unemployed in California

[Dudewado]

Mike,

Misery doesn't ALWAYS love company.

I have two more nights to work, then I am leaving the company I have worked at for almost 15 years.

They are closing this plant due to poor demand for building wire and transmission cable, and alleged foreign competition.

The bad: Unemployment in this County is very high; The only local companies that need Industrial Electricians are

wood products companies that are laying off, cutting shifts, or just closing.

I'll be 55 in a couple of months and don't know if I want/am able to keep doing this work.

(Shift work makes you old before your time.)

The good: I get severance pay until June and we qualify for a federal re-training program.

I can stay on unemployment and have school paid for, as long as I can convince them I can get a job when through

with school. I'm trying to come up with something that will let me stay in this area.

There is a lot of good advice here. I don't know about in California, but the Employment Office in Oregon is a good resource

for career counseling and testing, plus job search and resume skills. Unfortunately, here in Oregon, they have a lot of experience.

Hang in there, two fabulous FJR riders like us are sure to be in high demand!

Let me know if I can help.

John

 

[Fairlaner]

Hey Mike you could always come down south and ride with me.... :blink: :blink: :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

 

[GalaxyBlue]

LOTS of good info here.

I am learning from the collective here on how i can get a better career.

So sorry to hear about the layoff Mike.

 

[Rory]

I don't know about the legalities, but can you put some ads on craigslist (or similar) advertising your mechanic services? Maybe do some repair work out of your garage for a while?

Have you considered teaching? Maybe transfer some of your knowledge to the younger generation at a local trade school?

I can't imagine what you're going through. Hoping something will come up soon.

If you are thinking about a change of direction, I will always think that healthcare is a never-ending pot full of opportunity but it will probably take a few years of school.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Sorry to hear the news, Mike. How I wish I had a magic wand to wave, and find the perfect solution for you but of course I don't. Some great advice has already come your way. Aren't we lucky to hang out with such smart people?

I like your attitude. There's no 'poor me' about it. Sounds as though you're going to embrace this opportunity for change, and finding your new niche in life. It can be done. I was an aerospace engineer in another life. Then I was a bedside nurse. Now I'm a computer geek. You're probably much smarter than me, so you'll accomplish the change with ease.

And by the way, thanks to your 'enabling' Andy and I have taken up a new hobby.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Consider mmoving away from California

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

You might want to read: How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill?

Not that it would, directly, apply?; but, it may offer an understanding/approach to situations that may not have been considered?

As a mechanic who's waited tables, recently -- I can tell you that there are opportunities and (maybe even) rewards that sometimes can't be seen...

 

[HYCLE]

Mike,

Misery doesn't ALWAYS love company.

I have two more nights to work, then I am leaving the company I have worked at for almost 15 years.

They are closing this plant due to poor demand for building wire and transmission cable, and alleged foreign competition.

The bad: Unemployment in this County is very high; The only local companies that need Industrial Electricians are

wood products companies that are laying off, cutting shifts, or just closing.

I'll be 55 in a couple of months and don't know if I want/am able to keep doing this work.

(Shift work makes you old before your time.)

The good: I get severance pay until June and we qualify for a federal re-training program.

I can stay on unemployment and have school paid for, as long as I can convince them I can get a job when through

with school. I'm trying to come up with something that will let me stay in this area.

There is a lot of good advice here. I don't know about in California, but the Employment Office in Oregon is a good resource

for career counseling and testing, plus job search and resume skills. Unfortunately, here in Oregon, they have a lot of experience.

Hang in there, two fabulous FJR riders like us are sure to be in high demand!

Let me know if I can help.

John

Looks like the feds will cover some training under the Workforce Investment Act. I need to read more about the details but, some schools claim tuition will be paid while I am on unemployment. More research is needed before I choose a school or program.

Thanks John

Maybe we can meet halfway for lunch sometime.

 

[HYCLE]

Hey Mike you could always come down south and ride with me.... :blink: :blink: :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

Thanks for the invite Richard, see you at Fat Cats, Nov 6th. :yahoo:

PS, my birthday is Nov 5th, so bake me a cake.

 

[Old Michael]

Mikey, it sounds like you've got it handled.

Who knows? This could be the best thing that coulda happened.

