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career change
I have been looking to change careers for nearly two years and to date have only had 4 interviews. I currently work in the graphic arts (gravure printing), but also have experinence in purchasing, customer service,faciities, and have owned my own business. The issue seems to me that what I would like to do (career change) most....building/purchasing/facilities...is not recent enough experience. I have worked in the printing industry for the last seven years, and I have no contacts with people in other industries. The company that I work for is almost imploding on itself, and has downsized so that there is nowhere to go or advance. I live in Michigan and would love to relocate to less challenged employment state. Any advise out there? 
I'm almost in the same boat. I have 20 years in the printing industryand have been looking to get into the construction industry in amanagement position. Haven't had any success. I think people don't knowenough about the printing industry and the problems and challenges thatmust be dealt with every single day. If they knew how much difficultyand stress we deal with and are still able to meet deadlines, meet ourcustomers demands and maintain quality standards all the while making aprofit, they would be beating down our doors wanting us to work forthem. Unfortunately our first encounter with new companies are throughrecruiters who are, lets face it, recruiters because they don't knowhow to do anything else. Basically, you're not qualified for a positionbecause the right key words didn't come up when they did a word searchin their data base. This is one step above the monkey who can flip aswitch to get a banana. Don't worry. These people are 1 or 2generations of soft ware away from being out of work themselves. AllI can tell you is keep at it. Sooner or later your resume has to comeacross the desk of a real HR professional. You know, the old schoolpros that can recognize talent and the value of cross industryexperience to inspire innovation. If I come up with a successful approach, I will post it.
Roto: Use your contacts! You have customers at your current job, right? Talk to them. You have vendors and suppliers. Think about this... ink companies, paper companies like IP, Xpedex, etc... envelope companies, logistic companies that haul your product-both in it's raw state (before you print) and the finished product, binding companies, graphic art companies, customers who have multiple locations, etc... I live in Ohio Roto, we have the same economic problem. But I don't view this as a negative as far as economics. You don't always have to "flee" the state to get a good job. You have to decide what is is you want to do and then where is it you wish to go. If you wish to stay in purchasing, talk to your suppliers and read white papers on the internet as far as "best practices". If you think you want to work in the manufacturing sector, go back to school and get Six Segma education in purchasing/supply chain. There are more than "one way to skin a cat". You can get "there"!!
beansc, Perhaps you aren't seeing the bigger picture of my story...I do not have contacts with customers, vendors, or other related personnel....I work in production keeping machines running....my company purposely limits contacts with vendors and others who are in the same position in other corporate locations....the career areas that I want to work in aren't currently what I am doing...I wish to live elsewhere not to flee or run away but just desire a change of latitude and attitudes.
Maybe you should research cities that have the most jobs you are interested in, first. Then try to get a job in printing, so that you will be in a city where you can start to job hunt in person. I know that you really want to make a career change, but maybe making the location change first can get you there. |