Foo - How to get employed?

So I was recently laid off from a job working in mail communications at a company with several locations in this area (east coast city). I did things like run mail rooms, deliver mail, light shipping and receiving, metering, basically anything to do with information on paper, and keeping track of it.

But I was steamrolled by the economy, like so many others and now find myself jobless, through no fault of my own. Just wasn't well positioned in the organization. Things being what they are, there aren't any jobs like my old one in this area.

What next? I have a little money saved which means a little time to think about this. No kids, no car, no serious bills right now. #1 expense is rent. Looking for some diverse opinions on what people think are real marketable skills today.

I don't want to be a barista or food service worker. At least not yet. I did that whole coffee shop scene a few years ago.

School? If so, then what?

What do you guys think are the essential skills today?
HTML/CSS? IT type stuff?
Construction?
HVAC?
auto repair?

I've heard nursing and medical imaging are good programs to get into but 1) the prerequisites are pretty daunting, and 2) even people in those field have told me new grads are having a hard time. I honestly don't think I could hack it in organic chem or bio anyways.

What would you do?

physical therapist assistant

I think I'd apprentice for one of the trades. HVAC would be a good one. Or electrical. Not sure I'd do plumbing, but that can pay well too.

undertaker, unfortunately there is a pretty steady demand.....

We can't find qualified welders where I work (pressurized boiler type equipment) so they are always the last to get laid off.

where are you located?

I think I'd apprentice for one of the trades. HVAC would be a good one. Or electrical. Not sure I'd do plumbing, but that can pay well too.

A certified plumber for Roto-rooter is highest paid blue collar job around here. I worked there a short time, the highest paid guys there were making over $100,000 per year THROUGH the company. They made MUCH MORE than that on the side doing sidejobs.

So all in all they were pulling in around $250,000 a year total and keep in mind that ONLY $100k of those $250k were being taxed. The other $150k was under the table TAX FREE. The downside is that all they did was work, 12-16hour days were not uncommon for these guys. They did take 2 weeks paid vacation every year though.

Heck I was making $50k altogether right off the bat with no licence or experience other than going through their training (wich is very effective I might add). And yes, I got the idea from watching Ghost Hunters.

Forgot to add; It's a recession free job. Everybody needs to crap.

to answer your question OP I noticed that all the tips they give you to increase your chances of getting hired are mostly bs.

I would suggest the number one thing is to LET EMPLOYERS KNOW YOU ARE AVAILABLE. Tell them you want a job. I have noticed that if they NEED an employee they will hire you and will even overlook 'undesirable' parts in your resume.

I even stopped writing resumes its mostly a waste. That time is better spent advertising your desire and availability for work to a higher number of potential employers.

So get out there and start advertising yourself.

What are your talents and passions?

Tech work like HTML/IT/blahblahtechnospeak is and will continue to be outsourced to India. But one talented author is worth a half-dozen average Joes (or Amits), and any outfit worth working for knows that. So if you're going to be average, forget it. If you have real talent, go for it.

In hard economic times, talent becomes even more important to corporation's survival.

All good ideas so far, thanks!



I would suggest the number one thing is to LET EMPLOYERS KNOW YOU ARE AVAILABLE. Tell them you want a job. I have noticed that if they NEED an employee they will hire you and will even overlook 'undesirable' parts in your resume.


Sure but aren't they going to want to hire me to DO some specific thing? I'm thinking finding a job I could do for a while. Something kind of secure.

The trades do sound promising though.




where are you located?

Massachusetts. But I could possibly move to DC area too, if things don't work out by the end of the summer. I have some family there I could crash with if I need to. So that kind of increases my range I guess -- VA, MD, DC.

Do something where you can potentially start your own business with it. Try not to limit yourself to another job where the skills are in low demand.

One person mentioned pressure welders as being a good trade. Right now they're in high demand, especially if you can work in the field. However another great career, much in demand, is qualified inspectors or NDE (non-destructive examination). Requires a bit of schooling and practical experience. You could work in the Boiler and/or Industrial Piping fields.

i'm wondering about this too. right now i'm at walmart with and arts degree and tons of debt. never got advice this good.

get to the non-discretionary side of the economy

i'm wondering about this too. right now i'm at walmart with and arts degree and tons of debt. never got advice this good.

Yep. I would love to go to college and study anthropology or english or printmaking but the realities of earning a living ... not sure it's in my future.

If you do study Anthropology or other LA fields, be at the top of your class and network your keister off to build the connections you'll need to stay in academia for the rest of your life.