I got laid off

There are openings in Wichita if you're interested in relocation. Also know of some in Savannah with Gulfstream and CT with Sikorsky.
 
Andrew... are you still doing the Instrument Ground Instructor gig?
 
denverpilot said:
I did a year once after the Dot Bomb destruction in 2001. They said back then the rule of thumb was a month for every $10K in salary you were hunting for if you weren't willing to relocate
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I was particularly worried about my friend because read somewhere that 13 months is a critical time period to be out of a job - anything over that and your chance of returning to the workforce apparently dwindle very quickly to zero. He finally found a job that forced him to relocate to Malibu (Hughes Aircraft) but now he is back in the Bay Area with yet another job.
 
ajstoner21 said:
Thanks everyone for the kind words of encouragement. I know in the end, when I find a new job, I'll look back and realize this was a great opportunity and the push I needed.
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If this helps to encourage....I was in a partnership and got financially sc***ed by my partners when I was going through my divorce (I didn't pay too much attention to what the compensation committee - the other three did). Found out they were paying all sorts of bonuses and perks to themselves. Left with my book of business. Joined another firm, built up my book even more without a non-compete, and left. I then started my firm. NO regrets! It does work out in the end Andrew. Best of luck - keep positive.
 
Check with Embraer in Melbourne Florida at http://www.embraer.com.br/en-us/trabalhe-embraer/Pages/default.aspx

They recently started making regional jets in Florida. Good company. It will help you if you get your DER. Start working on it now. It will easily open doors for you.

Melbourne, FL is a great place to live. Plenty of jobs opportunities in Central Florida. And VFR weather all year around.

José
 
murphey said:
Then why can't I find a job in the Denver area?
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I can't honestly answer that question, all I can day is that I have my finger on the pulse of the DTC and there are tech jobs all over the place there.
 
SkyHog said:
I can't honestly answer that question, all I can day is that I have my finger on the pulse of the DTC and there are tech jobs all over the place there.
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I turned down a few tech jobs in Denver.
 
What kind of tech job you looking for Murph? I thought you had a gig?

Recruiters are calling fairly regularly for Linux expertise.

We had our little Corporate sea change and 11 people left and found better jobs for them. Security, Network, Windows, and Linux folk.
 
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.

I haven't worn a suit since a high-school dance. It does not fit anymore. People seem to expect me to go out and potentially pay $300-$400 for a cheap suit, that I most likely won't wear again anytime soon? Why? Pay $400 for a suit, when I am clearly in a situation where spare money is non existent? They (Hr/employers) know I won't wear a suit as part of the job, why am I expected to put on a fake display?

I'm not talking about showing up to an interview in sandals, shorts, and a tank top, but, why do people seem to think that wearing nice pants, and a basic shirt/tie combo isn't enough?


sorry, rant over... Just arguing with my mom.
 
Hey, Andrew: always best to have appearance on your side, in case you ever need a tie-breaker.

---

Watch for sales at Jos. A. Bank - great stuff, with remarkable deals when the big sales are on.
 
ajstoner21 said:
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.

I haven't worn a suit since a high-school dance. It does not fit anymore. People seem to expect me to go out and potentially pay $300-$400 for a cheap suit, that I most likely won't wear again anytime soon? Why? Pay $400 for a suit, when I am clearly in a situation where spare money is non existent? They (Hr/employers) know I won't wear a suit as part of the job, why am I expected to put on a fake display?

I'm not talking about showing up to an interview in sandals, shorts, and a tank top, but, why do people seem to think that wearing nice pants, and a basic shirt/tie combo isn't enough?


sorry, rant over... Just arguing with my mom.
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:confused: I interview in board shorts, a polo type shirt with another boat's logo, and flip flops, (they are leather topped 'dress flip flops though, not cheap prison rubber ones.) :dunno:
 
ajstoner21 said:
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.

I haven't worn a suit since a high-school dance. It does not fit anymore. People seem to expect me to go out and potentially pay $300-$400 for a cheap suit, that I most likely won't wear again anytime soon? Why? Pay $400 for a suit, when I am clearly in a situation where spare money is non existent? They (Hr/employers) know I won't wear a suit as part of the job, why am I expected to put on a fake display?

