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Discussion Forum

I’m just going to try and find a job

Biff_Loman | Posted in Business on July 1, 2008 11:37am

My subcontract work has dried up, and I’ve come to the conclusion (several times) that I’m just not ‘there’ yet in terms of being a one-man show.  Too much of a newb all-around. 

It’s possible that I might never get ‘there.’

My wife’s still working away at her masters.  This is not the time to be taking lots of time away from her without certainty of income.

I feel like I’ve got a lot of potential as an employee. . .  I really hope someone picks up on that.

Wish me luck.

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  1. DanT | Jul 01, 2008 11:57pm | #1

    Good luck.  Self employment is not for everyone.  I frankly don't think the money is in it that their is in most jobs.  Just some of us like working for ourselves and the game of it all I suppose.  But again.  Good luck!  DanT

  2. Derr82 | Jul 02, 2008 12:16am | #2

    Your situation sounds very familiar to mine when I was your age.  Thought I could do the business thing. Partnered up with a friend ( at the time).  Wife was working on her Masters and pregnant with our second.  Didn't pan out.  Decided to go back to being an employee. Was with the same company for six years.  Learned a lot, good and bad.  Went back out on my own this time last April and haven't looked back.  It's a lot of work but worth every minute. Good luck.  

     



    Edited 7/1/2008 5:18 pm ET by Derr82

  3. Jim_Allen | Jul 02, 2008 12:38am | #3

    One door closes and another opens. Congrats on making the decision.

    Do a good job of interviewing your prospective employer. Make sure it's a good fit for you, and them.

    Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  4. User avater
    JeffBuck | Jul 02, 2008 01:17am | #4

    for years I was some kinda self employeed and worked mostly low to mid level remodels for low to mid level cash.

     

    we got prego with the first kid, thot great time to get a steady paycheck.

    figured if I was gonna give up my freedom, I'd make it worth it.

    so I actively interviewed at hand picked companies.

    I picked companies that did the kinda work I wished to do "some day".

     

    thru interviewing ... and I interviewed them as much if not more than they interviewed me ... I realized a midsize remodeling or design build firm would be the best bet to get me where I wanted to go.

     

    found a coupla those ... cold called for interviews.

    went thru 3 places, hired and quit ... before I found what I was looking for.

     

    stayed there 2.5 yrs, then was laid off and invited back as a sub in the same meeting. And have been working steady since.

    I recommend taking something to pay the bills, but also look for a place that'll help U get to where U eventially see yourself.

    In the end, that place I found disovled their partnership, I continued to work for /with all three of the owners. I actually thought about and talked with the last remaining owner about buying him out. And still use one of the former's as a great design resource.

     

    make it work for you.

    also found out ... employee-ship ain't so bad ... and I was actually a heck of an employee!

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  5. User avater
    intrepidcat | Jul 02, 2008 01:21am | #5

    good luck!

     

     

     

    "Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck 

  6. Shep | Jul 02, 2008 01:45am | #6

    I didn't go out on my own until I was 38 y.o. I lasted for 9 years before I got so burnt out and frustrated dealing with customers that I took a job at the lumber yard I've dealt with since I was a kid.

    I stayed there for 7 months, before I realized that, for several reasons, I wasn't happy there. It was nice having a steady paycheck and benefits, tho.

    So I've been back running my own little business for the past 7 years. I did get a little pickier about who I work for, and what I do.

    If I'd gone to work for another remodeler, instead of the lumber yard, things may have turned out differently.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

  7. segundo | Jul 02, 2008 01:52am | #7

    you are canadian fer crisakes, go up to the oil sands and make a fortune for a couple of years, then come home and buy an old house for cash and remodel to your hearts content.

    two hints, equipment operation, welding.

    1. User avater
      JeffBuck | Jul 02, 2008 05:49am | #12

      or drive a truck over some ice.

       

      I see it's big up there ... looks to pay well.

