Auction Power Guide

My husband and I both worked for the same company, on the same shift. I was the quality control auditor, and he is the assistant supervisor. Since everything has slowed down, they decided to give the quality job to the assistant supervisor on each shift. So I really lost my job to my husband. He doesn’t understand why that upsets me, and he doesn’t care how miserable I am. When we were notified that this is how things were going to be, he never even told them he wasn’t happy about taking my job. He is protecting himself. Anyway I had to take a $1.50 paycut on the hour and stay on my feet for 8 hrs. running a press until I got laid off. Help! I am miserable!!!!

OK – been there myself:

First – go to a good library and find the reference section – there you should find a three-book set called the Encyclopedia of Associations published by Gale Research. Look in the first book for any topical items that you enjoy (i.e. statistics, quality control) and write down any code numbers given. The go to Volumes II & III to find those code numbers. You will find a number of professional organizations that work in those areas.

Contact ALL of the professional organizations that interest you and learn all that you can about who they are and what they do. Ask to get a copy of their publications catalog (should be free for the asking if they publish anything) and look through it to find interesting topics. If you find something – look in eBay or other online book sales to find cheep copies to read or check you library for them.

You may also find that some of these groups have local chapters/sections who may hold monthly (or other frequently held) meetings. You do not have to go to the dinners, and many of the information portions of the meetings will be free.

Go to as many of these as you can to network and talk to people in other areas, companies, etc. You may find someone who either knows about a open job or can direct you to another source of information.

Also, since you mentioned plant auditing, are you an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor – ASQ CQA? Many professional organizations have professional certification exams. The American Society for Quality is one of the groups that you will find under quality in the Encyclopedia of Associations. The ASQ has a very large network of individuals around the world and probably has a section close to where you live. They also have a job bank listing at their national website – http://www.asq.org

Besides all of this, your local state may have a job bank that you can start look at as well as any number of job agency websites. Your challenge is to use this time off to build your skills as much as possible so that you will be ready for the next job – remember that luck is when preparedness meets opportunity. The more skills that you can show a prospective employer, the better chance you will have to get the position.