Anybody Else Out Of Work?

[Critterhunter]

This will probably be moved by the moderator to the Views forum but I was just wondering if anybody else out there is out of work due to the bad economy. It sure gives you more time to metal detect but even that gets old when you've got too much time on your hands. Of course I wasn't able to work for the last 6 months or so due to the hand injury but even before that I was looking for a job. At least I can get back to that now. I graduated from a heating/air conditioning school top of my class almost 3 years ago but things were bad even back then so I didn't bother with looking for a job in it. I was waiting for things to improve and stayed self employeed, which I had been for the last 15 years. After I got out of the school it took me a while to get rid of my business accounts and I took a "vacation" waiting for the economy to get better. Hate the fact that it's been 3 years since I graduated but I can show self employment up until recently and the fact that I was helping take care of a sick relative who recently passed away. Now that all that and the hand injury is out of the way the job market doesn't look any better than it did before, which is pretty darn scarey. Just wondering if anybody else is feeling the effects of the lousy job market?

 

[GunnarMN]

critter, I have been uneployed now for 6 years, my last job was working at the St croix forge making horse shoes, and it was hot mostly mexicans and south americans I dont hate them I met some nice mexicans and they are hard workers, but they took the heat better than me , I have a bdd lower back and cant lift much or it compresses the nerves and I have had a hernia things went from badd to worse i was trying to start my pottery bussness and me my brother and gramma lived together but my brother was doing drugs and drinking if i saved a penny he spent 3 and my gramma i had to care for , menwile at the forge the workers were using teflon to spray on the slides so the horse shoes would slide better but they always sprayed the shoes and a toxic cloud of gas was generated bettween my back my brother and having to take more car of granny and the cemicals i finnaly quit and took car of gramma untill the bitter end when she had to go into a nursing home but even then i was the one sho brought her to the doctor apointments i was dong the cooking cleaning shopping working all the wile my brother was destroying the house, moved in his wife and kids i was overwelmed one nite he was up at 12:00 a.m cursing that he could not find the remote and i said to him if you would clean up the mess you could find somthing well that set him off and he attacket me all 260 pounds of him I thres himInto the wall and then into the flore and got him in a head lock and broke away and he tor my shirt off so i fled in the middle of the night in my underware then he called the cops on me and said i was on crack and attacked him so 10 squads came after me and threatened me and slamed me into the hood and hand cuffed me and thres me in the squad and started swearing at me i was theare for two hours untill they sorted it out they apologized andtold me not to go back so i came up to stay with my parentsin july 2007 no disability no unemployment and my parents would not give me a dime they have a 135 acher farm and it was full of pcket gophers and i have trapped them for bounty at 2:00$ each and have got 2400 gophers but they are gone now and i have a frend who helps me with money he bought me the GT and i have been a care giver unoficial to my aging parents and they now greatly apreciate me now i tried going to origon and it was worse thear homeless shelters are a nighmare took the traine out thear 37 hrs one way i had to come right back so it was 3 days 3 night on the trains boy that gets old but the mountians are cool but thats were i am i cant get out to hunt I have no car so i was hunting the farm field out of pure bordome and it has turned out to be the best spot ever for me so even in our badd times God is thear I have no skills and no money to start my pottery up you can see my work on (mnartists.org ) and search Gunnar Rasmussen so you are not the only one bro you sound like a very smart guy Got to be something for you in time Gunnar

 

[Digger54]

I see your pain, every day. I have worked the other side of the counter in HVAC Equip/parts distributorship for the last eight years (I'm currently a branch store manager) and saw the start of the down slide about 3 summers ago. The first companies to go under were the ones that focused solely on new construction installs. They had no customer base to fall back to for maint service calls when new construction died. Everyone else turned their focus inward to the established market and suddenly everyone was doing service calls on a limited customer base. To further aggravate the business, the media with their "we are all going to die" dire recession broadcasts caused a lot of home owners who should be replacing aged equipment to hold on and nurse what they have turning everyone into parts changers.

