Networking and Job Searching

[surgtech1956]

I am still considered worker's comp - partial comp - because I'm not making the salary that I was when I get hurt in this current position. I get paid by my employer plus a comp check(they are suppose to make up the difference - but its only 65%).

The new position is just 'manager' in name only, I heard rumor that the title might be changed because the guy that left the position wasn't supervising anyone and really didn't have any responsibilities relating to budget(this is a hospital). I'm a coordinator now for the office - 6 people.

No I haven't taken any classes - I thought I would do that if I was in the position - this way I would know what classes would be of most benefit - the job is inventory control/purchasing. I really miss doing my 'real' job, I see my doctor next month and was also hoping to go back to my 'real' job of a surgical technologist. (her recommendation was to have a sit-down job to preserve the life of my knee and keep me working as long as possible - I'm 51.

Thanks for responding. I worked as a surgical tech for 12 1/2 years - so I haven't had to do any type of networking, job searching, etc...

[tulip]

Surgtech, if at all possible, I would suggest taking a class in some sort of management. It would be great if that course could count towards a bachelors degree down the road, but that may not be necessary. Something to show that you are striving to continually improve your skills. Perhaps a certificate in management or something. There are online courses as well as community colleges that offer such classes at reasonable rates. Your employer may even have a tuition reimbursement program. This might not help with the current position you are seeking, but will put you in a better position for the future.

It's better to be proactive than reacting when something comes up. Be ready for it when it does.

That being said, I don't know your particular situation at work. But I've found that even with lots of experience, if the position calls for a certain level of education, it's difficult to get that position without that education (even if you do the job already!)

Even though I have two masters degrees, I still go for training and certification in specialized areas. I recently took a 3-day course that led to me being a Qualified Assisted Housing Manager. I develop affordable housing, and this certification not only taught me some things, but illustrates to my clients that I understand the management side as well as the development side (although I don't directly do the management side).

Now I'm going for a specialized environmental/sustainable design certification to put myself in a better position for future projects. It'll also help my networking.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks for the feedback tulip. I think you're right - I'm going to look into some classes. Thanks again.

[tulip]

Nancy,
I re-read your post, and if your supervisor said you should apply, then I think you definitely should. Stick with the class idea, too. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[froglegs]

I just jumped back in the market. I had an interview today, actually. I think it went pretty well. I have a pretty good job now, but among other significant reasons for wanting to leave, I am really sick of my ridiculously long commute and want to bike to work. The place I interviewed at today is 5 miles from my house (plus it seems really awesome).

However, now that I am officially looking (this interview came about somewhat unexpectedly) I think I need to tell my boss that I am planning on leaving sometime in the not-too-distant future. I want this to be as easy on my coworkers as possible.

[shootingstar]

I just jumped back in the market. I had an interview today, actually. I think it went pretty well. I have a pretty good job now, but among other significant reasons for wanting to leave, I am really sick of my ridiculously long commute and want to bike to work. The place I interviewed at today is 5 miles from my house (plus it seems really awesome).

However, now that I am officially looking (this interview came about somewhat unexpectedly) I think I need to tell my boss that I am planning on leaving sometime in the not-too-distant future. I want this to be as easy on my coworkers as possible.

Froglegs, you don't need to be that up front. It might backfire... instead don't you need the present employer as work reference? Well, then ask. Boss will get the hint. That's all that's needed.

I did that to my boss recently..no big surprise..I mean come on, this is a construction engineering project that he and I are in... (I believe, frogl, you are an engineer...). Still, he really didn't want to hear reality when several depts. are thinly staffed right now with people hopping over to other construction projects since the industry is hot in our province right now.

[froglegs]

Froglegs, you don't need to be that up front. It might backfire... instead don't you need the present employer as work reference? Well, then ask. Boss will get the hint. That's all that's needed.

I did that to my boss recently..no big surprise..I mean come on, this is a construction engineering project that he and I are in... (I believe, frogl, you are an engineer...). Still, he really didn't want to hear reality when several depts. are thinly staffed right now with people hopping over to other construction projects since the industry is hot in our province right now.

I work on a very specialized high tech product that takes months to learn, and right now we are very thinly staffed, so I would like to give them as much time as possible to find and train a replacement. Now that I have made the decision to leave, I can't really think of any reason not to tell them.