"Old dog, new tricks?" (Job content)

From your description of what you do, the best next thing you can do for yourself is to teach yourself SQL. Based on that description, I am assuming that you're pretty handy with Excel. With that being the case, Access and then SQL Server really aren't big leaps conceptually. Know how to use VLOOKUP? Then you understand conceptually how to define a relationship between two tables in a database.

I bet you'll find that being able to use Access will make your current job way better, and you'll be able to do much more hardcore data analysis. And then - you'll have the Access and SQL experience to market yourself with. I bet your employer even has a good Access tutorial sitting on your company's web-based training portal. Go do it - trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Alright well...

I called it. My boss was unceremoniously fired this morning.

I've been carpet bombing my resume anywhere and everywhere so far today.

Can we hire you as a consultant to figure out why the OBC in the tractor is berkeleying worthless to navigate through?

Job pays in blue miata body parts.......

Ben, I don't have much advice to offer, but good luck, you'll land on your feet and come out ahead. I'm fairly certain we may work for the same company, a lot of changes afoot.

In reply to Swank Force One:

If you submit one to us please let me know and I'll send HR a message.

Thanks guys.

Pete, i'll let you know. It took me a little while to find this thread again this morning so i haven't gotten a chance to go back through and re-digest it all yet.

I've noticed that you have a lot of knowledge about a lot of different cars. That knowledge is valuable. Have you considered opening your own shop or going to work for a race shop? In the right location you should be able to hit your target income or more within a few years. Finding the right help is critical. I don't recommend a one man shop. You can make a living at it but there's too much time finding parts, going to get them, etc. to get in adequate hrs. on the clock.

Graefin10 wrote: I've noticed that you have a lot of knowledge about a lot of different cars. That knowledge is valuable. Have you considered opening your own shop or going to work for a race shop? In the right location you should be able to hit your target income or more within a few years. Finding the right help is critical. I don't recommend a one man shop. You can make a living at it but there's too much time finding parts, going to get them, etc. to get in adequate hrs. on the clock.

More than one person has said that, but the reality is that i really don't enjoy working on cars. In fact, most days i'd rather sit in my cube at the job i hate than get dirty wrenching on another pile of junk.

I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

Swank Force One wrote: I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

I found that out this spring. prefectly qualified, exactly what they want but can't afford me.

Bobzilla wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

I found that out this spring. prefectly qualified, exactly what they want but can't afford me.

Yep. I'd love to shoot the E36 M3 with customers, help guide them, give input, plan their setups, make the orders, handle inventory, etc etc etc...

But i ain't taking a 50% paycut to do that. I work to make money, not because i like working.

Bobzilla wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

I found that out this spring. prefectly qualified, exactly what they want but can't afford me.

I've seen that too with the lousy economy.

Recruiter: "Hi, X company is interested in for this position because of your experience and skillset."
Me: "Great, give me some more details."
(later)
Recruiter: "Nevermind, you have too much experience for them."

z31maniac wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

I found that out this spring. prefectly qualified, exactly what they want but can't afford me.

I've seen that too with the lousy economy. Recruiter: "Hi, X company is interested in for this position because of your experience and skillset." Me: "Great, give me some more details." (later) Recruiter: "Nevermind, you have too much experience for them."

The good(?) news is that i'm already pretty badly underpaid, so getting a job that will pay similar if not more money in my current field shouldn't be too hard.

I PM'ed you something of interest

z31maniac wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

I found that out this spring. prefectly qualified, exactly what they want but can't afford me.

I've seen that too with the lousy economy. Recruiter: "Hi, X company is interested in for this position because of your experience and skillset." Me: "Great, give me some more details." (later) Recruiter: "Nevermind, you have too much experience for them."

I've been seeing that as well. More difficult job than the one I'm in, and paying less than I make now. And I'm underpaid already.

Swank Force One wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: I'd be cool with pretty much any other job at a speed shop, but with no real experience on paper, i'm guessing the money i need just isn't there.

I found that out this spring. prefectly qualified, exactly what they want but can't afford me.

I've seen that too with the lousy economy. Recruiter: "Hi, X company is interested in for this position because of your experience and skillset." Me: "Great, give me some more details." (later) Recruiter: "Nevermind, you have too much experience for them."

The good(?) news is that i'm already pretty badly underpaid, so getting a job that will pay similar if not more money in my current field shouldn't be too hard.

If you're "pretty badly underpaid" I am living below poverty level.... jeesh.

Who is replacing your recently let go boss? Is that position an option for you?

In reply to Bobzilla:

Quiet "Trophy Husband"(errrr, if that could even be said).........

T.J. wrote: Who is replacing your recently let go boss? Is that position an option for you?

Probably not the world's best idea considering its Anthem and full of people who don't want to work, so the problems are pushed off

In reply to Bobzilla:

I mean for the level of responsibility and/or the skill set required for the job, i'm underpaid. I'm not saying i'm poor, just that my pay is low for the job.

T.J. wrote: Who is replacing your recently let go boss? Is that position an option for you?

I'd be highly surprised if anyone actually applied for that job. I'm certainly not going to be the one to do it. Let's just say i don't think my boss was fired for doing anything wrong.

I need to get out.

Good luck to you sir. I do very similar things with data, but also compliment those skills with GIS. I too need to learn SQL, the basics of Oracle DBA, and I wish I could pick up a better understanding of ESRI Arc SDE.

Without a degree, you may be wasting your time blasting resumes off. First thing HR is going to do is search them and weed out all without a degree.

You need to network your way into your next job. Linkedin is good if you use it right. I never did land a job with them, but I did get several very good interviews that I then blew.

Find a list of companies that you want to work for.

Figure out who is in the dept you want to work at those companies, or who works in depts in that company that work with your dept. Look for hiring managers, people at your level, people below your level.

Reach out to them - ask for advice on your career, make them feel like they are important, but dont kiss A$$.

Ask if you can send them your resume. Ask them if they are hiring or if they know of other similar companies that may not be on your radar, ask for contacts at those companies.

Lot of people sugesting you learn computer geek stuff. Find out if those computer geek things have networking events, real life or online. Attend and go out of your way to meet people. You have a job, lots of people without jobs, but with contacts that may help you later may ask you for help. Help them.

Good luck. if you are not good at braggin on your self, look at hiring a professional resume writer. $200 now is nothing if you get fired and it takes weeks to aland a new job.

Rusnak_322 wrote: Without a degree, you may be wasting your time blasting resumes off. First thing HR is going to do is search them and weed out all without a degree.

Or he could just get one of those mail-order "life experience" degrees for $200.

Unexpected resolution: I'm moving to my old job function, since there's no way in hell i'm going to make the new production REs.

Bonus: I keep my current pay scale, and there's WAY more overtime available. Unfortunately, no more opportunity for a true step raise, but that's fine for now. Figure i'll relax for a year and bring in some cash and get some certs on the side without worrying about whether or not i'll have a job next week.

In reply to Swank Force One: