Moving to CO! Mechanical Drafter seeking some job help

Hey guys, I will be moving out to CO no later than August (wife's internship starts then) and have been looking for jobs for the past few weeks with no luck. It's really hard since I can't do face to face with companies and don't know the areas at all. I hate to go this route but sometimes a large online community is a good start. Anyone in the Mechanical Engineering field I'd greatly appreciate some help sourcing a job anywhere from Denver to Colorado Springs area. Looking for a Drafting Level II field but could do level I to get my foot in the door. I rather it be mechanical but open to other opportunities. Anyone care to help a Toyota brother out?!?

Thanks,
J

 

Sign up with a local workforce center down there and you can get access to a job board (http://coloradojobs.cdle.org/). I see a few postings on there right now with a quick search - CNS in Denver West, GEM Companies in Denver, Air Methods Corporation... I used to have contact with a few mechanical/engineering firms but not so much anymore. If I run into anyone I'll ask.

 

Thanks for your help.. I'll be sure to visit the link.

 

Business is really booming here actually. A drafting job should be no problem. Just 2d engineering? Or do you do 3d design?

 

Go on USAJobs.gov and start the application process there. LOTS of jobs through the military out there for engineers. I have an ex boss or two that are now up there doing that through the AF at Peterson AFB.

 

Well that's good to know. I guess maybe I'm just having issues with companies giving me a chance b/c they see I don't live in CO. I do mostly 2D but have some skill in 3D

I'll give that a try, too. Thanks!

 

https://www.usajobs.gov/Search?Keyw...orado&search=Search&AutoCompleteSelected=true

 

Only a month away.. Moving officially July 31st. Still looking for a job though

Hopefully being there will give me a better advantage. I'll be living just north of Colorado College in CO Springs. Like a 5 min walk to there lol. Should come in handy if I ever want to sneak out on the track and do some workouts

 

The job market here is tough man. The better the job the more the competition too. This is a desirable place to live so moving here w/o having work lined up is having your work cut out for you... so to speak. Not to discourage you just trying to give a heads up so you can properly focus your attention & efforts. Best of luck!

 

Thanks man, I appreciate the input. I know it will be tough. There a few fields I can maybe find work in if I can't find anything quickly in my profession.

 

Even that is tricky anymore with lots of layoffs happening and as employee count requirements fluctuate they're more able to be more particular about who they hire and at what cost. A lot of my buddies who have been in that industry since the late 90's are having a harder time finding quality work then they did say ten years or even 5 years ago when they were way overpaid for remedial work. Now they're more experienced and more versed in the industry yet having a harder time finding good work. Not saying it can't be done just saying the word is out and it's not as simple as it once was to make money hand over fist doing grunt work.

 

I think the harder part is finding a place to live. The job market has been so good that we had a huge influx of people moving here over the past few years. Housing market exploded, prices skyrocketed and now it's even hard to find a place to rent, especially at a reasonable price.

 

I'm by no means against the whole marijuana thing (I don't do it myself), but it has completely ruined the job/housing market in CO. We've got a house lined out and already signed everything. We're moving regardless. I've come across countless job openings for positions that are requiring my exact skills yet I hear nothing after I apply. I think partly b/c they don't see that I have a physical CO address listed (I do as of recent). My resume is top notch as it's been professionally done. I think you're right about companies being EXTREMELY picky with what they want. There's jobs out there to be had. It may not be my exact skills or preferred pay but I'll get one. One thing that drives me nuts is I'm so use to following up with companies after applying but over 75% of these companies go through hiring agencies and I have no number or person to get into contact with to show them my high interest for the position. How does someone show themselves if all they can do is sit and wait for a email or call.

 

That's the $10,000 question my friend. Everything these days requires an online application as step 1 that takes hours and there's very little opportunity to follow up with anything. The days of walking into a company you're interested in working for, asking for the owner and shaking their hand as you hand them your resume are long gone it appears and these days it's all about how strong you are on paper which are causing a LOT of companies to hire people who are terrible employees and makes them require even higher qualifications on paper. Sure if you make them high enough you'll eventually get a higher percentage of good employees but now you're hiring masters degree people for entry level positions who will constantly be looking for something better. There's a massive amount of quality assets that don't look as good on paper but can't get an opportunity because too many in hiring have been burned by people who looked good on paper so why the hell should they waste their time with someone who doesn't even look as good on paper? They don't get that we're still human beings and as such some have WAY more to offer than what's on paper. It's difficult with no signs of getting better.

 

^This.

Also, OP, do you use linkedin.com? I directly list my linkedin profile url in my resume at the top with the rest of my contact info. I get regular calls from recruiters which I attribute to keeping a strong linkedin profile up to date.

 

This couldn't have been said any better. That is EXACTLY what is wrong with the job force these days and it makes it so much harder for people like me who aren't necessarily extremely qualified but are hard workers and will do what's necessary to carry on and above the job duties.

I do have a linkedin account but it's not a really strong profile. I don't have many connections through the community aside maybe a few friends, mother, and a few random connections. It's by all means up to date but my resume would be able to tell people more than the profile.

 

For instance, I just applied for a job through a hire agency that is wanting immediate hire yet the person of contact is out until July 6th. Had it been linked to a direct company I could get in touch with someone and make my presence known.

 

I'm right there with you. Moved here about month ago and am still having a hard time connecting with any companies. With the amount of people moving to Denver each month it makes the competition that much harder. The best advise I can give is just apply to everything. I have met a couple people here through my Alumni and they said the same thing to me. Something will work out, just may take a bit. Good luck!

 

Thanks @RockyMtnCamper I'm still working hard at it!

I use to do CCTV and Access Control so if all else fails I can apply for positions in that field as well. Better pay than being behind a counter. I just hate bouncing job to job, doesn't really look good on the resume... but I'll take what I can get.

 

Yeah, best of luck to you man. Things will work out.