New low for engineering job searches?

Sept. 9, 2011
I long-time contributor recently sent me this insight on his job search. He is located in Ohio and is in his 50s. I wonder if anyone else has noticed something similar. Feel free to chime in. ---------- I have a bot that is configured to provide me ...

I long-time contributor recently sent me this insight on his job search. He is located in Ohio and is in his 50s. I wonder if anyone else has noticed something similar. Feel free to chime in.

----------

I have a bot that is configured to provide me with technical job leads. Job quality has gone steadily downhill over the past decade.

In the latest list of 50 it sent me, it tested a new bottom. There were

37 sales jobs

11 phony jobs trying to sell for-fee 'executive placement career services'

2 actual technical jobs, both highly specific low-level low-paying

Here is a sample of the jobs it now considers 'technical' jobs, apparently because they are predominantly with technology-related companies, and the actual work involved:

Job title ............................................................ Actual Job

Director of Business Development .......................... sales

Business Development Coordinator ......................... sales

Client Program Manager ......................................... commission sales

Director of Operations ........................................... sales

Senior Engineer .................................................. sales

Executive Director .............................................. sales

VP of Engineering ............................................... sales

Entry Level Business Management ........................ commission sales

Estimator ......................................................... commission sales

Senior Marketing Manager .................................... commission sales

Property Manager .............................................. sales

Entry Level Management Training ........................... commission sales

Automotive Service Advisor ................................... commission sales

Lead Engineer .................................................... sales

Area Manager .................................................. sales

General Manager ............................................... sales

Sr. Operations Manager (Commercial) .................... sales

There was a time when we feared America was becoming a land of 'services', giving each other haircuts, cutting lawns and repairing appliances. In retrospect that looks pretty good. Turns out it is a lot worse than we feared: now we're all salesmen. Low-level, dead-end, straight-commission, gone-in-a-year salesmen.

About the Author

Lee Teschler | Editor

Leland was Editor-in-Chief of Machine Design. He has 34 years of Service and holds a B.S. Engineering from the University of Michigan, a B.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan;, and a MBA from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining Penton, Lee worked as a Communications design engineer for the U.S. Government.

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