      Jeff    Buck Construction

       Artistry In Carpentry

           Pittsburgh Pa

    2. Biff_Loman | Jul 02, 2008 06:49am | #13

      Huh.

      1. Scrapr | Jul 02, 2008 03:23pm | #15

        drive a truck over some ice

         

        Ice Road Truckers

        History Channel (or A&E I forget)

    3. fingersandtoes | Jul 02, 2008 07:08am | #14

      "go up to the oil sands and make a fortune for a couple of years"

      It's a whole other scene up there. Lots of money, but hard to meet a guy who doesn't have a substance abuse problem or restraining order against him. It's dirty money anyway. They are quickly destroying the whole of Northern Alberta.

  8. frenchy | Jul 02, 2008 02:47am | #8

    BiffLoman.

       Several points.. first watch out about being self employed.. a lot of employers really see it as a negative.. You may have enjoyed running your own show and that is seen as a threat to some..

      To get around it speak directly about tasks you accomplished in corporate terms.  Don't say that you built this and that.   Explain you supervised profit and loss on various projects.  Talk about profit in percentage points rather than dollars and cents..

     Find  a weakness that you have.. lack of marketing experiance for example or poor accounting skills.  Whatever is the case.  It will be asked and it's something you need to be prepared for.. Here's the ideal spot to be humble!

      Next to not pretend to be good at all things.. for some reason people want to hire specialists rather than generalists.. Now is not the time to be Michelangelo.

      

  9. User avater
    BossHog | Jul 02, 2008 02:56am | #9

    Best of luck, however it turns out.

    Keep us posted, would ya?

    Virtually everything is under federal control nowadays except the federal budget. [Herman E. Talmadge]

  10. User avater
    EricPaulson | Jul 02, 2008 04:06am | #10

    If you are willing and ready and can actually show up for work five days out of the week you have an ace over a good half or more of what is out there.

    If you have a brain and can use it you move up several more places.

    Non smoker with a cell phone and a vehicle that isn't broke every other week, you get a few more notches.

    Bring lunch with you and don't waste any time getting things done.

    You just scored 10 out of 10 and we're not talking hard stuff here.............

    Email me with your number and some frame of time that is good to talk. I didn't forget you; I've just been too busy. If you want to talk it would probably be easier than the alternative.

     

    Eri

    [email protected]

     

     

     

     

    1. Biff_Loman | Jul 02, 2008 04:43am | #11

      I'll have to take you up on that. The insanity that is my current schedule will be over soon.

  11. jej | Jul 02, 2008 06:49pm | #16

    the way i found around working for someone was  to work for a skilled temp service . i then cut them out of the loop and now i stand in front of h.d. and lows maybe a lumber yard seeing if anyone needs help on a project , $45 hour ,inclueds truck, tools and i can start now . never looked back , to afraid .if this sounds like something your interested with let me know and i can teach you some tactics i use. good luck.

  12. Biff_Loman | Jul 08, 2008 01:48am | #17

    First day of cold-calling and lukewarm (I guess) calling was today, but the real round starts tomorrow.

    Here we go!

    1. davejitsu | Jul 08, 2008 03:02am | #18

      Wow Good luck with ever you decide. I just started on my own 4 years ago. I am now 51. Go after smaller jobs. Money not has good as larger ones. But I like the independence At least the feeling. On long island ny need to work 6-7 days to keep up. Overall I like it better than employee. But always nervous about getting more work. Good Luck

      1. Biff_Loman | Jul 08, 2008 03:31am | #19

        I think maybe you read that wrong. I'm trying to find a job, now, giving up on doing the sole proprietor thing, which I am just not ready for quite yet.

