[Utah Girl]

I have several leads for Quality Assurance testing in Utah. Do you have a ping list? If anyone is interested, freep mail me, and I will give you the details. Apparently QA is the hot job right now, the company I work for has placed 25 QAs in the last couple of months. My pay is competitive with my previous place of employment and they appreciate me. :)

[cyborg]

BTTT... this is a good thread!

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

Orlando, FL checking in. been out of work since lst March. partly because I was laid off when my company closed down and partly because I was staying home to help my pregnant wife later my baby daughter. looking for work again. have tons of call center/customer experience.

[InShanghai]

Great idea-BUMP!

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Hey great idea!

I'm unemployed too. Out since May...bit of a different story:

23 years in state government, was axed by a new RAT executive director at the agency I worked at in senior management for over 8 years. A political casualty in my far out leftist state!

Sent out over a thousand resumes (to hiring authorities) and applications to specific jobs that I've come across. Gotten about 6 interviews, haven't really come close to success yet. It's brutal just finding things to apply for: With 23 years successful experience, over 10 in senior management (as a director, lobbyist, public info officer), and a graduate degree, I'm applying for entry level clerical and delivery-boy type positions now!

Quite a bummer, feels like careening off a cliff. I've got some thing in my favor for holding out for awhile -- no debts, my cars and house are totally mine, completely paid off, no kids and a wife who doesn't care (even encourages) a move if necessary. But it gets a bit dicey counting the days until unemployment runs out.

[FoxPro]

Why I Outsource Offshore

Friday, July 18, 2003

When the planes hit the World Trade Center, I was sitting in my cozy sunroom home office. Living in Fairfax County Virginia, we actually heard the plane that hit the Pentagon fly very low overhead. We knew something else was going to get hit. Then we actually heard and felt the explosion. The next minute my son and I were outside in the street looking up into the sky. We didn’t know what to expect.

I didn’t know that my life had radically changed that day; I knew the country had, that was quite apparent. But the downward spiral I was about to take wasn’t going to be pretty.

I remember telling my sons pre 9/11 about the phone calls I would get from headhunters, at least once a day. I would tell my kids’ that was real job security, having skills that were readily needed in the marketplace. I actually made $16,000 in about a day, tracking down a bug in a major government computer system. I remember working on another system on my laptop aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean (the cruise ships had just gotten email capabilities, and my client had no idea where I was, and didn’t care). Talk about working from home! We all probably all have many great memories of the good times.

The week after 9/11, nobody returned my phone calls. I had a couple of contracts with a very large city government. We couldn’t even get into the building. Of course I later found out that the city was much more interested in detecting anthrax and acquiring and placing cement barriers than the work I was doing for them, tracking the maintenance of the cities trees and processing abandon vehicles left on the city streets. I was instantly unemployed. It was the end of an era.

It was time to send out some resumes, nothing, time to get out the Rolodex and tap into my “old boy network”, nothing. A month goes by, then two. I remember going to the local shoe retailer, because they had a sign posted looking for a store manager. I showed the current manager my resume, and he told me not to bother applying, they knew I would be gone the instant I got another tech job. Time to send out thousands of resumes, all over the world, nothing. Several months pass. I tap into my homes equity to pay the mortgage, sort of like chewing your own arm off. All my friends are doing likewise. We talk with each other, it deadens the boredom and pain, misery loves company.

Ok, so I am going to re-tool, so I buy some on-line coursework to learn Oracle 9i. I start digging in 8 hours a day, going through the coursework; I hate every second of it.

I actually started reading articles about offshore outsourcing here on freerepublic.com. I was upset by this as most people were. I had lost my wife by then, and it is apparent that the house that I had planned to play with my grandkids in will be gone soon also. I am at my low point.

Just through dumb luck, a complete stranger calls me up one day, and tells me he ran into my resume, and was impressed with my background. He tells me that over the last year, he has cobbled together a team of programmers in Moscow that can write computer systems in just about any language. He tells me they are quite good, and I believe him because I have worked with Russian programmers before. The he told me one thing that would change my career goals forever. The Russians will write computer systems, Including Oracle systems for as little as $15 per hour. In other words, I am beating my brains out to learn a computer database system that can be done elsewhere in the world for about the same price as is paid to a cahier at the local grocery store. This changes everything. I rewrite my rather lengthy resume.

I cobble together a list of email addresses of headhunters and other companies from several job boards. The title I put on my resume is “Offshore Outsourcing Project Manager”. In my resume under the skills section I put the rather lengthy list of technical skills the Russians posses. The list includes just about every major computer system I have ever come across. It is the ultimate resume. I mail out a few hundred. I don’t have to wait for long.

The next day, the phone rings. Another telemarketing call, I am thinking. The man on the other end of the line tells me he is looking at my resume. He starts explaining a project he needs accomplished, actually two projects. I have no idea what he is talking about. And I can tell he is getting frustrated. He tells me that he is going to email me his address, and I should show up the next day at 1 PM. I am excited yet confused. I don’t sleep well that night.

