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  • DrBoost

    Aug. 18, 2008 10:59 a.m. DrBoost Reader

    Yes, I got the ax today. I did my job at least to the company expectations and took initiative to try to improve things as much as possile but none of that matters. This morning I was yet another victim of my companies cutbacks. So, now I have to figure out how to support my wife and 3 young kids. Here's where you can help. I've been to monster (more or less useless) and careerbuilder (pretty good). What other websites are there that actually have jobs? I have a varied background that is centered in the automotive industry and would be willing to relocate if need be. I hope this post makes sense, I'm still very much in shock and am trying to jump right into things here so I don't lose my house.

    edited: I removed the company name because I don't want to get sued. I suppose I can mention that they are the #1 sunroof manufacturer and also make engine pre-heaters......

  • slefain

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:09 a.m. slefain Dork

    Damn, that sucks.

    Try www.indeed.com, that is the search engine of all the jobs sites.

    Also, www.sema.org has listings, as well as http://jobs.mema.org/

    Good luck man.

  • Kramer

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:15 a.m. Kramer New Reader

    I'm a victim, too, as of two weeks ago. Careerbuilder is the best, but it's worth the time to look at the others. Or just google a listing in your are of expertise--that has found me a couple of prospects. Good luck.

  • ignorant

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:18 a.m. ignorant UberDork

    try www.cummins.com

    500 new tech jobs to be added in Indiana.

  • DILYSI Dave

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:22 a.m. DILYSI Dave PowerDork

    What do you do?

  • jrw1621

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:25 a.m. jrw1621 Reader

    I can not give any personal success story but here is one.

    http://www.theladders.com/

    It is a pay site. I have not paid but it looks interesting.

    Best of luck. You are doing the right thing by telling everyone you know. That is where the best jobs come from.

  • Stuc

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:44 a.m. Stuc Reader

    I know in Florida we have state-sponsored 'career centers'. Now I've only been for part-time in-college jobs, but there seem to be more real jobs. It searched most of those sites (monster, careerbuilder IIRC) and a bunch I hadn't heard of.. also has resumé help and easy submittal processes..

    Uhm... just did a little search and haven't found one in Michigan but you might have better luck actually being there

  • AngryCorvair

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:49 a.m. AngryCorvair HalfDork

    check www.trw.com because we might still have some postings on the careers page. read the listings, then PM me if it's something in Livonia. we've got a referral program that's worth a kickback that i'd split with you 75/25 if you make the cut. i get the 75, of course.

  • DrBoost

    Aug. 18, 2008 11:58 a.m. DrBoost Reader

    Thanks all. I'll try those and Corvair, I'd b happy to give you my 25% if I can just keep my house. I was working as a trainer for Webasto, makers of sunroofs and engine pre-heaters. I'm an ASE certified tech (SEMA certified as well) with about 5 years in the dealership, I've also been a tech writer for Roush and a high school teacher. As I said, I have a varied background but it's all automotive.

  • Salanis

    Aug. 18, 2008 12:03 p.m. Salanis Dork

    Try looking through school career center systems. If you know someone who recently graduated college or has a kid who did, see about having them get you access to the school's career center search systems. Or if your skills are more technical, see if you can do the same with someone from a local technical school.

  • dyintorace

    Aug. 18, 2008 1:09 p.m. dyintorace Reader

    Are there any contract employment companies in the area that you know of?

    I worked for what is now Allegis Group years ago and I know they have an automotive vertical. Here is a link to more information:

    http://automotive.aerotek.com/Recruiting-Staffing/Default.aspx

    Be sure to register with them (and any other similar companies). They often have active searches for unadvertised employment openings.

    Best of luck. We are pulling for you.

  • wreckerboy

    Aug. 18, 2008 2:16 p.m. wreckerboy SuperDork

    As a trainer you have the luxury of branching out - don't limit yourself to automotive fields, emphasize your ability to teach. My old employer was hiring trainers for copy and printing equipment all of the time, and their theory was that if the candidate could teach, they could teach the candidate the equipment.

    I just went through this also - I was "reorganized" out of a job in May and landed a new gig four weeks later. My search was wide ranging - I sent resumes anyplace and anyplace that looked even remotely related to my skill set. The worst they can say (if they say anything, most of the time you get silence) is "no."

    Top job sites included: Monster Hot Jobs Craigslist (I got tons of inquiries after posting my resume)

    Be creative - I also searched and applied to all companies listed in my state. I think I Googled "New Jersey employers" and came up with a list of a lot of companies in the state. Do not be shy about contacting employers directly even if they have no openings listed.

    My routine was to make finding a job my job. That meant getting up every morning and sitting in front of the computer doing nothing but. It's easy to get frustrated and give up hope.

    I found that the search would ebb and flow, that I would go days without any responses and then suddenly have interviews back to back. The day I interviewed for my current employer I had an interview with someplace else that afternoon, and had interviews on the days before and after. However, I hadn't even had a peep from anybody in more than a week before that.

  • pete240z

    Aug. 18, 2008 2:30 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

    Dude, I wish you the best.

    Tell everyone you can about your job loss.

    My brother-in-law lost his job right before last Christmas and I mentioned it to my brother. They were all pissed off at me because he got canned and they wanted nobody to know.

    My brother said that is the wrong approach; tell everyone you can and network. Then my brother sent him a link from where he works and he got a job there. Excellent company too.

  • grtechguy

    Aug. 18, 2008 3:25 p.m. grtechguy SuperDork

    come see my employer's company http://www.troytechconstructionresources.com/

    but also check Michigan Talent Bank (will have to for unemployment) http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage

  • DrBoost

    Aug. 19, 2008 8:22 a.m. DrBoost Reader

    Wow, it get's better. They gave me a severence package! [sarcasm] They are giving me 1 WEEKS PAY......spread over 10 weeks. So, I get 1/10th of my pay for the next 2 and a half months and because I have a severence package I cannot collect unemployment!! So, they found another way to screw the people they are letting go and another way to save money. Man, that hurts!

  • slefain

    Aug. 19, 2008 8:26 a.m. slefain Dork

    DrBoost wrote:

    Wow, it get's better. They gave me a severence package! [sarcasm] They are giving me 1 WEEKS PAY......spread over 10 weeks. So, I get 1/10th of my pay for the next 2 and a half months and because I have a severence package I cannot collect unemployment!! So, they found another way to screw the people they are letting go and another way to save money. Man, that hurts!

    Can you refuse the severance package? That sounds like a really backhanded way to keep you from drawing unemployment insurance.

  • internetautomart

    Aug. 19, 2008 10:35 a.m. internetautomart SuperDork

    interesting thoughts on UI. though an unemployment claim does not affect the company directly (at least in illinois). there is a maximum amount that they will be charged based on how many claims they've had. I think it is like 6%. also unless I am mistaken, you can still claim unemployment even with a severance package as long as you are not receiving more than your calculated benefit amount.

    I've got no suggestions on where to look for employment. Every job I have gotten (except 2) has been through knowing people

  • Aug. 19, 2008 11:06 a.m. petegossett Dork

    Last I knew, the Subaru plant in Lafayette, IN was hiring. Started out at ~$17/hr through a temp agency, then full hire after probation.

  • DrBoost

    Aug. 19, 2008 11:08 a.m. DrBoost Reader

    wreckerboy wrote:

    Top job sites included: Monster Hot Jobs Craigslist (I got tons of inquiries after posting my resume)

    Where on CL can you post a resume?? I didn't see that. And yes, finding a job is now my job!

  • Type Q

    Aug. 19, 2008 2:36 p.m. Type Q Reader

    Here is something that I actually know something about. I have done job search coaching on and off for a few years now. Here are some tips that will speed up your search.

    First, 80% of jobs get found and are filled through word of mouth. Only about 20% will show up in classifieds like Craigslist or on job boards like Monster. Job boards will turn up good leads sometimes. However, the majority of of the job seekers are looking at the same 20% of the jobs that are actually advertised. Spend 80% of your time talking to everyone you know and everyone you meet letting them know that you are looking for work and exactly what work you want. Most people want to help. You are way more likely to get an interview and a job if you are reffered from someone the hiring manager knows and trusts.

    Second, be specific about what kind of work you are looking for. Take some time to decide what you want to do next and figure out explain it in 30 seconds. It seems a little counter intuative, but the more specific you are in terms of what you want to do, the easier it is for people to know exactly who in their network of friends and family you should be talking to.

    Third, help as many people as you can. In the process of looking for your next gig, you are going to find out about jobs that you don't want but are not advertised. Pass the lead along to someone who is right for the job. People will go out of their way to help you too. The Golden Rule really applies here.

    Good luck. Let us know when you have interviews coming up.

  • pete240z

    Aug. 19, 2008 3:20 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

    DrBoost wrote:

    Wow, it get's better. They gave me a severence package! [sarcasm] They are giving me 1 WEEKS PAY......spread over 10 weeks. So, I get 1/10th of my pay for the next 2 and a half months and because I have a severence package I cannot collect unemployment!! So, they found another way to screw the people they are letting go and another way to save money. Man, that hurts!

    I hope those guys can sleep tonight. At least we try to let people go in a fair way.

  • wreckerboy

    Aug. 19, 2008 3:34 p.m. wreckerboy SuperDork

    DrBoost wrote:

    Wow, it get's better. They gave me a severence package! [sarcasm] They are giving me 1 WEEKS PAY......spread over 10 weeks. So, I get 1/10th of my pay for the next 2 and a half months and because I have a severence package I cannot collect unemployment!! So, they found another way to screw the people they are letting go and another way to save money. Man, that hurts!

    Though decidely dirty pool, I do not think that this will affect your unemployment eligibility. Check with your local agency to be certain, but I was drawing a package of accrued vacation time and was also eligible for unemployment in NY state.

    As for CL postings, under the jobs column at the very bottom is a section for resumes. The headhunter that placed me in my current (unadvertised) gig found me there.

  • Jack

    Aug. 21, 2008 2:26 p.m. Jack SuperDork

    DrBoost wrote:

    Wow, it get's better. They gave me a severence package! [sarcasm] They are giving me 1 WEEKS PAY......spread over 10 weeks. So, I get 1/10th of my pay for the next 2 and a half months and because I have a severence package I cannot collect unemployment!! So, they found another way to screw the people they are letting go and another way to save money. Man, that hurts!

    No. Unemployment is unaffected by a severace package. If you are not getting your regular paycheck, you are eligible, or every employer would do what yours is to minimize thier costs.

    Call or visit the local unemployment office. You are eligibile.

    Jack

  • Yavuz

    Aug. 21, 2008 2:57 p.m. Yavuz New Reader

    That sucks man. I know what it's like. I was laid off TWICE before I had even turned 21.

    As people have said already - You're way better off networking and asking people you know than by going online. I did the monster.com thing for a while after I graduated and it was getting me nowhere. The position I'm currently in opened up and a friend of mine let me know about it before it was even posted to the public. I got the job and I've been very happy since.

    Good luck.

  • DrBoost

    Aug. 21, 2008 4:19 p.m. DrBoost Reader

    Thanks for all and advice folks. Just to clear things up, I am eligible for unemployment, but it's reduced because of my "severence package." The only reason I get anything is beceause the severence is so small it's laughable. This isn't the only way this company, (the largest manufacturer of sunroofs AND fuel operated engine heaters [I can't say the name of the company)] is playing dirty pool. I thinkn that's the reason why in all of the exit packages everyone recieved there is a paragraph that explains that we can not work for said company or any of it subsidiaries EVER!!!!! Are they trying to protect themselves from future retaliation??

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