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RE: Grim numbers, just grim--but not yet feeling all that grim
Subject:RE: Grim numbers, just grim--but not yet feeling all that grim From:"Cekis, Margaret" <Margaret -at- mediaocean -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 18 Feb 2002 15:00:47 -0500
I think that this recession was beginning at the end of 2000 when the energy
prices shot up, but most industries were reacting slowly until the 9-11
tradgedy shocked them all into abruptly taking steps to ensure their
survival. That's when everyone took stock of the economy, etc., and
reacted. To me it seems like the abrupt shutdown at the beginning of the
Middle East war in 1990.
I moved to Atlanta in 1990, and there were all kinds of job openings in May
when we were house hunting. (My husband was transferred by his company.) We
closed on our house on August 1. Iraq invaded Kuwait the next day. So I
got here just in time for the 1990-1992 recession.
During my first 3 years here, I sent out about 800 resumes. I went through
the ads in fields like engineering, environmental, health care, and
education (universities do research that needs to be published) as well as
computers and data processing (before they called it IT). I sent resumes to
organizations and agencies that advertised for other technical specialties
with a cover letter asking them to call me if they got any openings for
technical writers or editors, and highlighting my research/engineering/
telecommunications/software-related experience (depending on the industry).
I developed a suite of cover letters for different industries.
During that period, I had one 3-week contract, and one 3-month contract.
But when the economy picked up, I got calls from all over the area, asking
if I were available, and would I send them an updated resume. So whatever
you do now, whether it leads to an immediate job or not, is also laying a
groundwork for future opportunites.
Stay optimistic, and keep track of any contacts you make, so that you can
address them by name if you contact the same company or agency again. This
recession may or may not be easing up right now, but sooner or later it
will. It may be shorter and the recovery may be faster, because more
industries took steps to protect themselves and cut their losses sooner.
Who can tell now? Hang in there!
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