Okay...So I'm fed up...but gainfully employed and valued where I work. But want to move. And frankly, I'm not very good at this sort of thing. I am an engineer at a director/management level. (Bachelor in Eng is only real degree).

What is the best way to find a job? Does anyone have any real life experience with one of the pay job services (Exec U Net)? I had my resume on Monster for awhile and that really didn't do much other than get a lot of head hunters looking for a warm body. I want a good next move...but I am growing weary of work in the meantime. Advice?

Get out and beat the pavement. We tried the online thing here too for about 6 months and never got a bite. It's just a matter of being at the right place at the right time.
They are always needing engineers at manufacuring plants. Have you tried that?

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I am here for only a short time on this earth. My goal is to make everyone I see smile if only for a moment.

when you say MOVE - does that mean geographically or just to a new company/position? If you are staying in the same area I would do some research on local recruiters. The smaller local ones, not the ones that are known nationally, they are likely to be more in tune and less likely looking for a warm body to make a quick commission off of. They have a greater reputation to uphold locally. If you are looking for a geographic change.. I'd do some research on the net and see if you can find recruiters that speacialize in your field in different areas of the country.

I probably don't have to tell you this....but director-level and C-level jobs go to people who NETWORK. Use your network -- join professional organizations, talk to your lawyer (they're naturally good networkers) and your doctor, and even your tax guy.

Execunet is OK.....Find a local professional organization you can network within if you want to stay local. For instance, we have a Women's Business Assn in Columbus and they have been tremendously helpful to me. (I suspect you would need to find the male equivalent). If you are a manager/diector of technology, might want to re-join your professional association of your engineering discipline. Some chapters of IEEE or AICHE (etc) are active.

http://www.sixfigurejobs.com/
Above is the link to an interesting site -- the job postings are a bit more...distinguished...than Monster. I personally look at the listings to figure out *who* is hiring, then use my network to find a connection within the company. Keep in mind you have to fill out a questionnaire and meet some criteria in order to join this site.

There is a reference book of recruiters, called The Directory Of Executive Recruiters (http://www.kennedyinfo.com/js/der.html), which indexes recruiters by functional expertise, geography, and level of job. Pick 5-6 which fit your criteria and CALL THEM. Have a 5 min conversation about your background and what you're looking for (and practice your "elevator speech" before you call anyone). Ask them if they would like your resume for their database. Don't expect an immediate response -- but tens of jobs pass their desks daily and if you're memorable they will call you. Follow up every 4-6 weeks to make sure they keep you top of mind.

There are two types of recruiters -- contract and contingency. ALWAYS ask a recruiter which he is. Contract works specifically for the company doing the hiring -- and is being paid whether or not they find the right candidate. Contingency negotiates a fee (typically % of your starting salary -- often 20-30%) if the company chooses YOU (the recruiter's candidate) for their position. You get better representation from a contingent recruiter, although they are often of lower professionalism and quality (tend to be newer to their field). Often contingents will take you on as a "client" and will call several companies to market your skills.

OK......I think this is enough to absorb for now. PM me if you want more information. I hope this was helpful.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

One more (small) bit of advice. If you are "bored" with your job, it might make sense to step back and spend a bit of time thinking about what would make you really happy in a job.

I've almost made a career of changing careers -- because I honestly haven't spent much time (until recently) thinking about what I really want. Consider all the variables -- such as function, industry, level of involvement (work hours, equity), corporate culture, etc.

Some ideas of references for learning:
* www.assessment.com -- take the MAPP Assessment. The free version gives some interesting feedback, but I highly recommend you invest in the full version
* What Color is Your Parachute -- good book
* Myers Briggs test (MBTI) -- several of them on the web. (sample site -- http://www.typelogic.com/) If you want to interpret your type, I recommend : http://209.15.29.56/myersbriggs/entj.htm
* Look for other career planning and assessment books in the library or bookstore. If you want more titles, I'd be happy to suggest a few.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

fabulous info osuche!

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The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
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