Until the recession ends and new const takes off again, you should consider biting the bullet and hiring on with one of the bigger companies as a service tech until the market is healthy enough for you to go independent again. Right now I would think there should be some opportunity with the summer heat. As you are aware though, come Fall when the weather gets nice and the service calls begin to drop then so will the companies begin to find ways to kick loose excess employees.

 

[JimmyCT]

Wow Gunnar,

That is quite the family story.Thanks for sharing. I looked at the pottery you created on the website you provided. You are talented and you certainly have skill in making pottery. If you do not think you have skill in it, then I will take a trip out to your place and show you what I can make with pottery lol. I never had artistic ability that is for sure.My family told me growing up that I was going to be very artistic because I am left handed. LOL I proved them all wrong lol. Best of luck Gunnar you have skill and something good will come your way.

As far as work, I am laid off for the summer and will be returning in late Fall. I too am looking for a better paying job with steady full-time hours. Times are tough that is for sure.

critter, I have been uneployed now for 6 years, my last job was working at the St croix forge making horse shoes, and it was hot mostly mexicans and south americans I dont hate them I met some nice mexicans and they are hard workers, but they took the heat better than me , I have a bdd lower back and cant lift much or it compresses the nerves and I have had a hernia things went from badd to worse i was trying to start my pottery bussness and me my brother and gramma lived together but my brother was doing drugs and drinking if i saved a penny he spent 3 and my gramma i had to care for , menwile at the forge the workers were using teflon to spray on the slides so the horse shoes would slide better but they always sprayed the shoes and a toxic cloud of gas was generated bettween my back my brother and having to take more car of granny and the cemicals i finnaly quit and took car of gramma untill the bitter end when she had to go into a nursing home but even then i was the one sho brought her to the doctor apointments i was dong the cooking cleaning shopping working all the wile my brother was destroying the house, moved in his wife and kids i was overwelmed one nite he was up at 12:00 a.m cursing that he could not find the remote and i said to him if you would clean up the mess you could find somthing well that set him off and he attacket me all 260 pounds of him I thres himInto the wall and then into the flore and got him in a head lock and broke away and he tor my shirt off so i fled in the middle of the night in my underware then he called the cops on me and said i was on crack and attacked him so 10 squads came after me and threatened me and slamed me into the hood and hand cuffed me and thres me in the squad and started swearing at me i was theare for two hours untill they sorted it out they apologized andtold me not to go back so i came up to stay with my parentsin july 2007 no disability no unemployment and my parents would not give me a dime they have a 135 acher farm and it was full of pcket gophers and i have trapped them for bounty at 2:00$ each and have got 2400 gophers but they are gone now and i have a frend who helps me with money he bought me the GT and i have been a care giver unoficial to my aging parents and they now greatly apreciate me now i tried going to origon and it was worse thear homeless shelters are a nighmare took the traine out thear 37 hrs one way i had to come right back so it was 3 days 3 night on the trains boy that gets old but the mountians are cool but thats were i am i cant get out to hunt I have no car so i was hunting the farm field out of pure bordome and it has turned out to be the best spot ever for me so even in our badd times God is thear I have no skills and no money to start my pottery up you can see my work on (mnartists.org ) and search Gunnar Rasmussen so you are not the only one bro you sound like a very smart guy Got to be something for you in time Gunnar

 

[Neil]

Critter you probably have all the tools you need for HVAC work and I think you had posted a pic of your truck here awhile back, so have you thought about working for yourself? At least in the interim, skills and tools together should get you some work. Local papers are great for advertising and cheap to do so, overall starting a business of your own including a licensed business name, 6mos insurance and some vinyl signs for your truck can be all be had for around $1000 or so, just enough to get you going. Here in NJ guys need a reclamation license for refrigerant, Im guessing you have one?

Im a state licensed plumber who doesnt plumb anymore but keep my license up just in case. I hope to never have to crawl under another house

If you cant do that you might consider getting a boiler license with your spare time, they are inexpensive and can be had in under a year and it opens up a lot of job opportunities, both full time and part time/perdiem. Years ago I put the time in and got a blue seal which allows me to sit in alot of places and I occasionally do shifts in the facility I work at. Im not crazy about boilerooms but its work and a great way to assist with retirement funds.