In the meantime, if you need money or liquor to tide you over, call me...

...and I'll give you Dr. Rich's number.

 

[HYCLE]

And by the way, thanks to your 'enabling' Andy and I have taken up a new hobby.

Glad to help, we can always use new faces in the adult entertainment industry I hope you enjoy target shooting.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Looking for work is stressful. It's not fun when you need that job.

Interview often. Not every interview you schedule needs to be for your dream job. You are going to need to hone your interviewing skills. Develop those skills by practicing with friends and family, and requesting interviews. Request information interviews if necessary. Get out there and talk to people.

Before the interview, picture yourself in the job you are applying for. This will affect your speech & nonverbal communication in very positive ways.

Good luck.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Sorry to hear about your job. Lots of great advice here, don't stress too much... or at all if possioble.

Hey Mike you could always come down south and ride with me.... :blink: :blink: :yahoo: :yahoo:

R

I think this is a job offer. Richard will pay you to ride with him. That's pretty much the only way he gets people to ride with him.

 

[Dr. Rich]

Mikey, it sounds like you've got it handled.

Who knows? This could be the best thing that coulda happened.

In the meantime, if you need money or liquor to tide you over, call me...

...and I'll give you Dr. Rich's number.

Here is an employment opportunity.... https://skagit.craigslist.org/for/2026880587.html

This guy is selling a tattoo gun...

I will be your first customer...

I will pay you $500 to tattoo a 6 inch Danish Flag on Old Michaels ass!

When you're done with that one I will pay you another $500 to tattoo a 6 inch Scottish Thistle on Beemerdons ass!

 

[HYCLE]

Mikey, it sounds like you've got it handled.

Who knows? This could be the best thing that coulda happened.

In the meantime, if you need money or liquor to tide you over, call me...

...and I'll give you Dr. Rich's number.

Here is an employment opportunity.... https://skagit.craigslist.org/for/2026880587.html

This guy is selling a tattoo gun...

I will be your first customer...

I will pay you $500 to tattoo a 6 inch Danish Flag on Old Michaels ass!

When you're done with that one I will pay you another $500 to tattoo a 6 inch Scottish Thistle on Beemerdons ass!

I would go broke buying Bust's Anus Shaving Kits. I don't think you can tatoo animal fur. :huh: :huh:

 

[08FJR4ME]

Big thank you to everyone.

I will not give up my bike, the car will be sold first. (make sure you set your priority's first.) Fixed it

I have filed for unemployment online.

I can survive with a tight budget for the next 6 months.

I have a list of things to do around the house.

I will wake every morning like I am heading to work.

I will work on my physical health as well as my mental attitude.

I will look into new career paths, but if you need help with your bike call me. (I have the time)

I will continue my education with online and evening courses, I need to improve my writing skills.

I will be looking into technical training in the medical field and process technology at local schools.

I will be looking into teaching at a automotive techinal school.

Thanks again for the support.

Mike Whalen

 

[Silver Penguin]

And by the way, thanks to your 'enabling' Andy and I have taken up a new hobby.

Glad to help, we can always use new faces in the adult entertainment industry I hope you enjoy target shooting.

LOL! We have a collection of mortally wounded beer cans, on display in the garage as a souvenir from our first outing.

 

[JR'SFJR]

I don't know what the requirements are for automotive teachers in your state, but it sure would be worth looking into with your background. I was an automotive instructor and started in WI. during the 70's where they starting requiring a college degree along with work experience. I finished in FL., where they only required 6 years work experience and ASE certification. Most of the automotive instructors in FL. are mechanics that wanted a change. Something to consider. Good luck. jr

 

[James Burleigh]

In the meantime, if you need money or liquor to tide you over, call me...

...and I'll give you Dr. Rich's number.

:rofl:

 

[James Burleigh]

Looking for work is stressful. It's not fun when you need that job.

Interview often. Not every interview you schedule needs to be for your dream job. You are going to need to hone your interviewing skills. Develop those skills by practicing with friends and family, and requesting interviews. Request information interviews if necessary. Get out there and talk to people.

Before the interview, picture yourself in the job you are applying for. This will affect your speech & nonverbal communication in very positive ways.

Good luck.

Great advice. :clapping: