Finding a Job

[Rich76_911s]

Since it appears that many of you have good jobs, What is your income level?
And it seems like you enjoy your jobs, I am wondering if you have any tips on how to find a good job. I moved to the Philadelphia region about a month ago and started searching for a job, but I have had no luck what-so-ever.

Predominantly I have been looking on specific company web sites. When I look on monster, ect. I always get frustrated because I am never qualified for any of the jobs. The problem is that I feel like resumes and cover letters posted online never get looked at, except by a computer searching for key-words. So unless I know the specific words my resume never gets spit out and looked at by an actual person. Who has already decided to hire his buddies kid! I'm getting pretty frustrated with the whole process.

I've tried to look for anything that seems interesting and fits my personal traits. I have a degree in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology from the University of Colorado (2001), but I have spent the majority of the time since graduating as an Equtiy Options trader (for my fathers company).

Thanks for any tips, pointers, or guidance.

Rich

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Rich76_911s
The problem is that I feel like resumes and cover letters posted online never get looked at, except by a computer searching for key-words. So unless I know the specific words my resume never gets spit out and looked at by an actual person. Who has already decided to hire his buddies kid! I'm getting pretty frustrated with the whole process.

Yes, it's true - keywords are king in this day and age of the lazy HR types.

What kind of job are you looking for? Give us some background...

[Rich76_911s]

What am I looking for?

I guess the honest answer to that question is that I don't know. So far my search for a job has stretched from pharmacutical sales, to automotive parts, to finance. The only thing I really cannot see myself doing is sitting in a cubical all day long making cold calls, or doing paper jockey work that does not require thought. I want to be excited to work, and am excited to find something new. I'm willing to try just about anything.


Here is a quick synopsis of my resume

Options Ltd.
Equity Options Trader
November 2002 - Present

Adaptive Sports Association
Volunteer Ski Instructor and Summer Guide for Mentally and Physically Disabled
November 1997 - April 2002

University of Colorado
Supervisor of Intramural Ice Hockey
September 1998 - May 2001

Education
University of Colorado
Bachelors of Arts in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology
Graduated August of 2001

[madmmac]

I have to question why you are not putting your College education to work? Did you pick the wrong majors?

There are numerous areas of work in the human factors/erogonomics fields.

There are plenty of sports medicine/rehab facilties needing qualified people. Heck, open your own.

Not one of these jobs would you ever be a paper jockey.

[john70t]

You're almost overqualified to be a fitness trainer, if worst comes to worst. Shoot for the top- ergonomics division in an auto/etc. company/affiliate.
Take a job personality test (from an anonomous computer of course) and see what it says. Here's one example linkhttp://web.tickle.com/take/personality-profile-test.jsp

Mine said I was suited for a garbageman or a mechanic, I chose the latter.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'm looking at bailing too. This office has gotten way too hostile/political/corporate in the last few months. Time to go.

I'm only staying in this field until I can get into trading more seriously (which requires money, unfortunately). If I happen to get to the point I can open my own shop before then, great - I'll do it. If not, I'll do trading to make the bucks and practice design because I want to.

I think there's a HUGE psychological difference between doing things because you want to and because you have to.

I'm getting awfully sick of the "I have to do this *****" feeling. Time for a change.

[Rich76_911s]

THanks for all the input. The reason I am not using my major is because for the most part every career that it is affiliated with requires an advanced degree. I'm not adverse to going back to school, but I would like to get a feel of what the career is like before I spend my P-car money on further education.

Jeff,
What kind of trading are you looking to get into? It is true that trading requires money, as does any business of your own for that matter. I am no trading expert but if I can help you with any trading information feel free to ask. I did do it for 4 years and I have relatives that have been trading for a long time.

[Dixie]

Who has already decided to hire his buddies kid!

You have learned the lesson well. Become the buddy.

Seriously, jobs have and always will be found and obtained based on your networking. Monster.com and the like will always be a long shot.

[M.D. Holloway]

How do you feel about selling?

[Seahawk]

If you are interested in the Human Factors/Human Systems Interface arena, PM me.

[Rich76_911s]

Lube,

I've never sold anything, but I think I would enjoy selling. I could sell a product I believe in and something that I know works. But I'm honest to a fault. Which is a positive when the product you are selling is honest, but is a weakness when the product is all fluff.

[scottmandue]

You should rewrite your resume for every job you apply for, not a complete rewrite but read the ad for the job you are going for and edit you resume to fit that job. Pay particular attention to their wording and throw it back into your resume. If they say "we are looking for someone who likes to wear brown shoes and a black hat" be sure you put that in there.

I learned that from a drunk, slut, nurse, that I used to know who had her own business and it works wonders. I have even cut and pasted sentences from the online ads into my resume. I know it sounds stupid but many HR people are running on autopilot and when they see there own buzz words coming back at them they get all excited.

Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.

[RoninLB]

fwiw... Fargo and other areas of ND needs anybody who can show up to work. ND has been experiencing an economic boom with low unemployment.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It really is a pretty good job market out there - at least that's what I'm seeing. My only reservation in looking elsewhere right now is that I foresee a slowdown and possible recession in the next 6-18 months and particular volatility in the construction/housing markets. Being in architecture, I have to consider whether I want to be a valued, proven employee with almost 3 years under my belt at the place I am now or the "new guy" with a new office if crunch/layoff time hits.

Needless to say, I'm asking very pointed questions on interviews about how the various firms see themselves able to weather any coming economic storm - particularly one that is so closely rooted in our field. Firms that specialize in high-end residential or residential development typically have a hard time answering this question and I can't say I'm seriously going to consider going into that sector. Commercial is probably fine - retail. . . ehhh. . . Maybe if they're hedged into other areas of expertese. . .

On trading - I'm looking at options and futures trading right now, basically because those can yield the highest returns for a given amount of risk or investment (at least that I've found). I'm not afraid of risk - I see it as an obstacle to be measured and managed in order to reap rewards. It's simply a fact of life - if you're not careful with it and are reckless, you'll get burned but if you can learn to manage it properly you can control it. Just like I look at the risk in other endeavours I pursue - flying airplanes, riding motorcycles, racing cars, whatever.

So anyway if you want to discuss I'd love to know what you recommend for getting my feet wet. I've been reading up as much as I can in the little free time I have and want to start "mock trading" on my own to learn the ropes. I'd like to start by being able to supplement my income this way and with any luck have it become my primary method of earnings within five years.

[Moneyguy1]

If you like the markets, try Edward Jones. They pay while training, set you up in an office (really neat computer stuf).

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally posted by Rich76_911s
Lube,

I've never sold anything, but I think I would enjoy selling. I could sell a product I believe in and something that I know works. But I'm honest to a fault. Which is a positive when the product you are selling is honest, but is a weakness when the product is all fluff.

Send me a PM with your contact info. I may have something for you in a sales position but fear not, it is really more of problem solver role - you help folks out (heavy equipment and industry) in terms of increasing equipment reliability.

I would like to gab with you over the phone before I send you on to a hiring manager.

[jyl]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
with any luck have it become my primary method of earnings within five years.

What annual return are you counting on making, net after commissions, fees and costs? What pretax income would you need? And what's inflation? Suppose its 10%, $100K, and 3%. That means capital of $1400K. Suppose its 20%, $100K, and 3%. That means capital of $590K.

How many people can consistently make 20% net annual returns, in good markets and bad. Think about it. Suppose you need 20% returns. In year X you have a bad patch and lose -20%. In year X+1 you need to make +80% to get back on track. If you instead make +20% in year X+1, your income may be roughly back to goal but you've just depleted your capital.