I'm not talking about showing up to an interview in sandals, shorts, and a tank top, but, why do people seem to think that wearing nice pants, and a basic shirt/tie combo isn't enough?


sorry, rant over... Just arguing with my mom.
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Appearances do matter, especially if the job is customer facing. The rule of thumb is to dress one level above what you would wear on the job. If the job is business casual, then slacks, shirt and tie is appropriate for the interview. If someone shows up in a ratty pair of dockers for business casual, all things being equal, I will go with the guy I don't have to educate how to dress.
 
ajstoner21 said:
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.

I haven't worn a suit since a high-school dance. It does not fit anymore. People seem to expect me to go out and potentially pay $300-$400 for a cheap suit, that I most likely won't wear again anytime soon? Why? Pay $400 for a suit, when I am clearly in a situation where spare money is non existent? They (Hr/employers) know I won't wear a suit as part of the job, why am I expected to put on a fake display?

I'm not talking about showing up to an interview in sandals, shorts, and a tank top, but, why do people seem to think that wearing nice pants, and a basic shirt/tie combo isn't enough?


sorry, rant over... Just arguing with my mom.
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Because America is all about appearance. If you can do the job or not is irrelevant.
 
ajstoner21 said:
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.
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You may ask 'Why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous?' Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: tradition!
Tevye in fiddler on the roof.​


Just buy a suit, a couple of good shirts and a tie. Makes no sense, but there is seemingly no way around it for the interview situation.
I wear a suit if I have to accompany my wife to some stuck-up university function. Takes me 20min and a youtube video to get the tie tied into a half windsor, most of the time I just default to a pre-tied bowtie.
 
John221us said:
Appearances do matter, especially if the job is customer facing. The rule of thumb is to dress one level above what you would wear on the job. If the job is business casual, then slacks, shirt and tie is appropriate for the interview. If someone shows up in a ratty pair of dockers for business casual, all things being equal, I will go with the guy I don't have to educate how to dress.
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That was more or less my thoughts too. I would have thought slacks, shirt and tie would be sufficient.
 
Wear the suit. . .don't give them a reason to turn you down. Put it on a CC and pay it off after you land the position!
 
The trick is a cheap shirt and an expensive tie...

It is largely about showing respect for the prospective employer, nothing else. Same reason some people get dressed up to go to church.
 
You wear a suit because it makes you look really good. It has nothing to do with qualifications - and you could nab a job without it (hell, I've hired people in jeans if they were the right fit). But the suit takes one part of the equation out - you automatically look good.

If someone disqualified you because you didn't wear a suit, believe me, you don't want that job.
 
Sometimes the applicant pool is so large, that you just have to start removing people so you can narrow it down..

Do not be this guy:
Written Resume: Don't stick out from the normal
Typos
Big gaps in employment status (I am fine with unemployed, just tell me why)
Don't tell me what acronyms you know, tell me what you did at each job.

Face to Face:
Realize that the HR interview guy/gal send their notes to us, along with a question of whether you call you back in...

Do not be...
Badly Dressed
Badly Groomed
Have a personality disorder
Blame your last job on....
Explain to me how you just saw X and would fix it by .....

Do:
Be easy to get along with
Realize you may not know everything about our business
Ask informative questions about our operations, that show you where paying attention walking into this place.
Be willing to save your suggestions for an appropriate time
 
I was let go at Thanksgiving, and interviewed by adding a sport coat and tie to the Dockers I wear to work. That did require buying a couple of new ties and a new dress shirt. Don't think aerospace manufacturing is that different from medical manufacturing.

Keep your chin up, work the on-line job sites, hit LinkedIn regularly. Had several recruiters spot me that way for additional interviews. I started my new job a month ago tomorrow, but I have 20 years' industry experience and am relocating 600 miles south.

Cut your expenses, collect unemployment and remember you need to contact at least one company every week to collect for that week. It's not much money, but its much more than no money. Think of it as a slow shotgun effect. Besides, you need to be ready for phone interviews, and that means knowing something about the companies you apply with--brief history, HQ location [I was asked that in one interview], product lines, etc. Looking for work is a job, treat it like one and you will be successful.

Wishing you the best!
 
