As some of you know already, my contract with my current employer is ending as of March 31st. So I have been hitting the streets and have an interview this afternoon at 2:00 EST with a small (250 employees) metal working shop, for a Quality Manager position.

Just thought I would let you know and solicite your thoughts, prayers, etc.

As the sole bread winner in my home, with a 16 year old son that eats like a horse, and a 25 year old son that is unable to work due to medical problems, it's times like these where I begin to feel the pressure.

An important fact that I have gathered from my years worth of experience here on the Cove, is that the people that frequent this forum are not only a source of great info, but are a fountain of support as well, and for that I thank you.
:thanks:

Good Luck to you

Wishing you the best of luck, Dave. Don't press too hard. From what I've experienced of you here, you should be an "easy sell" to any organization. :thedeal:

Bill

Good luck, Dave. They will be lucky to have you!

I have another friend interviewing today, so I'll add you to the prayer list.

God bless,

Sue

Good luck Dave :agree1:

/Claes

Dave,
Sent a prayer your way

Me advising you on interviewing may be like me advising Einstein on relativity, but I will anyway. Relax if possible (square breathing), be positive, do not act or sound desperate, lightly brush-up if you can or need to on some metalworking terms or processes, visit the company's web site if they have one (can sometimes get nuggets of good info there), and if you are really nervous have someone role-play interviewer with you. Good luck, and a prayer went your way!

Good Luck, Dave.

Best of luck Dave. I will add your search to my prayer list. I have a feeling you won't have to look for long.

Dave

You are in my prayers today!

Carol

Wish you all the best, Dave!

As some of you know already, my contract with my current employer is ending as of March 31st. So I have been hitting the streets and have an interview this afternoon at 2:00 EST with a small (250 employees) metal working shop, for a Quality Manager position.

Just thought I would let you know and solicite your thoughts, prayers, etc.

As the sole bread winner in my home, with a 16 year old son that eats like a horse, and a 25 year old son that is unable to work due to medical problems, it's times like these where I begin to feel the pressure.

An important fact that I have gathered from my years worth of experience here on the Cove, is that the people that frequent this forum are not only a source of great info, but are a fountain of support as well, and for that I thank you. :thanks:Good luck!
I am sure you know the most important question in the reviewer's mind will be, "What can this guy do for me and my organization?"

The second most important question will be, "Can he fit in with the rest of us?"

The most important question in your mind will probably be,
"Can I fit in and be comfortable here?"

Remember you have a great support staff here at the Cove! We'll all be rooting for you.

Dave,
your experience and dedication speaks volumes. Good luck, knock'em dead.

Dave,
The interview will go just fine, I believe this shall be a formality to you.
Your reputation and in-put at the Cove alone has gained you a position of knowledge (Wisdom) respect and maturity that draws me to your very valuable in-puts at the Cove. I have indeed learned much from your posts at the Cove.
I percieve you are a man of Faith, so lean on your faith when your sustenance is needed for you and your family, I'm sure you've given much, so be prepared to receive what is due to you.
Wallace.

All the best, Dave! I'm rooting for you! You have a lot of references here if you need some! :agree1:

You have a lot of references here if you need some!
Indeed. Like most of the Cove dwellers. :agree1:

/Claes

So how did the interview go? Did I miss that posting? I would like details!!!

So how did the interview go? Did I miss that posting? I would like details!!!

The interview went well. As of yesterday, I now have a second interview with the same company scheduled for April 1st (just hope that when I get there they don't shout "April Fools" :lol: )

Thanks for the interest, and I will keep you posted. Your encouragement helped a lot.
:thanks:

Best of Luck Dave. . .and I empathize totally. . . I have a daughter graduating HS in May. . . and she's been accepted at too many expensive colleges. . .

My prayers are with you. . .

On our local radio station this morning they asked people to call in with interesting interview stories. One female caller had interviewed with a female and it went well. That weekend she went on a date that had been arranged by a friend. She then showed up to her second interview only to find out that her "date" had been with the female interviewer's husband! She said it was uncomfortable but the second interview went well. She declined their request for a third interview!

