I'm hitting the bricks tomorrow morning.

[Zeke]

Time to turn in the contractor's license I've held since '81 and get a real job. I've been slammin' nails for 38 years along with a host of other trades, like plumbing, electrical and painting.

For a hobby and sometimes for financial gain, I've worked on cars. Mainly body and suspension, fabricating and painting. That's all I know. That and construction with an emphasis on home improvement, particularly on older and historic properties. Doesn't matter, I'm hanging up the tool belt.

I have a undergraduate degree in English and a degree in marketing. I've worked in those fields a total of one year out of the last 40. That's not worth mentioning except that I went to college.

During the last recession (which wiped me out totally), I saw that any company doing business with a wealthy clientèle did well. In fact, 2 companies in the OC grew during the period of '91 to '95 and are still viable. I believe they will be doing OK during the next few years although at this point they are off about 20%.

Seems like there's a plan in there somewhere, but I don't know exactly what. I'll make my resume' short and simple because I realize that a 62 YO has very limited desirability. I'm sure I can get on as a security guard at minimum wage, and they don't need anything but an SS no. for a background check. Or I can walk the aisles of the Home Defect (maybe, I hear they're closing stores). But I hope to set the bar a little higher than that.

I guess I'll have a little time to think about it while finishing up my Carrera project.

[trekkor]

How about a city/county buildng inspector position?



KT

[competentone]

Originally Posted by milt

... a degree in marketing...

... I'll make my resume' short and simple because I realize that a 62 YO has very limited desirability. I'm sure I can get on as a security guard at minimum wage, and they don't need anything but an SS no. for a background check. Or I can walk the aisles of the Home Defect (maybe, I hear they're closing stores). But I hope to set the bar a little higher than that.

Sounds like you need to relearn some things about marketing!

Looking for work is all about "marketing" oneself.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by competentone

Sounds like you need to relearn some things about marketing!

Looking for work is all about "marketing" oneself.

True enough. I've been marketing myself for 38 years getting one job after another. It's not all in the bid price. Many times the buyer will pick a price in the middle, but which one?

I think I'd rather sit at a bench and weld as opposed to anymore selling. There are lots of small businesses within a mile or two of my home, so I'll simply canvass. Someone may take a liking to an "elder."

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by milt

True enough. I've been marketing myself for 38 years getting one job after another. It's not all in the bid price. Many times the buyer will pick a price in the middle, but which one?

I think I'd rather sit at a bench and weld as opposed to anymore selling. There are lots of small businesses within a mile or two of my home, so I'll simply canvass. Someone may take a liking to an "elder."

Maybe you can get a job at the local airport welding baffles into mufflers

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by trekkor

How about a city/county buildng inspector position?



KT

Not a bad idea at all...

[Buckterrier]

Good luck Milt. You could always market those awesome bumpers you fabricated!

[Wickd89]

Best of luck to ya Milt! Job hunts can be a great period of self discovery!

Just curious, are looking for a job, like most of us, because we need to work, or because you just want something to occupy your team.

You have always come across to me as someone who is quite comfortable and works as needed.. ;-) (no harm intended)...

[Zeke]

I'll address the building inspector idea. Here in CA, we are governed by the International Congress of Building Officials (ICBO) which is pretty much the whole game west of the Mississippi. They offer certification which involves study and testing just like a contractor's license. One must have this certification in order to apply/get/keep a BI job. Currently, I don't have anything along those lines. But, what's more, why would a city hire a 63 YO man that they want out of the system by age 65? The have to keep the bottom line on the ins policies and a bunch of old farts won't help.

I'll add that washing dishes might have more appeal that continuing in the construction field. I've had it. Furthermore, construction is way down, there is a hiring freeze all over and the state/county/city is broke. No jobs.

I'll need a better plan than to become another economy sucking government employee even if it was possible. You see, that's why this ain't easy. If it weren't a severe problem, I'd just go get a job. Maybe the rest of the country isn't seeing the depth of the depression as I do. LB is probably looking at 10% unemployment right now.

Originally Posted by Wickd89

Best of luck to ya Milt! Job hunts can be a great period of self discovery!

Just curious, are looking for a job, like most of us, because we need to work, or because you just want something to occupy your team.

You have always come across to me as someone who is quite comfortable and works as needed.. ;-) (no harm intended)...

Funny that you say that. I've had many folks assume that I am wealthy upon meeting me. They wonder why I have to work. I'm no sure why that is.

[MRM]

Milt, what do you think of getting into home inspections business? There are several kinds of inspections I can think of that you would do well at. The first is moisture testing houses, especially stucco homes, to see if they are suffering from moisture intrusion. Here is a link to the web site of the kind of business I am thinking of. This guy was a broken down contractor when water infiltration hit Minnesota. He purchased some franchise for moisture probing stucco houses and now has reinvented himself as a "structural consultant". I suspect there is a real demand for people like this in your part of the world. If you are interested I would be happy to talk to you about it, what you need to set it up, how to market yourself, etc.

Second, there is regular old fashioned new homebuyer prepurchase inspections. Home inspectors still do this business and do OK. I have a client who does this and makes a living at it. The secret is to market to real estate agents and closing agencies, being reliable, professional and prompt.

