Job-issues...need advice!

[dentndude2]

Hello all, I am in a dilemma and I am at my wits end at what to do. I currently work as a police officer at a small PD. I've been doing this for the last 5 years and I worked as a dispatcher for this same PD for 3 1/2 years before that. So, in August, I will have been in law enforcement for the last nine years. Before that I was in retail for about for around 6-7 years and food service for 2-3 years. Had some retail management experience from 1992-1993.

All that being said, I am so burned out in law enforcement. I am also just not too great at it mentally speaking. There are a lot of police procedures and laws that I am great with in the theoretical environment but put to practical application in the real world and I just am not doing too well. I need to get out of LE. I just almost hate going to work and in this line of work, you don't want to hate your job.

Any thoughts or ideas about what I could do next? Another issue is I need to make about what I am making now, so something non-LE that pays as well with the experience I have. Mid-40s in the Dallas, TX area. Thoughts? Ideas? By the way, I definately have been in prayer about this.

[Brick]

Any thoughts or ideas about what I could do next? Another issue is I need to make about what I am making now, so something non-LE that pays as well with the experience I have. Mid-40s in the Dallas, TX area. Thoughts? Ideas? By the way, I definately have been in prayer about this.

I wish I had some good fix it advice for you. I'm kinda in the same boat. I really don't like my job or my field any more, but to change jobs would require me to suddenly quit making the money I do now and start at the bottom of the totem pole again. :(

Some things to think of. Try thinking of things you like doing and then see if there is something you can do to make money at it.

And don't worry about not being the sharpest tool in the shed, not every tool needs to be sharp. My saw won't put a nail in a piece of wood quite as well as a hammer would. Also keep in mind that you are still relatively new to the job and as I understand it Law Enforcement has its complications.

The big key is to look at what your skills, talents, and desires are and see what options may be available.

[tml1432]

I just realized I was in the mens room... I noticed the thread because I have the same issue.


But that is not why I am responding... have you thought about doing loss prevention for a retail chain? I know there are some really good opportunities to move up the ladder pretty quickly. My father was an officer for Houston for 35 years and retired so he could be a personal body guard for the president of a tech company... you can do tons. don't be discouraged!!!

[I'm all 67X]

Depending on where you live, You might consider long and hard your next move.

I never had a problem until recently. I have sent out resumes or applied to somewhere between 300 and 400 jobs within a 60-70 mile radius of my home and have had 4 interviews that didn't pan out. The only position I was offered was a full commission, no reimbursement job with a struggling company. Not real enticing.

I am a mid-level career guy, and I have been hearing about many in my situation or higher that can not even find a $10/hour job. We are talking managerial, engineering, and higher level sales folks. Here, the notion is 'whatever you have now, keep it'. I'm heading out in a few to burn gas on the hopes of landing something. I even resorted to checking into night security and can't even get a call back. Wow.

Now, if we chuck it all and move 2000 miles away to Phoenix, we are ok and guaranteed work. My wife already accepted a position just in case. The problem is, we have A credit ratings and would lose that in foreclosure. We have a nice home on acreage in a 'resort' town in northern IN where homes just are not selling in our price range- around $300K.

I was out of work 10/30/07 and was so relieved at the time because of the abortion issue I had to constantly deal with at an insurance company- I could not sidestep it and I was getting very sick. I gave a gall bladder already and was still going downhill health-wise. It was that bad. I'm still waiting on that 'blessing in disguise' and trusting God to move my feet in His time.

I say all this to gut check you. If you are ok with potentially losing your credit rating or more, then you may save your health and well-being in a move. If the local economy and job market where you are is still solid, then you have more options. Dealing with the feelings of being a non-contributor, an ineffectual leader, an example to the family, and all around embarrassment at being unemployed and not in control of it- especially with a male ego- is tough. I just got word of a suicide in my step dad's family last week over a similar situation: family guy, active, kids at home, facing layoffs and firing friends, etc.

I wish you only God's will and guidance in this. It's a gamble to take it on ourselves these days. I don't mean to be a downer either, but offer a sobering picture. Truly, I know Who is in control of things, and I exert the effort to trust against the tides rolling in. I'd hate to think of where I would be without God right now.

[Tall Timbers]

I started out in police work but quickly learned I wasn't cut out for that job. I ended up in the military and am retired now.

In terms of protecting your income level, I'd suggest looking for a different job within the same government organization... if you are a state employee, look for a job you can apply for with the state... county, or city, likewise. Maybe probation officer or some such thing. At your age and in our economy, it can be difficult sometimes to change career and expect or hope for a similar income level. It seems like more and more of available jobs offer low pay.

