SSS - Unemployed! [Archive] - HP Deals, Computer Coupons And Bargains

mechmike0034

09-06-2007, 08:48 AM

My former employer lost their supplier contract with one of the "Big 3" automakers, so I am out of a job after almost thirteen years with them.

I am networking furiously at this point. We'll see...

oblongmelon

09-06-2007, 08:51 AM

Good luck Mike..I hope you find something soon..at least you have experience under your belt.That should help.

Napoleon54

09-06-2007, 08:57 AM

SUXOR! Did you have any warning, is it immediate?

BTW, welcome to the club; make youself a nametag and have a cup of coffee. Don't take this the wrong way, but we hope you don't stay long.

Markel

09-06-2007, 09:12 AM

Hope things work out quickly for you, Mike.

Nija

09-06-2007, 09:45 AM

<.<
>.>

Wanna fix my car :P

Good Luck on the job hunt.

Maarchk

09-06-2007, 11:01 AM

Good luck buddy. I didn't know you worked with the car companies. You seem to have great IT experience and knowledge. you could always go that way in your time between jobs or turn that into a good career.

johnnymk

09-06-2007, 11:16 AM

I thought you worked for a new car dealer.

DarkFury

09-06-2007, 12:11 PM

Sorry to hear that MM34...

However with your knowledge and experience, I'm sure you won't be out of work long.

Hell, If I were you, I'd look into opening your own garage complete with competent mechanics. YOU'D MAKE A FORTUNE!!!!

chrissy

09-06-2007, 12:26 PM

Sorry to hear that!

GL on finding something new!

renovation

09-06-2007, 03:25 PM

good luck on a new adventure. im sure you turn up someplace good! are parents thought the auto industry was rock solid .and it was in there day .but today working for a hamburger joint is not even a sure thing tomorrow.:(

how things have changed over the last 10 years in employment .

ArkiStan

09-06-2007, 08:52 PM

Knowing how knowledgable you are in motor vehicles and more importantly what a truly helpful guy you are, I'm not worried for you at all. Just think of it as a short vacation.

mechmike0034

09-06-2007, 09:44 PM

Thanks, guys... Lets see what the next week or so brings...

mechmike0034

09-06-2007, 09:52 PM

Hell, If I were you, I'd look into opening your own garage complete with competent mechanics. YOU'D MAKE A FORTUNE!!!!

Competent techs (ones that give a damn) are tough to find.

I'm old and fat - I'd DIE if I tried to go back on the line - my back, knees and hips wouldn't take it for very long.

I'd love to find an established independent shop that needed a good coach / foreman / diagnostician / "minister of information" and that would pay me well enough so that I could afford to work there.

Maybe I'll just go drive a truck - who knows...

I wish my PC service hobby gig was established enough and profitable enough to live on.

chrissy

09-06-2007, 10:14 PM

What about a gig at a vocation school or Community college?

gwilks98

09-06-2007, 11:08 PM

You looking to move? I don't mean to insult, but we're looking for a junior networ admin position in St. Louis. Interested? PM me.

uncledaddy

09-06-2007, 11:10 PM

Competent techs (ones that give a damn) are tough to find.

Man you are so right about that. Sorry to hear but, from what I've read in your posts, I'm sure you'll fair well. Good luck.

mechmike0034

09-07-2007, 06:31 AM

What about a gig at a vocation school or Community college?

There are no local openings. My youngest just started his senior year in high school so I'd have to get a pretty sweet offer to move.

mechmike0034

09-07-2007, 06:41 AM

You looking to move? I don't mean to insult, but we're looking for a junior networ admin position in St. Louis. Interested? PM me.

That's great of you, but I can't move right now. I appreciate it.

I'd like to be in IT but I have no pedigree, certs nor formal education in it. I can fix and support Windows desktops and small (non-domain) networks without a problem, but I have no pieces of paper that state I can do so.

I'm also at a career and life stage where it is going to be real tough to start over again at or near the bottom of the ladder financially.

I'm not saying that to insult you or your offer, either. It would be a great opportunity if I was in a better position to explore it.

DarkFury

09-07-2007, 07:26 AM

Competent techs (ones that give a damn) are tough to find.

I'm old and fat - I'd DIE if I tried to go back on the line - my back, knees and hips wouldn't take it for very long.

I'd love to find an established independent shop that needed a good coach / foreman / diagnostician / "minister of information" and that would pay me well enough so that I could afford to work there.

Maybe I'll just go drive a truck - who knows...

I wish my PC service hobby gig was established enough and profitable enough to live on.

I hear what you are saying...

Knowing your passion for vehicles, I'm sure that some shop would be LUCKY to have your knowledge at their disposal.

Maybe something like this will turn up... because working in the field you love really can make work feel less like "work". :D

Cheesypuff

09-07-2007, 11:01 AM

ahhh yes...the life of the unemployed. not to discourage you, but i've been unemployed for around...er...2 months now. i've sent out resume after resume. no reply...sighsigh. i'm REALLY rolling hard on trying to work for google.

