I was just reading the Reverend's post where he said he had to sell his mandolin because he's been out of work lately. That blows, but there's a lot of it going around.
So what does everyone do for a living? For those having trouble or who have been laid off, what are you good at (that you can reasonably support yourself doing?) What would you LIKE to do? What are you willing to do?
I see everyone posting their city, instrument, and preferred occupation(s).
If you or your employer is hiring, or if you know someone who is, I suggest getting in touch via email. Let's help each other out.
Not a horrible idea. I'm not completely out of it, I've at least been getting the occasional interview, and I do a bit of contract work, but it's getting tight...
So, me:
Denver, Tenor Banjo/Mandolin/Bouzouki/Tenor Guitar, and I'm mostly a web application software developer.
It hasn't cost me yet but things are not good. We had an extra weeks holiday in the new year and we are working a four day week through Feb. We have laid off all our agency staff (about half the direct work force, mostly Polish. Very hard workers). Where they have appropriate skills (e.g. welding) our indirects are helping out production. We are to be told the next stage in our fate in the third week of Feb.
Plymouth, Devon. Mandolin, bouzouki.
We make computer enclosures for Dell, HP, IBM etc.
I am an Industrial/Manufacturing Development Engineer, mainly concerned with automation..
Last month Soundlantern was looking for programmers and web designers in a mass email sent to members. I don't know what their specs are. If you're an SL member I'd assume you received the message.
Myself? I'm hiding out at Florida A&M in Tallahassee until the smoke clears. Universities in my state are actually becoming crowded - fallout from layoffs and bleak job prospects. Also selling used books and LPs on several different websites, and business there has slowed noticeably.
In this economic climate it's probably a good idea to diversify as much as poss - that's been my stragegy. Currently running an online music shop, creating media in the field of music / education, doing organisation development work using music, playing in a band and doing odd solo gigs.
A lot of my leads come from YouTube or picking up related work when talking to existing clients - so networking does work, as does being a portfolio worker. Usually there's something that's going OK.
Used to work as CEE market consultant for a UK governmental organization. I've been laid off in the beginning of January. Pity they forgot to warn me beforehand. The first three weeks of this year were the grimmest time I remember, with things falling apart one after another, like a house of cards.
I'm still in trouble, but managing - thankfully I haven't cut my ties with the translation/interpreting market, so I'm back to the figurative typewriter. I'm also doing a bit of training and tutoring, and with lots of spare time on my hands I'm thinking about my next move. I've set up a training company which does not bring me immediate return, but things look promising for the future. The trick will be to keep the family fed for the next three months without steady source of income. Networking and good attitude is a way to go, I think.
Based Warsaw (Poland), working globally (WWW). Translator, interpreter, (English-Russian-Polish), enjoy organizing (even large events). Guitar and flute.
I guess I'm OK then. Last year of school, and going to take on thousands of pounds of debt next year when I start university, then have to pay ridiculous tax when I'm done to make up for the mess we're in now! Lucky lucky me! . As for music, fiddle and piano.
* South London
* acoustic & electric guitars (including bass), have touched on mandolin
* house husband, semi-pro heathland manager (field herpetologist / mid-week) and musician (loud irish folk band / weekends)
location - Babylon (aren't we all?!)
insruments - Serpent, Moog, Wind Chimes, Vulcan Arse Flute
peferred jobs- Bier Taster, the man who boils up Kylie Minogue's used pants and is drinking the soup, quality controller on Jamaican weed farm
Lordy; I've been out of work since I've had cancer - cured in 2001- I don't know WHAT I'd do if I didn't have the music - go mad I suppose. Really.
I can't get any work except for teaching and that's fallen right off. As soon as the R-word was spoken on TV my student nunbers dropped like fruit flies in a cold snap. I've less now a week than I used to have on a "quiet" evening.
One tip I can give is this; BE pro-active. get down to your local schools and put up flyers. Good quality-good colour advertise yourself as a teacher/entertainer. Try persuade to principle to let you give class at lunchtime- start free if necessary. Bring in a bunch of whistles - you can buy them cheaper by the box!!! Keep some soap water to stick the heads in (whistles NOT the pupils -- though....!!) kids suck on the whistles LESS when their soapy - the WHISTLES not ....
Sell the whistles if needs be but give EVERY child a health & safety lecture on the dangers of walking around with a whistle. I once fell and ripped my throat with a whistle. THAT gets their attention. A brief talk of passing on infections helps. I tell 'em I might have leprosy.