See how complicated the interview process COULD be???

Had the second interview on Thursday and felt that it went well. I was told that there were two others that were also to be interviewed the second time, and then they should make a decision within a week or two.

So far I was the first to be interviewed in both the first and second rounds, and I'm hoping that I set the bar hight enough.

Will keep you all posted.

Had the second interview on Thursday and felt that it went well. I was told that there were two others that were also to be interviewed the second time, and then they should make a decision within a week or two.

So far I was the first to be interviewed in both the first and second rounds, and I'm hoping that I set the bar hight enough.

Will keep you all posted.Be sure to let us know how it turns out. We're pulling for you.

Good Luck Dave. I hope it all goes well. They should read your posts then they'd know you were the right man for the job.

Greg B

Yeah. Good luck Dave... We know you're great :agree1: They will hopefully find out.

/Claes

Dave,
If you're using the Cove as a living example of your capabilities, it'll be a breeze.
Wallace.

Out of the blue I got a call from a headhunter on Friday last week who asked if I would consider interviewing for a position managing EHS for a major manufacturer here in Ft Smith and to serve as the corporate EHS director dude. Apparently an old resume of mine popped up somewhere and drew some interest. The company makes stuff for a who's - who in the food industry and of course Wal-Mart.

I had a 30 minute phone interview this morning with the President and at 2:30 tomorrow I'll be sitting fat, dumb and happy in front of the brass.

I'm going to need to baffle them with BS because I sure won't dazzle them with brilliance....lots of air quality issues where I am kinda weak.

This is wierd......

I'm going to need to baffle them with BS because I sure won't dazzle them with brilliance....lots of air quality issues where I am kinda weak....Um... Being exceedingly modest today, are we? :) That's a Randy I haven't seen before. You don't need to baffle anyone, mate. Get in there and dazzle them instead. They contacted you, remember?

Hey: Good luck :agree:

/Claes

I'm going to need to baffle them with BS because I sure won't dazzle them with brilliance....lots of air quality issues where I am kinda weak.

This is wierd......

Randy,

You may be "kinda weak" in air quality issues today, but I would almost bet that within a couple of months you'll be a near expert in it. We've witnessed you're passion for doing things right and I have no doubt that you will be hitting the books (in fact you probably have already started) and gathering all the info that you can as quickly as you can, to ensure that you do it right.

You have no need to baffle them, blind them with you brilliance instead.

:agree1:

Good luck Randy! You will do fine. Just don't take your canary in and introduce him as the newest in air quality technology.:lmao:

David, also for you, hoping that good things are around the corner!

Hey, good luck Randy! I was surprised that you would consider a stay put job - we discussed the pros and cons when we had dinner. Or, since it's corporate, would you still do some traveling and have a "homebase"?

This means you won't routinely travel to the Detroit area anymore :( , bummer for us!

Dave - I'm on the edge of my seat! Did they give you a time frame that they would contact you within? I know it's only been a week, but I'm impatient.

If the corporate piece falls into play I'll be looking at Kansas City; Columbia, SC; Nashville and of course Ft Smith on a regular basis.....at the least Ft Smith with 550,000 sq ft and 600 employees.

This is one of those opportunities you can't pass up.

I spent a good deal of last night and this morning refreshing my memory on EPCRA (SARA III), CERCLA, CAA, HAZWOPER, CWA, RCRA, Form A, Form R, TIER I & II reports, you know all that neat EPA & OSHA stuff.

Just a quick note to both you guys. Be yourselves, you both bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to the table. You should have no problems.
My thoughts and prayers will be with both of you.
Randy, I trust you will still be visiting us next week.

Yep, flying in Monday and leaving Thursday night...I'll be at the Hilton

Well guys, here's the deal...

I am the new Environmental, Health & Safety Manager for Air Systems Division, Qualserv Corporation (www,qualserv.com). I've jumped into the deep end and frying pan at the same time!! They met my minimum number with an additional 10% plus and I couldn't turn it down.

