What advice would you give?

[Marc]

This isn't really the focus of this forum, but all in all I think it's the appropriate place to post this. While the forum is mainly for people seeking work (as opposed to discussions), I decided it would be appropriate to discuss this in this forum.

I received this email:

Originally Posted by Email

> Hello Marc,
> In the past 6 to 8 years I have been working for small medical device
> manufacturers and contract manufacturers...I am again..(over 5 losses in the
> past 8 years) unemployed. As a single career mother of two I cannot take it
> much longer. I am presently in Ohio ...as you know very limited for folks
> like me for opportunities. I am looking to move to New Jersey...more active
> in medical device, combination, and pharma...bigger companies etc....
> I am having a hard time...with the state of the world not surprising but...I
> was hoping that I could make more contacts here in this regard...ie my search
> efforts...Can't seem to link people with location...I have a word doc resume,
> cover letter, and references and have been sending them using boards like
> career builder, medzilla, and many others....no luck...one interview- in
> person that is --in New jersey since August.....I am loosing faith and
> hope....Getting very hard to get up every day and keep looking and not getting
> calls....I put in to mid to large size companies...due to my fear of small
> company lack of quality dedication...can you offer me any words of wisdom to
> help me ?...I appreciate your time...
> PS...I can send you any of my docs if you like...

What would your advice be? What would you do? How do you keep your spirits up? Does anyone know of support groups for people like this who are having trouble finding employment?

By the way - I'm obviously posting this to keep the person who wrote it anonymous, however if any of you would like to communicate with this lady you can PM me or contact me through the forum.

[Randy]

I'm not joking around with this one.

USAF..........it's an option and it's family oriented (at least more than the other options), includes medical coverage and housing for dependants

[GStough]

Is this person on LinkedIn? It seems to be a good place to network with all kinds of people and companies, and there is a job search function, as well.

As for support groups, does she belong to any kind of professional society (ASQ, ASME, RAPS, etc.)? Local section/chapter meetings may offer some support to a degree. Or maybe her church/synagogue/temple, etc.? These are some of the things that come to mind easily.

I wish her the best of luck in finding a good job to support her and her family.

[Jennifer Kirley]

With conditions being what they are, it's seriously hard to know if there's a problem with her methods or what. When I was on the street I found it helpful to attend Unemployed Professional meetings through the Unemployment Office. But she needs the boost from the group less than she needs to be at work again.

I don't know how old she is or if she can get the support from family, but Randy's suggestion is a good one. In cases like this one I'd start wondering if I was meant to get on another track.

Please send her my best wishes and tell her to think outside the box.

[Coury Ferguson]

One piece of advice: Looking for a Job is a Full-time Job.

The day-to-day routines should not change. Getting up at the same time everyday, just as if she was going to work, should be the driving force. Currently the job market is kinda bare. She needs to focus on networking, to include any Suppliers that she has dealt with, in her career. Contact friends and associates, and have them help her network.

It may take some sacrifice, but she may want to consider looking at the smaller companies. Then continue her job search. It is easier to find a job when you have a job.

Be prepared for a long time seeking. It can take up to a year or more, or even could happen during an interview.

Contact Recruiters, and Temporary Agencies. They can help a lot for the most part. She may even have to look at a different career, outside of Quality and the Medical Device arena.

It is not easy work to find a job, it needs dedication, effort, and perseverance. It won't happen overnight.

Just my humble opinion.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Coury Ferguson

It may take some sacrifice, but she may want to consider looking at the smaller companies.

That's what I was thinking. Or even considering other fields. My lady friend's husband died about 5 years ago and she hadn't worked in about 25 to 30 years. She took a low paying job as a medical receptionist and since then has worked her way up a bit into billing and financial aspects of a large practice (she's in her mid-50's and I call he 'grandma' when I want to tease her {she doesn't have any grand kids yet}). And I won't discount Randy's USAF idea. I might consider the Navy, too, but personally the Marines and Army are No-Nos to me.

[GStough]

Originally Posted by Marc

And I won't discount Randy's USAF idea.

I wouldn't discount it, either, but the last time I checked they had age restrictions. When I was younger and was a single mom of a barely toddling child, this was something I considered briefly. However, the age limit at the time was lower than it is now (I think) and I was a little over the limit. So I ended up going into a completely different direction from my previous experience (which was Quality Assurance), and I've been in quality ever since.

[Sidney Vianna]

I believe that even non-ASQ members can access their career center at http://careers.asq.org/search.cfm Besides searching for jobs, if I am not mistaken, they can post their resume, as well. The current jobs in OH are listed @ http://careers.asq.org/search/result...s=0&sec=browse

By State/Province

Alabama (10) Kansas (8) New Jersey (38) Vermont (2) Alaska (4) Kentucky (4) New Mexico (2) Virginia (31) Arizona (17) Louisiana (10) New York (33) Washington (41) California (123) Maine (1) North Carolina (17) Wisconsin (26) Colorado (18) Maryland (28) Ohio (29) Wyoming (2) Connecticut (10) Massachusetts (24) Oklahoma (4) Nationwide (79) D.C. (6) Michigan (17) Oregon (16) Delaware (4) Minnesota (22) Pennsylvania (38) Canadian Provinces: Florida (40) Mississippi (3) Rhode Island (4) Alberta (2) Georgia (14) Missouri (20) South Carolina (16) British Columbia (1) Idaho (1) Montana (2) South Dakota (1) Manitoba (1) Illinois (29) Nebraska (3) Tennessee (11) Ontario (1) Indiana (21) Nevada (4) Texas (58) Iowa (6) New Hampshire (3) Utah (8)

Best of luck, in these difficult times.