Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sigh

Well, I've been unemployed for 4 weeks now....

I'm not a fan.

That being said there have been some definite upsides to the experience. I've had ample opportunity for reflection on my career and where it has been heading, and I've decided I'm going to try to work my way back into the mechanical end of the Engineering spectrum. Yay, progress!

That being said, while I've been hearing that companies are hurting for mechanical EITs, most of the job postings I've found are for senior positions. I've just started sending applications to companies regardless of whether or not they have a job posting up.

Most of my job leads have been frustratingly silent. Ditto with the applications I've sent out through job search engines. I received an application non-consideration notice from one company recently. While it sucked getting it, I can respect the company for having a reasonable response time. At least I'm not sitting around waiting and wondering.

This is the longest period of time I've been unwillingly out of employment. I don't know how people do it for 6 months or a year, I really don't. I feel just a little batty right now.

Okay, maybe more than just a little batty.

While I'm still good for a little while, I'm worried about money (obviously). The EI payments haven't started showing up yet, not that I really want to be on them in the first place. Right now I just want to get back to work and start paying down my albatross.

Part of me wants to walk around wearing a t-shirt that says "I'm a Mechanical EIT, Hire Me!"






Maybe I'll wait another week for that one.

3 comments:

banclothing said...

From what I have heard it seems that EIT's don't tend to be in love with their jobs until 5 years which; is after they get their PEng. I think it takes that long to understand and be confident at your job. I think it's a great idea that you are going to stick with Mechanical Engineering for now. In my opinion you minus well get your PEng and decide after if it's still what you want to continue to do. You don't want to give up on your degree premature. I know it's been 4 weeks so you are itching to get back on a payroll... have you thought of getting a job somewhere part time where you would love to work but would have never gone for while working as a professional (art gallery, museum, yoga studio, urban barn, anthropologie)? Maybe this is your chance to pick something up in the mean time to keep you busy but still focus on applying for jobs. You can always ditch the part time work as soon as you have secured something else but it's a way of still getting paid (although substantially less).

The Asian Pear said...

Have you thought about registering with an HR/Head Hunter company?

Cassie said...

I've actually registered with a couple already. I sent my resume to one referencing a job I knew I wasn't quite qualified for, and said so in the message. The head hunter replied that I was correct, they were looking for someone more experienced, but that my resume read quite well and that they would put my name forward as soon as something suitable came their way.