Busking is good too. I used to be Dublin's ONLY busker in late 70's - I was tall enough to see the Guards/police a comin'. Under the shelter at Arrnots was great- The Moore St ladies used me as proxy look-out ,as they knew so long as I was playing- there were no cops around. This lead to several panics when I stopped to chat. I became a regular music/tourist info officer - folk wanted to know more anout the music and here to find it.
TIP; Don't let crowds assemble!! Pickpockets hit on 'em and YOU get the blame!! Do use a system to catch/hold money nobody can rob!!
Peter - fiddle, mandolin, guitar, autoharp. BER tech, sculpter, eco-energy tech, landscaper and house renovations a speciality. (qualified painter and chippie).
Special rates at our B&B for The Sesion Orgs. Sessions and free beer Sundays and Tues. + first Fri in the month.
Also hiding out in academia. Definitely the way forward. Maybe after I finish this PhD and a couple post-docs later everything will be a bit less grim.
SW FL, Fiddle, (lol) I'm an Attoung Executive at a Direct Marketing firm. We are sitting tight, doing OK for now. No hiring though, sorry. Anyone need to do any direct marketing in the US give your man a holler.
I picked the worst time imaginable to leave a boring but bulletproof union job and move across the country. Now I'm doing some writing, looking for work, studying programming (Java formally, C informally) and moving towards tech writing, unless I decide (pretty soon here) to pick a field and pursue a master's degree. I'm also interested in translation, but unfortunately mostly in the literary side, not so much the stuff that people seem to get paid for. But if anyone wants to commission a translation of one of Angelica Gorodischer's novels, I'm available...
Im a qualified carpenter since christmas things have been really tight have only worked two day.the way i look at it its more spare time to learn new tunes. Theres a a bright side to everything
Montana
fiddle, accordion
Graduating in May with a bachelor's in civil engineering. In most years senior students here are heavily recruited, but not this year. Just waiting to see what happens with the stimulus and hoping I don't have to move to another state.
Was retired (early) but am just plain underemployed this year--mutual funds are not doing very well right now. I'm well over 50, have been out of the job market for 10 years now, so chances are slim to none that I could get a real job.
So now I'm a musician, whether I like it or not. At least I have a couple of good guitarists willing to work with me.
Ironic, because after years of struggling with part-time bands, trying to land gigs, I had reached the point where I would prefer to just play sessions and not worry about making a job out of it. But over the weekend I found myself at a local "wedding expo" (trade show) trying to network with the caterers, photogs, etc. (even the DJs!).
Newcastle England
Well I work with Refugees and Asylum Seekers but lately being branching out to working with the Police on the prevention of terrorism ,makes a change from the 80's when the police were investigating me as for the future who knows I might run of to France to live with Tootey Flutey as the supply of Asylum Seekers is drying up
Started working for CBS Radio a few months ago as a webmaster (their term). I got the job just sending out many, many resumes with a portfolio (which clinched the job). I don't even remember sending CBS a resume! But I would just send out bunches a day, ignoring, for the most part, job requirements. I figured, by the tone of the "Help Wanted" ads, that they were prepared by some ignorant HR person who copied and pasted the requirements. It paid off.
God bless all of you out there. You all have become my friends and I find myself worring about everyone here. Rev's selling his mandolin has deeply disturbed me. If I get a couple billion in the bailout from BHO (I have to fix my sidewalk), you will all be set for life.
Redford (near Detroit), Michigan, USA - Web Design
I'm 56; I live with and in the house of my very elderly parents, and my saving / spending money has been generated by shares etc. I came into at eighteen - a trust fund hippy! For all I know, they might have vanished now: I haven't looked to see.
I've done temporary jobs. Urged to get a proper job in my twenties, I was perhaps too ready to tell interviewers that I wanted a modest sinecure by day and was really more interested in playing tunes in pubs outside of working hours: this happened to be true, but it went down like a cup of cold sick nonetheless. I was not entrusted with a proper job, which was just as well, as I did not really want one.
I've always been a gardener, and garden jobs are a good standby if you're fit enough and *know what you're doing* (!! - for the good of your clients and the reputation of all us jobbing gardeners!). There's always a call for garden work, because those flush enough to live in houses with nice gardens are very often -
Too busy to look after them,
Too old to look after them,
Away on holiday or work trips somewhere.
Mind, come a recession, the busy or absent owners might have more time on their hands to devote to their gardens, and less spare change for gardeners.