I work in a large hospital and alot of people have been laid off and more still will be, cuts seem to be never ending.

Good luck with your search.

Neil

 

[jamesinwesttexas]

All I can say is have faith in yourself and do what you do best. I'm a land surveyor near retirement age. I've never done a great amount of business, never wanted to and there have been some dry spells. But I turned down another job today, a good job close to home. I'd much rather be metal detecting but I have to do enough to pay for a very frugal lifestyle. I have a solar panel for electricity, etc. It's been 115 degrees here lately though and it's not worth having a heat stroke, which I was close to a couple of days ago. I had taken a gallon of water but had to give some to the dog. But I do want to keep doing some work even though I'm a little burnt out on it. So I believe the best way is to be self employed. Put out some business cards. Post them on every bulletin board for awhile. I don't even do that anymore and I never advertise because once people find you are in business they will find you. Just let some key people know. Gunnar that's very interesting about how you came to be using the GT in the farm field. Reminds me of a long time ago I was getting ready for a date. I was living at Grandma's and my younger brother was there. He was pestering me and I was in a hurry trying to iron a shirt, so I just burned him on the shoulder with that hot iron, not too bad as I remember, but he picked up a baseball bat and I warded off all the blows, but he beat grandma's old iron to pieces. We wound up out in the yard fighting and I got the best of him and made him promise to quit fighting and let him go but he went and grabbed a shotgun, I ran to the bathroom, but before I could shut the door he kicked it open and while he pointed that gun at my stomach, Grandma came down the hall and told him to put the gun up and he did. He told me later it wasn't loaded. That was a long time ago and we still argue, but we're planning a metal detecting trip.

 

[Digger54]

That was a long time ago and we still argue, but we're planning a metal detecting trip.

Make sure he is un-armed in case you find something good instead of him.

 

[JimmyCT]

yep, I would do a full pat-down before going out in the field.

That was a long time ago and we still argue, but we're planning a metal detecting trip.

Make sure he is un-armed in case you find something good instead of him.

 

[Critterhunter]

Wow, never expected such responses. Gunnar, I'm sorry to hear about all the bad things you've gone through. Have faith it'll get better.

Since people are telling their stories let me give you as quick of a run down about mine here...

Neil, I was self employed in the window cleaning business for about 15 years when I couldn't take it anymore. It was getting the best of my nerves trying to keep up with accounts, yet I wasn't making enough to hire somebody full time to help me. The winters here in Cleveland are pretty bad but most of my accounts were commercial so I had steady work year round.

Problem was there would be 3 or 4 weeks or so at the worst of winter where I just couldn't work. Jobs get pushed back, schedules re-arranged, and the next thing you know I'm a month and a half behind on jobs that I had to do weekly or bi-weekly, not to mention the monthly jobs. Ended up destroying my nerves sitting around worried about what accounts I might lose, running ragged trying to catch up, etc. Every year I'd go through this and every year my nerves would get worse and worse.

One day I just snapped and had a nervous break down. Not to the point where I was chasing ghosts or talking to imaginary friends, and not to the point where I had to be put into a hospital, but it was very bad. I had anxiety so bad that I was shaking like a leaf, I couldn't sleep, and I ended up getting very depressed on top of that. I wasn't sure what was going on and ended up going to a doctor. That was when I found out what it was...extremely bad anxiety that was also causing depression. Not only that, but I then realized looking back that I've had this anxiety most of my life. I could think back to even my pre-teens and see all the trouble it caused me from then on.

Runs in the family. My dad had it and so does a brother and sister of mine. It kept getting worse for about the last five years of running my business, and each time it seemed to get worse and worse. They put me on different anxiety drugs, some of which made things even worse. Finally had enough and realized the business was going to kill me, so off I went to a trade school and slowly got rid of my accounts.

