The (civilian) job market

[Texas Playboy]

I work in an employment assistance program here in Houston.

We will not advise people to go into the adult space (although for many, it's a very lucrative option), and occasionally we find people who are trying to get out of it, either cold turkey or trying to ease their way out of it over time.

This question is for the providers: are you actively preparing yourself for life in a new profession? No judgment whatsoever on what you do (that's obvious, as I've been a part-time hobbyist myself), but sometimes I worry about whether there's much long term thinking going on here.

My take on the macro-picture is that it's not going to get much better in the next year or so. A lot of people are going to be downsizing their lifestyles in order to survive the consequences of the slower economy. In the long LONG run (10+ years), that downsizing is a good thing ... we need to do it. But it's going to be painful, and a lot of folks will have to take employment that they might have thought before was beneath them. Additionally, a lot of folks will have to postpone retirement, and that means older folks in the job market for lower paying jobs in ways they haven't been before.

Maybe Houston, and Texas as a whole, will fare better than the USA because our politics have encouraged rather than discouraged job creation. But Washington's policies that have destroyed a lot of jobs are impacting here too. Just ask the offshore engineers ....

Just wanted to start a discussion on this ... not to throw a wet blanket on the party environment here at ECCIE, but I want to encourage everyone, especially providers, to think about the long run here.

Throwing it open for discussion.

[Capt. Lincoln F. Stern]

I am not a provider, but one who has been out of work for a long time... I work(ed) in the I.T. sector but these days I am willing to take just about any job just be working.
I am not ashamed to take a lesser job than what I am used to because work gives me a good feeling....been missing that feeling

[macksback]

How does employment assistance work? I have never used it so I am curious.When the bottom fell out of the oilfield in the late 80's,I started in pipeline and havent looked back.

[helen]

just trying to get through school

[seductivesarah]

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIND SOMETHING TO DO IN THE SEX INDUSTRY I LOVE IT!!!

[Texas Playboy]

Good for you Sarah! I'm not trying to talk anybody out of this business. If it works well for you and you love it, obviously then it's what you should do.

Originally Posted by seductivesarah

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIND SOMETHING TO DO IN THE SEX INDUSTRY I LOVE IT!!!

[Jackie S]

Texas Playboy, there is a missconception that all Escort-Providers are simply doing this to get by while searching for something else. I think the Internet,

[blowpop]

I'm planning on setting up a consulting service coaching providers on how to improve their skills and increase their earning potential.

I see nothing but upside to this plan.

[CivilBarrister]

Originally Posted by seductivesarah

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIND SOMETHING TO DO IN THE SEX INDUSTRY I LOVE IT!!!

And as long as I can walk, I will be right there with you!

BTW, can't wait to come down your chiminy.

[Aidan MacKenna]

Quite honestly I miss the professional arena. The reality of the matter is I have not had a job I could place on a resume for well over a year now. Having worked for employment agencies and I have been interviewed in some capacity close to 100 times in my life. This begs the question, what the hell am I supposed to say when an interviewer asks, "So, I see your last job ended almost 2 years ago... what have you been doing since then to make ends meet?"

Then there is my outdated skill set. When last I word processed, I was using Microsoft Office 2007 which is about to be replaced by Microsoft Office 2010. Combine that with the fact that most subordinate positions, like the ones I have previously held, had responsibilities which now fall on middle management. I also have yet to run into a person who is in business for themselves who is willing to pay a fair amount for a stellar support system.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, I'm just saying, from where I sit, I'd rather a razor blade to the wrists over being judged and interviewed ad nauseam just to secure a job that now pays $30,000/year that paid $50,000/year 3 years ago.

[Guest032414-2]

I was fortunate enough to sell my house in the Northeast this year, so that I no longer am paying rent and mortgage.

The company I work for has gone through some reorganizations and layoffs, so given the type of work I do, my way of cutting back is to not purchase another house for a few years and to try and make my "beater" car last longer than I had planned. That way I have flexibility, should I have to take a 6 month contract position outside of the Houston area.

Going back to get my Bachelor's in M.E. is something I want to do, but I view it as more of a down the road thing, the Associate's is enough to get me in the door. Besides, number of hours (and skill level) on the software seems to be the first question asked in my field.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by blowpop

I'm planning on setting up a consulting service coaching providers on how to improve their skills and increase their earning potential.

