Employment Question

[purplepassion]

That's why I'm staying where I am, even though I commute far. As the only bread winner in my household I can't afford to risk our financial security on the hope of being included in a contract renewal.

I would love to work close to home and the money seems awesome. The people in the Lex Pk area seem to have stable contracting jobs but my gut tells me to not even go that route. At least not down here.

I'm with you. I'd love to work close to home. I have to drive to College Park every day and it sucks. I've tried quite often to get down on base or with a contractor and just can't get anything. The benefits at my job are great and I've been here long enough (16 1/2 years) that I can retire in 9 1/2 years and I'll only be 56. Still young enough to travel and do things. I've even look at Calvert & St. Mary's County positions but they just don't pay enough.

 

[mike44md]

I'm with you. I'd love to work close to home. I have to drive to College Park every day and it sucks. I've tried quite often to get down on base or with a contractor and just can't get anything. The benefits at my job are great and I've been here long enough (16 1/2 years) that I can retire in 9 1/2 years and I'll only be 56. Still young enough to travel and do things. I've even look at Calvert & St. Mary's County positions but they just don't pay enough.

Wow your old.. LOL

 

[LexiGirl75]

I'm with you. I'd love to work close to home. I have to drive to College Park every day and it sucks. I've tried quite often to get down on base or with a contractor and just can't get anything. The benefits at my job are great and I've been here long enough (16 1/2 years) that I can retire in 9 1/2 years and I'll only be 56. Still young enough to travel and do things. I've even look at Calvert & St. Mary's County positions but they just don't pay enough.

That's why I haven't tried. I'm not from here, know no one here exactly, definitely no one on base. My first reality check about getting a job on the base was by a counselor at the Md Job Bank in Leonardtown. She was very honest and I appreciate it. If you are not from here, military transitioned, or know someone who can look out for you, or have the hi-tech skills that most of the positions are for, then you will be trying for a long time.

The closest I came was with SAIC, I thought I had aced it, did not get an interview. I think I was too honest about just moving to the area and being eager to work.

My second and last attempt was with SMC Gov't. Worse interviewer I have ever met. She did me a favor by being herself that day. I would never want to work anywhere near someone so unprofessional. Whether she liked me or not she could've kept those feelings to herself, clearly she was off her meds.

 

[BadGirl]

If you are not from here, military transitioned, or know someone who can look out for you, or have the hi-tech skills that most of the positions are for, then you will be trying for a long time.

You have to have a talent that is valuable to the people who are doing the hiring. If you don't have the skill level that is required by these companies, don't blame the companies; get busy and learn the skills, or get back to school to earn your degree or technical qualifications.

 

[LexiGirl75]

You have to have a talent that is valuable to the people who are doing the hiring. If you don't have the skill level that is required by these companies, don't blame the companies; get busy and learn the skills, or get back to school to earn your degree or technical qualifications.

I agree, all of that makes a difference.

I haven't applied for any positions on base. Just the one Administrative Assistant position at SAIC. Aside from taking 2 days to get back to the lady I was in e-communication with in order to submit my resume and completed questionnaire I don't think I was not qualified.

As with any clerical position down here I think she probably had received a lot of responses to the job posting and went down the list of applicants. My delay and honesty about being new to the area etc. is what I believed killed my chances certainly not my lack of skills. At the time I had no computer and I was dependent (and hesistant) on using my work computer to complete the questionnaire and my work email address (which I'm sure didn't look good on my part) to submit it back to her.

Having the proper resources at your hands to apply for jobs is extremely important. I now have a computer, printer and fax at home as well as a professional email address. Everything helps when there is stiff competition.

 

[purplepassion]

Wow your old.. LOL

Watch it. You're only 4 months behind me. So if I'm old so are you

 

[chernmax]

Wow your old.. LOL

Damn, I retired at 41 (after 24 years), then went back to work at 41.1 (my 3rd yr at my current company) Damn I'm old (NOT!!!)...

