Ok, seriously people I need career help

[shadowknows69]

If you knew me, you would know how much pride I'd have to swallow to make this post.
Anyone who has a company and might have an opening. Knows someone hiring or even has a good tip on a soon to be vacant job it's time I find myself a career (again) so my wife doesn't have to work herself to death. Driving taxi isn't going to cut it and it simply drains my spirit. I'm definitely not opposed to relocation at this point and I've been sending resumes everywhere but it sometimes helps to know people that know people. I've sent out for so many jobs around here that I'm so qualified for, and there cant be too many in my skill set in my small area, never even to get a call back. It could be that thanks to some business rivals of mine around here my name has been dragged through the mud in ways I don't even know about or it could be that someone's cousin got it.

I have a short resume I can send anyone that wants too look at it but in summary my skills and experience include.

I have two years of Journalism school and various other classes I took out of interest (computers, anthropology.)

7+ years in radio:
On-air personality. I've done Classic Rock/Hits, light AC, News/talk formats on air.
Production director/sales assistant for a 4 station cluster.

Wrote and produced most of the radio commercials for 4 stations including delegating different spots to various other voice over talent.

General oversite of continuity in commercial traffic. Making sure correctly scheduled spots were playing on dates they should etc.

I've done music director duties doing station logs and scheduling music, ads, promos etc.
Used to do most of the imaging production for a classic rock station and I was usually interim PD when my boss took vacation.

I was the back up for our traffic manager when she took vacation so I've done commercial traffic logs for four stations.

Used to design the sales presentations for our sales force (publisher, word, powerpoint, Corel)

Done some graphic design with Corel and Microsoft products.

I taught myself video production and editing.

As an independent producer I've produced several television commercials from concept to completion.

I interviewed and hired several models for our commercials.

I've produced several local radio commercials that local businesses chose to pay me significantly extra to do when they could have had the station do it gratis.



I've driven everything from people to flowers to pizza to minor contriband for a living.

I've cleaned floors for a living.

I've cooked stuff for a living but I wasn't great at it. No cooking jobs please.

I did manage a concession stand for a summer and wasn't bad at that.

I designed and maintain a newsletter website and produce regluar video features and write some columns for it.

I've seen every movie ever made. I am fairly well read.

I have an IQ of 130ish

I speak eight or nine words in spanish and am willing to learn hundreds more.

I can name that song in two notes or less (ok if it's classic or new rock. Country you've got me.)

If I have a job where I'm allowed to be reasonably creative you won't find an employee more pleased to come to work and bust ass.

I'm pretty cheap but also not stupid.

There's most of me laid on the table. Any help whatsoever would be grandly appreciated DU.
Mods please don't move this to another thread right away. GD is about the only place I hang and my favorite people are here. No, that wasn't just a suck up. If you want a yes-man you probably shouldn't hire me. If you want an enthusiatic contributor to your company then do.

[whistle]

1. How old are you shadowknows69

[shadowknows69]

5. I'm 37

Which is why I'm sure you can see I've had a few snags in rejoining a decent work force.

[spinbaby]

2. Where?

I didn't notice that you mentioned a geographical preference.

[shadowknows69]

6. I'm in upstate NY

and there is apparently nothing in Upstate NY. Please prove me wrong. Geography really isn't an issue if the right thing happens. I need to build a better life for my family, not just financially, so whatever I need to do to those ends I guess.

[spinbaby]

13. Upstate NY is difficult

Lots near NYC but nothing much in the boonies.

[Yupster]

17. Down here in the oilpatch of West Texas

there isn't a job in town that is not screaming for workers.

Even jobs completely unrelated to oil are short people because the oil companies have lured everyone else's best employees.

www.mywesttexas.com

to check for areas and ideas.

If you came here you would be able to choose one of 20 jobs and start the next day.

[cap]

3. have you considered podcasting/Vcasting?

setting up a podcast station on the internet and holding forth...you've done enough of the business except the actual marketing. If you could figure out marketing, you could get your own internet station going.

[shadowknows69]

7. I have some marketing experience

and I think I have a good mind for it but I admit podcasting is just beyond me right now. I'm slightly behind the portable media game. As I said I was a radio studio troll for 7 years. We didn't like those new fangled devices that might hurt us broadcast folks. lol.

[cap]

52. reconsider podcasting

you are going to have to do something different from what you are doing now.