I am ushered into a boardroom a little after one the next day. I didn’t eat lunch, partially because I really don’t have much money, and I am a little dizzy (lost 30 pounds through the last 12 months). They start explaining the projects to me, three guys, a marker board and me for 3 hours. The last hour I am just sitting there with my mouth hanging open. I am starting to get what they want, two computer systems for arguably the largest retail chain in the world. They are massive undertakings using cutting edge technology, and it is obvious it will take dozens of programmers and other specialists (maybe more). Then they tell me how much they want to pay for all of this, and it isn’t much. But it beats the heck out of what I made in the last 6 months, which was nothing. At this point I am only thinking that I want to just get something going, anything. I just want something to do, any form of cash flow, to make some contacts and get the hell out of my house once in a while.

I instant messaged the Russians the next morning. They couldn’t believe whom the project was for or the massive scope of the undertaking. I had my Visio thing going most of the night, and I had some pretty dead on flow charts of what was explained to me, which I emailed to them. They started sending over some very impressive examples of XML scripts based on my previous nights work and the hours of conversations we had. The client liked it all. They were impressed. I could not believe what I was getting into.

We all signed the clients NDA’s, and wrangled over some small details in our various contracts. We put together a scope of work, and set a timeline with invoiceable milestones in MS Project (the Russians are very good at this also). My project leads wife had a baby, and we all send each other pictures of our kids. Weeks pass in preparation. I am starting to get to know these guys, and they work together as a precise seamless team (woman are not allowed in there office building). They work late into the night (5 PM EST is 1 AM Moscow time). The client is happy, we are busy and I can’t provide any further details for legal reasons. Suffice it to say your mother/sister/wife will probably use this system at a store near you within the next few months. And I get to point to it and say, “I did that”. I didn’t make much money off of it, but it sure beat sitting at home all day playing computer games.

A little information on the team:

They don’t speak English, but they read and write it well. In the late 80s the Russian defense industries essentially imploded, and a lot of very intelligent people were left jobless (sounds familiar). It was at about this time the Internet came into its own (well email initially). They started getting possession of US computer systems documentation. Many of them learned English by mastering these systems. It took them several years to do this. Thousands of hours of hard work and study. They are very good technical writers and write proposals and documentation like no others that I have seen. They are very productive, and are slowly getting rich (by there standards). I have never met any of them personally, but look forward to doing so someday. I do enjoy working with them. They are slowly becoming good friends.

In conclusion:

Am I taking jobs from Americans, yes, do I feel bad about this, yes, do I have any other choice other than waiting tables, no.

Should I mop floors to keep an American in a cubicle, I will let you decide.

[FR_addict]

Thanks for the ping.

[DugwayDuke]

Let me offer some words of encouragement. I've been there. I lost my job as a Sr. Engineer in 1994. I lived in Huntsville, Al and the defense industry took a major hit back then. Very much like what a lot of IT folks are going thru now.

I was unemployed for seven month. Then in Dec, I got two job offers in the same day. Had a choice of moving to California or Utah. I took Utah.

Bottom line. I left a town I loved to take a job paying 75% of what I was making. (Of course, even that was a major raise over unemployment) I've since moved back to Huntsville and two promotions later I'm making fifty percent more than what I was in 94. BTW, I'm 57.

My advice, keep looking. Remember, you're not really unemployed,. Your new job is finding a job. If you lose your job, take two days off. Get over it and get to work. I would go to work when G. Gordon Liddy came on at 9AM and I worked all day looking for a job.

The best advice I can offer is be prepared to lose you job, keep your debts, particularly credit cards low, just in case.

[Bob J]

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[RockyMtnMan]

Just wanted say good luck out there and keep faith in God because he really does provide when you're in need.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

A major ping to all those who have participated in the "Hard Times Saloon" thread... and to others that I know have been recently experiencing problems in the job market.

My apologies for not being on top of this thread to try and keep it going. To tell the truth, I found one of the very first suggestions so helpful that the day after I started this thread, I started a business. So I started being very busy right after starting the thread, and I've never gotten back to it until now.

The business, I still believe, is viable. It's been four months, and it's still not anywhere near supporting us; but I still believe it has the potential to do so.

In 4 months, I've brought in about $2500, and kept about $1700 of it. Yeah, chicken scratch, I know, but it's something at least. And I've gained some experience.

I'm doing freelance computer technical support, as suggested by one of the early posters. The most difficult thing about it has been getting enough customers, and getting repeat business.

But I'm sure there are some things, marketing-wise, that I could be doing better.

Besides the business, I'm doing some menial labor as well. Between the two, we're barely able to squeak by.

I did have two job interviews today (for different positions at the same company), which I think went well. Perhaps the only difference will turn out to be that I was able to be much more confident in a job interview, because to be honest, I'd like the job, the pay would be great, but I'm no longer utterly desperate, since we're at least surviving, and I think I should be able to build the business if the job thing doesn't work out.

(Knowing how much I'm making at this business, and knowing that I view my whole situation as being improved, should give you a very faint clue as to just how $*!tty the last two years have been.)

Kind of the difference between Algore and GW Bush in the 200 election. Gore's attitude was, "I've GOT to be elected President. If I'm not, it'll be like the end of the world." Bush's attitude was, "If this President thing doesn't work out, I've still got a life."

