Where did I go wrong?

[Bonecollector]

Sometimes school is not the answer I have a 5 year electrical apprenticeship and my wife has 5 years of collage with a bachelors degree and I make twice the money she does.

Union workers tend to make more than people with degrees no doubt. Local 85 here.

 

[madmarinehays]

If you haven't already, give your cv a refresher. Have someone else look it over and see how you can polish it.

I update it monthly and have had it looked over.

 

[madmarinehays]

Have you thought about positions like this?
http://www.educationjobsite.com/job.asp?id=84795487&aff=4DC42790-9D45-45A0-B208-EC1492D0AE63

Thank you for the link. Sound like a great opportunity. I will apply today.

 

[Proximal]

Read this http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Success-Nicolas-Darvas-author/dp/9659124120 (I'll give you a copy if you can't afford it right now, I've read it plenty of times).

In my experience, the things you mentioned as "things to do" are "good advice" but they all require additional insight if they are actually to have positive results. Going to school is helpful in making a person successful, but only if they go for the right things. Going into the military can be helpful, but only if it results in a career. Staying out of trouble with the law is generally a good thing, but only serves to minimize difficulties. Recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities is the one thing that most people are least capable of doing without pushing or assistance. What are you qualified to do that you recognize? More importantly, what are you qualified to do but don't recognize you can do? I'll give you an example of what I mean by that: I know an ex-Marine who worked on aviation electronics, his current job - making almost 6-figures telling power companies how to operate new equipment and developing training material for them. Transferable skills are amazing, but only if you recognize how those skills can be transferred into some other career path.

This is absolute GOLD!

I started out working a grinder at a plastics company when I was 19. I worked my way into starting and managing the QC department, then onto warehouse management. When I left that company about 8 years later I couldn't think of what else I could do with those skills. After almost a year of unemployment I landed a commission based sales and procurement job in the same industry. I finally realized that I had all of the skills that a good purchaser should have (QC and warehouse management) to successfully purchase for these big companies (and also broker deals).

You never know what some doors will open but you also need to know your worth. If you go around selling yourself to the lowest bidder to get a job then that is what you'll end up with. If you get picky about it but aim higher you'll see a much nicer payoff.

 

[Deleted member 931]

Would you ever consider internet based PI work?

 

[attison]

Hey brother jarhead, try city and county law enforcement departments. They hire all the time. If you need a reference PM me. Heck try fire departments too.

 

[Bear44]

Just in case nobody has said this.

Network like hell! When you just go into a business and give them an application it's the equivalent of cold calling. Join organizations that have face to face meetings, churches, clubs, volunteer groups, whatever you can think of. Let people get to know you and show that you are competent, intelligent and, yes, a bit charming. Make them like you. Be careful about this. If you come off as a phony it will hurt rather than help. Obviously, target groups that have people in them that have the power to hire. People do appreciate those that have done all the right things, but giving them the chance to get to know you personally helps tremendously. There is someone out there that would love to put you to work for them in a good job. You just need to create the opportunity for them to look you in the eye.

 

[MMatt30]

What about advancement at Moe's? Seriously.....you have your foot in the door. Get promoted to management and you should be making decent money.

 

[madmarinehays]

What about advancement at Moe's? Seriously.....you have your foot in the door. Get promoted to management and you should be making decent money.

I have already found out what a GM makes at Moe's. Yeah 60 hr work week to get paid just above the poverty line.

 

[Gaducker]

Network, network, network. Are you on linked in? Its kinda like face book for the ladder climbers.