Hank S said:
and that means knowing something about the companies you apply with--brief history, HQ location [I was asked that in one interview], product lines, etc.
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My favorite (or least-favorite) interview question was "You have 30 seconds to introduce yourself to the CEO of Boeing. Go."

I think they wanted to see if I knew his name, but regardless, I royally botched that one. I think I just rambled for half a minute while working in my name, major, and the fact that I like planes. :facepalm:
 
ebykowsky said:
My favorite (or least-favorite) interview question was "You have 30 seconds to introduce yourself to the CEO of Boeing. Go."

I think they wanted to see if I knew his name, but regardless, I royally botched that one. I think I just rambled for half a minute while working in my name, major, and the fact that I like planes. :facepalm:
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"Hello Mr McNerney, my name is Henning, I'm looking for a job and I want to work for you. What can help you with?"
 
If Men's Warehouse rent's Tux's, I wonder if they would rent you a nice suit?

Or just wear the tux.... and when asked, explain that your next interview is with MI-6.
 
Good luck, sir. I am sure you'll come out of this well!

ajstoner21 said:
Welp, I was one of the unfortunate ones who got laid off this past week. I got walked out on Thursday.

I was the sole provider for my little family (wife and pets). My wife was trying to go back to school.

Needless to say, I have to make extreme cuts to make my severance last as long as possible, while I look for new jobs.

I have done all of the "obvious" things. I am making extreme spending cuts, I have applied for unemployment benefits, I have been updating my resume, and have started the tedious process of searching for a new job.

I suppose I can really try to pick up free-lance ground instructing in the mean time.

My Linkedin profile is here:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-stoner/3a/93/540

If you are genuinely interested, I can send you my resume.

If anyone has any good leads of a structural engineering (aerospace/mechanical engineer) position in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area, I would greatly appreciate it. I know Aviation is a somewhat small world.
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ebykowsky said:
My favorite (or least-favorite) interview question was "You have 30 seconds to introduce yourself to the CEO of Boeing. Go."

I think they wanted to see if I knew his name, but regardless, I royally botched that one. I think I just rambled for half a minute while working in my name, major, and the fact that I like planes. :facepalm:
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"Hello Mr McNerney, my name is Andy. That's a really great looking tie. Where did you get it?"
 
Anymouse said:
"Hello Mr McNerney, my name is Andy. That's a really great looking tie. Where did you get it?"
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I met Alan Mulally at a urinal, all I could muster was, "It's a pleasure to meet you, nice watch." :rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
N747JB said:
I met Alan Mulally at a urinal, all I could muster was, "It's a pleasure to meet you, nice watch." :rofl::rofl::rofl:
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If you were at a urinal, then both of you must have been busy. Sort of creepy to notice his watch.
 
N747JB said:
I met Alan Mulally at a urinal, all I could muster was, "It's a pleasure to meet you, nice watch." :rofl::rofl::rofl:
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I'd have rather met Megan Mulally - but hopefully not at a urinal.
 
Depends on the job. When I interviewed to be a mechanic at a Jag shop, I showed up in a t-shirt and jeans. When I interview for an engineering position, I wear a suit. I want to look my best and show the person in a position to hire me that I'm serious about wanting the position, and I'm not there to waste his or her time.

If I was interviewing someone for an engineering position, I'd expect any male applicant to show up in a suit and tie. If he showed up in business casual, it tells me he's not serious about making a good impression, which I'll note. Doesn't mean I won't hire him, but it would be a negative mark.
 
That, and her being a dude would just ruin everything.
 
Not everyone expects that, but the general rule of thumb is that you always dress up one level above your expected job attire. Part of the logic is that if you really want the job you will expend a little extra effort.

Also, all else being equal, the most presentable candidate will usually get the job so it might be in your best interest to buy that suit. Another option is to spend your current free time working out so you can get back in that smaller suit. (I'm not saying you are fat! I don't even know you).

Who told you you should wear a suit? If it was an employer that rejected you, they were being honest and trying to do you a favor. Write them a letter thanking them for the advice, and ask for a second chance.

If it was anybody else, just consider it another person's opinion. And you know about those.

Best of luck.

PS, please read my post (#5) from today in this thread:
http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1403749#post1403749

ajstoner21 said:
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.

