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is the job market that bad?
callktulu
Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
My family, and my wife's family, are all planning to move to CO. The only hang up for me is that I need a job out there. I've been applying and hunting for over 6 months, and haven't gotten any interest. I've had my resume professionally reviewed, and it's good to go. I've even paid a company to distribute that resume to head hunters, with only one that's really trying to help me out.
What am I doing wrong? I see plenty of jobs on the internet, job sites, etc, but there's just no interest. Do you think companies don't want to pay to relocate me? I could change my address to a local CO one because I have friends out there.....would that help?
What am I doing wrong? I see plenty of jobs on the internet, job sites, etc, but there's just no interest. Do you think companies don't want to pay to relocate me? I could change my address to a local CO one because I have friends out there.....would that help?
Comments
with multiple applications for ANY job being advertised, why would any company pay relocation expenses? i assure you that there will be plenty of people wanting that JOB bad enough that they will take less money and less incentives than you.
I've been relocated several times, two of which were instead of hiring a local, internal candidate. And as a hiring manager myself, I've often chosen better candidates that needed relocating over local candidates that weren't as good.
good luck and be persistant, persistance pays and always has for me in my career, again I too am out of work for 3 months already but I have hope of another good job coming along soon but I still plug along applying to everything I see gthat is a good position.
I'm currently 42.
My current position is basically a regional manager of production facilities. My entire career, including time as an AF officer, I've been in various leadership positions. That's all I do: LEAD.
as for relocation, again, in a tough job market they are much more likely to find candidates willing to bargain, and that means more likely to find what they want locally. or at least in the same state.
Being able to lead is important no doubt, but many employers (myself included) are also looking for someone who can DO as well.
Go back 20 years and ask any of my former or current employees...I lead by example.
Good luck with the change!
There is a ton of aerospace, defense, and manufacturing work in Colorado. Have you looked into anything in those industries?
Good luck with the change!
Yes!! Like crazy! Unfortunately, my diverse background doesn't include the word "engineer" in it, and that's mainly who they want. Wish someone would have slapped me in college and forced me to take 4 additional classes, I could have double-majored and technically been an engineer in "Human Factors."
xvigauge
Do you have bible verses quoted on your resume as you do in your forum signature? If so, get them off. Employers don't want to hire someone who they feel might start preaching at the workplace.
xvigauge
Are you worried I'm going to start preaching here?
I know of no one, not even ministers, who put Bible quotes in a resume. That's completely unprofessional.
quote:Originally posted by callktulu
quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
Being able to lead is important no doubt, but many employers (myself included) are also looking for someone who can DO as well.
Go back 20 years and ask any of my former or current employees...I lead by example.
I'm not suggesting you don't, but you might consider highlighting this in your resume.
We have several semi-formal job titles / classifications. They don't show up in any external paperwork, but they are very much real internally. Those titles are things like "Seller, Seller-Doer, Manager, Manager-Doer, Executive, Executive-No Bill, Direct-GA and No Bill-GA" . Over the past few years as the company has streamlined the pure "Seller, Manager and No-Bill employees have been progressively phased out (attrition, layoffs, etc.) The only classification which this hasn't applied to so much is No-Bill-GA. The 'GA' stands for General Administrative, and these are people like payroll, etc, who aren't directly billable, but serve a crucial role. The ones who have prevailed are in the 'xxx-Doer' classes.
It's not necessarily right, but it's the way it is.
Oh yeah, I follow and know exactly what you mean. I have plenty of DO on my resume. Like I said, I submitted my resume to a company that professionally reviews them, knowing full well I would have to pay for their suggestions. They replied, "Wow, you've done an excellent job with your resume; we don't recommend any changes!"
Surprising to hear from a company that makes its living making resume changes.
It seems EVERYONE here in Omaha is hiring, though. My daughters and I drive around and can't believe all the "now hiring" and "now taking applications" signs everywhere.
I agree about the Bible verses though. No mention of politics, religion, or even, I believe, your age is required nor desirable.
But I wish you well.
Good luck on the job search! But without knowing what you do, how many years experience you have, or what sort of jobs you're looking for, I can't even begin to advise.
It seems EVERYONE here in Omaha is hiring, though. My daughters and I drive around and can't believe all the "now hiring" and "now taking applications" signs everywhere.
I agree about the Bible verses though. No mention of politics, religion, or even, I believe, your age is required nor desirable.
But I wish you well.
what sorts of jobs are they hiring for there in Omaha? used to be a podunk little town but I know it has grown a lot since last time I been there. if all the growth is strip malls and hair salons it doesn't mean a thing. do they have manufacturing now? or what else?
quote:Originally posted by xvigauge
Do you have bible verses quoted on your resume as you do in your forum signature? If so, get them off. Employers don't want to hire someone who they feel might start preaching at the workplace.
xvigauge
Are you worried I'm going to start preaching here?