I don't know how this is going to effect my involvement with management systems, but my intent is to manage "my" portion of the operation along the lines of 9, 14 & 18K.

That's the news......I'm no longer a road warrior!

Randy
Well done........Cheers :applause:

:agree1: :applause:
Congratulations Randy and Good Luck!

Bill

Randy, Congrats!!

Way to go, Randy! Good for you.

Sue

They picked the right person for the job. Congratulations!!!!!

What a great way to end the week! Congrats, Randy!

Congratulations Randy, and good luck to you! :applause:

Ditto here. Of course now you'll probably be too busy to stop by much.

That's the news......I'm no longer a road warrior!All right! :applause: There you are... What did we tell you?

Congratulations and good luck mate...:agree: Ok now, let's hear it: What did you dazzle them with? A shining smile, bright lights or pure competence?

/Claes

Okay, Marc, where's the "green with envy" smiley?

Way to go Randy! Good luck to you and your family!

Good for you Randy, wish you all the best in your new job. You will make a difference for the best. :agree1:

Okay, Marc, where's the "green with envy" smiley?
I'll have to look for one for next time!

Congrats and good luck. :applause:

...and then they should make a decision within a week or two.David what about you? Any news yet? (Turning blue here from holding my breath :eek: ). Good luck once more...

/Claes

Well guys, here's the deal...

I am the new Environmental, Health & Safety Manager for Air Systems Division, Qualserv Corporation (www,qualserv.com). I've jumped into the deep end and frying pan at the same time!! They met my minimum number with an additional 10% plus and I couldn't turn it down.

I don't know how this is going to effect my involvement with management systems, but my intent is to manage "my" portion of the operation along the lines of 9, 14 & 18K.

That's the news......I'm no longer a road warrior!

Randy, best of luck to you over there.
Pretty big place the one in Ft. Smith http://www.qualservcorp.com/images/divisions/airsysbldg.jpg

PS the url is www.qualservcorp.com

Way to go Randy! So, you're changing jobs from air traffic controller to fire fighter? I'm sure it'll be nice to wake up in the morning not having to remember where you are for a change. :D

Well guys, here's the deal...
That's the news......I'm no longer a road warrior!:applause: Let me add my congratulations. A victory for you is a victory for all of us here in the Cove. It validates our convictions that you are a sharp, knowledgeable guy!

Randy, best of luck to you over there.
Pretty big place the one in Ft. Smith http://www.qualservcorp.com/images/divisions/airsysbldg.jpg

PS the url is www.qualservcorp.com (http://www.qualservcorp.com)Will you get one of those "ISO 14000 environmentally correct" scooters to transform your "management by walking around" technique into "management while rolling around?"

Let me tell ya'll ,I really don't know what the final things was that made this happen. The recruiter said that among other things they like the fact that I did not claim to know everything and that I was capable of bruising my butt from falling down on it.

B/T/W utilizing some of the same facility is a company called Federal Coach which manufactures a majority of the stretch limo's here in the US and for export. Neat stuff there!

Congratulations Randy!

They sure made a good choice.

David what about you? Any news yet? (Turning blue here from holding my breath ). Good luck once more...

Thanks, Claes. I too am still waiting. Just spoke to the HR Manager who appologized for the process taking so long, but told me that the powers that be have not made a decision yet.

This wouldn't concern me so, but this is THE job that I would love to have.

Your no longer a road warrior Randy but, your still a warrior.
Your great news has given me a good start to the weekend.
You're the G.
Wallace.

Well Done RANDY. I pity the first Registrar that comes along and tries to give you a hard time. Having been on both sides of the fence should give you a pretty good advantage.

Dave, Good luck. After I interviewed for my present position it took 8 weeks for them to get back to me. After I got the job it was the first process I audited to make sure noone else had to wait in the dark.

Stew, How is the NEW job going?