[Newborn]

Depending on where you live, you could start a lawn service. I always thought it would be a blast to get one of those zero-turn-radius mowers and spend the day mowing rich people's huge yards. Here in Florida, EVERYBODY has a lawn. But if you happened to live somewhere like Arizona, that probably wouldn't work.

[ftwspursfan]

Dent,

I'm :praying for you!! With your experience, you have a few options. The dispatch experience makes you valuable in logistics and there is a transportation job fair in FTW this Sat from 10a to 2p at the Radisson in S FTW (Alta Mesa & I35, right by Alcon). You might consider security jobs with big cos like Bell, Lockheed or Alcon. I'll check with my company here in Grand Prairie and pm you if I see anything. I'll keep praying and that is the BEST thing I can do! I can relate also. I was in the automotive parts biz for 15+yrs and it took 2+ painful yrs of job hopping and short finances to get out and find the right fit. I'm in logistics and I love what I do!

[Murph96]

Dent,

I'm :praying for you!! With your experience, you have a few options. The dispatch experience makes you valuable in logistics and there is a transportation job fair in FTW this Sat from 10a to 2p at the Radisson in S FTW (Alta Mesa & I35, right by Alcon). You might consider security jobs with big cos like Bell, Lockheed or Alcon. I'll check with my company here in Grand Prairie and pm you if I see anything. I'll keep praying and that is the BEST thing I can do! I can relate also. I was in the automotive parts biz for 15+yrs and it took 2+ painful yrs of job hopping and short finances to get out and find the right fit. I'm in logistics and I love what I do!Hello ftwspursfan! I am not sure if you saw my other posting, but I am looking to move to the Dallas area ASAP. I currently reside in San Diego and I am in the logistics field as well. If you do not mind, would you mind if I forward you my resume? I've been looking for a logistics job in the Dallas area for some time now. I've had some leads and interviews, but nothing too solid. Please let me know. God bless!

[Tom in TN]

Depending on where you live, You might consider long and hard your next move.

I never had a problem until recently. I have sent out resumes or applied to somewhere between 300 and 400 jobs within a 60-70 mile radius of my home and have had 4 interviews that didn't pan out. The only position I was offered was a full commission, no reimbursement job with a struggling company. Not real enticing.

I am a mid-level career guy, and I have been hearing about many in my situation or higher that can not even find a $10/hour job. We are talking managerial, engineering, and higher level sales folks. Here, the notion is 'whatever you have now, keep it'. I'm heading out in a few to burn gas on the hopes of landing something. I even resorted to checking into night security and can't even get a call back. Wow.

Now, if we chuck it all and move 2000 miles away to Phoenix, we are ok and guaranteed work. My wife already accepted a position just in case. The problem is, we have A credit ratings and would lose that in foreclosure. We have a nice home on acreage in a 'resort' town in northern IN where homes just are not selling in our price range- around $300K.

I was out of work 10/30/07 and was so relieved at the time because of the abortion issue I had to constantly deal with at an insurance company- I could not sidestep it and I was getting very sick. I gave a gall bladder already and was still going downhill health-wise. It was that bad. I'm still waiting on that 'blessing in disguise' and trusting God to move my feet in His time.

I say all this to gut check you. If you are ok with potentially losing your credit rating or more, then you may save your health and well-being in a move. If the local economy and job market where you are is still solid, then you have more options. Dealing with the feelings of being a non-contributor, an ineffectual leader, an example to the family, and all around embarrassment at being unemployed and not in control of it- especially with a male ego- is tough. I just got word of a suicide in my step dad's family last week over a similar situation: family guy, active, kids at home, facing layoffs and firing friends, etc.

I wish you only God's will and guidance in this. It's a gamble to take it on ourselves these days. I don't mean to be a downer either, but offer a sobering picture. Truly, I know Who is in control of things, and I exert the effort to trust against the tides rolling in. I'd hate to think of where I would be without God right now.

Wow, I could have written this. Your second paragraph is exactly what's happened to me. Jobs that I fit to a "T"...and no callbacks.

In MY mind it makes no logical sense...and when THAT happens I can't help but think God's hand is all up in it. HE is keeping those doors closed...don't ask me why 'cause I have no idea.

I'll pray for you 67X - you pray for me. :pray

[I'm all 67X]

I'll pray for you 67X - you pray for me. :pray

Truly- a pleasure to do so my brother.

I did get a surprise and landed a decent sales job hawking powersports: atv/utv, cycle, dirt bike, pwc's, and sleds. Just finished the first week and sold 3 units in 3 days, but had a few credit turndowns. So, some are still trying to buy toys/worker bikes, but for how long? The atmosphere is pretty decent at least. I get to be a purveyor of fun for a while.

Tom in IN