I'm a little frustrated with people like Al Gore telling me that the world is getting hotter. It's difficult for me to imagine the ice cap melting when I haven't seen 32 degrees F for over 2 weeks. I don't have much of a butt, but what I do have is getting froze off. And I'm not in Siberia, either. Even though I have worked there at minus 54 degrees F.
The Europeans hosted this last conference, yet are stranded because of the winter storms. Californians are without power for 4 days because a winter storm dropped enough snow to bring down the power lines. The people in the north east are whining because another snow storm, and I'm waiting for palm trees to start growing here in Utah. I don't think the last one is going to happen. I did see a palm tree in Warsaw, Poland, but it was made out of metal and didn't sway in the breeze.
As far as global warming goes, I call "Humbug!" The polar bears don't care if I drive to work (which I would if I had a job), and the penquins don't care if I do either. The penquins just hope that the polar bears don't migrate south and eat them. Then they would be frustrated as well.
Oh, well. Will the frustration never end....
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Don't Give Up
Despite all of the BS I've put up with over the past year, I haven't given up. Being self employed for the past few years, I couldn't apply for unemployment benefits so I've had to live off my savings. Tough to do when you owe everybody.
Discouragement will come, but don't give in. There are times when I'd like to just call it quits, but what would I quit from? I'm fortunate to have a place to live and a wife that still likes me. Yeah, she nags on a regular basis with stuff like, "You're not looking in the right places," "You need to get a job. Really," and other such barbs that go right to the bone. I've spoiled her over the last 35 years, and she's not liking the current situation. I don't either, but my hands are tied. I'm currently working at a local convenience store just to have some money coming in. Talk about discouraging.....
If you work in the oil and gas industry, I'll post some web pages where I search for work, and what kind of response I get from them. Hopefully, they will be of use to you and you will soon be on somebody's payroll making money. Again.
Discouragement will come, but don't give in. There are times when I'd like to just call it quits, but what would I quit from? I'm fortunate to have a place to live and a wife that still likes me. Yeah, she nags on a regular basis with stuff like, "You're not looking in the right places," "You need to get a job. Really," and other such barbs that go right to the bone. I've spoiled her over the last 35 years, and she's not liking the current situation. I don't either, but my hands are tied. I'm currently working at a local convenience store just to have some money coming in. Talk about discouraging.....
If you work in the oil and gas industry, I'll post some web pages where I search for work, and what kind of response I get from them. Hopefully, they will be of use to you and you will soon be on somebody's payroll making money. Again.
The New Application Process
There was a time when you could just walk into any shop, store, or other business and fill out an application. You would at least have a chance to meet your prospective employer face to face and get a feel for the operation. Not any more. Most companies require you to fill out an application on the internet and wait for a response. Ha Ha. Some of you may know this game and realize it stinks.
When you fill out an application on line, it just sort of disappears into limbo. Very few companies even acknowledge receipt of the application, let alone your status. This is very discouraging, especially if you're trying to collect unemployment and the state wants records of where you applied. How can you prove you applied without an email proving it??
Some companies have become so disassociated with working with people that if you stop into the shop, they turn you away. They don't want to talk to you. Take Weatherford International for instance. I applied for a job in California and went down to visit with the hiring manager to put some face time in so he knew who was at the other end of the resume/application. The receptionist told me that Weatherford does not take applications in person and that the hiring manager would not meet with anyone whom just "walked in." NIIIIICCCCEEEE. I travel 800 miles to check out the area and get shut down. Not just Weatherford, but Baker-Hughes and others. They don't want to get personal. They don't want to be bothered knowing the people they are turning away.
At least Baker-Hughes has been nice enough to send out a "Thanks, but no thanks" letter some of the times. Most companies don't even do that. Most companies won't even allow you to check online about the status of your application. Very frustrating.
Now the good news. There are recruiters that do read every application they receive. Some call to get further information and screen out the posers. At least that's something. Some recruiters will even give you the name of the hiring manager, which gives me the nod to make a personal visit and at least introduce myself. A foot in the door is all I need.