After I graduated from the school to be honest I wanted some time off as my nerves were still rather bad. That didn't really matter to me as I wanted to tie up some loose ends, help take care of a sick uncle, and let things settle down a little more. I wasn't happy with the meds they had me on anyway so I wanted to get that sorted out. Finally got on the right meds and all seemed to be looking up. Lately though it's been creeping up on me again because I keep thinking..."3 years out of the school and I haven't even taken a job in it yet." Kept waiting for the economy to get better but it sure hasn't. I can explain the gap since graduation to employers by saying that I stayed somewhat self employed waiting for the economy to improve, but it still bothers me. Trying not to let that or the economy get to me because I don't want things to get worse again.

Nerves are a funny thing. You wake up one day and you just aren't the same. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Long story short...I've had my belly full of being self employed and besides I need the experience to even consider being off on my own with my own service business. Just don't have all the knowledge that is needed. Before attended the school I had always messed around with electronics so I already knew how to read schematics, solder, diagnose problems and such with a multimeter, how relays worked, etc...So I ended up with the highest grade in there. I would figure having a true working knowledge of electrical troubleshooting should put me ahead of most guys who really still don't know what they are doing when they graduate.

I've got universal CFC Refrigerant License, AHRI (ICE) certification, and a class 5 low pressure boilers license, along with a diploma. Problem is everybody wants experience, and there are plenty of guys out of work with that. I've been told that this trade has a shortage of techs, and that all the trades are going to have a big shortage of plumbers in such starting in the next few years due to baby boomers retiring. Just hoping all that stuff is true.

So there's my story. Never thought I'd see the job market stay this bad for this long. It's been bad here in Cleveland even before it started getting bad everywhere else.

Have to get off this computer for a bit. Might have a minor thing or two more to say after I re-read your posts.

 

[Critterhunter]

James, what a story too.

Neil, yes...I have a universal refrigerant license. There are like 3 or 4 levels depending on how well you do on the test but I got highest qualification for that. Problem is I don't feel I have enough experience with that. My electrical skills are good since I knew a lot of that before going to the school, but as far as the boilers license and EPA refrigerant license goes that doesn't translate into much actual knowledge or experience. I need to get my foot in the door at some place where they are willing to get me a good bit of on the job training. Most of my prior electrical knoweldge is from working with DC circuits anyway, so even in AC I need some experience. The schooling can only do so much. Working with multimeters, reading resistance, checking amps, looking for shorts, checking for proper specs (like resistance readings)...All that I'm fairly strong on, but I'm not going to say that I could walk in the door and not need a helping hand to learn a lot.

That's the biggest thing that blows my mind...All these companies want at least 5 years experience. How do you get experience if you can't get the job? Where are these guys getting their start? I ask techs any time I see one in his van at a gas station or something. Many of them never even had any schooling and rather just learned on the job. Once they worked at the job for a while they'd send them to a quick course to get the EPA license or such.

I really don't want to do new construction install work. Typically they hire anybody off the street to do that as it's pretty straight forward and they don't pay much to even people who have been doing that kind of work for years. I always liked troubleshooting things...sensors on cars....electric rc plane components...etc, so I really want to get into a job were at least a good part of the time I'm fixing a problem. Don't care if it's in HVAC or some other field that uses similar skill sets. Anybody have any ideas for other fields to try? I was thinking whoever services those solar panel sensors systems on highways and such for one potential field. Mainly because I know a lot about rechargeable battery systems which they use. I could really use any ideas on other fields to try, or where I can take my class 5 boilers license, etc?

Really most of this is my fault. I screwed around after getting out of the school when I should have went right out and hooked up with the job I had waiting for me by the school. They don't have an official job placement program but the owner did have one waiting for me. I just needed to get some loose ends tied up in my life before looking for a job.

All great stories and thanks for sharing. Hate to say it but mysery loves company so it's always good to hear about other people's problems to make your own seem a little less big.

 

[Critterhunter]

And one more thing...Might as well get in a shameless plug. If any of you live in the Cleveland area and know of a company that might need similar skill sets (electrical troubleshooting, wiring, soldering, sensor diagnostics, etc) drop me a PM. At this point I'm even willing to work for free as a helper for a while to get some experience under my belt. I don't care what field it's in. Even something like fixing street sign red light control systems or something.