I see nothing but upside to this plan.

Advance degree... Master Pimp!

(tbone2u, are you hiring retiree?)

[cabletex7]

Originally Posted by AidanMacKenna

Quite honestly I miss the professional arena. The reality of the matter is I have not had a job I could place on a resume for well over a year now. Having worked for employment agencies and I have been interviewed in some capacity close to 100 times in my life. This begs the question, what the hell am I supposed to say when an interviewer asks, "So, I see your last job ended almost 2 years ago... what have you been doing since then to make ends meet?"

Then there is my outdated skill set. When last I word processed, I was using Microsoft Office 2007 which is about to be replaced by Microsoft Office 2010. Combine that with the fact that most subordinate positions, like the ones I have previously held, had responsibilities which now fall on middle management. I also have yet to run into a person who is in business for themselves who is willing to pay a fair amount for a stellar support system.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, I'm just saying, from where I sit, I'd rather a razor blade to the wrists over being judged and interviewed ad nauseam just to secure a job that now pays $30,000/year that paid $50,000/year 3 years ago.

Given today's economy, most people will understand a big gap in employment. As far as making ends meet - do people really ask that? - you could respond with unemployment benefits (they have been extended several times), savings, odd jobs and help from parents, friends, etc. Most people won't pry further.

You're right about keeping up technology and skills but most often it is the intangibles in an interview that get you the job or not. Assuming you have the basic requirements. People will hire or not hire based on how they feel about the person. Skills being stale or a person being overqualified, etc. are just the reasons to support their feeling.

You may want to consider a mock interview with a friend. But not so good a friend that he/she wouldn't want to hurt your feelings and not give honest feedback. Maybe even one of the interviewers from an employment agency. Separate from the interview itself, asking for feedback on how your interview went and what you could do to improve. Most people like to help.

Completely agree the whole interviewing process sucks but you have to keep plugging away. Good luck.

[LexusLover]

Originally Posted by cabletex7

.... you could respond with unemployment benefits ....


People will hire or not hire based on how they feel about the person.

If the response you give is a verifiable misrepresentation ....

.. the second statement kicks in ... and your dishonesty will kill the opportunity.

This topic has been discussed before ... regarding what to do about switching careers ... how about ... I allowed myself to become involved in some relationships that provided me some support, but I begin to feel that the dependency on others was not good for me and that I felt I should become independent of personal relationships and support myself while providing support for a company or business that is interested in expanding and increasing productivity .....

[Texas Playboy]

Aiden, check for my PM.

Best to find an answer that has truth in it, if not the full truth. The key is to avoid falsehoods (whether verifiable or not).

Also, consider using a resume other than a chronological one. It will deflect attention away from the time gap. For example, use "Relevant Experience" as the first header, and list all jobs that gave you experience that is directly relevant to the job for which you are applying. Describe duties and accomplishments here at great length.

Afterwards, use "Other Experience" as another header, and list other jobs, assignments, etc. that are not directly relevant to the job for which you are applying. You don't need to spend much time on describing what you did in these jobs because your header tells them it's not all that relevant.

It seems to me that somewhere in the neighborhood of "Internet-Based Marketing" might be a way to finesse what you do .... although I agree it could be a slippery slope if the interviewer senses deception. The key is to describe what you do in milquetoast terms so that it's neither false nor terribly interesting.

But think of getting away from the chronological resume to help you finesse the issue.

Originally Posted by AidanMacKenna

Quite honestly I miss the professional arena. The reality of the matter is I have not had a job I could place on a resume for well over a year now. Having worked for employment agencies and I have been interviewed in some capacity close to 100 times in my life. This begs the question, what the hell am I supposed to say when an interviewer asks, "So, I see your last job ended almost 2 years ago... what have you been doing since then to make ends meet?"

Then there is my outdated skill set. When last I word processed, I was using Microsoft Office 2007 which is about to be replaced by Microsoft Office 2010. Combine that with the fact that most subordinate positions, like the ones I have previously held, had responsibilities which now fall on middle management. I also have yet to run into a person who is in business for themselves who is willing to pay a fair amount for a stellar support system.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, I'm just saying, from where I sit, I'd rather a razor blade to the wrists over being judged and interviewed ad nauseam just to secure a job that now pays $30,000/year that paid $50,000/year 3 years ago.