How Low Will I Go?

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

Okay, the job search is going nowhere so this morning I applied for a position on a road construction crew. Think they'll let me play with the heavy machinery?
What should I try next?

[apple_ridge]

1. Become a contractor. Even if you've never swung a hammer,

you'd be more skilled than most that are skulking around these days.

You'll also have the advantage of being a woman in a totally male dominated field and that would be a huge selling point. People would most likely trust you more.

[lastknowngood]

2. Try power washing the equipment is real cheap and you can

canvas neighborhoods for work by looking for mildew on the siding. The pay is in cash and if you get going you can hire people to do the work and you can manage. Stop looking for a job and start looking for work you will get paid directly for.

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

3. Interesting idea

But in Minnesota I'll probably have to wait a month or two.
;-)

[jenibek73]

4. Looking too

I went back to school to get my Bachelor's, only to make less money. This one guy I knew, he told me to start up my own business, as he was sure it wouldn't cost much and the need is there. Going into people's yards and cleaning up after their pets um, accidents. So, you could go lower! Cleaning up poop because some lazy well off individual is too lazy to.

[Krupskaya]

5. What do you mean by "low"?

Are some jobs beneath you?

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

6. Sorry, no. Didn't mean to imply anything.

Just frustrated that's all.

[dflprincess]

7. I know what you meant

I'm looking for a job too and I've begun to feel like I may lose my mind if I don't find one soon.

I was working for a large for-profit health insurer...You can't get any lower than that.

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

8. I apologize for a very badly worded post.

I did not mean to suggest that some jobs were beneath me.

When I said low I meant that I am in a low point in my life:
unemployed and trying to get back into the workforce after 12 years.

I am applying for any and all jobs now- even those for which I am not qualified. I mentioned the road crew job because it is probably obvious to anyone who has met me that the only job I could perform on a road crew is that of holding the stop sign. But hey, it was worth a try.

[GAspnes]

9. Both of you, check out Boston Scientific

They're hiring like mad, consultants and full-time.

http://boston.recruitmax.com/candidates/

I'm consulting there now and it's a very good place.

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

11. Thanks GAspnes

I have forwarded my resume to them.

[Krupskaya]

10. Supormom, I appreciate the apology and clarification.

My hackles rise when I think people are making fun of certain kinds of jobs or labor. For example, road workers had to bargain for years to get safety workers, like sign holders, required on the job. I see where you're coming from and just wanted to point it out.

Good luck on your search, BTW. I got laid off in November 2001 and have been unemployed since. Aren't I just a voice of happy sunshine?

[dpbrown]

19. At least you're not job-searching in Germany

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/30/wgerm30.xml

So that's a plus.

DPB

[katinmn]

12. MN Council for Nonprofits has a good job board

You might find a good progressive organization with a mission that appeals to you.

http://www.mncn.org/jobs/default.asp

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

14. Thanks Kat!

What a great resource.

[cynthia]

13. have you applied in the public schools?

Of course they are cutting people left and right since our government thinks schools are a black hole that waste money. But some schools pay a decent wage, not that you would get rich, but it does pay the rent.

And it IS rewarding. I never have a hard time heading off to work in the morning, because I love what I do.

I have hired three people in the past two months to work with me, so I know there are openings.

By the way, when I returned to the workforce after 15 years as a stay-at-home mom, I worked at Target for a month before I got into the public schools. It was a great job for slimming down, lost a few inches just running all over the store every day for 8 hours.

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

15. You are so fortunate.

It's so wonderful to work in an environment that you love. Thanks for the advice.

[pauliedangerously]

16. What's your skill set?

Are you flexible in the hours you're willing to work?

[wellstone dem]

17. I just got an email about a development job (fundraiser)

for a non-profit in St. Cloud area. If you are interested, let me know and I'll forward it to you tomorrow, when I'm back at work.

[dpbrown]

18. 30-40% Online, and the rest Networking

That's what it said in the guide I read about job searching.

I'm looking, too. Although I have the luxury of being employed now, I'm hoping to find something more fulfilling soon.

As to holding the stop sign, well, no one would miss the sign, then, would they? ;)

Here are the general links I keep handy for Minnesota:

http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/
http://www.uscourts.gov/employment.html
http://www.doer.state.mn.us/stf-bltn/jobs2/index.htm
http://www.minnesotajobnetwork.com/
http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/employment_opportunities/

These are more national:

http://www.monster.com/
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/
http://www.democraticgain.org/

I also recently broadcast my resume using this service:

http://www.resumerabbit.com/

Best of luck,

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota