Good afternoon everyone,

It couldn't have come at a worse time-hubby left his job after 21 years-LONG story-family owned business and a nephew who'd determined to see the place fail. So hubby is job hunting for the first time since he was 23. He's been in ready mix concrete-dispatcher,weigh master license, NYS asphalt testing certification. We'd love to relocate down south-but I have a elderly Mother who's 84 1/2 and won't budge-she's also just out of a nursing home so we are stuck.

Does anyone know of a good site or company that does resumes? Since hubby's never needed one-he's clueless where to start. No idea myself-I've been with the same place since 89. There's not a whole lot of opportunity here for the same line of work-so he's not sure what else he'd be qualified for anymore.

Any advice or suggestions how to get a resume started would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Nell

Microsoft Word's Resume Wizard would be a basic start.

If you are of the caucassian persuation, expect to get alot of trouble getting started on anywhere. Right now jobs are tight, and hiring is with "minority preference". For example, it took me Four YEARS to get a job after finish college and then its only a 1-year contractors job.

Find someone in the are that does resumes. He can start by writing down all of his job functions. At 7AM I did this at 8AM I did this and so on. Tell him to keep his chin up it isn't easy out here. I am not caucasion with 16 years in Mfg management. I have been looking since April. It all comes down to fit (wether they like you)now a days. Not necessarilly qualifications.

Is there anything he can do to make his own business? Something simple but well paying? What are his talents? How can you market them? My husband has just closed his long time construction business and is now doing very well selling vintage motorcycle parts on ebay. (Sometimes a hobby can become a very good business!). Also, perhaps he has "consultant" qualifications, depending on what his duties were with the company. Best wishes to you... believe me, there is no job security these days, sometimes relying on your own talents is the best course of action.

Brenda, of...

Nell - Try Monster.com for resume help. He can also post the resume there. Careerbuilder.com is another website for checking out available work and posting resumes.

Finding a new job is more than writing a resume. To be successful, I'd recommend buying the book What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers By Richard Nelson Bolles. It's updated annually and contains a wealth of information on not only resume writing, but interviewing, how to negotiate a salary, strategies for finding a job, and much much more. It's a great reference for the whole job-hunting process. I don't think it will disappoint. I see the paperback version is $12.89 on amazon.com.

Good Luck!

Thanks everyone!

I've printed all these out for him so he can get some new ideas. It's crazy trying for jobs-nothing is like it was years ago and how you applied for one. I'm going out tonight to get the Parachute book-I've heard lots of good things about that.

Thanks again-I'll let you know how it all goes.

Nell

I would try to make sure that he will get a good report from the prior job or at least not a bad one. May have to suck it up, but this is critical. As a former employer, I always put a lot of stock in what the previous employer had to say. Wan't a show stopper, but it was an important factor. The key is to get up every morning and go to work as normal; now his job is to get another job. You have to be proactive. Employers love somebody that shows so big brass one (sorry, couldn't think of anything else). Talk to the employers first and often. Your job is to be as supportive as possible. Being a little older and unemployed can be daunting. He has to forget the past and go out and get a job.I usually charge for this advise, but for RV'ers it's free.

Here is one way to make some money. If you have a pickup truck. Go around and collect scrap metal and sell it to the local recycling yard in your area. You would be surprised at what scrap metal is bringing these days.

I was laid off at the age of almost 60 and even though they are not supposed to use age in a job criteria...it does happen.

My best advice is to gt help on the resume if you can not find the information online.

In your job search, do not depend on head hunters, online services, etc. These places are just looking for any body to fill any position..ie. body dealers.

Your best chances are through strong networking with others in your industry. Check with competitors in your field and push to get a face to face meeting. Make sure you work our connections at any sort of trade luncheons, technical meetings and such.

After any meeting,follow up with a short personal note to the person thanking them for the time and for any leads they may have offered.

I managed to land on my feet with a company that appreciated the grey hair and experience and is willing to pay for it. Making about 25% more than the job I thought would carry me to retirement. The job offer came from a single phone call to a former work associate. He took my resume directly to the department head and they had HR set up an interview meeting. Had the job in about 2 weeks after I called him.

The problem with resumes going to HR is that they are screening and looking for a few key buzz words. If your resume does not hit the buzz word list it is set aside. If you know any one working in HR, ask then for some pointers.
Good luck,

Ken