Work slowing down 1

[BridgeEI]

In the last couple of months work in our firm has started to slow way down. We have plenty of projects in the backlog, a couple really big projects but will eventually take another 1-1.5yrs before any bridge work really begins. There is a project or two that has a lot of work still to be done but it is on hold for who knows how long. With all of this downtime, I've been able to keep up to date w/ all the software we use and the in and outs of it. But you can only do this for so long.

I'm now beginning to think that maybe I should get my resume updated and throw some out there and see if anyone is biting. I can't complain because I have a steady paycheck coming in but this no working on a project/doing something productive is really irking me. This has been going on for awhile now, to the point of dreading to go into work.

Any thoughts/suggestions for things that I should look at?

 

[ctopher]

Been there 1-2 years ago. I used the down time to take as many classes as possible, then layoffs came.
It does not hurt to send out your resume. Be careful about sending it to sites like Facebook and Linkedin, your manager may be watching.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[casseopeia]

Not producing billable hours is not only irking you, it is irking your boss, your boss's boss, and anyone with an equity stake in the company. For two years I dreaded going into work. A few things would trickle in, but I knew the score. Many, many months went by where my billable hours did not cover my cost to the company. I should have jumped but was lulled by indecision on their end. I should have known better.

Get your resume together and see what's out there. But don't jump a sinking ship until you know that the ship you are jumping to is not sinking as well.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[beej67]

Sir, you're dead in the water. Absolutely start looking, but much much more importantly, completely revamp your personal budget and your finances. I know some civil PEs who were out of work over a year and are now working at the Post Office. It's rough out there, and if you've lasted this long, consider yourself very lucky.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[KENAT]

I suggest you spend some of your free time searching this (and closely related) forums.

I say this because variations on your question have been asked a bunch of times in the few years I've been a member here.

Seeing as you have spare work time - and I sure as hell don't - it's better you spend the time searching (and learning how to use the limited search tools this otherwise wonderful site has) rather than me searching for you.

I'm come to realize you're almost always best always keeping your resume up to date and at least keeping half an eye out for opportunities.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[BridgeEI]

Haven't jumped ship yet. We'll get something in that will take a couple of days here and there. Thats interesting about sending resumes to facebook, didn't realize people did that....

 

[pmover]

i'm reminded of when business (incoming projects) got really slow and some corporate & departmental consolidation/merging took place. i was a lone gearhead for awhile and i got nervous. i made a comment among a group of people about desiring a change and even stated a far-off location - without thinking! heck, 6-weeks later i moved to the far-off location with employment in hand. i did surprise the management folks with the announcement, but they graciously accepted . . . even after a reconsideration.

only you can assess your situation and decide accordingly . . .

i recommend that you take heed in comments from casseopeia and ctopher . . .

regardless, good luck!
-pmover

 

[ajack1]

I think it makes good sense to keep all your options open and explore alternatives. It is probably worth while seeing if you can get any training or develop better systems to make you and the company stronger when things hopefully improve.

One thing worth considering however is the fact that your current employer is standing by you even when it costs them money to do so, whilst that may be seen as “I should have jumped but was lulled by indecision on their end “by some and it is hard to say from a purely business point of view that is wrong. It could also be seen as they actually care about you and have a human touch rather than just cold hearted business.

 

[philmech]

ajack1 makes a good point. At most places, you would have been long gone before now. Your current employer either treats their employees better than most, or they are looking ahead to when business picks up again.

 

[BridgeEI]

Thats one reason I find it hard to start putting resumes out and looking is that i really like the company I work for and all the people. I thinks its the best place to be at but of course I'm biased. It is encouraging that they are still keeping me/others on during these times but eventually they will have to say no more. I really appreciate ya'lls input, thanks so much!

 

[desnov74]

I've been in that situation, and its really bad. I think the worst part is if you "jump ship" you don't know what you're jumping into to"!

As ctopher says take advantage of as much education as possible.

If you can find a part-time job (not necessarily technical) that provides a financial safety net and gets you networking opportunities. If you lose your job, you'll have something to fall back on financially and you'll have a network of people to help you get a job. If you keep your job, meeting people that leads to some work coming in might provide some job security.