I have been thinking of going on the road myself as there is not a 9001 trainer for at least 600 Klms in any direction from my central coast Queensland Town (Rockhamtpon). We have the Large Australian Coal fields (about 20 mines 3 hours west) 3 Aluminium Smelters (1 hour South), 2 large international Ports (Coal, Sugar,BeefCotton, Wheat and Sorgum etc - 3 hours North and 1 Hour South). There are also a number of Power Stations and other international business'. They are all 9K certified and have to fly to Brisbane (600 Klms minimum) to do courses plus pay for accomodation and local transport. I think I could save them a bundle ($$) on CI Training, Process Mapping etc I would need to get an internal auditors course accredited and become a training provider (the major cost is the licensing and buying the standard course). A lot of business' I have interviewed have a distinct lack of Internal Auditors or only one and are a long way behind in their audits so would like to have contract auditors.
It will probably stay a dream as my wife likes having me at home.

Greg B

Congratulations!
Now you are just a poor working stiff like the rest of us?

Good job!

Congrats Randy. . . and best of luck Dave. . . I'm also waiting to hear if I beat out a couple of "younger" less expensive prototype QE's . . .

Tis the season. I will also be starting a new job in 2 weeks. After being passed by twice for promotions it was time to leave. I had an interview last Tuesday for a position which I figured would take a while to hear about but I was wrong. They called Tueday night and offered me the job!

Tis the season. I will also be starting a new job in 2 weeks. After being passed by twice for promotions it was time to leave. I had an interview last Tuesday for a position which I figured would take a while to hear about but I was wrong. They called Tueday night and offered me the job!Congratulations are in order for a long-time Cover!:applause: :applause: :agree1:

Congratulations are in order for a long-time Cover!Absolutley... Congratulations and good luck Aaron.:agree1:

/Claes

I started today....to say that I was overwhelmed with EHS issues would be an understatement :mg:

Great company though....they are going to challenge me.

I started today....to say that I was overwhelmed with EHS issues would be an understatement :mg:

Great company though....they are going to challenge me.Better the challenge than just "phoning it in" day after day. We're all pulling for you, Randy!

I started today....to say that I was overwhelmed with EHS issues would be an understatement :mg:

Great company though....they are going to challenge me.

Randy,

Are you thinking of getting a consultant in to help you? Or have you now gone to the dark side? :lmao:

Greg B

Are you thinking of getting a consultant in to help you?...

Greg, that was too funny!!

Aaron, a little birdie told me about your new job a few days ago. Congrats!!

I started today....to say that I was overwhelmed with EHS issues would be an understatement :mg:

Great company though....they are going to challenge me.
Randy,
I hate to say this, but I'm going to anyway;
"When the going gets tough , the tough get going"

Well there is good news and bad news to report about the job.

The good news is that I'm still employed.

The bad news is that and announcement is going out today naming me the Director for Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety :mg:

I'm looking for a ladder so I can safely crawl into the fire from the pan.

Randy,

KAPLAH!!!! (I know it's misspelled.....I don't have Klingon on my keyboard)

Congratulations!

Well there is good news and bad news to report about the job.

The good news is that I'm still employed.

The bad news is that and announcement is going out today naming me the Director for Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety :mg:

I'm looking for a ladder so I can safely crawl into the fire from the pan.

You're now just one step from attaining that top position of Chief Band-aid Applier and Tree-Hugger Extraordinnaire! Congrats! :applause:

Who needs a ladder? Slide, darlin'! Slide!

Well there is good news and bad news to report about the job.

The good news is that I'm still employed.

The bad news is that and announcement is going out today naming me the Director for Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety :mg:

I'm looking for a ladder so I can safely crawl into the fire from the pan.

Well done Randy. You may have to change your name to 'BUCK' because everything no stops with YOU. :lmao:

Greg B

The bad news is that and announcement is going out today naming me the Director for Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety :mg:


I hope, for you sanity, that the compensation package is adjusted accordingly.

More responsibilities, more ca$h in your pocket.

I hope, for you sanity, that the compensation package is adjusted accordingly.

More responsibilities, more ca$h in your pocket.