 

[tomcatpl]

its over 2 years form after i got layed off from Steinway & Sons now i'm a stay at home Dad with my little guy

 

[Critterhunter]

That's the problem too...Too many people have been laid off for 2 or 3 years. That doesn't look good on a resume. I can fudge that by saying I stayed self employed after graduation to wait out the bad economy and also be a care giver to a family member who recently passed on, both of which for the most part is true. Even though I got rid of my accounts I still do side work here and there. You can at least say you were a stay at home Dad just like a lot of mom's do who take some time off to raise kids. No shame in the guy doing that these days if the wife has a good job. Some people are saying they had a medical problem that had to be taken care of, and since that has very strict privacy guidelines they can't enquire further on that with them.

 

[BeachBat]

Just to say good luck to you guys........... tough times all over the western world.

I worked for an American company a few years ago sometimes in the US and they also sent me to Japan and Australia.......... Then the crunch hit and although I was offered a contract, those contracts were just getting too short to make it work out..... So back to England and a period of unemployment..... got damn fed up.... etc etc....

But now I have set up a gardening round - keeps me afloat......... I have also set up another little online business which is ticking over and I am looking for a third business which involves manufacturing something. So I am surviving ok - not comfortable at the moment.... but things are promising.

Critter: I am envious of your technical knowledge and you are also very dedicated judging by your helpfulness on this board - something will work out for you soon I am sure...

Gunnar: Your story was particularly moving - your pottery is superb and I really hope you get that business started.

As for things getting better - in my honest opinion I think it will be a while yet...... there are even some very worrying events which are taking place in Europe at the moment which could make things worse for us all.

Hope everything works out well for you guys as soon as possible - in the meantime keep detecting and keep your sense of humour.....

(for the last two days I have been wondering why I have got the film "caddyshack" on my mind........ having just re-read this thread I now realise why!!!!)

 

[Critterhunter]

Thanks.

 

[joecoin]

I've owned a small business since 1987. I wish I was out of a job. I sympathize with the problems you have with your nerves. I used to get really really anxious about a lot of stuff out of my control. One day, I just decided the he11 with it. Been much better ever since.

But I have taken maybe 10 days off in the past 10 years, and I always work at least one weekend day, half the time both Sat & Sun.
The good news is, I'm selling out or just closing down at the end of 2011. I'll have my debt paid off and I'll own my building which I will be renting out. If I live that long.

Critterhunter, good luck getting your foot in the door. I'd recommend approaching the smaller operators, the local guys who do residential repairs. Yeah, it's not glamourous but it's experience. You would have to be on call, which really sucks, but you would find a lot of good places to run your Sov around. I'm in Sandusy, so when you find a good spot to detect let me know.

Gunnar:
Hang in their buddy, it has to get better for you. You seem to have a good understanding of whats important in life.

 

[Critterhunter]

Thanks. Sandusky, eh? Maybe we'll run into each other at some beach some time.

 

[Critterhunter]

Well, it looks like I'll be filing bankruptcy due to the poor job market. In a way it stinks but on the other hand it'll be nice to have all my debt erased. The truck is paid for so I'll still be able to keep that and a roof over my head. I'm not going to feel alone because in this economy I'm sure many others have had to file as well. Not only that, but a house foreclosure is just as bad on your credit score and there are plenty of people with that going on.

Something has to be done to improve this economy. People are hurting. Anybody else in the same boat as me having to file, or have been out of work for a long time?

That's the reason I haven't been hunting lately. Haven't felt like doing anything but laying around or drinking some beers. The joy in life just isn't there for me right now.

 

[lloyd0161]

One day I just snapped and had a nervous break down. Not to the point where I was chasing ghosts or talking to imaginary friends, and not to the point where I had to be put into a hospital, but it was very bad. I had anxiety so bad that I was shaking like a leaf, I couldn't sleep, and I ended up getting very depressed on top of that. I wasn't sure what was going on and ended up going to a doctor. That was when I found out what it was...extremely bad anxiety that was also causing depression. Not only that, but I then realized looking back that I've had this anxiety most of my life. I could think back to even my pre-teens and see all the trouble it caused me from then on.

