Chicagoland members?

Don't forget Indeed.com. As I mentioned before, I think its the best job listing service. Don't rely on ads, although an ad could work out for you. As I mentioned, I got my NC job through Monster. In my other prior job searches, none of the positions I won were advertised. I started calling and networking potential employers. If one had no opportunities, I'd ask if he knew anyone else that might. Get on the phone to any industries in the area that could use your skills. Its a lot easier to get through the secretaries if you know someone on the inside. Are there any professional organizations that people who do what you do belong to? Sometimes there are on-line listings of association members or, in the case of my NC search, I got lists of all the state licensed "Professional Geologists" and "Registered Site Managers" that included employer ID and phone numbers. Network, network, network. Hang in there and good luck with the search.

I've never been too impressed with recruiters. They are always there and bugging you until you are the one looking for a job, then they got nuthin' to say. There is a national outfit, surely a presence in Chicago area, that does technical placement called Aerotek. I am really unimpressed with them, but it's only a phone call, so why not. I wondered if recruiters even get much business these days with the internet. Why would employers want to drop what used to be 30% of a years salary to find someone, but some employer type friends of mine said they still use recruiters, so you never know.

EDIT: Here is another one I must have used, because I just got an email from them www.rengineeringjobs.com. (gotta cancel my subscription)

Try Aerotek, Kelly Government Solutions or you can contact Mike Coulter of IPR Recruiting: mike@iprrecruiting.com; Phone 610 256-1274 (work). Tell him Chris Dail referred you.

I have used all three over the years when looking.

Regards

Chris and Larry,
Thanks for the input. I know with you Larry, you went through "hell" for a long time. I sure hope that doesn't happen to me!! Larry, I have taken all the steps you have recommended from day one in your PM. Thanks so much for the advice and your concern.

Chris, I'll give them a call and report back. So, if I mention your name will that get me to the the top of their list?

I'm not sure what you are looking for but Mike Coulter should be able to help, or at least point you in a good direction. He recruited me from a small architecture firm over to a large A&E firm, I was not actually looking at the time. I didn't do a thing but tell him what I wanted and he did all the rest. In my area (MD, DC, VA) it never hurts to have a recruiter on your side, helps negotiate. Just put the feelers out and see what comes back. He may or not remember me (this was 6+ years ago) but mention my name anyway, never hurts.

Best of luck!

Cuda Chris wrote: Hey Pete, Any luck with those companies I mentioned? Cheers

Chris,
I sent an email off to Mike late yesterday and we'll see what he can do. I was holding off till I got a response from one of my interviews. It was a no! My feeling is they felt I was overqualified for the position and most likely asking too much for pay.
Thanks much. I'll report back.

davidg wrote: Plastics my boy....Plastics! That's where the future is!

Dave,
Isn't that what Mr. Robinson said? I'm sure glad you know the injection molders that are still going strong since so much has gone off shore. That's what shut down our IPC division!

Are you going to make it to the Geneva show this weekend?

Good news! I'm accepting a position as the plant engineer (same as my previous position) for a manufacturer of blow molded fuel cans and drain pans. They are moving into a new building that is LARGE! I was over there today and the electrical contractor was working on the new service entrance - 6000 amps at 480!!! Yes, plastics no mater how they are made take the big electric heat.

The bad news, but not really is I'm going to be on a 1 month temp. This works for both the employer and the employee since it gives both the time to figure out if we are a "match".

Ironically, my wife found this connection for me via her being a server at her job at a pancake house and the owner being a regular!!! NOTHING on monster, Likedin or Craig's list has panned out. The responses and 1 interview I have gotten all indicate I'm "over qualified"!! Yup, big corporate is out there looking for cheap!

Glad to hear that Pete. Hope it works out for you,maybe he will find the hidden gem and keep you on. On my last job I was hired as a temp,then a year later made perminment and in a blink of an eye 34 more went by! Good luck
ps where do you have to go? any further than before?

[QUOTE=8122pbrainard] Good news! I'm accepting a position as the plant engineer (same as my previous position) for a manufacturer of blow molded fuel can and drain pans. .
QUOTE]

Hmmmm can you say blow molded fuel tanks for older CC models???

In Lake Zurich there is a company,it used to be Exxon, who makes big plastic bags.When I used to have to go there it was always interesting watching the machines that made them. Very few employees, the machines were left to their own. A hopper was mounted on the side where the plastic pellets were in,they were melted and injected into some sort of ring and air blown into the center creating basically a giant tube.It then rose up to the second floor at a great speed cooling as it went to be put on a roll.I was there one time it looked like the tube quit rising or just blew over and there was plastic film all over because no one stood watch over them It was a noisey and hot place.

Good Luck Pete !!

That's great Pete, and relatively quickly. Good luck with it.

Awesome!   congratulations!