OK so I've only been lurking here a few months and the only transition I've made job wise was getting out of the Air Force(But if the airline industry will go just a little more belly up maybe I'll get to do it again). As stupid as it sounds the learning where there is involves research. and contacts. and time.

Placement and Temporary firms can be a help, stay away from anything that wants money up front, as the money up front is typically what they want and they aren't much help after that.

I don't know what you did, or do, or want to do but good luck.

and take good notes, if the airlines all go stupid I'm going to be looking for a guideline.

Ah - that would be why you were so quiet that night... I shall consider... at the moment I can't really think of anything but since I only just heard - the rusty wheels in my head need some time to get started.

I have one thought that I'm working with right now figuring out "What I want to be when I grow up" ... I'll send ya an email.

Have you considered a job writing a column for your local newspaper? It'd be similar to blogging, and you would get paid for it. Just an idea.

Hmmm...guess that made me sound kinda dumb on the phone the other night - sorry sweetie!

Gonna think about this...and you are right...we would/will/do want to help.

*hugs*

You could always go into bank robbing -- since you've got the insider's take, you'd know what you were doing...and I'm pretty sure you could continue blogging from behind bars.

I wish you lived alot closer to me Harv. I think you'd make a better teller than the incompetent one we have now. Plus, I think you'd get the hang of harrassing the members when they come in. :)

Are there any other financial institutions in your area that you could apply at? Hit up your friends and tell them to keep their ears open for any job openings. Word of mouth is the best way to get leads.

Perhaps you could take the opportunity to take a few classes? Computers perhaps? Work some side jobs with fixing pc's if thats your cup of tea?

I have faith that you will find something! Keep your chin up and stay positive though. Thats the key!

Really sorry to hear that, Harv.
You are in my prayers.
I don't know what you want to be, but I hope you find something you like.

I kind of like the writing for a local paper idea, though. You never know, it could turn out to be big!

Good luck, and God-bless.

I have to think on this as gut reaction is I have no clue. I know there are career counselors... there may be someone out there that can help that really knows what they're talking about. Yeah, that wouldn't be me the geek pinhead.

As Bou suggested, there are career counselors you could look into one of those.

As a person that went from one career to a completely different and unrelated career, The new job can come straight out of left field. The only advice I have that is even worth giving is this: Determine what you enjoy doing, then find new and creative ways to do it. If you find a job that may not be exactly what you enjoy, you can apply what you enjoy to it. I do it daily, that's why I enjoy my job.

If you get really really desperate... I could always see when my companies next job fair is. You could become a minion! :)

So sorry to hear that. I was going through the same this time last year. If you don't mind working for the Gubment, USAJOBS.COM might give you some ideas. Hey, maybe this is the break ya'll have been looking for to move your home to greener pastures? I'll be thinking of you, I'd suggest man-slave but TNT has that covered ;)

Damn, sorry to hear this. Go read Tammi's post and list out things like she says. If you can, find a good career counselor and take all the free tests you can. They won't tell you what to do, but will help you think about the things you like and are important to you. Good luck!

So sorry to hear that, hope it wasn't over your blogging.

Latching onto what Tommy said, get into a temp firm (Kelly, Bartech, etc) and talk to them about trying out different jobs to see what you like and don't like. It could give you a feel for what is out there.

Also scour Monster. Just type in a word that matches what you like to do and see what kind of jobs come up, read the descriptions and experience/training requirements.

... damn, Harv..... deciding what you want to do for a living is a question only you can answer.... good luck in whatever you choose.... and if you need anything, just call...

Well that just sucks monster hairy donkey balls. Sorry daddy. :(

As for what you want to do - the idea I heard was to take a list of job catagories (paper, yellow pages, monster.com) and cross off what you know you *don't* want to do. Then research what is left. Keep crossing jobs off until you find something you want to try.

It's important to start with a huge list though - not just currently available job openings, but possible jobs.

Sorry to hear that, Harvey. Sucks, actually, but then again it may be just what you needed! I'll pray for the best possible resolution to your situation, whatever that may be. ;)

And, I agree with the others... Temp to find out what you really like, but Harv, you're a writer. You could pen a book... About blogging, even! Do you know what the guys on eBay make just for writing a little e-book about... anything? I can see you doing that -multiple books!- with one lobe tied behind your back!

{{{Hugs}}}

If you haven't picked up a copy What Color is Your Parachute can be helpful.

Once you do figure out what you want to do, go with it. If it means going back to school the go. You're never to old to go back to school. The Wife teaches at one of the local colleges here and has students in their 60's.

You could list all your favorite things and find a job that has to do with them; the downside to that is I don't think TNT's gonna let you be a porn star or run a 3X web site out of your garage.

When I went through the what do I want to do for the rest of my life bit it didn't hit me until I started keeping track of the topics I was researching / reading about most frequently. I kept a pen and notepad by the computer and scribbled down what I was searching for. After I'd scratched out all the repeat searches for midget porn, inflatable sheep and the spank-o-matic 5000 there were a couple of underlying themes. Maybe that'll work for you.

Good people always land on their feet and Harv you're a good people so you'll land on your feet.

