When the Economy went South in Surveying.

Depends on what they're looking for in a surveyor. Most employers are just looking for production staff. If that's the case they need to hire young and dumb.

But, in the last year or so I have had several folks interested in hiring look me up to see what I'm up to. There is hope for us old silverbacks.

Appreciative as ever, I always tell them I'm making too much money doing very little. Besides, I'm still not sure what I want to do when I grow up...

Thx Paden 🙂
It's not like I'm old...
49....
🙂

Ellie May

49??!!!!
Heck, Ellie May Clampett was considered "pretty much fergit it" at 18!

(My apologies to those out there who don't know Donna Douglas.)

PS - I've got motorcycles older than you. 😉

So What You Been Doing Anyway ?

Not that I need to know, but a potential employer might ask.

Some work is totally unrelated to benefit your surveying experience but some is. Consider any work that involved interactivity with computers as good. Also construction, construction inspection, etc. Any education is a big plus.

A survey employer understands the work slowdown even better than an employee. You may been out of work without a paycheck. Employers still have expenses and may have actually accumulated expenses in excess of profits.

Paul in PA

> Thx Paden 🙂
> It's not like I'm old...
> 49....
> 🙂

Just a number. I'm 54 and just getting to the middle of the summer of my life! 😀

So What You Been Doing Anyway ?

So what your saying is you have a '55 Triumph Trophy in your garage?,lol

Thx Paul for the reply.
Good points.
(The clue to what I have been doing is in the initial post :). )

Education I have,as I am a Graduate of Surveying,28 years of strictly field experience.
Office experience,never...
Can't get out of the office quick enough 🙂

I was thinking about applying for some work in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia,the one place I have ever yet to live/work.
I would like my wife to experience life there,and to give her a couple years off to explore while I take the helm.
Maybe the key to my resume might lie within my work experience and highlight some of the larger projects showing responsibilities,and the scopes of work,rather than chronologically list dates.I am definitely out of tune when it comes to resume writing.

> With a huge,5 going on 6 year gap on a Resume,I was wondering if any prospective Employers are even going to look at my Résumé?
It's a bit of a negative, but not insurmountable. It depends what else you bring to the table. Everybody understands that the last several years have been very, very difficult.

> Do employers even consider us "Old Dudes" for employment anymore? 🙂
49 isn't that old in the survey game.

Your absolutely correct in all you say when 49 is not old.I am still in great shape and I feel I still have a few more miles under my belt.
I've burned out a lot younger kids working with me.

I thought I was ready to accept retirement,but a big part of me is longing to get out and play in the field.
When the work went south,I just decided to call it good and retire.

Maybe a good Cover Letter is the key to getting a prospective Employer to look at my résumé.
Maybe I'll even find an Employer that is a Sailor(insert Beer mug icon here)

28 Years In Field, 0 In The Office, That Is Biggest Negative

I missed the sailing. If you were navigating with GPS, that helps a bit.

In PA there is a minimum time required for office work before you can take the exam.

Almost anyone looking to hire a 49 year old is looking to eventually (or very soon) put him in charge of crews, which implies office. I would say at a minimum you have to commit to 2 days/week office, some time field training crews, and in field coordination of projects to get me to even consider hiring you.

If you want to be in the field forever, you pretty much have to be solo and licensed. Either that or hook up with an old time solo licensed that now wants a very knowledgeable field companion, not a grunt.

Paul in PA

Jud Rouch was a sailor, land surveyor, and president of ACSM.

When things tanked in 78 I think it was, many found other ways to make a living, and many were doing well when survey crews were again being needed. Almost anyone with experience or anyone with the ability to learn and available were snapped up, wait a couple of years and you will probability have your pick of jobs. Mean time, take some cad and law and other related classes to bring yourself up a bit for the coming job market. Recovery will happen, use the time to get ready.
jud

> Maybe a good Cover Letter is the key to getting a prospective Employer to look at my résumé.
Being able to express your self in writing is more important than what you express, IMO. Getting the cover letter in front of an employer who is hiring is key.

How are your relationships with your prior employers and coworkers? Touch base with them. Network. Cover letters and resumes are a dime a dozen. Personal references will get you the job.

A lot of great advice here as always..I thank every one of you whom chimed in.
I think I'll just live the rest of my Surveying career through "Beer Leg",and hopefully I can chip in some of my experiences.
The wife thinks we should buy a Catamaran in the Sea of Cortez,and I could do Charters..
The more I think of it..
She might be right...
Cheers Fella's....
(Insert Tequila shot here)
🙂