Hi Covers,

I replied to the thread Would you leave the Quality Assurance profession given the option? with the following reply:
"In a minute!!! I found myself in this field after a divorce 24 years ago and, as manufacturing is one of very few job markets in this area, I'm still here! I would love to tele-commute in the areas of education, software support or copy editing/proofreading. If anyone knows how to enter this market - please let me know."

Wes suggested the following:

We HAVE discussed this concept in a peripheral manner in some other threads, but I believe it would be a GREAT topic for a new thread in the Occupation Discussions Forum. Please start a new thread there and, if possible, explain why telecommuting might be more amenable than relocation to a more vibrant job market.

I'll offer some personal reasons and let others comment as to their feelings on this topic.
1. I'm rather firmly rooted in my hometown and the only sibling here to keep on eye on my 86-year-old father.
2. Because the change would be an entirely new field for me, I wouldn't expect to earn enough money for relocation.
3. Telecommuting, on a part-time basis could easily be done after "retirement" and would allow me to visit my sons and granddaughter in CA more often.

So if anyone is familiar with how to acquire a job my areas of interest, please let me know. I've joined a few networking groups and job sites but any ideas would be appreciated.

Sue

One of the keys to a successful job change is to focus on what value you can bring to the employer. Regardless of how altruistic an employer may present himself, the truth is an employer needs to hire folks who add value to his company.

In one of our "classic" job threads
Thinking about a New Job for New Year? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=19619)
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=10169)
The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=19094)
Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=9325)
we discuss creating a grid of the candidate's skills, desires, dislikes, etc. and then researching the areas, companies, etc. which have the most points of convergence with that grid and concentrating the job hunting effort on those targets.

Ultimately, the hiring officer will hire the candidate who has the best answer to the implicit question, "What's in it for me [and my company] if we hire you?"

When changing industries or career paths, it is important to concentrate more on the transferrable skills than on the experience by showing how the skill gained in one industry will have value in the new industry. Many folks err in devaluing the skills they have gained over years and feeling they MUST start over again as rank beginners in the new industry.

Sue and others similarly situated have an advantage in they are still employed, and that steady paycheck gives them the "working room" to really do intensive research BEFORE sending out the first cover letter and resume.

I encountered an unforseen roadblock when applying to one company that utilizes home-based employees. Twice I applied to Alpine Access (a call center outsourcer) and received the following reply in part: "Currently, we are not hiring new agents from the state in which you reside. We will maintain your application on file, and will communicate to you any changes to our hiring so that you will be informed on when jobs are available to you."

I asked a Yahoo networking group, "Can anyone explain why one's state of residence has anything to do with an online position?" and received the following replies: "...some states have legislation that makes doing business as we do with agents at home much easier than other states. I assume Alpine has the same issues we do, and that Pennsylvania is one of the states in which hiring agents to work from home is prohibitive." And "It may have to do with filing payroll taxes."

Yet another glitch is that many companies have an online resume form which doesn't allow modifications that would enable you to disclose your transferable skills. :(

Sue

I encountered an unforseen roadblock when applying to one company that utilizes home-based employees. Twice I applied to Alpine Access (a call center outsourcer) and received the following reply in part: "Currently, we are not hiring new agents from the state in which you reside. We will maintain your application on file, and will communicate to you any changes to our hiring so that you will be informed on when jobs are available to you."

I asked a Yahoo networking group, "Can anyone explain why one's state of residence has anything to do with an online position?" and received the following replies: "...some states have legislation that makes doing business as we do with agents at home much easier than other states. I assume Alpine has the same issues we do, and that Pennsylvania is one of the states in which hiring agents to work from home is prohibitive." And "It may have to do with filing payroll taxes."

Yet another glitch is that many companies have an online resume form which doesn't allow modifications that would enable you to disclose your transferable skills. :(

SueWhy not go to the the horse's mouth [your state agency having to do with employment] as part of your research to find out exactly what the situation is? Some jobs like proofreading can be handled to work around state statutes which give out of state employers the heebie jeebies. One individual I am aware of has an S corporation to contract with out of state employers, thus avoiding the employer/employee red tape.

I can't stress enough the importance of researching the employers and THEIR needs and idiosyncrasies in the job hunt. They are the customers for your services and we Quality folk emphasize "meeting customer requirements" (overt and/or implied.)