How do I get a job? I have been unemployed for 23 months and can't find any work.
Every one says I don’t have enough experience but I have 15 months of experience.
James:
This is a serious challenge Engineers young and old. I was thirty-seven when I found myself unemployed for the second time in less than two years. Potential employers told me I had TOO MUCH experience. I was not even 15 years or less than 1/2 the way through my professional life, but I had a resume that was miles wide and miles deep.
What type of engineer are you?
Are you a member of your specialty’s professional society?
Are you networking every opportunity you can?
What is the general market for engineers in your area?
Are you willing to relocate?
Do you have any special skill that would make you more marketable?
Have you made use of every resource that your state unemployment office has to offer?
Have you considered going to get an advanced degree?
These are just some of the considerations and question you need to answer.
I wish you good luck.
My solution to the challenge back in 1993 was to start my own consulting company. I have had that company almost continuously since then, but being an independent is not for everyone.
Niel Leon
Community Developer – Engineering.com
Neil always has great advice. A lot of getting a good job has to do with where you are applying to. Apply for the better jobs if you think you can handle it and don’t ever stop training. Remember also that you are living through one of the very worst recessionary periods the USA has seen since the Depression that no one wants to speak about. I heard on the Stock Market TV channel CNBC that they are now referring to this recession as a Double Recession. That has never been used before to my knowledge. So you are not alone. Keep trying and don’t give up. Keep training yourself also. Bye.