I know of no one, not even ministers, who put Bible quotes in a resume. That's completely unprofessional.
OK, I was just wondering. I have seen some resumes where people have actually done that. I agree. It is completely unprofessional.
xvigauge
They don't hire locals, blacks, latinos, or whites... been noticing a few mideastern looking folks at taco bell.
Our school board did hire a number of Indian (dot) substitute teachers in the last couple years though.
The job situation is bad across the country, some folks have been out of work for 3-4 years now, they'll take anything, from janitorial to 5hr a day selling air conditioner 'tune ups' at HD, and be thankful for it.
(hey, a janitorial position is usually a full time job!)
There's a lot of 'now hiring' signs here too. See em at the fast food places, and box stores. Doesn't mean a thing except they'll accept your application online. Nobody seems to know who they're looking for either.
They don't hire locals, blacks, latinos, or whites... been noticing a few mideastern looking folks at taco bell.
Our school board did hire a number of Indian (dot) substitute teachers in the last couple years though.
The job situation is bad across the country, some folks have been out of work for 3-4 years now, they'll take anything, from janitorial to 5hr a day selling air conditioner 'tune ups' at HD, and be thankful for it.
(hey, a janitorial position is usually a full time job!)
Yes 4 years now. Over 1200 resumes out. Hundreds of applications filled out.
Right now will even take part time.
By trade I am an aluminum fabricator. I fabricate the aluminum framing for storefront and curtainwall.
Yes the age discrimination is alive and well in this country. I am now 54.
Have been off of unemployment since Oct. 2012. Wife is still working and we supplement her income
with what is sold online.
The economy is not getting better as they keep saying.
With the internet there is at least a 100 applications for every job and unless you know somebody good luck.
Our next door neighbor and my wife both lost their jobs. It took about 7 months of daily searching, few telephone interviews and even fewer face to face interviews to obtain a new job.
The neighbor was told during one interview that they had received over 300 resumes for that 1 job.
Good luck, you're gonna need it.
In some areas, the jobs have improved, but nothing compares to before Obozo was elected. Anyone who thinks otherwise may be living in la la land. Millions of graduates every year looking, how many thousands will be on the hunt for a job who will be out of a job with the down sizing of the military.
I worked as a contract engineer most of my career. Seems like the accepted practice for the past 20 yr or so has been for hiring companies to bring people in on contract as temporary non-employees. They bring these temps in to work for a specific time frame. They evaluate the "employee" during this time and if they like what they see, they make that person an offer to hire in for a "permanent" position. Most of my past contracts resulted in an employment offer being made by the client.
If the person doesn't impress the client, they are thanked and terminated at the end of their contract and the client puts in a requisition for another temp.
By hiring in this manner, the client can safely pick and choose while avoiding any political drama or claims of discrimination.
So, you may wish to consider looking for a contract position in CO to get your foot in the door. There has always been a lot of opportunity in CO, at least in engineering and aerospace. Don't expect anyone to pay relocation though. Just pay it and deduct business expenses at tax time.
In any case, I would suggest you contact some of the temp agencies and send resumes. It can't hurt to see what's available along those lines.
I found the following trade magazine/web site to be a valuable resource for job ads, resume posting, etc:
www.Cjhunter.com
I used these resources to get most of the contracts I worked during my career. I'm not sure what your line of work is but most of the advertisers on this website offer placement for a number of disciplines.
I'm retired now but if I wanted to go back to work, my first step would be to go to the above website and send some resumes out.
I hope that helps.
BG
it's always 300. never "we got 200" or "we got 450" you will always hear "we got 300".
and the next thing they will imply, is that should make you feel insignificant. depreciate your value.
well let's take a look at just how undervalued you are since they have 300 of these wonderful resumes to choose from.
half of them are not qualified according to the description in the ad, another 1/4 are from desperates not even in that career field, 1/8 are from other recruiters or job hunters just canvassing around and don't mean anything, and the remaining 1/8 they might consider are slobs anyways that they could make up any excuse not to hire just like making up the excuse they gave you.
employers are so full of crap.
Callktulu,
I worked as a contract engineer most of my career. Seems like the accepted practice for the past 20 yr or so has been for hiring companies to bring people in on contract as temporary non-employees. They bring these temps in to work for a specific time frame. They evaluate the "employee" during this time and if they like what they see, they make that person an offer to hire in for a "permanent" position. Most of my past contracts resulted in an employment offer being made by the client.
If the person doesn't impress the client, they are thanked and terminated at the end of their contract and the client puts in a requisition for another temp.
By hiring in this manner, the client can safely pick and choose while avoiding any political drama or claims of discrimination.
So, you may wish to consider looking for a contract position in CO to get your foot in the door. There has always been a lot of opportunity in CO, at least in engineering and aerospace. Don't expect anyone to pay relocation though. Just pay it and deduct business expenses at tax time.