So... I'm still living in the Hard Times Saloon, but plotting an escape. I don't know yet how it will happen, but I'm increasingly confident that, sooner or later, it will.

So how's it going for you?

[TexNotMex]

I lost my job on Feb. 6th of this year. I did railroad maintenance for a company based out of Minnesota. We worked 80 to 100 hours a week and I made the most money I have ever made in my entire life there. The job was hard and always being on the road away from home really sucked too. My last boss was the biggest hypocrite asshole I have ever met and on top of the 14 hour days it just made it that much harder. I read earlier in this thread that a bad job can kill you quicker than being unemployed. That is so true.....
I have just exhausted my unemployment benefits and am unable to look for work. I have been sick for the last 3 months with some kind of tonsil infection that refuses to go away. At first it was bacterial and then it turned Viral and just recently, I found out I had mono. The doc says I probably wont be able to do anything for the next 3 months until (if) I get better.
I am just about broke and every day it hurts to get out of bed. I had to turn down a job doing some trucking because I was too sick to work. That really sucked because descent paying jobs in El Paso are almost nonexistent and getting a trucking company to hire me with my driving record was hard to do. I look in the newspaper and see jobs that require a masters degree and a minimum of 2 or 3 or 4...years experience and these jobs are only paying about $30,000/year. I am trying to get out of this town and maybe move to Seattle for a fresh start, but that is proving hard to do right now. Hell, maybe I'll write me a country music hit....

[RaceBannon]

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Manager of Quality Control & Engineering Testing 

Company:	Continuum Search
Location:	US-TN-Brentwood
Pay:	80,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD /year
Status:	Full Time, Employee
Shift:	First Shift (Day)

Job Category:	Manufacturing and Production
Education Level:	Bachelor's Degree

Use the employer's preferred method to send your resume - click Apply Now!

Job Description

We are currently working with our client Murray, Inc., a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden power tools, in a search for a Manager of Quality Control & Engineering Testing for their facility in Suzhou, China.

Functional Responsibility:
Manage Engineering Testing and Q/C functions at the Engineering and Q/C Lab in Suzhou to test, inspect, and audit component parts and whole goods exported to Murray U.S. operations/customers. Work closely with China Sourcing functions and Murray U.S. Engineering and Sourcing to achieve objectives and expected benefits.
• Manage, supervise, support, lead and train all employees in the Engineering test and Q/C Lab organization.
• Responsible for performance, documentation and communication of all test, Q/C, and audit functions to support objectives.
• Organize and establish test and Q/C priorities, processes and procedures and manage completion of activities on schedule.
• Communication of drawing, specification, test and Q/C requirements and test and Q/C results with China suppliers. Assist Sourcing function with supplier development.

Objectives:
Improve Murray U.S. Sourcing of China-sourced components and whole goods by:

• Rapid, prioritized Q/C inspection, testing and audit in China
• Improved China supplier technical communication and response
• Technical documentation and communication to Murray U.S. Engineering and Sourcing functions, China Sourcing function and suppliers
• In-county Q/C inspection and verification of all production lots before shipment to U.S.
• Audit China Suppliers
• Assist China Sourcing function in supplier development



Position Requirements:
• BS Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. U.S. professional engineer license not a requirement but a plus.
• Ten years minimum personal experience in the design, development, and testing of outdoor powered products similar to all Murray product lines.
• Proven experience and success in managing people , product engineering and testing to tight schedule requirements in an Asian/U.S. multicultural environment.
• Ability to clearly and concisely document and communicate test and Q/C results in English in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Thorough knowledge of U.S. market testing, standards, compliance and Q/C requirements and processes.
• Assignment is either expatriate living in China, or frequent requirement for China-U.S. travel, 2 to 3 weeks in China every month, or about 65-75% of time year-round.
• Ability to speak clear and fluent technical English. Bi-lingual a plus but not a requirement.

Contact Information

Company:	Continuum Search
Address:	105 Westwood Place Suite 325 Brentwood,TN 37027

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Click here to see all "Continuum Search" opportunities

<! --xcontinuumtnx01 -- >

[July 4th]

I guess I'll chime in since I am a student, but currently (and unsuccessfully) searching for a job. I'm in my last year of law school, and just blew a few thousand dollars on 200 letters and about 10 interviews. Nothing positive yet, and there's only on interview on which I haven't heard back. This means I have to do it all over again next semester.

I don't care so much about the letters/interview process, it's just that I'm essentially trying to find a job while having another one to do. I still have to go to class, take exams, and do well at a top tier law school. Juggling the two is not the easiest of things to do, especially when interviewing means missing an entire day of class.

The real disappointment was getting rejected from the Presidential Fellows program, which was essentially a ticket into the executive branch of the government. As a Freeper, I already feel like I have the inside track, because just being here and reading here has given me more real-world political experience than people I know who live in Washington. I'm sure a lot of other applicants feel slighted, but honestly, if they don't even want to talk to me I have no idea what kind of person they're looking for.

Anyhow, exams start soon, so I need to get back to work. Wish me luck! (And by all means, let me know if you have any leads...particularly you guys in DC).