🚀 go-pugleaf

As I understand it, on 25 Apr 2007 09:59:00 -0700, Richard Fangnail
<richardfangnail@excite.com> wrote:

>I had a good job as a tech writer but got laid off in 2001.  Foolishly
>I did very little to find employment until 2005.  I basically took
>classes and lived off savings and my folks.  I went to work as a temp
>in 2005-6 but that has dried up.
>
>You know the main problem?  When asked for references, I have nothing
>recent.  And on my resume, people always ask why I haven't worked for
>so long.  I should have started working as a temp right away, in 2001.
>
>What can I do?  I don't know very many people because that's my
>nature.  My tech skills are way behind the times and I can only do so
>much to catch up.  Plus, learning the skills isn't the same as having
>a job using the skills.
>
>Very depressing - and I have enough money to live but just barely.

	Get a job. At this point most any job is better than nothing.
	The likelihood of your getting back into the tech writer field
is very small at this point.  However, even a job flipping burgers is
better than nothing.  It will help show prospective employers that you
are willing to work.
	With many HR people, having no visible means of support for
such a length of time is a red flag.  They're going to wonder just how
you were able to sustain yourself.  You probably could prove that you
had enough in savings, plus the aide of your parents, but chances are
you won't get the chance.  That big employment gap could prevent you
from getting an interview.
	If your knowledge is out of date, get back into school as
well.  You already know the basics, so you won't need to deal with the
various intro courses.
	Once you have gotten up to speed, you can try to get back into
the tech field.

-- 
Kent
"I'm a ten gov a day guy.  It's all I know, and it's all
you need to know, gov!"
       - Shouting George