In any case, I would suggest you contact some of the temp agencies and send resumes. It can't hurt to see what's available along those lines.
I found the following trade magazine/web site to be a valuable resource for job ads, resume posting, etc:
www.Cjhunter.com
I used these resources to get most of the contracts I worked during my career. I'm not sure what your line of work is but most of the advertisers on this website offer placement for a number of disciplines.
I'm retired now but if I wanted to go back to work, my first step would be to go to the above website and send some resumes out.
I hope that helps.
BG
^^^ load
I have worked numerous temp jobs. sure one way to hire an employee is have him work as a temp. another way is to have the employment agency find a straight-to-perm hire. or hire one themselves.
and there are many more temp jobs where you are actually doing only temporary work and they don't need you anymore.
guess what? you work one of those, and every subsequent job interview you have, the (cockeyed screwball crosseyed HR tuna-fish-sandwich-breath gum chewing slimeball) will say "they didn't hire you on after that? you must not have done a good job"
and the more temporary work you have on your resume, it makes your resume look that much worse to the stupidos. even though you had to do it to put food in your stomach and keep the light bill paid, and yes it was actually only temporary work they needed, the * won't believe you.
why? they don't have to.
they have other resumes that don't have temporary work on them! who needs you?
they can lie all they want. fool themselves right along with you, it doesn't matter. life is a bowl of cherries.
The best jobs I ever held were acquired through the door face to face applications. I used to study a companies parking lot. If the employee's drove nice late model vehicles, I'd apply. I was a #1 salesman and was best at selling myself. Trying to find work depending upon resumes to me is like trying to win a lottery amongst the masses!
That approach simply doesn't work anymore, maybe in small little oufits found in industrial areas but any real company will not let you past the front receptionist, doesn't matter how well you talk. You will be referred to the company website to view the list of open jobs and how to apply online.
The best jobs I ever held were acquired through the door face to face applications. I used to study a companies parking lot. If the employee's drove nice late model vehicles, I'd apply. I was a #1 salesman and was best at selling myself. Trying to find work depending upon resumes to me is like trying to win a lottery amongst the masses!
AGREE,, Colorado is a "SNOWBIRD" mecca. Moved and then looked. Had a contract job with Coors within a week.
Did a lot of Skiing and worked for almost 10 years. Liked this ski area. A Basin.. Lots of Snow Bunnies.
http://arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/mountain/explore-the-mountain/default.aspx
Don't confuse consultants with Kelly Girls and poo poo contract jobs. There is excellent money to be made contracting. Callktulu is looking for an out of state management position. This professional level of hiring won't be the same as filling a sales position for example. If the resume is well written and shows the experience the client is looking for, I would almost guarantee a telephone interview. Where it goes from there is up to you.
Temporary positions don't detract at all from a resume. I worked as an engineering consultant for over four decades and my entire resume shows nothing but temp jobs. It's the cold hard experience that counts. Experience and dependability are what will get you in the door. They WILL check your references so be certain they are good.
Return visits to clients look good on your resume. I worked six different contracts for the same defense contractor (Sperry) in Phoenix. Recruiters and HR people like to see stuff like that.
Nobody really cares about my family, my goals or aspirations so I always kept them off my resume. I save them for the interview so we'll have something to talk about.
The vast experience shown on your resume is what sells you. Unless you are applying for a pretty face job where you have to wear a name tag, your resume is what is going to be the deciding factor. Your resume is your first impression so it has to be a good one. You won't get another chance if your resume doesn't sell you on the spot. If you want to work contract, your resume will be read by two or three levels of people before anyone decides to consider you so, again, it's the well written resume with solid experience that makes all the difference.
By the time you are asked for a telephone interview, you are 75% in the door. Most phone interviews I've had in 43 years of working as a consultant were very low key and surprisingly non-technical. At this point they have pretty much made their mind up and are going through the motions because the contract specifies a personal interview and they want to make sure you speak English. You will be able to tell if you have the job by the time you hang up but your interviewer will normally follow protocol and have the temp agency call you with the confirmation. Contractors are usually exempt from personal interviews because the client doesn't have to come up with an excuse to can you if you show up with an unzipped fly, flip flops, dreadlocks, piercings and * tattoos.
If you want to get into a large company, temp is the way to go. I have worked in quite a few places where they have been burned so badly hiring prima donna CAD operators or June bride engineers who turn out to be expensive, no talent chair warmers they stopped direct hiring. Employers got smart and stopped taking shots in the dark. They now use temp agencies as employment agencies. They bring the prospective employee in as a temp to see how he/she performs first. That's the interview process these days. If you don't want to play that game, then simply submit your resume to HR and wait for them to get back to you with an offer but don't hold your breath.
Grow organic pot and go on your own. Get some of that tall Thai weed that gets up to an elephant's eyes.
Now we're talkin'!![:D][:p][8D]