Runs in the family. My dad had it and so does a brother and sister of mine. It kept getting worse for about the last five years of running my business, and each time it seemed to get worse and worse. They put me on different anxiety drugs, some of which made things even worse. Finally had enough and realized the business was going to kill me, so off I went to a trade school and slowly got rid of my accounts.

After I graduated from the school to be honest I wanted some time off as my nerves were still rather bad. That didn't really matter to me as I wanted to tie up some loose ends, help take care of a sick uncle, and let things settle down a little more. I wasn't happy with the meds they had me on anyway so I wanted to get that sorted out. Finally got on the right meds and all seemed to be looking up. Lately though it's been creeping up on me again because I keep thinking..."3 years out of the school and I haven't even taken a job in it yet." Kept waiting for the economy to get better but it sure hasn't. I can explain the gap since graduation to employers by saying that I stayed somewhat self employed waiting for the economy to improve, but it still bothers me. Trying not to let that or the economy get to me because I don't want things to get worse again.

Nerves are a funny thing. You wake up one day and you just aren't the same. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Long story short...I've had my belly full of being self employed and besides I need the experience to even consider being off on my own with my own service business. Just don't have all the knowledge that is needed. Before attended the school I had always messed around with electronics so I already knew how to read schematics, solder, diagnose problems and such with a multimeter, how relays worked, etc...So I ended up with the highest grade in there. I would figure having a true working knowledge of electrical troubleshooting should put me ahead of most guys who really still don't know what they are doing when they graduate.

I've got universal CFC Refrigerant License, AHRI (ICE) certification, and a class 5 low pressure boilers license, along with a diploma. Problem is everybody wants experience, and there are plenty of guys out of work with that. I've been told that this trade has a shortage of techs, and that all the trades are going to have a big shortage of plumbers in such starting in the next few years due to baby boomers retiring. Just hoping all that stuff is true.

So there's my story. Never thought I'd see the job market stay this bad for this long. It's been bad here in Cleveland even before it started getting bad everywhere else.

Have to get off this computer for a bit. Might have a minor thing or two more to say after I re-read your posts.

Hi Critterhunter,

Related to some of your worries, I had a life changing experience from 1997 through 2005. I am a mechanical designer for building construction. I design HVAC, plumbing, temperature controls, etc. I am not degreed but wish I had finished college. I have the equivalent of 4 years college but no degree was ever finished as I kept switching majors and eventually dropped out to work 60 plus hours a week and raise a family as times and money were good. When my wife filed for divorce in 1996 we had just moved into an affluent area near Detroit and I had been putting my sweat equity into our new house for 6 months. We were divorced in August of 1997 when I was 36 years old. In 1999 I finally hit rock bottom with this as it was not what I wanted in the first place and I had a complete breakdown. I did check myself into a hospital for 6 weeks as an inpatient. This was just the beginning of my journey to recovery as I lost my job and battled with my breakdown for almost five years.

I am now 50 and have been back to work full time since 2004. I remarried in 2005 and have been rebuilding my life slowly. My new wife and I share 6 children and three dogs between us and have a happy life but money is tight. 2 year ago, the company I was working for lost business and we all took a 20 percent pay cut. This year our company was bought out by a large corporation and I continue to work in my field for this new company. We are all still on shaky ground but things are slowly looking up as we have been able to obtain some large fee projects doing hospital, university, municipal renovation work. I am still worried though as I could be laid off at any time. Especially since this new company is so large and impersonal it seems. I am used to working for small companies with very good benefits and almost a family like relationship with my coworkers. We shall see how this new path does in the coming months. I hope the economy improves and we can all be more secure in our futures.

From one Sovereign GT user to another my thoughts are and prayers are with you. I find solitude and peace in metal detecting and plan on escaping for a while this weekend to listen to the hum of the GT threshold.

Keep detecting, it is good for your soul A beer or a stiff Vodka is also good once in a while as well.

Yours truly,

Lloyd

 

[goodmore]

Nothing like being on a beach with a Sovereign when the sun comes up. All the troubles seem to melt for a while. I have a son going through employment problems. He is only in his young twenties, but he has his share of problems. You are not alone in your problems. Take comfort in that. Go detecting and relax. Better times will come.