I have just been through a redundancy process, but I managed to get myself redeployed - also I had very good union representation who made sure HR knew it would cost them a lot more to get rid of me - so redeployment was cheaper for King's College to do. So the post I am now in *will* be made redundant but *I* will still be around. I'll be involved in a research project looking at the effects of cannabis on mouse brains - specifically what is the content of this Horizon show: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hhmd1/Horizon_Cannabis_The_Evil_Weed/
so if it all goes through, which it should, I'll count myself bloody lucky!
Semi-retired North London, trying not to panic at what the pension fund might be doing, hopeful that a university scheme will hold up better than some; plus handyman, film extra waiting for the next call and, yes, musician.
PS; 23-y-o daughter, new graduate, looking for work in publishing/editorial/journalism, just threw in a 6-month job in internet publishing and moved back home - she needs a job ( and her own space ) more than me, even !
Mick - after watching the show I linked to, I won't be touching the "medication". Put it this way, I'd be in two minds about going near a substance which is now known to trigger schizophrenia.....
Let's everyone network!
Let's everyone network!
I was just reading the Reverend's post where he said he had to sell his mandolin because he's been out of work lately. That blows, but there's a lot of it going around.
So what does everyone do for a living? For those having trouble or who have been laid off, what are you good at (that you can reasonably support yourself doing?) What would you LIKE to do? What are you willing to do?
I see everyone posting their city, instrument, and preferred occupation(s).
If you or your employer is hiring, or if you know someone who is, I suggest getting in touch via email. Let's help each other out.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: Let's everyone network!
Not a horrible idea. I'm not completely out of it, I've at least been getting the occasional interview, and I do a bit of contract work, but it's getting tight...
So, me:
Denver, Tenor Banjo/Mandolin/Bouzouki/Tenor Guitar, and I'm mostly a web application software developer.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Reverend
Re: Let's everyone network!
It hasn't cost me yet but things are not good. We had an extra weeks holiday in the new year and we are working a four day week through Feb. We have laid off all our agency staff (about half the direct work force, mostly Polish. Very hard workers). Where they have appropriate skills (e.g. welding) our indirects are helping out production. We are to be told the next stage in our fate in the third week of Feb.
Plymouth, Devon. Mandolin, bouzouki.
We make computer enclosures for Dell, HP, IBM etc.
I am an Industrial/Manufacturing Development Engineer, mainly concerned with automation..
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by greg sheils
Re: Let's everyone network!
Last month Soundlantern was looking for programmers and web designers in a mass email sent to members. I don't know what their specs are. If you're an SL member I'd assume you received the message.
Myself? I'm hiding out at Florida A&M in Tallahassee until the smoke clears. Universities in my state are actually becoming crowded - fallout from layoffs and bleak job prospects. Also selling used books and LPs on several different websites, and business there has slowed noticeably.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by gravelwalks
Re: Let's everyone network!
In Dublin Things really getting tight here now loads of lay offs
Myself O/K so Far
Dublin -- Automation Control System Specialist -Tenor Banjo Beginner
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by glengarslasher
Re: Let's everyone network!
In this economic climate it's probably a good idea to diversify as much as poss - that's been my stragegy. Currently running an online music shop, creating media in the field of music / education, doing organisation development work using music, playing in a band and doing odd solo gigs.
A lot of my leads come from YouTube or picking up related work when talking to existing clients - so networking does work, as does being a portfolio worker. Usually there's something that's going OK.
Based SW UK, harp
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Let's everyone network!
I ducked into a PhD program just in time... I now have 6 more years to cower in academia before venturing out into the real world.
Southern California - student - flute
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by fuzzygreen
Re: Let's everyone network!
fuzzygreen, where are you? I'm a grad student at UC Santa Barbara.
As for a job, I'm a teaching assistant at school, which waives my tuition and pays a bit, but I'm living on student loans at the moment.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by jasonb
Re: Let's everyone network!
Used to work as CEE market consultant for a UK governmental organization. I've been laid off in the beginning of January. Pity they forgot to warn me beforehand. The first three weeks of this year were the grimmest time I remember, with things falling apart one after another, like a house of cards.
I'm still in trouble, but managing - thankfully I haven't cut my ties with the translation/interpreting market, so I'm back to the figurative typewriter. I'm also doing a bit of training and tutoring, and with lots of spare time on my hands I'm thinking about my next move. I've set up a training company which does not bring me immediate return, but things look promising for the future. The trick will be to keep the family fed for the next three months without steady source of income. Networking and good attitude is a way to go, I think.