Daedalus

09-07-2007, 03:31 PM

Sorry to hear. How about dealership service manager? They make good scratch.

mechmike0034

09-08-2007, 09:03 AM

Sorry to hear. How about dealership service manager? They make good scratch.

Yes, they sometimes do.

A dealer Service Manager is a soccer ball.

The Dealer Principal, Manufacturer, Service Department employees and customers are all soccer players.

Get the picture?

Seriously, it can be a great job for those who thrive upon that type of environment...

yippiekiyeh

09-10-2007, 11:27 AM

Maarchk

09-11-2007, 11:35 AM

apply for things that sound fun even if you dont know what they are. Sometimes i would much rather hire a passionate person than a person who knows a little of what they are doing and doesn't care enough to learn.

most jobs teach you almost all you need to know because everyone does it their own way... Just show you have general skills and i think that can be enough.

ArkiStan

09-17-2007, 09:54 PM

any news mechmike?

guiseppewv

09-17-2007, 11:34 PM

MM - how is the search going? I don't know how I missed this thread before today. I am sure with your automotive knowledge that you should not have a problem finding a place of employment. I am going to check and see if we have any IT openings down your way.

beatbox32

09-18-2007, 09:41 AM

Best of luck in your search Mike!

mechmike0034

09-18-2007, 11:11 AM

A couple of nibbles, but nothing yet.

I hate the thought of cashing in a 401K but I may not have a choice.

I could go to Iraq or Afganistan for a year and supervise/teach military vehicle service on base, but I'm not sure that's the ticket. It pays very well, but the risks are high.

I'd love to work in IT, but I have no certs or verifiable experience. It has always been a hobby/side gig for me, so I doubt seriously anyone would hire me for an IT job.

Thanks for the concern, inquiries, and well-wishes. It means a lot!

JaQnAbOx

09-19-2007, 10:20 PM

just a suggestion, but you might look into a gov job that has their own fleet. The automotive guys at my job dont really do hands on repair, but they know whats wrong and what shop to send it. See if you notice government cars in your area that has fleets to manage

Agent Plissken

09-20-2007, 04:29 PM

Do I remember reading a post that you lived near me? I think you know where I work, do you think there is anything here you want to do? PM me...

Napoleon54

10-31-2007, 07:50 PM

Anything new mechmike? We're rootin' for ya.

kimchicowboy

10-31-2007, 08:40 PM

yeah, man. i hope things picked up!

mechmike0034

11-01-2007, 06:38 AM

Yeah, I start a new job Monday. It'll involve relo - it's 500 miles from here. I'm on a "trial basis" with the employer so I wasn't gonna say anything until I found out if it was gonna work out or not.

We'll see - I'm in the midst of a lot of change. This whole deal will be turning my life upside down.

Thanks for all the inquiries and happy thoughts - your support means a lot!

guiseppewv

11-01-2007, 12:03 PM

Congrats on the new job! Where is the relo to?

DarkFury

11-01-2007, 01:22 PM

500 miles... Northbound but south of the Ohio River? Hmmmm....

Are you in Kentucky or Tennessee? (or did you sneak into Indiana?)

mechmike0034

11-01-2007, 02:20 PM

Northern KY - metro Cincy...

DarkFury

11-01-2007, 08:12 PM

Northern KY - metro Cincy...

OMG... you're next door to me.

BTW... I'll be in Cincy briefly on Nov 10... I'm pickin' up another aquarium to add to my collection from Franklin, OH

guiseppewv

11-01-2007, 08:14 PM

How about some details on the new job? I am glad that you found something. I will search my company's DB to see if we have any openings in the Lexington-Cincy area.

mechmike0034

11-02-2007, 05:21 AM

Markel

11-02-2007, 07:54 AM

Hope it turns into a good opportunity for you.

gugnheim

11-04-2007, 08:28 PM

Welcome to Cincy.

mechmike0034

09-21-2008, 07:25 AM

I'll be working for a company that manufacturers and sells automotive service training equipment. They are also doing some online automotive service training curriculum.

It looks as though my automotive and computer skills will both be put to use, plus I'll be learning some new things.

This hasn't been a bad gig, but maintaining two households (I have a rented room in NKY) along with separation from my family has worn very thin. I couldn't give my house in AL away, and the housing market is getting worse instead of better.

The GOOD NEWS is that I have accepted an offer from another consulting company to one of the automakers. My last day in NKY will be the 30th of September.

I'll be working from home in the new gig, and will also be doing some local/regional travel.

LPMiller

09-21-2008, 12:34 PM

cool, congrats!

DarkFury

09-21-2008, 02:01 PM

Cool MM34... glad to hear that something positive is finally coming out of this.

ArkiStan

09-21-2008, 02:38 PM

I'm glad things are working out for you. It's hard enough worrying about this stuff when you're single. I can't imagine how tough it would be with a family to look after. Best of luck at your new gig.