Podcasting is very easy and cheap to get into. You have an innate advantage. You know something about broadcasting. You know something about marketing broadcasts. You are just talking into a slightly different device. In fact, you could do podcasts about how to broadcast effectively. Listen to a few podcasts and you will see how these people dont know the basics about talking into a microphone. Since you love movies, you could podcast about all the movies you've seen.

Dont try to fit into manual labor. You are not cut out for it and the housing boom is ending... There will be a lot of unemployed manual laborers. Stick to what you know you like...radio, culture, etc.

[SmokingJacket]

54. This is a genius idea.

I am just your age and also live in upstate NY -- I have a master's degree, etc., and right now I'm working retail. AND I feel lucky to have this job.

But Cap is right -- there are not a whole lot of industries that are booming right now, but podcasting is taking off. My husband does it from his basement -- he learned how to do it just from the internet. With your experience in broadcasting, I bet you could find a niche.

Spend an afternoon exploring it, anyway...

Good luck to you.

[cap]

57. I think your husband needs to talk to shadowknows69

hubby can talk him through the podcast... and probably shadowknows69 could dialog with him about the radio business.

Podcasting isnt that different... You're still talking to a microphone. It's just that the mike is hooked up to a different piece of electronics.

The two of them could help each other out.... There are a lot of lame podcasts out there. shadowknows69 probably could do a lot better.

[JVS]

4. Plumbing or truckdriving

People are always going to shit, and stuff always needs to be taken from one place to another.

[shadowknows69]

8. I've considered truck driving

I've delivered enough things. I never did because honestly I couldn't bring myself to be responsible for that much weight on a road. Een the possibility of ever hurting or killing anyone with my truck (and I've lost enough friends this way) and I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

Plumbing. In my past perhaps but now I have kind of a bum back form an accident or two and also while I'm pretty agile with a piece of editing software I am mechanically challenged when it comes to real world tools. I'm not allowed to fix stuff at my house.

[Warpy]

9. ...or nursing

The job sucks but you can still get an RN with 2 years of incredibly intense education. It pays enough to live on and you can do it anywhere in the world.

[shadowknows69]

12. Also considered it

and it is very big where I am. I know some nurses and I honor them because I don't think I could do what they do. The first time someone died on me I don't think I'd ever recover.

[Tyler Durden]

16. Electrician or Finish Carpentry: You're a young guy.

Just adding to the list.

Not to disillusion you, but I'm 53 years old, and have spent ZERO time doing creative, fulfilling, meaningful, important, constructive, reality based, progressive, blah blah blah work.

If I was 37, it'd be down at the IBEW getting a journeyman's card, NOW. I have found more satisfaction in the hand work I have done renovating than in anything else I have done in my life.

There is honor in honest, hand labor.

[shadowknows69]

24. No doubt sir

and I don't discount any and I've done my share. It's just historically I've never been very good at it. I'd end up the old IA teacher with 4 fingers missing I assure you. It's not for lack of desire to be good at these things. I am just a scientifically verifiable natural clutz when it comes to weilding construction or destruction tools. Although I tend to be better at destruction. If you know some places that have good insurance hook me up lol.

[Tyler Durden]

28. Electricians usually keep all their fingers...

Terry (my friend) isn't the most coordinated guy, he's just methodical.

I'd still suggest electrician. Alwasy work for those guys, EVERYWHERE.

[shadowknows69]

31. I'd need free training

My credit is not well.

[Tyler Durden]

41. Journeyman training PAYS. Does not COST.

In Port Huron Michigan the going rate for an IBEW Journeyman Apprentice was over 12 bucks an hour. Health insurance, PENSION (did I say PENSION? YES, I did.)

Can't be worse where you are. IBEW is national. Phone calls to the union hall are cheap I hear!

Just bein' a smartass chum. Been where you are: Good luck.

[shadowknows69]

44. I did not know this. Thanks Tyler

I'm not exaclt lithe enough to be scaling tele poles and craling into fuseboxes though. Do they take portly electricians?

[TX-RAT]

10. Ton of work around here. West TX

A warm body ( no experience ) on a drilling rig draws 16.50 an hour, averaging 60 to 70 hours a week. With transportation to and from the rig furnished by the company's. 1200 to 1400 a week ain't bad.

[shadowknows69]

14. My back takes me out of the heavy physical labor equation

I should have mentioned that. Is there any training available for like heavy equipment operation and such though?

[Yupster]

20. Oops - I posted above

before getting to here.

