Midlife Job Search -Reply

[Karen Steele <karen -at- BILBO -dot- SUITE -dot- COM>]

> I can definitely identify with your problem.  I have 26 years
> experience in electronics, first as a technician, then as an engineer
> and, for the last 11 years, as a tech writer.  I was on an upward
> path until Dec '91, when the company I worked for went out of
> business.  For the past 32 months, I have worked at various places as
> a subcontractor, but have not been able to find a permanent job.  It
> seems that more and more companies are hiring temps instead of
> permanent employees, in order to save money.  Unfortunately, I have
> no advice to give you, but at least you can know that your situation
> is not unique.



Time Magazine, in an article called "The Temping of America" (date
escapes me -- sometime around 1992-1993) projected that by the year
2000 40 -60% of all work will be done by temporary labor.


IMHO, the good news is that there will be work & that we will have
opportunities.  The bad news (for those who prefer to work as an
employee) is that it's probably only going to get worse.

Have you noticed that most job listings ask for 3 to 5 years of experience?
Manager positions (when they get listed -- most companies promote from
within) seem to require 10 to 12 years experience.  Does this mean we
need to change professions every 12 -15 years?  I hope not!

One way to approach the problem is to become a consultant specializing
in a technical area.


For support, join the Consulting and Independent Contracting (CIC) PIC in
your local chapter of STC.  If your local chapter does not have a CIC PIC,
start one!  For information on how to start a CIC PIC in your area, contact
me.

To join the national CIC PIC, send your name/address/phone number to
me  via email or at:

Karen Steele
STC CIC PIC
Post Office Box 451002
Garland, TX 75045-1002

Membership in STC PICs is limited to members of STC.  There is no
charge for membership in any of the STC PICs.


Good luck!