Yeah Sidney, that goes along with "I'll respect you in the morning" :lmao:

Well done Randy,,,,,,, :applause:

and good luck!

They sure made a good choice.



Thanks, Claes. I too am still waiting. Just spoke to the HR Manager who appologized for the process taking so long, but told me that the powers that be have not made a decision yet.

This wouldn't concern me so, but this is THE job that I would love to have.
I would also like to add my congrats to Randy and Aaron :cool: .
But back to the originator of this thread - Dave how is it going with you (unless I missed a post somewhere)?

I would also like to add my congrats to Randy and Aaron :cool: .
But back to the originator of this thread - Dave how is it going with you (unless I missed a post somewhere)?
I'll second that.

Congratulations, Randy.

Dave - we're keeping our fingers crossed for you!

But back to the originator of this thread - Dave how is it going with you (unless I missed a post somewhere)?

Regrettably, I did not get the job. The good news is that so far I have had a nice 4 month vacation with my wife and youngest son (I really have enjoyed this time with my family).

I am in the process of enrolling in some fall semester classes, working toward a degree - the lack of which appears to be my biggest stumbling block.

Randy and Aaron: Congratulations! My your journeys continue to be successful. :applause:

I am in the process of enrolling in some fall semester classes, working toward a degree


Courage my friend, as your Karma says you have much to be proud of........I'm certain you'll get your degree.....The best of luck :applause:

I am in the process of enrolling in some fall semester classes, working toward a degree - the lack of which appears to be my biggest stumbling block.

:applause:


Look at www.calcoast.edu

If your going to do the degree thing really think about what will make you a marketable comodity. One of the best all around degrees is a business degree. I was 47 when I got my BS and 53 when I got my MBA (this year). Once you have it nobody cares when you did it.

Regrettably, I did not get the job.

I am in the process of enrolling in some fall semester classes, working toward a degree - the lack of which appears to be my biggest stumbling block.

Not to worry Dave, you'll get something soon enough. We know how good you are:agree1: . Good luck with your studies.

/Claes

Dear Randy:

Nice to know that you can get a degree (MBA) when you are 53. Now, you are making me think. It has been a while since I got any degrees, certification, etc. And, for ddhartma, all of my best to you. I am sure something will come along soon. Just don't give up. Have a great week.

Charmed :)

Thanks...it hasn't ended with the MBA. Sweat thing is pushing me to be a "phud". Oh the pain!

I used to visit your 'burg quite a bit. My hangout was the Hilton there in Troy and I taught at the MSU Business School complex.

Well folks looking at some of the preceeding post I made here I may have jumped the gun a bit. After a great deal of soul searching and a whole bunch of "things" in my present situation here's the deal.....

Effective Dec 6th I will be on staff with BSI Americas as a Trainer/Assessor. My primary work will be in delivering the training products of BSI that I have been doing and of course the Auditing will happen too. I'll be doing 9K, 14K and 18K assessing with AS9100 on the horizon

I was set to be in place with my present employer for the duration and push my way through the obstacles that continually were put in front of me, but taking a line from thre "Godfather" I was made an offer I couldn't refuse while I was working in a situation I couldn't understand. Managing EHS compliance at the level I was, placed me on the radar screen of the regulatory agencies in 4 states and at the federal level, and in the absence of indemnity I couldn't continue to accept the risks associated with further association.

Committment cries out for action, I saw no action, and therefore no real committment towards program improvement. The old "lip-service vs real service" syndrome.

I was sought out by an organization that I had developed a working relationship with, talked it over with Judi and decided to make the move.

There it is..

How wonderfully "adult" of you to have the courage to consider you made a wrong career move and how brilliant you were to do something about it, rather than whine and mope about "bad breaks." You are definitely an inspiration to a lot of us. :applause:

Just remember I like to chat when you get back to Chicago on your peregrinations for BSI.

Good for you! So - does that mean you'll be giving the courses at MSU again?

More likely than not I'll be acquiring points at the Hilton in Troy again. Yes!

Hooray!!!

So just now reading this thread, does that mean that your old job is open?