What ever you do, don't give up. There are jobs out there and despite government regulations and intervention, we will be put back to work. And it looks like it's getting close.
When you fill out an application on line, it just sort of disappears into limbo. Very few companies even acknowledge receipt of the application, let alone your status. This is very discouraging, especially if you're trying to collect unemployment and the state wants records of where you applied. How can you prove you applied without an email proving it??
Some companies have become so disassociated with working with people that if you stop into the shop, they turn you away. They don't want to talk to you. Take Weatherford International for instance. I applied for a job in California and went down to visit with the hiring manager to put some face time in so he knew who was at the other end of the resume/application. The receptionist told me that Weatherford does not take applications in person and that the hiring manager would not meet with anyone whom just "walked in." NIIIIICCCCEEEE. I travel 800 miles to check out the area and get shut down. Not just Weatherford, but Baker-Hughes and others. They don't want to get personal. They don't want to be bothered knowing the people they are turning away.
At least Baker-Hughes has been nice enough to send out a "Thanks, but no thanks" letter some of the times. Most companies don't even do that. Most companies won't even allow you to check online about the status of your application. Very frustrating.
Now the good news. There are recruiters that do read every application they receive. Some call to get further information and screen out the posers. At least that's something. Some recruiters will even give you the name of the hiring manager, which gives me the nod to make a personal visit and at least introduce myself. A foot in the door is all I need.
What ever you do, don't give up. There are jobs out there and despite government regulations and intervention, we will be put back to work. And it looks like it's getting close.
The First Year
It's been just over a year since I got the fateful phone call from Texas. It was just around 9 pm MST on November 4, 2008. It went something like, "I know you were supposed to report to Texas on Friday but we've had to cancel or postpone all contracts until further notice. We'll get back with you."
I'm still waiting for them to call me. It would be easy to blame the incoming administration for this problem, but it's not their fault. BHO and his proposed cabinet told the American people what they would do if elected, and while the votes were still being counted, America reacted. It's still amazing to me that so many people bit into the socialist, environmental apple without looking at the consequences. So, it's the millions of people who voted the current administration that should shoulder the blame for the present economic situation.
Now to reality. Working in the oil and gas industry has been a rewarding experience. It has paid for my house, cars, trucks, toys, and all of my kids and grandkids needs, and sometimes wants. When ever the industry takes a dive, it hurts the entire economy. Everything we use, eat, own, buy, or look at is tied to the oil and gas industry. Even if the country were to go totally green with so called renewable energy, the country would still have an appetite for petroleum based products.
For those of us who have been put on the beach because of industry cutbacks, take heart. It will come back, but the road is rough. Since last November I've worked 16 weeks. WhooHoo! I've got resume's out all over the world and I am willing to travel almost anywhere to work. On my own dime, even. How's that for desperate?
Here's some of the things I've learned over the last year.
I'm still waiting for them to call me. It would be easy to blame the incoming administration for this problem, but it's not their fault. BHO and his proposed cabinet told the American people what they would do if elected, and while the votes were still being counted, America reacted. It's still amazing to me that so many people bit into the socialist, environmental apple without looking at the consequences. So, it's the millions of people who voted the current administration that should shoulder the blame for the present economic situation.
Now to reality. Working in the oil and gas industry has been a rewarding experience. It has paid for my house, cars, trucks, toys, and all of my kids and grandkids needs, and sometimes wants. When ever the industry takes a dive, it hurts the entire economy. Everything we use, eat, own, buy, or look at is tied to the oil and gas industry. Even if the country were to go totally green with so called renewable energy, the country would still have an appetite for petroleum based products.
For those of us who have been put on the beach because of industry cutbacks, take heart. It will come back, but the road is rough. Since last November I've worked 16 weeks. WhooHoo! I've got resume's out all over the world and I am willing to travel almost anywhere to work. On my own dime, even. How's that for desperate?
Here's some of the things I've learned over the last year.
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