Help a old timer find a Job!

[trschlueter]

I had no idea it would be this hard to get back in the business after 2 years.  I'll bet I have applied for over a hundred jobs on line, and still have not found a job.  Not all the jobs I put in for were in the Nuclear field.  I guess it is the economy or my age (57).  Anyhow I am in good health, was considered a good Senior tech, and did my job without making any waves, 21 years in the industry.  I had experience in Radwaste Shipping Assessments, Chemistry, Calibration of Survey Meters, Rad Surveys, Whole body counting, Final Status Surveys for decommissioning our plant which was completed in 2006 (successfully), and then I took an early retirement.  To make a long story short, since I am less than 59 and 1/2 years old, I got penalized each time I had to take money out of my retirement account, as well as income taxes.  I have just enough money left to pay next months bills and after that it will be gone!  I did not spend extravagantly, just paid my bills.  I have resumes with Bartlett, Entergy, FPL, USAJOBS and a bunch of others.  I need a job badly in the next few weeks, I would take any position I am qualified for even as a junior tech or deconner.  Anybody have any leads?  I do not have NRRPT certification and have never taken the NEU exam.  I would be forever in your debt if someone can find me a job soon!
                                                               Desparate in Michigan

[grantime]

good luck.

[UncaBuffalo]

I had no idea it would be this hard to get back in the business after 2 years.  I'll bet I have applied for over a hundred jobs on line, and still have not found a job.  Not all the jobs I put in for were in the Nuclear field.  I guess it is the economy or my age (57).  Anyhow I am in good health, was considered a good Senior tech, and did my job without making any waves, 21 years in the industry.  I had experience in Radwaste Shipping Assessments, Chemistry, Calibration of Survey Meters, Rad Surveys, Whole body counting, Final Status Surveys for decommissioning our plant which was completed in 2006 (successfully), and then I took an early retirement.  To make a long story short, since I am less than 59 and 1/2 years old, I got penalized each time I had to take money out of my retirement account, as well as income taxes.  I have just enough money left to pay next months bills and after that it will be gone!  I did not spend extravagantly, just paid my bills.  I have resumes with Bartlett, Entergy, FPL, USAJOBS and a bunch of others.  I need a job badly in the next few weeks, I would take any position I am qualified for even as a junior tech or deconner.  Anybody have any leads?  I do not have NRRPT certification and have never taken the NEU exam.  I would be forever in your debt if someone can find me a job soon!
                                                               Desparate in Michigan

Keep talking to Bartlett at least every other day...they have the most contracts and are most likely to have something break open at the last minute (if someone no-shows at an outage, etc).  Get your resume in to Atlantic (if you haven't already) and follow the same contact routine with them...they are the 2nd biggest player in the fields you are interested in.

Outage season is ramping up, so I would think your chances are pretty good of catching a contract job soon...



AND, let Bartlett know you are willing to work DOE...there are usually DOE-slots opening up when techs leave for outages...



As far as the long-term work goes (Entergy, FPL, etc), keep plugging away - wallpaper the world with your resume.  There's a lot of hiring in all nuclear disciplines going on right now, so you will get an interview...eventually...  BUT, the utilities are slow...don't hold your breath for it to happen soon.  And don't set your sights on any particular plant...be ready to relocate to whatever area of the country you least enjoy (that seems to be the way it works out for the ones who NEED the work...)

[peteshonkwiler]

IM me an email address or your resume ASAP.  I'll be checking to see what's available through the office in the meantime.  Let me know of any restrictions on travel or work too, OK?

[peteshonkwiler]

trschlueter, Check your IM box!