 

[mike44md]

Watch it. You're only 4 months behind me. So if I'm old so are you

I dont wanna get old,,, I wanna get better.... mmmmmmmmm

 

[mike44md]

Damn, I retired at 41 (after 24 years), then went back to work at 41.1 (my 3rd yr at my current company) Damn I'm old (NOT!!!)...

Wish I would have stayed in the Military,,, I would have 25 in 10 years ago.. oh well hindsite... hey Chernmax, I have an e-mail here that they are looking for some security for Iraq contractors... interested?

 

[jazz lady]

You have to have a talent that is valuable to the people who are doing the hiring. If you don't have the skill level that is required by these companies, don't blame the companies; get busy and learn the skills, or get back to school to earn your degree or technical qualifications.

Absolutely and great post. You have to make yourself marketable and sell yourself to the company. I applied myself, went to college and got an education. I also continue learning by going to classes and reading journals in my field to keep up with any changes. Take advantage of your current company's tuition policy if possible, looking at it as a way to leverage your skills in the future.

 

[purplepassion]

I dont wanna get old,,, I wanna get better.... mmmmmmmmm

We all get better with age... we're like fine wine. But you never know how good until you pop the cork.

 

[mike44md]

We all get better with age... we're like fine wine. But you never know how good until you pop the cork.

Well heck,,, I havent poped that cork yet... im a 46 year old virgin!

 

[LexiGirl75]

Absolutely and great post. You have to make yourself marketable and sell yourself to the company. I applied myself, went to college and got an education. I also continue learning by going to classes and reading journals in my field to keep up with any changes. Take advantage of your current company's tuition policy if possible, looking at it as a way to leverage your skills in the future.

Agreed.

That is the bottom line. The job market is not getting any easier so you either get in where you fit in or improve yourself in order to increase the number of places you can fit in.

 

[itsbob]

Damn, I retired at 41 (after 24 years), then went back to work at 41.1 (my 3rd yr at my current company) Damn I'm old (NOT!!!)...

I retired at 37, and went back to work at 41 (had to take the time off to go get a degree)

 

[itsbob]

Wish I would have stayed in the Military,,, I would have 25 in 10 years ago.. oh well hindsite... hey Chernmax, I have an e-mail here that they are looking for some security for Iraq contractors... interested?

They have at least 5 openings..

 

[mike44md]

They have at least 5 openings..

Bob thats just not right,,

 

[itsbob]

Bob thats just not right,,

BIG money in it, but I think I'll stay right here for now. I don't think any of the Blackwater guys ride around in tanks yet.

 

[Thor]

Ive been trying to get with the Feds for 3 years, seems positions which I am qualified for they think im over qualified. Thinking about County now, as I am getting too old to keep playing these games.

I feel your pain, last time I got laid off it lasted a year and paying the mortgage damn near wiped out the retirement accounts.

I said not again, and jumped Fed as soon as I could.

edit: If you are technical my agency has a TON of positions open GS13 - GS15

 

[ponchie]

Thanks for all the input. This whole situation floored me. The times I have changed jobs, I was offered the position, given a start date, gave notice where I was and that was it....started the new job on the start date. I never felt I had to get it in writing before. I wish their was somewhere I could file an official complaint about this but since it is a small business it doesn't seem like I can. They can pretty much jerk you around and do whatever they want it appears.
I did apply for unemployment but I really want to get back to work and soon, I can't survive on unemployment.
Thanks again for the input.

 

[zimmie]

Good luck.....A shame it happened...I think the whole employment picture for employees and employers has changed dramatically in the last twenty years. The days of keeping jobs for 35-40 years for most people has changed. People switching jobs every couple years these days. Two weeks notice used to be standard, now people are quitting jobs on Friday afternoons. No wonder employers have little regard for employees. It doesn't excuse it, but many have become as insensitive as these employees that have left with no notice.