        1. davejitsu | Jul 09, 2008 02:26am | #21

          I understand, Changing from your own to job can be huge in the sense that you do not have control. On the other hand with your expierence you will be left to your own on the job. With out pressure of dealing with customer. My exp different couldnt take working for someone had to try on my own Thats why started so late. I had been employee for years.
          Just be careful of taking or suggesting to much control on job. Boss ego could get bruised. Cold calling is hard Sometims going to job sites is better. I hired 2 guys that way both worked out real well. Takes phone out of game. Lets you see the guy.
          Any way Take care

    2. User avater
      BossHog | Jul 08, 2008 02:13pm | #20

      Good luck with it - I know cold calling is tough.Keep us posted.
      Life is like a dog-sled team. If you aren't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.

    3. bobbys | Jul 09, 2008 06:14am | #22

      good luck biff i have been there. just dont get discouraged i believe in you

  13. Biff_Loman | Jul 10, 2008 03:25am | #23

    Well I'll be dipped in ####. I got a job with (pretty much) THE premium custom home builder in the area. These guys build some very beautiful homes. I've never worked with a builder before.

    The lowest job with them, mind you, but I still have so much to learn. My carpentry skills are 100% self-taught, and I found some bad deficiencies while working on other peoples' homes. Too much 'faking it' and not enough 'making it.' Ha.

    I'm totally ready to be an employee. This stint in self-employment has shown me that I've been quick to judge my former bosses, and that if I were in charge, I'd make my own brand of mistakes. I'm past the stage where I need to imagine how I'd do things differently. I'm going to do my damnedest to be a good team player.

    I start on Friday.

    1. Scrapr | Jul 10, 2008 03:28am | #24

      WTG Biff

      they couldn't start you on Monday? Let you have a long relaxing weekend imagining the workaday to come?

       

       

    2. User avater
      JeffBuck | Jul 10, 2008 04:53am | #25

      Congrats!

       

      best thing I ever did was go to work for a high end design / build firm.

      consider it college!

       

      Jeff    Buck Construction

       Artistry In Carpentry

           Pittsburgh Pa

    3. Shep | Jul 10, 2008 01:03pm | #26

      That's great news. And with the attitude you're displaying here, you'll be moving up quickly.

    4. User avater
      BossHog | Jul 10, 2008 02:03pm | #27

      Hope you enjoy being dipped in #### at your new job.(-:
      Q: What's the difference between Mr. Potato Head and Michael Jackson?
      A: Michael Jackson has had more noses.

    5. jjf1 | Jul 10, 2008 04:14pm | #28

      Good for you, congrats! As was stated, look at it like college...and now that you've been on the "other side" for awhile, you can appreciate both viewpoints and be able to learn accordingly.Jay

    6. mike_maines | Jul 10, 2008 07:38pm | #34

      Nice Biff! 

      Like Jeff B, the best thing I did was going to work for a high-end design/build firm.  Unlike Jeff I'm still here 6 1/2 years later (minus a 1 1/2 year stint back at self-employment).  Nothing like learning from experienced guys, AFTER you've learned you don't know everything already.

      I make it a point to learn something from every tradesman I come across.  They probably get annoyed with my questions so I try not to overdo it. 

    7. Oak River Mike | Jul 13, 2008 04:10am | #35

      Congrats Biff!  That could have been the shortest stint of unemployment I have seen!

      I am still looking for a job but am hopinh to be as fortunate as you...

      Mike

  14. Hazlett | Jul 10, 2008 06:23pm | #29

    Well congrat.s!!!--- that didn't take long at all did it?

    I am happy for you and hope everything goes well,
    stephen

    1. Biff_Loman | Jul 10, 2008 06:39pm | #30

      Yeah, it surprised the heck out of me. I figured I wanted to work for a builder, so I made a master list of all the builders with offices I could visit, then dropped in on all of them.I got an interview on the spot with this one.My logic was this: I don't have a real career going right now. I have 'project manager' on my resume. I've never apprenticed or really picked up a trade; I'd say I'm just 'handy'. Working for a builder, I could assess a number of things:- See if there's a local niche that needs filling; I could learn to do that eventually
      - Learn more about project management/site supervision, and whether that would be an option for me as a career
      - Rub shoulders with a bunch of different tradesmen and improve my skills by learning from them
      - Learn more about the process of a building a whole house/taking on more complex projectsAnd I found the best! If you'd asked me which builder I'd have wanted to work for, I'd have named this one. They build such lovely, tasteful custom homes. I'm really happy. Edit: First job I'll be on is some sort of renovation involving an 1820's home. I almost had to hold back tears of joy when I heard that. I started this job search prepared to work in the tracts.