Forget oil rigs.

Teachers have moved to those jobs. So have city workers and pizza delivery men and cooks (a friend). You can let them have the oil jobs. You can fill one of the jobs they left. Employers are screaming for people down here. Every job and any job.

[Tyler Durden]

22. Too bad you're not here in Michigan

Not only is there heavy equipment training, but things like that are the few items you can get a stipend for learning.

I still vote for Electrician, though. My good friend is as old as me, diabetic with a bad back and he is raking it in as an electrician.

[Breeze54]

11. Have you considered 'Marketing'?

https://www.kraftcareers.com/JobSearch/JobSearchMain.asp

You have a wide range of skill set, and Kraft foods is all over NY!! Including upper state.

Just a thought! ;)

PS. If you are worried about finding a job at the age of 37, then there is no hope for me... :-(


On edit: I just saw your post upthread that you have done some marketing.

Good luck on your hunt! I'm sure you will find something! :thumbsup:

Global Supply Chain
Customer Service & Logistics
http://www.kraftfoods.com/careers/careers/csl.htm
Our headquarter sites include Northfield, IL, Glenview, IL, Tarrytown, NY and East Hanover, NJ.
In addition, our field CS&L locations include Addison, IL, Allentown, PA, Bentonville, AR,
Columbus, OH, Livermore, CA, Norcross, GA, Suwanee, GA, and Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Who We Are Looking For Within CS&L At Kraft?

We are looking for individuals with an undergraduate degree in the supply chain, logistics, distribution, materials management, engineering and other business disciplines that support our CS&L activities. In addition to your education, Kraft Foods recruits those people who excel in a team environment and are driven for results. Kraft candidates must be comfortable interacting with all types of individuals at all levels within the organization. It is also important that people are mobile to work at several of our field and headquarter facilities. People should be self-starters and ready to analyze and determine resolution to grow Kraft's business.

If you are interested in beginning a Supply Chain career with Kraft Foods, please review Kraft.com job openings under both the Field Manufacturing and Distribution and Headquarter locations.

[shadowknows69]

15. Lets start

"The Hopeless Corporation"

"We'll give you a job when no one else will! We won't be able to pay you but your sense of worth will return in no time!"

[shadowknows69]

19. Thanks.

I have one more small problem in that arena. I'm not a pretty 37 year old. Anyone who thinks that doesn't matter in this day and age is dreaming. A company isn't going to put me on the street to sell their wares and I know this. They could do worse than to throw me in a room brainstorming with an ad agency though.

[Breeze54]

27. You'd probably be in an office and on the phone!

My sister used to work for them, that's why I thought of them
and because they're in NYC and the greater NY area.

Have some confidence!
You never know until you try, although I understand what you're saying.
You could just do customer service!! Why not? It's a place to start! ;)

Do a search for 'ADMIN' jobs/customer service'; on NY job bank at the Employment office.

[shadowknows69]

30. I did a call center

and was willing to make a go of it but it turned out to be BS. They pump you full of all these "advancement opportuinites". then a month down the road you realize all your supervisors are 19 and not the most talented but definitely the most attractive of the group. etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum.
Not to mention you have to lie to and screw a lot of people that simply wanted to use your product. I left for ethical reasons.

[Breeze54]

38. Not all CS jobs are like that though.

Ethical reasons should be put aside, sorry to say, if you need $$$ asap!!
You don't have to be a scumbag to work Customer Support.
I've done it but I wasn't in sales, I was a Technical Agent/Help Desk/Customer Support.

Well; good luck!

[shadowknows69]

40. I begged them to put me in tech support

which I could do. I know plugs and wires. I could even walk you through most of your control panel on your comp. They stuck me in retentions for Sirius radio. When we had to refund money I was told to tell people 3 to 5 days. I'd talk to the same people 3 MONTHS later still waiting. I couldn't put aside enough ethics for that.

[Breeze54]

51. Here's a VERY good Job Search site...95 current NY openings!!

http://www.dice.com/

Did you know?

Many hiring companies who use Dice search our resume database before posting jobs.
That means many of the best jobs are never even posted.

New York area job search
http://seeker.dice.com/jobsearch/gentwo/metrosearch.jsp?ma=15

You said you could do technical support, right?

