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What to do now? Lost job.
5

What to do now? Lost job.

What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
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.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

It depends on what kind or recruiters they are.  

Are they essentially consignment operators, e.g., they get a finder's fee for finding you?  In which case, jeans might be adequate, since they have vested interest in selling you.

Are they working for specific companies?  In which case, I would suggest at least slacks and a button-down shirt and a sports coat or similar.

My general preference would be the latter, since interviews can be tinged by visual impressions.  No matter who is fronting for you, it'll be easier for them to sell you if they have a good impression of you.

TTFN

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

I don't think you can go wrong wearing khakis and button-up or polo shirt.  I'd leave the jeans at home.

Working in plastics, you must have had some contact with others in your field, I'd give them a call/email and let them know of your "availability."

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

I've had quite a few jobs, the breakdown of how I got them is

1) wrote to every relevant company in the whole country
2) personal contact
3) recruitment agency placed an ad in the technical press
4) advert in general press
5) headhunted by a recruitment agency
6) personal contact
7) personal contact

and there were a couple more where I got to the final interview that I did't take, usually in response to ads in the technical press. I have never had any luck by applying to a recruiter. The one time I did they tried to send me to a whole lot of interviews for jobs that were NOT in my field of expertise.

So just over half of them were one way or the other via people who I knew, and most of the rest, ads in the technical press.

Cheers

Greg Locock

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

1.) Don't dress up means no tie. Does not mean Jeans. I vote with MadMango - Go with Kakis and a good shirt.
2.) look at a technical temp agency. Usually after 6 months, employers can hire you full time directly. It is a good way to try out someone out. No wrongful termination problems. If they don't work out it is easy to replace them and by the time the six months are up you  have a pretty good idea if they will work out. The plus for you is that A.) you are working at your trade. B.0 if this gig doesn't work out, you are in the field making contacts. You have no comitments to your temporary job if a good offer does come along. The down side is the pay is generally not great and benifits are minimal, but it beats unemployment.

Good Luck

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

2
I usually make it a priority to visit technical conferences, often at my own expense.  This is where I network with my peers.  I also try to avoid afterhours "throat washing" at these events unless I am not imbibing.  This is where you may hear some scuttlebutt that may not otherwise come out.  Be careful and avoid paying attention to any bravado, the loudest ones are frequently the ones with the least influence or credibility.
Lastly, when at these events, it depends on who you "hang out with".  If you gather with the floor sweepers and are noticed by the upper echelon, they will see you as a floor sweeper.  If you gather with your equal or superior peer level, your potential future employer may see you as their equal even if you are not.
When you get to the point of them coming to you, when you enter a conference hall and they recognize you by your first name, or they call you to see if you are "interested", you have succeeded and will never have to look for a job again, no matter what the economy is.
Dont expect to reach this recognition overnight, unless you hold million dollar patents, but if you did, you wouldn't have written this post!
Good Luck!
Franz

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

As you are now a consultant, print business cards.

John

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

I did contract engineering for eight years (just recently decided to take a direct position again) and I always had good success finding contract work thru C.E. Weekly (www.ceweekly.com).  If you are willing to seek contract work for now, I recommend that site.  In fact, even though I am now a direct employee, I intend to always keep my electronic subscription (<$30/year).

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

debodine is giving good advice.  I am also in a direct position (two years and counting) after ten years of contract employment, and I too continue my subscription with CE Weekly.  I use it more for general agency information than specific jobs, and it is a valuable resource.
  You can often command a higher rate, and depending on the agency, the benifits can be quite good.  Of course, there is little security in temporary placements, but as was mentioned above, they can often lead to an offer of direct employment.
  Good luck and hang in there!

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

Answer to question 1: Always dress-up (tie not necessary)!

Let me explain...  You are not sure how to dress?  You CAN'T go wrong by NOT wearing jeans!  This answer goes to everybody who asks HOW to dress for an interview!!!  I am sure that everybody has a nice pair of black pants, and say gray or blue shirt...  You CAN'T go wrong with that.  

Answer to question 2:  File for unemployment!

You are not sure how long this job hunt may take, or if you'll like the potential new employer, or whatever else the reason may be.  At least you will have some kind of income.

Good luck!

Coka

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

1) Like Coka said, file for unemployment.

2) Take a long vacation if you can afford it.  You won't have many opportunities to do this.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

In addition to your job search:

1. File for the unemployment.

2. Cut your expenses as much as you possibly can.

3. Get up the same time every morning and get dressed as if you are going to work- you don't want to fall into a rut.

4. Find something to keep you busy all day, whether it is computer projects, working around the house, reading some new books (especially in your field) and so on, just to keep your mind sharp.

