TECHNET Archives

July 2009

TechNet@IPC.ORG

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
John Goulet <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask]
Date:
Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:18:35 +0000
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (148 lines)
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate all the tips and will use them. 
----- Original Message -----
From: "LOA ALLEN" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:33:32 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: I just joined the ranks of the unemployed...

To add to Richard's & Lee's thoughts, here is another 2 cents . . . it happened to me during the dot-com bust a few years back & who knows when it will happen again.

10. Don't forget that you will not hear back on each application/resume submitted.  Most will let you know they received it but maybe 10% will actually talk to you.  If the job is still posted next week, apply again next week.  Also remember that each interview will not lead to an offer.  In fact, use each interview as training for the next.

11.  Maintain a daily routine like you did when working.  As Steve mentioned earlier, your current job is finding a new job.

12. If you are sending a resume, tailor it to the job posting.  Don't lie, just use the same verbiage - it will make it easier for the person doing the screening.  Maintain a file with your different resumes so when the company does call you will know how to talk to them.

13.  Follow up on each interview. Contact them in the next day or two & let them know you appreciated their time & inquire if they've made a decision on filling the position.

Can't stress number 9 STAY POSITIVE enough - depression, lack of confidence, & anger comes across in the eventual interview process.


-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lee Whiteman
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:49 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: I just joined the ranks of the unemployed...

Adding to Richard's excellent thoughts, having gone through this 3 times in 4 years (yes it got tired), my 2 cents worth include:

7. If possible, get a professional certification in a chosen field. My PMP helped me get my current and previous positions. I was debating on getting IT / ASQ certifications while I was out.

Remember, just as the IPC Certification, if you have a clearance, it follows you where you go (portable). I doubt that you can get a clearance without an actual need but it's worth a shot.

8. Stay busy. Instead of fishing, I did photography.

9. Most important - STAY POSITIVE.

Good Luck and Godspeed.

Lee Whiteman, PMP
Senior Member Engineering Staff
L-3 Communications East
Telephone: (856) 338-3508
FAX: (856) 338-2906
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
 

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stadem, Richard D.
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:36 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: I just joined the ranks of the unemployed...

John,
I am truly sorry to hear this news. Indeed, the bleeding does go on. While there are signs the economy is improving, I do not have a lot of faith in that anymore, what with who controls the current Congress.

Here are some tips for you and Steve and others like us who may find we no longer have a place to go every day. These are survival tips, but often turn out to be significant improvements.

1. Contact all of the electronics manufacturing companies in your area, and advertise your services as a contract engineer with a small flyer. Perhaps your skills can be put to use temporarily to install and qualify a piece of equipment or a particular manufacturing process and train the operators/technicians to operate it. Perhaps a company is looking for someone to help out temporarily with process documentation or assembly instruction sheets. CAD/Drafting always seems to be a skill a company can use help with, at least temporarily. Many companies (especially struggling companies looking to cut or avoid additional costs) are often attracted by an employee that they can put on their payroll on an as-needed basis without having to pay benefits, vacation, unemployment insurance, etc.

2.If you are an IPC-certified trainer for soldering or rework, advertise yourself to companies that may be seeking training and IPC certification of their operators.
Remember, your IPC certification follows you wherever you go, it does NOT belong to your former employer, even if that company paid for it.

3. Consider starting a small business doing prototyping. I did this and it turned into a full time business manufacturing cables, circuit boards, providing engineering services such as design, documentation, etc. Caution! If you declare a business, any unemployment or retirement benefits you may be eligible for could be disqualified.

4. If you are skilled with tools, and I find most manufacturing engineers are, consider becoming a contract tool and die maker. There never seems to be a lack of work for these people.

5. Take advantage of your unemployment status to take classes towards an additional or different degree at your local community colleges. It will extend your unemployment benefits period in many states, and the local colleges all seem to have either free tuition or 1/2 price tuition for unemployed students.

6. Improve your fishing skills. This opportunity may never arise again.



-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Goulet
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:37 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] NTC: I just joined the ranks of the unemployed...

I returned from vacation and this past Monday and was laid off.

My wife has been laid off for a long time as well which OK since she worked her whole life.

Over the years we lived within our means and paid off the house ten years ago so we are in pretty good shape.

My wife is really stressed out even though I can collect for a long time and then I can draw on any one of several pension plans.

I like manufacturing engineering so it is tough to consider what to do. Successfully getting new technologies and new products through the prototype and production stages gives you a sense of accomplishment and helping our customers succeed is rewarding.




 

To be positive I can get to all those home projects done. I'm sure everyone has those and never has the time to complete when your working.

John Goulet

Process/MFG Eng

 Atkinson, NH


----- Original Message -----
From: "stephengregory5849" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2009 8:00:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [TN] NTC: I just joined the ranks of the unemployed...

Well, the recession has finally hit home to me personally, I got a call today while I was home on vacation visiting my family in North Carolina that I've been laid-off. Was told that it was strictly an economic thing, there's just no work. Wasn't really expecting it, but not totally suprised by it. Was wondering when I was going to have to lose some skin in this game, now I know...

I'm kind of numb now. But my mind is racing 100-mph trying to think of what I'm going to do. I've already been on the web for a couple of hours looking to see what's out there. Sure not much going on in Oklahoma.

I'll still be on the TechNet, my web page is still available for posting pictures, so everybody can still continue to send me their photos.

Now my job will be to find a job. Wish me luck.

Steve

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------

ATOM RSS1 RSS2