Well, as sucky as the loss of a job is it sounds as though you have been given a rare gift -- the opportunity to find what you'd *really* like to do. Tammi's suggestions were all really good and career counseling may help. I also agree with Pam -- you could write professionally. Turn your blogging "how to" tips into a book! Anyway, I hope that it all comes clear soon and that something perfect falls right into your lap. Good luck and positive thoughts are on the way!

There are sooo many different ways of looking at occupations. I guess it depends where you are in your life right now. Some people need to love the job, some people need to love the money, others need a schedule they can live with. I think it is rare to find all three. When I was working outside of the home, as an LPN. It wasn't for the money obviously. It was because I liked helping people, I also wanted a job I could leave at the end of the shift. I was good at it, and I knew I would ALWAYS be employable if we had to move.
I think it is rare to find people that LOVE every aspect of their job. So I guess you need to figure out what you can live with for now. I also think that changes through ones lifetime.

Maybe you, Eric, and I can start a porn site or something :)

All joking aside, don't beat yourself up. I did when the assholes fired me but now I realize they did me a favor.

I know you said you weren't ready for help, but if you just want to go out and get blotto I'll happily drive up north and be the designated driver.

Harv,
If you were closer, I have an early morning nanny position open from 4:30am-7:00am. I don't even care if you go fishing, just get him out so I can sleep.

The pay is terrible.

I haven't commented on your blog yet but this one reminded me...I was fired from a job that I had for 12 years on a Friday at 5:00 pm with nothing but my last paycheck. It does suck but from that experience I took a job that I never thought I would take because of no experience in the field and from that job I got to know the best group of people, learned tons of new skills, as well as making a best friend (Morrigan) and meeting my future husband (Spurs)! So I'll say the obligatory "Everything Happens For A Reason" and leave it at that. Good luck to ya!

Could you be a "blogmaster"

Could you teach blogging?

Well... you and TNT could always move to Central Texas... just a thought ;-)

Good luck, Harv... you'll figure it out.

Harvey,

First off, I'm sorry you got fired. Being in limbo really sucks and I'm sorry you have to go through that.

I do have a suggestion: it has to do with a test people take to see what they'd be best at - when you're done with the test, they screen it by your answers and actually give you a list of things you'd be best at doing and if possible, sometimes they can give you another list of employers who are looking for anything that might have come out of the testing.

The only thing I'm not sure of is where you go to take this particular test. Maybe someone else knows what I mean. (My sister took one years ago) and can lead you in the right direction.

As to making money blogging, that is possible too - there are some blogs that make up to $30,000 plus a year and you could look into that as a temporary fix. I'd even pay you to help me with my blog. :-) but the ones making money are the ones who have special stuff on their blogs that brings in the income, so that could help with daily bills.

I'll try to find out more. If anyone knows what test I'm talking about, please let Harvey know and where he can take it. Thanks.

Cindy

Want to go into the llama business? Check it out - you can make a ton of money if you're good at management and so on. But sometimes you have to travel to different places around the country. If that appeals to you, let me know.

Cindy

I've taken a few of those tests before, and every time I do, it says I'm good at everything. Maybe there's a blog quiz that can tell Harvey what to do with his life...or maybe we could just post a poll...better yet, an Alliance assignment! LOL!

But hey, that llama thing sounds good...

All these comments, and it's only just been suggested you could run a triple X website out of your garage? I'm shocked. That was the very first thing I thought of!

Alex has been on at me all day, daring me to ask why the adult entertainment industry had not beckoned, but I didn't want to be cheeky.

By the way, if you've the time and money, England is very nice in June :-)

I've only scanned the comments quickly. Some folks ahve made some really helpful suggestions. Career counseling can be good... or very, very bad. A baseline assessment to make in choosing someplace to do career counseling could be to first look for NCDA membership. The national Career Development Association at least has some decent guidelines and requirements for membership. One or two "tests" can't be the basis of a sound assessment. A widely assorted test battery administered and interpreted by a Smart Person (that is, someone who could be making more money in another field easily but LIKES doing assessment and evaluation and does it well) can be worth the $$, IMO.

I'm sorry to hear you got canned, Harvey. It's like divorce -- even if you want out it's still painful. You're a lucky guy, though, that you don't have to jump into the first thing that comes along. I side with the commenters that say this will eventually be a great thing for you. Good luck.

Man, stank boner about getting fired.
I can get you a job in north-central Indiana, if you get too desperate.

I used my Naval Avionics skills to get a high-paying job in calibration. That's true, except for the "high-paying" part. Hell, it pays the bills.
Soon as I can buy a few acres, I want to start a motorcycle junkyard. That way I get to have lots of bikes to play with. Now that's a dream job.
Don't know how you feel about bikes, Harvey: is there any future in PC junkyards?
You were a fellow squid. You'll come out of it better for the experience, & smelling like a rose. Okay, maybe a rose covered in stale beer & dried vomit. We are sailors, after all.
Best of luck.

Hey, I found one of those silly books. It's from 1990 and has 335 questions designed to be taken in 162 minutes. There's money in this field? Hey Harvey, I'll let you take the test and tell you your results if you pay me...in beer.