I did a search for you! :rofl:

http://seeker.dice.com/jobsearch/servlet/JobSearch
Keywords: technical AND writer

TECHNICAL WRITER with Trading Systems experience Vega Consulting Solutions New York, NY 06-26-2006
Technical Writer - SAP TSR Consulting Services, Inc. New York, NY 06-21-2006
Technical Writer Fast Switch, Ltd. Trumbull, CT 07-06-2006
Technical Writer Trinuc, LLC Summit, NJ 07-06-2006
Entry Level Technical Writer ProfitCenter Software Inc. - Divison Of Systemax Uniondale, NY 06-22-2006
Technical Writer Essential Data Corporation New York, NY 06-11-2006
TECHNICAL WRITER RCG Information Technology, Inc. Bloomfield, NJ 07-07-2006
QA / Helpdesk / Technical Writer Time, Inc. New York, NY 06-26-2006
Technical Writer

ETC, etc, etc.....

[Clark2008]

25. There's nothing in marketing.

I've been laid off two times in five years because marketing is always the first thing to go during cut backs.

I'm working for a good company now, but I'm an assistant. At my age with my skill set, I should be the marketing manager somewhere, but there's nothing available.

[Breeze54]

32. Current Job Openings? looks like older job postings

Job Search
Current Job Openings

Ready for challenge and opportunity?

Click on a link below to view a list of current job openings

* Headquarters Locations,
Field Manufacturing and Distribution,
Sales
* Field Manufacturing and Distribution
(Posted prior to May 1, 2006)

We only accept electronic resumes.
Please select the location above to review our current openings and submit your profile and resume.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/careers/jobSearch/jobpost/fieldops.htm

Field Manufacturing & Distribution
Date Location JobTitle
4/13/2006 Weston, FL Part Time Stockhandler/ Driver
4/13/2006 Weston, FL Full Time Stockhandler/ Driver
3/3/2006 Champaign, IL Financial Analyst
2/7/2006 Chicago, IL - 5385 Production Supervisor
4/5/2006 Dover, DE Quality Supervisor
4/4/2006 Fort Smith, AR Manufacturing Engineer
2/22/2006 Fresno, CA Production Supervisor
2/28/2006 Jacksonville, FL Financial Analyst
2/22/2006 Mason City, IA Production Supervisor
4/12/2006 Newberry, SC Maintenance Supervisor
2/9/2006 Portland, OR - 5371 Maintenance Supervisor
2/1/2006 Richmond, VA - 5375 Financial Analyst
2/1/2006 Richmond, VA - 5375 Production Supervisor

Looks like some are older postings but can't hurt to send a resume.
The pay and benefits are pretty good!
Although the above are out of the NY area.

[shadowknows69]

35. I think Kraft may have cut some NY jobs lately

They were starting to outsource

[Breeze54]

42. Could be..."starting to outsource"?? lol

Long story but Budapest,Hungary and Russia and Australia come to mind! ;)

At any rate, I just thought of advertising and marketing when I read your past experience.
Get a head-hunter!! They're FREE!!! ;)

[otohara]

18. As A Former Radio

worker...you have my sympathy. It's difficult to stay in radio as a "personality" in these days of consolodation. My friend who was #1 for the last 5 years at a station he worked at for 13 years, but didn't get along with the PD was fired and finally he found a job almost 1 year later.

Is there a college near you? I ask because my kid goes to college in upstate NY and I would think a former radio guy might be welcomed. I don't know what sort of job however.

I had to swear infront of a judge I would never work at a "Evil Empire" station ever again. Something I was glad to do - then they settled with me.

[shadowknows69]

26. Lucky bastard

what I would have given for a CC settlement. I should have stayed a personality that's the messed up part. I moved to production director because I figured it would be a more secure position in the company and I'd get to learn more skills. Despite having a year of record sales months and me writing some concept commercials that they are still using 5 years later I got shown the door due to "budgetary reasons" (they chopped my job in two and gave half to a par-timer and half to the traffic manager +10k a year) right before the xmas party so they wouldn't even have to get me my cheap gift. I miss radio and I don't miss radio. I'd make a hell of a producer and that's probably what I'd go back as if anything.

[Norquist Nemesis]

21. This might help

http://www.journalismjobs.com/Search_Jobs.cfm?Media=TV&IndustryID=2,3

A really great place to check would be at colleges and universities, especially if you're open to relocation. Now's the time they're hiring.

[notadmblnd]

23. ask to get on these peoples mailing list

[e-mail] <[e-mail]>

It's a great mailing list for jobs around the country. They post a variety of left leaning positions that cover many areas of expertise.

