Finding the right job?

[LuckyDragon]

Basically I'm looking for a new job. Currently I am a machinist at a large dental equipment company. The work and pay are good and the company has good benefits. The problem is the people, they are all for the most part great people, but they suck to work with.

I want to work with smart open minded people. Possibly some kind of mechanical engineering.

I now this is kind of a broad question but any suggestions? How did you find the perfect job? Is there any group of people that you wish you could work with?

If I can't come up with anything I guess I'll have to take that job as a nipple tweeker at the strip club.

 

[Tap-Out]

Whatever you do DO NOT quit the job you're doing now to go in search of "The Perfect Job".

I would keep my eyes open on job boards on the internet. Check the local newspapers, as well I would also talk to some of the people who are in the type of job you want to be in and see if they know of anybody whom may be looking to hire.

Also keep your eyes open for job opportunities with the company you're already working for. A promotion... a new position in a new department. Something that is closly related to what you're doing now or related to the job you wish you were doing, but still away from your current co-workers.

 

[dreamer]

I am learning with each job that all jobs suck.

 

[SIC]

My dad tells me there is no such thing as the perfect job. The reason because you think it would be but with every job there are downs. He told me find something that pays well and do it and if you move up and get more and more money thats great. He say that you are happy when you can buy what you want when you want not what you do at work. Let me tell you this my dad doesnt really like his job he has been at it for 20 years. He likes the pay because he buys what he wants when he wants. If he wants a new car bam he gets it or snowmoblie w/e he wants. There is no perfect job!

 

[blondie74]

The grass is always going to be greener on the other side. I've talked with a lot of people in my lifetime, and there aren't many out there that "love" what they do or are happy every single day at doing it.

However, if you're serious about investing time and energy into searching for the perfect career, there are diffent assessments that you can take that will guide you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you...just don't quit your current job till you've got something else lined up. This labor market is a bitch!

 

[watergirl]

hmm

I don't know... I used to LOVE my job every day and thought I would never want to retire... freelance in theater, going from place to place painting sets & backdrops, never dealing with the same people for much more than a month at a time, bouncing around time.. pretty independent, lots of commuting, lots of responsibility.

Then I got sick of the lack of benefits, and I don't mean health. I don't have health insurance, but I'm still young and stupid. I'd like things like sick days or paid vacations. If I don't work, I'm broke. I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck and not being able to save up and $.

So I'm starting a new job part time with a different company, which I plan to eventually do full time and quit fucking around with theater shit. And of course all the theaters are like, "But you have all this artistic talent that will go to waste, you're such a great painter!"

Too little too late. I love what I have the opportunity to do with the new job, and that kicks ass. And it's not like I can't still do theater, but I want to paint for the people who treat me well. So we'll see.

 

[Bandit58]

I'm trying to get back into the paid workforce after being in a farming partnership for over 20 years with my now ex husband. I have computer skills, a bit of reception experience and am a qualified teacher aide. I'm looking for part time work due to having to care for my partner who has chronic health problems.

There are limitations to the jobs I can apply for. I don't want to travel too far from home, no more than 25 hours a week, and everybody wants experience which I am lacking I'm also 45 years old and I'm not sure if that's counting against me in trying to get a break..... However I have an interview tomorrow so fingers crossed......and I'm gonna keep applying if it doesn't work out.....

 

[midwestyankee]

So tell me why you haven't already taken that job as a nipple tweaker at the strip club? Because if you haven't taken it yet, I may apply.

As a skilled machinist you have skills that are needed and valued, but I'm sure you already know that. If you want to find a job as a machinist and want to find a place that offers a better work environment, then I suggest you start networking. Finding jobs through classified listings - whether in a newspaper or online - is a terrible crapshoot and hardly worth your effort.

The very best jobs are never advertised. In fact, the very best jobs don't exist - ambitious people get someone to create the jobs for them. That's right. The way it works is through networking. You begin by seeking out people in your field and out of your field who know about places that employ machinists. You then ask them for a little help. You ask if you could just talk to them about improving your career. You get 20 minutes of their time and start asking questions about how a machinist might find a place where the employees are highly valued and where the work might be intellectually stimulating. And at the end of each interview you ask if the person can recommend one or two other people who might also know something about the field.

Following this strategy, you will meet numerous people who are connected with industries that employ machinists. Eventually you will meet people whose companies are doing work that interests you. And eventually you will meet someone who likes the way your mind works, is impressed with the quality of the work you have done, and will ask if you would consider working for his company because he wants a bright machinist who can help improve his company.

To learn more about this technique (which I have used very successfully), read What Color is Your Parachute, by John Bolles. It's a fantastic resource for anyone who is looking for a job. It's absolutely the single best resource out there.

Now, if you think you're tired of being a machinist and want to try something else, the Bolles book also contains numerous assessments you can use to identify exactly what kind of job would be perfect for you. And then you use the interviewing technique to find that job.

Good luck.