. We'll see.
I also came across a local robotics / automation company in our County business journal that has been hiring / growing. Found their website and read up on them. I then called and talked to the Vice President. (Got his name from the article). He seemed impressed on how much I knew about his company and told me to send my resume to his head engineer.

Another tip... Find any possible avenue into a company other than human resources!
Good sources:
Newspaper, local business journals, trade magazines and organizations.
Sales reps for suppliers / distributers also have "ins" at many businesses. One called me today and told me a shop in Kentucky has lost two engineers in the past few weeks. He gave them a copy of my resume. He said they're very interested. It would mean moving though.
I'm definately calling them to learn more. Mainly, why the engineers left.
Anyway, I just thought I'd post what's happening, and what's working.

 

[davidinindy]

Well, I'm not having much luck so far. It seems that most of the companies I talk to are busier now, but have already hired the staff they need. The general response is "If I had talked to you a few months ago..."
I need to come up with a reason to make a shop think, or better yet, know they need to hire me.
RL Stevens is a "career consultant". I pay them to evaluate my resume, teach me to interview, and get me leads that aren't advertised. Has anyone used a company like this, or them in particular?

 

[rhodie]

RL Stevens and companies of that like MIGHT find you a job, but you'll pay an awful lot for not much when it is all said and done.

Keep in mind that it is a conflict of interest for them to find a job for you, because then they lose YOU as a paying customer.

Besides, who ever heard of a company reserving "top secret" positions for only a privy few? Not me! Companies are trying to get the best person possible in their interests, and that involves widely brocasting the position (classifieds, internet, etc...) so they can select the "pick of the litter" at the very end.

 

[davidinindy]

Good points.

 

[IEfromMIDWEST]

I am in a similar situation as you, davidinindy. Did you end up trying RL Stevens? I am also thinking about their service. Has anyone else had any luck with them.

 

[davidinindy]

No. I haven't resorted to them yet.
I've had coutless phone conversations (informal interviews). I've had 4 actual interviews. Two offers. One was doing mold design, which I'm really not interested in doing again. One was designing gages on site about 1 1/2 hours away from me. Not interested in the drive or living in a hotel.
I had another company meet with me twice. This was (and still is) the most promising, and the one I have the most interest in doing. They called after my 2nd interview, and apologizes saying "We're busy, but a couple projects haven't come thru yet, so we can't hire you now. You'll be the first we call though." Don't know how much stock I should put in this. He also said that he hoped, for his sake, that I either didn't get a job, or got one I ended up not happy with.
I have gotten leads / interviews from former associates, internet job sites, newpaper and cold-calling companies I've read about in trade magazines.
As you can see, there has been a lot of action, but not as much as some of the books say you should strive for. "2-4 interviews a day"???? You're kidding right?!
Anyway, There's an update.
As you can see in another thread I started, I'm also looking into going back to school for a Bachelors degree.
Anything els you see I should be doing, please let me know. It's been 6 weeks, and I'm anxious yo get back to work. I can't convince my wife (or myself) that I can work from home.

 

[MyraDee]

David,
Did you end up meeting with R L Stevens?
I am in contact with them also. They look like very exclusive career marketing agency. I like to hear your thoughts?
Lora

 

[waskillywabbit]

Always overdress as they won't care, but underdress and you are doomed.

Good luck finding a job you love!


Brian

http://www.mcabeeconstruction.com

Opinions expressed are my own and are not those of the company.

 

[Boothby171]

Years ago, I was faced with a similar decision regarding an outfit called "Harvard Career Services" or some such name.

1) They had nothing to do with Harvard University (I checked)

2) They wanted lots of money up front, made no promises, provided nothing more than I could get from any two good Career books from the local library or Amazon, and--in a nutshell--just didn't feel "right".

3) They wold not let me call any of their previous customers for verification.

4) Two weeks after I told them, "No thank you," they called back with a roughly 50% discount.

Caveat Emptor!

 

[jmw]

Don't neglect the internet.
There are a whole raft of job sites and you would be well advised to keep your CV upto date on as amany as you can manage.
The way it works these days you are more likley to get job interviews through "matching" than through the activities of a single agency.
"Matching" is simple; agencies trawl the internet looking for CVs and looking for SItuations vacant. They match them together, then act as the link between you and the potential employee. You may think this is an easy way to make a buck, for them, but don't knock it.

You may need to develop diferent CV's to broaden your appeal, but it isn't a bad idea to keep your resume/CV live all the time, even when you think you are settled and happy. You just never know what might be out there.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[plasgears]

Monster.com gave me several leads overnight. Try it.

 

[davidinindy]

WooooHooo!!!!
Got the job offer I wanted!
I'm starting Monday!
I kept in touch with this shop and was really persistant. They kept saying "If we get just a little more work, we'll call you..."
Well, they did!
Thanks for all of the tips.
You people have been invaluable!