Luck to you!

[Lorax]

29. Going back to school?

Are you able or willing to go back to school to get your bachelor's? Would you consider teaching? I am 39 years old and I went back to college two years ago to get my BS in Special Education. I will graduate 2 months before my 40th birthday. I will be teaching Special Ed, either in elementary or middle school - I haven't decided yet.

[shadowknows69]

33. I might be able to get a federal loan

i'm in default on my old state loans but I did finally clear my fed loans. I don't know if any of my old creds would transfer I'd probably have to go 4 years. I'd actually love being a teacher I think. My parent both were and they were great ones so I have the utmost respect for what a teacher can do for kids.

[Lorax]

55. Old Credits

Some of my credits were 12 years old, and they transferred in to my state college. I've been going to college part-time for a long time before I finally had the opportunity to go full-time. You never know until you look into it. I'm also hoping to get some loan forgiveness after I graduate and start working. I've been told there are many such programs for special ed teachers but I haven't had time to look into that.

[Swamp Rat]

34. Have you tried Air America Radio?

Send Mike Malloy an email, or anyone there. Give them your vitae AND tell them you are a valued member at DU. :)

[shadowknows69]

36. Never thought to dream that big SR but why not right?

Radio is such a saturated market though and I'm sure AAR has thousands beating at their door. 2nd problem is I have literally nothing from my old radio days. I was given 15 minutes to clear out and most of my archival stuff got lost at the station. Nice huh?

[Swamp Rat]

45. Sorry to hear that.

I know how you feel. 20 years of playing classical guitar and all the recordings gone. The recording of my gig at Jazz Fest, opening for BB King and the Temptations, gone. Sooo many of my performances gone... taken by Katrina. :(

Anyway, why not think big? Maybe there is a part-time position at AAR, which is a foot in the door.

[shadowknows69]

46. Aw geez SR I didn't know that

that just brought me to tears man. Hey Katrina can't take the memories though. That's why I can live with my brief 15 minutes being over because they were a damn good 15 minutes and I rocked this town. B-)

[EFerrari]

37. Just checked in to wish you luck, shadowknows.

Something will present itself. Hang in.


:)

[shadowknows69]

39. Thank you all so much BTW

I was feeling pretty down, you've given me some great places to start.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

43. "Director - News Bureau", "Director - Marketing"....Pittsburgh area

Don't know if this helps, but the biggest employer in Western PA is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. I looked up some jobs that may be of interest to you and hope it helps.

P.S. As an added bonus, if you move to PA by October, you can helps us vote out Rick Santorum. :hi:

UPMC jobs (specific to marketing areas):

http://jobs.upmc.com/Job.htm

[dropkickpa]

47. Also check out the Univ. of Pittsburgh

www.hr.pitt.edu and click on jobs.

[IdaBriggs]

48. Do you have your four year degree?

My mother bought me a book called "How To Get Your Four Year Degree in One Year" (still available used on Amazon, I think), and it was real! I did 75 credit hours in eight months to finish up my four year back in 96 which has SUBSTANTIALLY increased my income. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy (it wasn't), but it was worth it, and frankly, it was kind of fun. :) (Oh, and this was at a "real" college, too, not one of those "buy a degree programs" -- the paperwork alone took a long time, but part of me is convinced that is why you get a degree -- to prove you are capable of jumping through all of the hoops a university can put up! LOL!)

[Lorax]

56. I agree

"part of me is convinced that is why you get a degree -- to prove you are capable of jumping through all of the hoops a university can put up!"

I agree completely!

[Dora]

49. Radio Producer opening at University of Missouri

I stumbled across this yesterday when I was job trawling. It doesn't pay much, but it's in radio.

https://www.missouri.edu/~employment/vacdetails.php?vac=1003235&OAPA-AP=78023c01cd45d9064b06c90ae32c283b
( main jobs list page at https://www.missouri.edu/~employment/vacancylist.php# )


Also, NPR has a jobs page at http://www.npr.org/about/jobs/positions.html Further down that page there's a link to the Corp for Pub Broadcasting sitepage where you can search for jobs at local NPR affiliates. You could also try searching the Public Radio International (PRI) website to see if they post openings.

Good luck!

[Blue_Tires]

50. good luck

i'm in journalism as well, and the job market has also thrown me for a loop (i've written about it numerous times in other threads)

[zalinda]

53. Have you looked in Syracuse? n/t