5. If you have to take a part time job you might want to wait until your unemployment runs out. In my case the part time job paid less than the unemployment.

Good luck. I know how you feel.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

Recruiters are generally useless, but since they don't cost you anything you have nothing to lose.  Even if they say "don't dress up" I would still consider well pressed khaki's, shirt and tie and sport coat as the minimum.  Their job is to sell you to their clients.  Your job is to sell yourself to them as someone worth selling.  First impressions count.

Call the job-shop agencies.

Call the vendors that you dealt with in your last job.  They know which companies are busy and which are not.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

I see some good advice.  Wear a tie for an interview.
Contact the job shops (contract agencies).  CE Weekly is not what it once was but it may help you to find the agencies.  Try the Yellow Pages and want adds too.  Do not limit your search to local opportunities.  There are always some international assignments if you can be away from home for 12-weeks at a time.  If single, consider taking an international deal, sell everything and get clear of your home expenses.  Consider starting a temporary career now selling insurance on a commission only basis.  You can get a license with a couple of weeks study.  You have no income until you sell something; thus unemployement insurance payments continue.

John

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

Hear hear!  ALL of this advice is excellent, looks like it came from a bunch of seasoned pro's.

My $0.02 worth:
(1) delete any negative feelings about getting laid off and move on...it just serves no purpose whatsoever in the long run
(2) attend professional engineering society meetings like ASME, SME, IEEE, IIE, SPE, whatever you can find in your area.  It's a great networking opportunity, especially if you volunteer to be on a committee or something.  Besides contacts, it looks good on your resume.
(3)  Don't discount the possibility of "DaveInIndy, Inc." as a valid source of income.  When I was laid off and couldn't even BUY a job during the depths of the recession, I made a living freelancing.  It took darn hard work beating the bushes, getting through the rejection of the 30 or 40 calls in order  to get the one call that paid the bills, and cutting my expenses to the bone...just in case.  But it worked.
(4) For my current salaried position, I arrived at the interview on a hot, sultry, sweaty Southern day wearing a suit & tie.  The boss apologized and said he should have told me a suit wasn't required.  I replied "One can't go wrong with a suit."  He agreed and I got the job.  The moral:  being overdressed can be forgiven, but not being underdressed.

TygerDawg

RE: What to do now? Lost job.



<SARCASM> 1. Learn Mandarin, study Han culture.  2. Apply as field liaison in China for any number of Sino-based manufacturers officed in the USA.  3. Make big $$$ based on scaricty of skillset.  </SARCASM>



RE: What to do now? Lost job.

Actually, I was going to suggest rhodie's course of action,but without the sarcasim.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

Being laid off or fired may seem a bit overwhelming at times, but it can also prove to be the sort of action someone needs to jump start their career.  People tend to become complacent in their jobs, becoming confortable concerning what is expected of them, and having a nice comfort zone around them for what they know.

A lay-off can force one to reconsider their careers, maybe even their field.  Down play the negatives and look at all the positives.

- You have time to prioritize your life and career, seeing what truely matters and what makes you truely happy.
- You have the opprtunity to apply your knowledge and skills in new directions, if you desire.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

1) Wear the tie, it won't kill you, might help you. Wear the tie!

2) I am suprised that given this is a internet news group no one mentioned, Surf the net! Start with Monster.com and move on from there. The ways I have received job offers include: One from an ad in a trade mag, two or three from internet ads at places like monster.com, a couple from internet ads at engineering newsgroups like this, one from the newspaper, three from head hunters, and one from referals from friends in industry. I have only held three jobs in my career, but I have had lots of offers....

3)As was mentioned before, your new job is looking for a job. Don't come in late, and don't slack at your new job or you will be fired.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
I had a long response typed up, but when I submited it, I got the ol' "page can not be displayed"... and lost it.
Anyway,
I'm wearing dress pants and shirt and tie to any interview
I'm making business cards
Have wife and daughter, and like it here. Would prefer local job.
I'm treating job-hunting as full-time job.
Have called a couple of our vendors, and they "are putting the feelers out"
Getting ready to make a few more calls.
Thanks for all the advice, and keep it coming. I'm sure others can use it!
Maybe we should make a FAQ on steps to take when looking for work.
Also, a tip... right click, select all, copy, before hitting submit post...

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
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.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
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.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
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?

RE: What to do now? Lost job.


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.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
Good points.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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.  

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
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.

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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

Good luck finding a job you love!

Brian
www.mcabeeconstruction.com

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

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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!

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

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

RE: What to do now? Lost job.

(OP)
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!

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