Hmmm... I wonder if they are taking resumes?

Hmmm... Arkansas would be nice.......

How wonderfully "adult" of you to have the courage to consider you made a wrong career move and how brilliant you were to do something about it, rather than whine and mope about "bad breaks." You are definitely an inspiration to a lot of us. :applause:
.

I'm quite late to this thread, but what the hey...

No disrespect at all intended toward Randy, who is a very bright and talented guy, but it is very much easier to "do something about" a bad career situation when one is "made an offer I couldn't refuse". Sometimes it takes a little longer to get out of a mess, and sometimes there are such things as "bad breaks". Yes, you cannot give up and need to keep fighting to correct things, but let's not ignore that some folks here who are also quite talented may not get quite the break Randy got. JMO.

Well my "vacation" lasted 11 months, but has finally come to an end. I will be starting on 2/28 as the Quality Manager for a small plant (approximately 80 employees) manufacturing SMT-based control modules for electric motors (used in pumping stations, both water [residential wells] and gasoline [pumping gas from the underground tanks to the individual fuel pumps/stations]). This is a new position for this plant. And although the plant I will be working at is small, it is just a part of a world-wide organization, which has been number one in its field for years and appears to be quite stable.

My responsibities will include the development of a quality system, development of a supplier control and certification program, development of a workforce training and certification program, and coordinating process improvement initiatives (in my spare time). With all of these brands in the fire, I may be returning to the Cove quite often for your combined wisdom and advice.

Well my "vacation" lasted 11 months, but has finally come to an end. I will be starting on 2/28 as the Quality Manager for a small plant (approximately 80 employees) manufacturing SMT-based control modules for electric motors (used in pumping stations, both water [residential wells] and gasoline [pumping gas from the underground tanks to the individual fuel pumps/stations]). This is a new position for this plant. And although the plant I will be working at is small, it is just a part of a world-wide organization, which has been number one in its field for years and appears to be quite stable.

My responsibities will include the development of a quality system, development of a supplier control and certification program, development of a workforce training and certification program, and coordinating process improvement initiatives (in my spare time). With all of these brands in the fire, I may be returning to the Cove quite often for your combined wisdom and advice.
Congratulations on your new post! :applause: :applause: :applause: I wish all the best for you and am anxious to hear things are going well.

I'm quite late to this thread, but what the hey...

No disrespect at all intended toward Randy, who is a very bright and talented guy, but it is very much easier to "do something about" a bad career situation when one is "made an offer I couldn't refuse". Sometimes it takes a little longer to get out of a mess, and sometimes there are such things as "bad breaks". Yes, you cannot give up and need to keep fighting to correct things, but let's not ignore that some folks here who are also quite talented may not get quite the break Randy got. JMO.
Thank you for that.

Well my "vacation" lasted 11 months, but has finally come to an end. I will be starting on 2/28 as the Quality Manager for a small plant David! Congratulations... http://elsmar.com/Forums/images/smilies/appl.gif I'm really happy for you. http://elsmar.com/Forums/images/smilies/smile-a1.gifhttp://elsmar.com/Forums/images/smilies/thumbup1.gif

/Claes

Hey David Congratulationsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss :agree1: hope the best for you and am really happy for hearing these great news :applause:

David,

Good deal, and keep us updated. Sounds like a situation right up your alley and you have all of us backing you up!!! Jeeeeeeez, if you lived in Michigan you could hire me!!;)

Congratulations Dave and Good Luck!http://elsmar.com/Forums/images/smilies/appl.gif

David,

Give 'em h*ll (...and lots of added value). I know you'll be successful.

Craig

Allright, David!! That was great news to come in to on a Monday morning!! Congratulations!!

ddhartma,
This is good news.........great, well done........... :applause:

Congrates Mr.ddhartma,


I wish You All the Best ! ! ! :applause: :applause: :applause:


Regards,

Manoj Mathur

Best of luck to you, either way send me your resume if you are interested... I am a recruiter with Aerotek and always looking for good people with 13485.