      Edited 7/10/2008 11:42 am ET by Biff_Loman

      1. bobbys | Jul 10, 2008 06:54pm | #31

        I told you i believed in you , now just dont mess up the lunch orders;]

        1. Jim_Allen | Jul 10, 2008 07:15pm | #32

          Was that chicken or beef tacos? Pepsi or Coke? Cream and sugar or black? I'd suggest he get himself a fancy schmancy PDA to take notes on. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

      2. plantlust | Jul 10, 2008 07:27pm | #33

        Ooooo 1820s! Any chance you will be able to post some photos?Temp to hire position starts 14 July.

  15. Biff_Loman | Jul 22, 2008 01:53am | #36

    Btw, it's going great so far. It seems that I'll get a company vehicle next week, an old beater pickup. Beats paying for gas, lemme tell you, especially because my starting wage is quite humble.

    I get along well enough with my boss and co-workers. No organization is perfect, but I don't see any signs of trouble ahead. I had to deal with a constant stream of b.s. in my last job, and I don't think that will be the case with these people.

    Some days have been decently physically punishing, but a bit of hard work has never fazed me.

    I'll have to snap some pics of the 1820's house we're restoring. It started off as a grand house and went steadily downhill over time. It'll be very gratifying to see the final product. I'm not getting the glamor end, though! Nope.

    Anyways, I don't think I could have done better for the moment. It's already been very educational, even observing from a grunt position. These guys build beautiful homes. I've become a smaller fish in a bigger pond, so we'll see where this goes.

    1. Fishrite | Jul 22, 2008 02:13am | #37

      >> I've become a smaller fish in a bigger pond, so we'll see where this goes.<<Keep on swimming! Nice news to hear!.
      "Historic preservation is an essential part of a civil society; historic buildings form the core assets of many communities, and their restoration is key to neighborhood revitalization. Preservation is an essential part of any conservation-minded approach to human settlements. Historic buildings serve as anchors in time, preserving cultural richness and providing essential lessons for contemporary work."  Kevin Pierce

    2. User avater
      JeffBuck | Jul 22, 2008 03:44am | #38

      nothing wrong with a little hard work!

       

      I'm a mostly a one man show ... so on demo days ...

      even if I hired help ... I'm still as dirty as the next guy.

      Usually dirtier ... as I want them to keep coming back!

       

      so I take the worst jobs and dole out the just plain bad to the lucky helpers.

      there are plenty the day I'm covered in sweat and old coal dust ...

      and think ...

       

      I am a college educated ... highly skilled ... highly trained trim carpenter ...

      and I just can't seem to get all the black soot boogers blown outta my head!

      and why is my leg bleeding?

       

      Jeff    Buck Construction

       Artistry In Carpentry

           Pittsburgh Pa

      1. MikeSmith | Jul 22, 2008 03:58am | #39

        hey, Biff.... all sounds real goodlet us know how everything goes.... we all live vicariously ....nice to see things thru a new pair of eyesMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

        1. Jim_Allen | Jul 22, 2008 06:02am | #40

          I probably should have done the same thing 25 years ago. I'd be retired by now with a nice cushy carpenters pension. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

      2. 43Billh | Jul 22, 2008 01:24pm | #41

        I am a college educated ... highly skilled ... highly trained trim carpenter ...

        and I just can't seem to get all the black soot boogers blown outta my head!

        and why is my leg bleeding?

        Now that right thare is funny!!!

         

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