I thought a MBA meant never being unemployed . . .

[vulcan]

I thought after 10 years experience in high tech business development and a MBA and MA would make me attractive to employers. But living in Calgary, AB, where the tech market isn't exactly booming, I have had a tough time. To be honest, if I leave out an ill-fated research job in England I've been out since Sept. 02. I didn't think it was possible to be unemployed that long. Any comments, perhaps the middle-level manager in tech position is no more, but re-positioning is very difficult. I'm over-qualified for junior positions and mis-qualified for sr. positions. In Canada anyway, they want exact qualifications and they get them, non of these "but I have transferable skills" dodges.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Paul

[philipwhiteold]

I think you're far from alone in the unemployement circle. With outsourcing and economic recession in the US a lot of people got hit. I'm sure Canada has experienced a similar problem. There are very few career paths out there that provide steady employment these days.

Why you think you are misqualified for senior positions? Not enough management/leadership experience?

What kind of job are you looking for?

What kind of skills are you lacking?

[vulcan]

Hi Phil:

Thanks for your email.

I'm not so sure I'm unqualified for senior positions, depending on how you define 'senior'. I've got about 10 years work experience, but I think the problem is that almost all of it was in wireless data/GPS. It is a bit of an obscure area, esp. here.

As far as skills, I helped a small company build an international office, and built up a number of new vertical channels. I'm looking for business development/sales/strategic marketing positions, not confining myself to the technology sector but as most of my experience is there I think it is wise to continue to focus on that area. My experience is that when companies start on senior type hires they are -- even on a first cut HR level -- very particular about having experience in that particular field. In a market with many qualified candidates I think they feel they have this luxury.

Cheers,
Paul

[philipwhiteold]

I graduated in December of 02 and just switched jobs last month so I've had quite a bit of recent interview experience. Irronically I was hired for both of my jobs from people I met at the gym rather than cold calls or resumes.

I think unless you're looking to reeducate yourself, your best bet is to stay with what you are good at. I've applied for all sorts of positions, even jobs I had no interest in just to test the water, but I always found myself doing best in interviews for positions I can relate to. You have your good and bad interviews. One Interview I drove 200 miles to and ended up telling the interviewer to basically F off for wasting my time. Maybe I'll have to elaborate on it some time. I hear my site already tests the language filters so I might have to hold off. :)

I can see your point with HR personel. I don't like interviewing with HR. I would much rather interview with the people that I would be working with/for. HR can tell you about a job or ask you the usual situational questions but they often can't relate to the actual position.

As for wireless GPS I don't really know anyone in that field but I knew two people I used to work with that did wireless scanner software for windows ce or windows mobile and they were doing rather well as a small business. Ever try business consulting?

Hopefully things work out for you Paul.

[YaSO]

Any suggestions?
Start online business. I don't know what your schedule is like, but if you have some time, then start something on your own. You might like it and it might be the best fit. I am not suggesting that that is the choice; I happen to know a few people who started running business like that and are doing pretty descent. Doesn't hurt ...

[gajozinho]

Having graduated from B-school 14 months ago, and having had no luck in getting an 'MBA' job as yet, I know how frustrating being unemployed is. My background was in education - as a TEFL teacher and, for 3 years, as a partner in a small chain of schools. I have the impression that people in business so despise the education sector that I'm doomed to stay within it (which would entirely negate the reasons I did the MBA). What are your thoughts? I've done my best to find 'tranferable skills' from my work experience, but the doors remain closed to me in every field I've tried - finance, marketing. I'm no jackass, with 740 GMAT and a masters in mathematics, and the MBA was from a top 50 school in most world rankings. Any suggestions? I live in Sydney btw.

[YaSO]

Any suggestions? I live in Sydney btw.
Defense industry unless you are a pacifist. Just a suggestion.

[philipwhite]

Have you looked into educational companies. Either training centers or educational suppliers. It sounds like you would fit in perfect for that sector. You could also try getting into school administration.

[YaSO]

You could also try getting into school administration.
As far as pay is concerned, it's not the best job in the world, is it?

[philipwhite]

Actually principals and school administrators do quite well.