I haven't worn a suit since a high-school dance. It does not fit anymore. People seem to expect me to go out and potentially pay $300-$400 for a cheap suit, that I most likely won't wear again anytime soon? Why? Pay $400 for a suit, when I am clearly in a situation where spare money is non existent? They (Hr/employers) know I won't wear a suit as part of the job, why am I expected to put on a fake display?

I'm not talking about showing up to an interview in sandals, shorts, and a tank top, but, why do people seem to think that wearing nice pants, and a basic shirt/tie combo isn't enough?


sorry, rant over... Just arguing with my mom.
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Your first post in this thread was on 26 January and your Linked-In profile is essentially blank. That thing should look better than your resume! Hang it out there for the world to see.

BTW, I keep getting suggested jobs for a Project Engineer position with Beech in Wichita, Kansas. I know that is not WHERE you want, but Beech is doing well and they are hiring.

Jim
 
ajstoner21 said:
Why do people expect you to wear a suit to an interview? I worked at Bell for 5-6 years, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER seen anyone wear a suit, except people walking around who were in an interview process.
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You are applying for a professional job and you are expected to dress professionally. Anything less than expectation will be noted and considered when evaluating your suitability for the position. You are competing against many others and very few applicants fail to dress professionally since it is such an easy hurdle to clear.

An employer generally wants someone who can do the desired job (or will grow into jobs above) and won't be a pain in the butt. Non-conformance with expectations is being a pain in the butt. There are too many fish in the sea to put up with much BS from applicants.

On the other hand, if you really don't want to conform with expectations perhaps your career path lies in another direction. That direction may be temporary or it may be permanent. I took a change of direction early in my career and it has paid off later. As always, YMWV.
 
SkyHog said:
You wear a suit because it makes you look really good. It has nothing to do with qualifications - and you could nab a job without it (hell, I've hired people in jeans if they were the right fit). But the suit takes one part of the equation out - you automatically look good.

If someone disqualified you because you didn't wear a suit, believe me, you don't want that job.
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And yet I've lost jobs because I was too well dressed. Too often every one of the employees at the interview are in jeans and tshirts, even the manager. When I was on the other side, interviewing prospective employees I made sure I was dressed professionally - might not be the suit but definitely business casual.

I interviewed at a placement company once (who shall remain nameless but goes by the initials Robert Half) and was told I was inappropriately dressed. It was 95 deg, summer, and I was in a khaki suit.

My response, as I walked out the door, was to mention that among the companies I've worked for, with extensive customer interaction, were Exxon & Boeing, and in my younger days, my mother would NEVER let me out the door if I wasn't dressed properly.
 
Hank S said:
I was let go at Thanksgiving, and interviewed by adding a sport coat and tie to the Dockers I wear to work. That did require buying a couple of new ties and a new dress shirt. Don't think aerospace manufacturing is that different from medical manufacturing.

Keep your chin up, work the on-line job sites, hit LinkedIn regularly. Had several recruiters spot me that way for additional interviews. I started my new job a month ago tomorrow, but I have 20 years' industry experience and am relocating 600 miles south.

Cut your expenses, collect unemployment and remember you need to contact at least one company every week to collect for that week. It's not much money, but its much more than no money. Think of it as a slow shotgun effect. Besides, you need to be ready for phone interviews, and that means knowing something about the companies you apply with--brief history, HQ location [I was asked that in one interview], product lines, etc. Looking for work is a job, treat it like one and you will be successful.

Wishing you the best!
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I got hit last year with sequestration then the shutdown. Welcome to Government Contracting. I average 2-3 hours a day job hunting.

For Andrew:
Oddly enough craigslist is great if your industry is listed. Also check your state's dept of labor & employment (or whatever it's called). This is where you file for unemployment. Many of the local companies post there. Keep Linked In updated. If there are industry-specific organizations in your area, join and go to the meetings.

Dallas/Ft Worth is a huge aviation/aerospace location, and you probably know most of the players. But there is a huge "second & third tier" of smaller companies that contract to the big ones. Those are the ones that are really begging for your skill set.
 
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Always been a tough call, when I've gone out.

If I'm in a position to setup the interview, I've started to specify the dress level required. Usually business casual.
 
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