Finding my way

[fbhjr]

With my thanks to perrin_o_ravnos I have managed to get my CAD system up and running. So, the first thing I modeled is the fire fan he uses in our show so we can have yebo help us with some new ones.


(Yes, for those who read this who DO care about such things, I am copying the design. But, it is because the people who made them for Perrin stopped making them and we can’t find them anywhere else. I would much rather buy them made by someone who has designed and debugged them then to do it ourselves. But, we were not given that option. Sad.
I do not like taking this option, but do want replacements for this prop we’ve had in use for many years.)

I also started laying out the trebuchet I want to get built.


I’m going to have to start building it soon. I’ve been putting it off. Not for any good reason. Mostly because it is the last of the projects on the list I made up when I was laid off 143 days ago. And, part of me doesn’t want to finish the list without a new job.
But, I need to get going on it and this is a good start.

What I really need in my job search is a list of companies that use mechanical engineers.
I’ve had all sorts of headhunters look at my resume, and all of them tell me is a very good one.
When I’ve interviewed with them they’ve said things like “wow, you interview well” and “wow, that was a really good answer to that question.”
Even some of the people who I’ve sent blind resumes have written to me and said “we could really use someone like you, we just can’t afford it right now.”
Lots of the services to help people find jobs help them write resumes, do practice interviews and print off stuff for them.
What I need are the connections to people who would need me. Yes, me and a few thousand other people, which is why the people try and channel that flow through web sites and screeners.
With technology as it is, I’ve got access to several different lists of companies in the area, and they are what I used for my blind mailings. None of these other places I’ve looked into have a better list then the ones I’ve got, which is why I don’t spend a lot of time with them. (I have had to have this discussion with the Mass department of Unemployment about why I don’t go down to their office to use a list they post on line...)

The people I want to reach are the ones who haven’t published their need yet. The ones who have just gone to their boss and received permission to hire someone, but haven’t given the ad to personnel yet. I want my resume to land on their desk just then so they say “wait! I’ve got someone right here!”

In all honesty, I wonder if I’ve managed that already. Two companies I sent blind resumes started posting jobs with qualifications remarkably like mine a couple of weeks after I sent my stuff to them. I’m hoping that it is because someone said “we still have to post it” and I’ll be getting a call. Probably wishful thinking, but what the heck. Right?

Comments

I think that you're doing well, actually

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

compared to some other people I know who have lost their jobs. I think that the profession and the region play a big part in how fast companies start looking to expand again and looking for someone with your skills. It is hard to avoid feeling disappointed & frustrated, but the reality is, very few places around these parts of the country are doing any hiring. OF any kind. I am still seeing contractor postings going up on web sites that have been the same for the past 3-4 months. I know that I've applied for them, and I am thinking at least several hundred other folks have also. Yet, ths postings still remain and get renewed. I think that it must be some sort of "fishing" scheme, but what they are fishing for I don't know. The do seem to be resistant/reluctant to actually hire someone, or perhaps it is a project that they know they need someone for, but can't get the funding to support at this time.

So, what type of metal do you make those fire fingers out of? I guess ideally you'd want to use steel that will remain a bit ductile and not conduct heat extremely well, and not become brittle with many repeated heating/cooling cycles. Do you guys have a metal shop handy?

Re: I think that you're doing well, actually

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

The small fans, that we can still buy, are made of bronze tube.
The big ones I drew are thick steel wire. They've been in use for several years now and have held up well. Most of the damage to them is from transport, not performance.

Re: I think that you're doing well, actually

[gilden.livejournal.com]

Would welding rod work?

Re: I think that you're doing well, actually

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I think that may be what they're made of.