Third, the foreclosure industry needs property inspectors for the banks and other parties dealing with foreclosed propery, HUD properties, Section 8 Housing, etc. Again, PM me and I'll call you and let you know how to get into this kind of work. This is what my client is transitioning into and he seems to like it.

Finally, what about an estimator/project manager position with an established company? Maybe more commercial construction?

Or, open your own tuner/restoration company. I'm sure you can find some financial backers to give you capital.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Good luck Milt. You could always market those awesome bumpers you fabricated!

That's interesting, too. Back in the late 60's , I developed my own designs for fiberglass fenders, hood, etc., for VW's. I failed at getting the line sold beyond just paying for my time and tooling. I ended up working for a fellow that wanted to put a catalog together to go up against EMPI. I sourced the products and began that project. What a nightmare and it's too long a story to tell, but that was some of the "year" I worked in marketing.

In the late '80's, I designed, prototyped, developed and sold a product that enhanced the appeal of household windows. The day we launched at a home show, the Gulf War broke out. Then came the recession a year or so later. I got out again with almost my investment which was about $40K. I'm not in the entrepreneurial mood these days.

From what I've seen when I did the 911 R hinges, I would never, ever depend on car owners for my living. I'd say 30% canceled their commitment. The product was unsurpassed in quality from what I heard back from those that followed through.
That's one of the reasons I shelved the MFI protractor project.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by MRM

Milt, what do you think of getting into home inspections business? There are several kinds of inspections I can think of that you would do well at. The first is moisture testing houses, especially stucco homes, to see if they are suffering from moisture intrusion. Here is a link to the web site of the kind of business I am thinking of. This guy was a broken down contractor when water infiltration hit Minnesota. He purchased some franchise for moisture probing stucco houses and now has reinvented himself as a "structural consultant". I suspect there is a real demand for people like this in your part of the world. If you are interested I would be happy to talk to you about it, what you need to set it up, how to market yourself, etc.

Second, there is regular old fashioned new homebuyer prepurchase inspections. Home inspectors still do this business and do OK. I have a client who does this and makes a living at it. The secret is to market to real estate agents and closing agencies, being reliable, professional and prompt.

Third, the foreclosure industry needs property inspectors for the banks and other parties dealing with foreclosed propery, HUD properties, Section 8 Housing, etc. Again, PM me and I'll call you and let you know how to get into this kind of work. This is what my client is transitioning into and he seems to like it.

Finally, what about an estimator/project manager position with an established company? Maybe more commercial construction?

Or, open your own tuner/restoration company. I'm sure you can find some financial backers to give you capital.

There are far too many home inspectors now than the market needs. These guys are hurting as I am.

I did come up with an idea for a robotic camera that could access places an inspector could not, but see above.

[dentist90]

"Zen and The Art of... " best of luck in filling the blank. Seems like you're adequately qualified for anything you put your mind to, just need a start.

[RoninLB]

i have a friend that made big bucks doing kitchen cabinets with trick drawers etc and custom fireplaces. High end customers would buy his goods for entertainment.

you could probably name your price working on wooden boats? If you know how to do transoms you could do anything.

[LakeCleElum]

A friend of mine your age retired from Boeing as an computer IT guy. For fun, he took and evening welding class for 6 weeks. During the class, someone walked in and said he would hire welders on the spot that had passed a certain certification test. Aren't welders in demand even in slow economic times?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by milt

I'll address the building inspector idea. ....But, what's more, why would a city hire a 63 YO man...

My stepdad retired from CitiGroup a few years back.

He was their Chief Architect. He was responsible for building and managing every square inch of their properties, branches, atm's, corp office space, the whole bit.

Mom basically told him to find something to keep him occupied before she killed him.

He has gotten into Ins claims.

Will work as a hired gun inspector for the insurance industry.

He had to do some intensive training to get certified but there is apparently money in it.

Work will be sporadic and will make the most coin after natural disasters, hurricanes etc...

Might be an idea.

[Wickd89]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

You should come work for me on sales. Trouble is, I don't know if you have the patience to deal with some of our more "difficult" customers...

-Wayne

Oh that hurts. Milt I think I Wayne is referring to me.

Oh Wayne by the way, I did end up receiving my Covercraft satin cover. Nice soft cover inside the garage. Red makes me feel like I own a Ferrari!!

[look 171]

Milt,

How about property damage inspector for insurance co.? I know one thing, you should qualify to teach at a local skill center or tech school based on your experience. about $40 per hour. All run by your local school district. I think that's what they call it. Most of those guys that teach there have industry experience but no college, but that doesn't matter. At least with that job, you don't have to deal with high school kids. Show them something you know well. Young punks need that nowa days. Not from dump ***** teacher out of college.

About 2 month ago, the county of ed office e mail me about an opening at a local skill center that needed a construction position. It might be part time.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Construction Management.

There is still plenty of commercial work going on out there and experienced individuals who know their way around a job site and how to deal with GCs/subs are always in demand.

[Hawktel]

Lots of companies out here in Utah try to hire older workers.

Presumably at 63, you know how to show up on time, and have some kind of work ethic. Weird, but some places value that kind of thing.

Maybe you should get into fabrication? Or Take Wayne up on his offer, and see how the sales go? My Uncle works for his local garbage truck company in the shop working on trucks. Love's it. Maybe you can do something like that.