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Show Me The Jobs

Friends,

You're all asking the same question. Where do I get a job? Where are the jobs now? What should I do to find a job? I'm no job bank, but let me give you a few pieces of advice.

1. Take a good hard look at yourself. What are your skills? What can you offer an employer? What are you good at? If you used to work for a car manufacturer and you got laid off consider your skills. What can you do? What are you skilled at? And what are you passionate about? There is no question that it's tough out there right now. But sell yourself for what you are good at.

2. Consider some additional training. Maybe you need a refresher course, a new certificate or a full training program. Look around and see what jobs are available. What industries are growing where you are located? Renewable energies are growing. It's possible that some of the new wind power companies are setting up shop near you. Find out if they need construction workers, electricians, foremen, etc. Car battery companies are looking to build $1.7 worth of factories in the Michigan area. You may be able to transfer your skills to their plants.

3. Think green, think change, be adaptable. Things are changing. They almost always are. But as car manufacturers struggle solar companies are becoming more and more lucrative. Hybrid cars and electric cars hold more promise than the car plants of yesterday.

4. Think manufacturing. The United States still has a healthy manufacturing industry. And yet, as the baby boomers retire factories are struggling to find skilled workers to replace the outgoing employees. Welders, machinists and mechanics are in demand, according to a study released by Manpower Inc. In Baltimore, the company Marline Steel Wire Products makes wire baskets for industrial uses and they have been steadily increasing the number of workers and their profits.

Bottom line: you have to be resourceful. Kraft Foods added people to its food manufacturing operations in Iowa. If you're surrounded by a dying business, look elsewhere. If you're wondering what is available in your area, ask around. Read. Dig through the help wanted sections. And find out what industries are based in a 20 or 30 or 40 miles radius of where you live. Sometimes we think we know everything that is around us and we don't. Check out your local industrial parks to find out what is being built or assembled or processed near you.

And check out this article from The Wall Street Journal (May 26, 2009) that tells a great tale of two Michigan cities ; one floundering, the other booming.

As always, thanks for reading,
Joe

The Money Thing - radio show

Friends,

I was fortunate enough to be a guest on Howard Bono's The Money Thing out of Everett, Washington recently. I appreciate all of the listeners who tuned in and the callers who asked great questions... If you missed it (and I guess you might have) you can tune in here.

http://themoneything.com/blog/?p=152

As always, thank you for your support.

Joe

Going Green

Friends,

Let's talk about renewable energy. Wind power, solar power, nuclear power. I'm not the country's expert on green jobs, on green initiatives or on the green economy. But I am an expert on blue collar America. And blue collar workers are going to take this country green. That means that as solar power takes root in the Southwest and as states begin to adopt massive wind power initiatives it is the BLUE COLLAR workers who are going to make it happen. It is electricians who will be installing the solar panels and blue collar workers who had previously worked construction who will be building wind turbines.

Biomass fuels are also the next big thing. We are going to start to burn cleaner and efficient products to produce greener and healthier energy. But in order for all of the retrofitting and changes to occur we are going to need to rely on blue collar workers to make the changes, implement the upgrades, and as always, keep everything running properly.

Stayed tuned for more... This country is suffering economically, but at the same time the stimulus plan, the crumbling roads, tunnels and bridges and the new green movement are all going to help us blue collar workers tremendously. We do necessary jobs...

Thanks for reading,
Joe

Friends,

It's no secret that we're facing tough economic times. And yes, that includes blue collar workers. Everyone is struggling and people are losing their jobs all over the country in so many different sectors. But, I still maintain, that blue collar jobs are NECESSARY jobs. We can't do without electricians, plumbers, auto mechanics, or welders. We NEED people to repair our bridges and roads and tunnels.

Check out this article from The Wall Street Journal that talks about how repair shops are doing quite well during this economic downturn. If you can't afford to BUY a new one, well than FIX whatever is it that is broken... Read more here.

As I like to say, blue collar workers built this country, and we will rebuild it again and again.

And, if you're in the mood to listen to me on Cincinnati radio, you can hear me here talking about my book Blue Collar and Proud Of It. (Just scroll down 'till you see my name and then clicm on "LISTEN") Thanks to Mike McConnell for having me on as a guest.

Hang on 'till next time... and thanks for reading.

Joe

Good Morning!

Today is an incredibly exciting day for me. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Today, my book BLUE COLLAR & PROUD OF IT; The All-in-One-resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside of the Cubicle is released. For years I dreamed of being able to share my message and encourage others to follow their passions, their desires, and their dreams into the blue collar workforce. The skilled trades are a necessary part of society. Where would we be without our plumbers, car mechanics and electricians? Nowhere!!

It's time to restore pride in America's blue collar workforce. It's time to make sure that every kid in America feels good about what he or she is doing even if they don't go the college route. There is more than one path to success. And that's why I started this web site. Now, my book will give you first hand info on how to get into one of these skilled trades. It will introduce you to dozens of amazing skilled tradesmen and women. And it will hopefully inspire people all across the country to do what feels good and feels right for them. Remember, blue collar is America's backbone.

Join me today in celebrating the skilled trades and the blue collar men and women who keep this country running.

Oh, and pick up a book at your local bookstore, or on www.amazon.com.

Thanks for your support,
Joe

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Thank you for your interest, please check back soon for updates.