Based Warsaw (Poland), working globally (WWW). Translator, interpreter, (English-Russian-Polish), enjoy organizing (even large events). Guitar and flute.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Janek
Re: Let's everyone network!
I guess I'm OK then. Last year of school, and going to take on thousands of pounds of debt next year when I start university, then have to pay ridiculous tax when I'm done to make up for the mess we're in now! Lucky lucky me!
. As for music, fiddle and piano.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by snowyowl
Re: Let's everyone network!
* South London
* acoustic & electric guitars (including bass), have touched on mandolin
* house husband, semi-pro heathland manager (field herpetologist / mid-week) and musician (loud irish folk band / weekends)
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by lisaniska
Re: Let's everyone network!
location - Babylon (aren't we all?!)
insruments - Serpent, Moog, Wind Chimes, Vulcan Arse Flute
peferred jobs- Bier Taster, the man who boils up Kylie Minogue's used pants and is drinking the soup, quality controller on Jamaican weed farm
Dank schon
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: Let's everyone network!
can everyone just send me a fiver please
ta
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by gedpipes
Re: Let's everyone network!
Lordy; I've been out of work since I've had cancer - cured in 2001- I don't know WHAT I'd do if I didn't have the music - go mad I suppose. Really.
I can't get any work except for teaching and that's fallen right off. As soon as the R-word was spoken on TV my student nunbers dropped like fruit flies in a cold snap. I've less now a week than I used to have on a "quiet" evening.
One tip I can give is this; BE pro-active. get down to your local schools and put up flyers. Good quality-good colour advertise yourself as a teacher/entertainer. Try persuade to principle to let you give class at lunchtime- start free if necessary. Bring in a bunch of whistles - you can buy them cheaper by the box!!! Keep some soap water to stick the heads in (whistles NOT the pupils -- though....!!) kids suck on the whistles LESS when their soapy - the WHISTLES not ....
Sell the whistles if needs be but give EVERY child a health & safety lecture on the dangers of walking around with a whistle. I once fell and ripped my throat with a whistle. THAT gets their attention. A brief talk of passing on infections helps. I tell 'em I might have leprosy.
Busking is good too. I used to be Dublin's ONLY busker in late 70's - I was tall enough to see the Guards/police a comin'. Under the shelter at Arrnots was great- The Moore St ladies used me as proxy look-out ,as they knew so long as I was playing- there were no cops around. This lead to several panics when I stopped to chat. I became a regular music/tourist info officer - folk wanted to know more anout the music and here to find it.
TIP; Don't let crowds assemble!! Pickpockets hit on 'em and YOU get the blame!! Do use a system to catch/hold money nobody can rob!!
Peter - fiddle, mandolin, guitar, autoharp. BER tech, sculpter, eco-energy tech, landscaper and house renovations a speciality. (qualified painter and chippie).
Special rates at our B&B for The Sesion Orgs. Sessions and free beer Sundays and Tues. + first Fri in the month.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Peter O'Connor
Re: Let's everyone network!
Also hiding out in academia. Definitely the way forward. Maybe after I finish this PhD and a couple post-docs later everything will be a bit less grim.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Let's everyone network!
Yeah, gravelwalks, I got the notice about SoundLantern looking for people. I sent them a message, but never heard a peep
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Reverend
Re: Let's everyone network!
SW FL, Fiddle, (lol) I'm an Attoung Executive at a Direct Marketing firm. We are sitting tight, doing OK for now. No hiring though, sorry. Anyone need to do any direct marketing in the US give your man a holler.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Let's everyone network!
That's "Account Executive" and I'm off to refill my coffee. Those marathon Sunday sessions are deadly on Monday mornings.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Let's everyone network!
I picked the worst time imaginable to leave a boring but bulletproof union job and move across the country. Now I'm doing some writing, looking for work, studying programming (Java formally, C informally) and moving towards tech writing, unless I decide (pretty soon here) to pick a field and pursue a master's degree. I'm also interested in translation, but unfortunately mostly in the literary side, not so much the stuff that people seem to get paid for. But if anyone wants to commission a translation of one of Angelica Gorodischer's novels, I'm available...
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Let's everyone network!
Im a qualified carpenter since christmas things have been really tight have only worked two day.the way i look at it its more spare time to learn new tunes. Theres a a bright side to everything
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by brass n ebony
Re: Let's everyone network!