But seriously, if you want such a book, I'll send this one on to you. But it really does have 162 minutes worth of tests. I dunno if they're worth anything or not, but it sure will keep you busy for an afternoon.

Now, that just sucks. Sorry to hear about that, Harv. I wish I had some wisdom for you, but it seems the good folks ahead of me have exhausted a lot of the ideas I would have given.

I would suggest making nice with a few headhunters, though.

Eh, you probably wouldn't want to do what I did, though you'd love the leather and handcuffs.

I'm with ArmyWife... I have a very CHEAP nanny job opening. Otherwise, I'll be emailing you. You and TNT are in my prayers - asking for good hunting skills!

Just tell me who is responsible for this outrage and where they are and I'll go fuck 'em up... the jerk off pricks... don't they know who you really are?...

Fuck 'em anyway... try to find something that you can do that is working for yourself or that you have an ownership stake in... after all, nobody ever got rich working for someone else...

Let mw know if there is anything i can do for you... fjuckhead!!!!!

Harv,
Write a "skills assesmaent quiz " make millions.

Harv,
Write a "skills assesment quiz " make millions.

Another thing you can do is surveys. I can ever mail some to you and for each one you get $10. There are lots of surveys on the net that you can make money on - try google it. Hey it's not that hard to make a buck doing surveys so that's another avenue you can look at and do in the meantime until you find something you're truly interested in.

Good Luck

Cindy

And if you just need cash, here's a gem I got in email today that might help you out:

I am John Kabinda, the first son of Mr. Wembe Kabinda, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your contact through network online hence decided to write you.

Before the death of my father, he had taken me to Johannesburg South Africa to deposit the sum of US$25.5Million (Twenty Five Million Five hundred thousand United States Dollars), in one of the private security companies, as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe.

This money was deposited in a box as germ stones to avoid much demurrage from the Security Company. This amount was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of a new
farm in Swaziland...

Crap, that sucks to hear. On the other hand it's great to hear that you're not in lousy financial straights from it.

Why not make a living at blogging? Instapundit rakes in over $50k a year with his advertising and he holds down a regular job too.

What I'm saying is: You are a concise writer with excellent insight. If you actually sat down for eight hours a day researching and posting on particular topic sets you would very quickly become a widely used source/resource. With traffic and referrals could come cash. You've got one hell of a network available to help you launch, too.

It might never pay as much as a job at the bank but you love to do it. If you can financially handle the reduction then I think you should seriously consider it.

Dude! You are sooooo lucky! You have the golden opportunity to find work where there are no customers! NO customers! Ok, you will miss a few of the regulars who were halfway decent and/or entertaining, but no more banal conversations...no more stale cigarette smoke assaults...no more being screeched at for stuff that's not your fault!

Oh, and if you miss all that, you can always come fling popcorn for me... ;)

Harvey, I'm thinking Filthy Lucre.

Rock bands can really pay off if they're marketable.

What about all of these "supposed" photos of TNT in bikini.....I see a calendar baby, I see playing cards, writing pens-where when tipped the bikini comes off. You could be the new Hefner, he is going to need to be replaced sooner or later. Might as well be you.

I'm afraid I don't have any good suggestions of a "real" job you'd actually enjoy, AND get paid to do, but just wanted to congratulate you on not settling for less. I'm sorry you're jobless, but I do think it will be the push you need to find the job you want.

I don't know how interesting this would be, but what about a position in a Marketing or Finance group analyzing data? At my husband's mfg firm, there is a guy who spends all of his time doing various data analysis projects. They acquire other companies, M is part of the team that builds the models (mostly in Excel) that help determine the product mix, etc. I could get a job description which he used when he hired for the part last year.
You like computers, obviously, but I don't know how much you like data, and how much experience you have building complex Excel models.

First off, and totally out of character for me, I would like to express my sympathies. I would like to, but cannot bring myself... Damn it!

Seriously, that sucks. I have been very lucky and that has never happened to me (although I have left many a job with some choice words) so cannot imagine what it is like.

As for career choices, I see that you have a few:

Don your old Navy uniform and form a Village People tribute band.

Apply for Larry Flint's job - he must be up for retirement soon.

Run for president - I am sure you would do a fine job.

Form you own country as a tax haven for Colombian drug cartels to launder money - banking experience essential.

Apply to Evil Glenn to become a legal secretary - after all, no one understands him quite like the Alliance.

Become a hairdresser. That way you can legitimately stand behind women, staring down their tops, and they won't say anything because they will think you are gay.

You will be pleased to know that is my last series of suggestions... :-P

On a more serious note, although I have been MIA, send me an email. I might even started light, limited blogging again as my addiction starts to be sated.

hi harvey! I don't really have any words of advice, just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of ya and praying for you. I know it can really suck when life alters your comfortable routine (even if you hate the routine, it's still YOUR routine, dammit!)but I have every confidence that what appears to be the closing of one chapter is simply the beginning of a wonderful new one.

Oh Harv, I'm sorry.

Your a smart, articulate man and you will do fine, be fine, that much I know.