Montana
fiddle, accordion
Graduating in May with a bachelor's in civil engineering. In most years senior students here are heavily recruited, but not this year. Just waiting to see what happens with the stimulus and hoping I don't have to move to another state.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by polkageist
Re: Let's everyone network!
Washington State, USA
Was retired (early) but am just plain underemployed this year--mutual funds are not doing very well right now. I'm well over 50, have been out of the job market for 10 years now, so chances are slim to none that I could get a real job.
So now I'm a musician, whether I like it or not. At least I have a couple of good guitarists willing to work with me.
Ironic, because after years of struggling with part-time bands, trying to land gigs, I had reached the point where I would prefer to just play sessions and not worry about making a job out of it. But over the weekend I found myself at a local "wedding expo" (trade show) trying to network with the caterers, photogs, etc. (even the DJs!).
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Let's everyone network!
Newcastle England
as for the future who knows I might run of to France to live with Tootey Flutey as the supply of Asylum Seekers is drying up
Well I work with Refugees and Asylum Seekers but lately being branching out to working with the Police on the prevention of terrorism ,makes a change from the 80's when the police were investigating me
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: Let's everyone network!
Cloverdale, California
Web design, though I don't enjoy it much anymore.
Metal casting, retail management, anything
Guitar, mandolin & bodhran
# Posted on February 10th 2009 by Fishmonger
Re: Let's everyone network!
Started working for CBS Radio a few months ago as a webmaster (their term). I got the job just sending out many, many resumes with a portfolio (which clinched the job). I don't even remember sending CBS a resume! But I would just send out bunches a day, ignoring, for the most part, job requirements. I figured, by the tone of the "Help Wanted" ads, that they were prepared by some ignorant HR person who copied and pasted the requirements. It paid off.
God bless all of you out there. You all have become my friends and I find myself worring about everyone here. Rev's selling his mandolin has deeply disturbed me. If I get a couple billion in the bailout from BHO (I have to fix my sidewalk), you will all be set for life.
Redford (near Detroit), Michigan, USA - Web Design
# Posted on February 10th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Let's everyone network!
I'm 56; I live with and in the house of my very elderly parents, and my saving / spending money has been generated by shares etc. I came into at eighteen - a trust fund hippy! For all I know, they might have vanished now: I haven't looked to see.
I've done temporary jobs. Urged to get a proper job in my twenties, I was perhaps too ready to tell interviewers that I wanted a modest sinecure by day and was really more interested in playing tunes in pubs outside of working hours: this happened to be true, but it went down like a cup of cold sick nonetheless. I was not entrusted with a proper job, which was just as well, as I did not really want one.
I've always been a gardener, and garden jobs are a good standby if you're fit enough and *know what you're doing* (!! - for the good of your clients and the reputation of all us jobbing gardeners!). There's always a call for garden work, because those flush enough to live in houses with nice gardens are very often -
Too busy to look after them,
Too old to look after them,
Away on holiday or work trips somewhere.
Mind, come a recession, the busy or absent owners might have more time on their hands to devote to their gardens, and less spare change for gardeners.
# Posted on February 10th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Let's everyone network!
I have just been through a redundancy process, but I managed to get myself redeployed - also I had very good union representation who made sure HR knew it would cost them a lot more to get rid of me - so redeployment was cheaper for King's College to do. So the post I am now in *will* be made redundant but *I* will still be around. I'll be involved in a research project looking at the effects of cannabis on mouse brains - specifically what is the content of this Horizon show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hhmd1/Horizon_Cannabis_The_Evil_Weed/
so if it all goes through, which it should, I'll count myself bloody lucky!
# Posted on February 10th 2009 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's everyone network!
Semi-retired North London, trying not to panic at what the pension fund might be doing, hopeful that a university scheme will hold up better than some; plus handyman, film extra waiting for the next call and, yes, musician.
PS; 23-y-o daughter, new graduate, looking for work in publishing/editorial/journalism, just threw in a 6-month job in internet publishing and moved back home - she needs a job ( and her own space ) more than me, even !
# Posted on February 10th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Let's everyone network!
Hey Alf--I'm happy for you--a job with fringe benefits! (Hmmm.. . where's that smiley with bloodshot eyes?)
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Let's everyone network!
Mick - after watching the show I linked to, I won't be touching the "medication". Put it this way, I'd be in two minds about going near a substance which is now known to trigger schizophrenia.....
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's everyone network!
I agree.
So do I.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Let's everyone network!
Keep the road clear for...Marley Mouse!
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by nicholas