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Thanks Tim.

So, here is my big news. I received a response today from a resume I sent out. It was for a postion at the Honda R&D Facility in Ohio. They sent me back a email with about 20 questions. Some were pretty straight forward, others were, well, trying to get a better understanding of who I am, what my goals and strengths are, etc.

I discussed this with Michelle before I submitted, and was quite surprised to get a response. As you can tell, I am a car nut. Otherwise why would I be building a Cobra. More importantly, I feel like I have about reached my end (for now) doing development work. And besides, the market is just about gone for my field and probably won't return for a few years. What work you see going on was designed, and drafted up months ago, just getting slow to fund and start construction.

As much as I don't want to relocate, this is an opportunity that I would relocate for. Working for one of the major car manufacturers who knows WTF they are doing, and none the less at one of the R&D facilities. The position is for an architect/construction manager, to help design, manage, and oversee their facilies (i.e. infrastructure, plant, testing grounds, etc, etc.)

Any tips or pointers for responding and answering the questionaire to keep my foot in the door and get a face to face interview?

And yes, you all can stay at our place for LCS if I get the job and we move...The town is about 30 mintues for where that is held every year ;)

I'd still like to keep this just between the club. I have a few work associates coming to the party tomorrow night.

Thanks,
Scott
 
First and foremost, I don't want to see you go. That being said, you have to do what's best for you and your family. You tend to keep them first and I totally respect that.

As you are aware, I worked in the automotive industry for a little over 12 years. My experience was that it was very fast paced and what have you done for me lately environment. I've seen it eat more than one family and almost including my own. That being said I got to work with some outstanding people and work with some great equipment too that was cutting edge at the time. There were also some perks to working for a supplier in some vendor discounts on cars and for me, seats. You've already got your foot in the door with the responses. Keep being honest with them about how you feel about their product. That can go a long way.

I'm assuming you'd be working with engineers on line and building modifications for the assembly lines. As you know, if you're in R&D, you'll have to be aware of how the new stuff can work in the existing factories and set up stuff for the new things at the R&D facility. So you'll get to see it come to life and then make sure it exists in the plants too. Very cool. Can you tell I sometimes miss the manufacturing? It doesn't hurt that I think you've owned some of their products too. I may be wrong on that one though.

Since it is an R&D facility and you would be 30 minutes from London, I'm sure they are well aware of the Cobra community. I'd spin your experiences building your Cobra to your benefit in your own R&D facility! There are too many areas for comparison to make here, but that will also show your passion for the field. Not just a guy who likes cars, but you build them as a hobby. You also try to include the latest motor types and modifications into your build. Hell I'd hire right now.

Good luck and keep a positive attitude and you'll blow them away.
 
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Having never been in a position where a potential employer e-mailed me instead of calling, I can't really say what you should say back. I used to be in Management and had 6 - 10 people reporting to me. Five were direct employees and 5 were contractors. Each company's HR department usually has a line of questions to determine what you mentioned above. l found that most people answer these pretty standard, but if you answered in a non standard way, you got attention. What personal traits would make you more qualified for this job than anyone else? I believe Dan has a good point with his post in pointing out that you understand car assembly, but don't go overboard with it as then it could be looked at as a distraction. I also agree with Dan that you need to make sure your family is cared for first, and if re-location will do that, then it's the right thing to do. I to don't want to see you go, but do what is best. With the bailout discussions I haven't heard Honda, Toyota, and Nissan's name brought up, so how stable are they? Plus, you would be part of one of the larger Cobra clubs and could pass along intel to GCC when you find stuff out :D Good luck, I'm glad you mentioned not to bring it up tonight, as Dan knows, I'm not good at keeping a secret :o
 
Glad you brought this up before tonight! Thanks!!! I have no idea how to anser the specifics, but I do agree with trying to stand out. I once got a position because I sent my response Fed Ex and requested that the recipient was the only one to sign for it. Don't know if that would work here, but consider how many are applying, how many have gotten responses and how many are just going to send back the e-mail. Hate to see you leave, but good luck. As T-bull said, do what you do for your family. Friends will always understand.
 
Murry company has just completed a project in my small town(an assisted living facility for us old farts) of which I am a board member. I think they are in O'fallen Il or St louis. Maybe a lead for you. They were super people to work with and do these type of projects all over the midwest.
At ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday nite they indicated that they have not been affected by the"recession"(what ever that is).

Best of luck, God bless and have a wonderful Christmas.
 
Scott, Best of luck on all ends. Our job load has gotten extremly slower, but we have quite a few projects lined up for the first of the year. It seems like the projectes that take the longest to materalize, (schools and churches) are still on schedule. I hope they all pull through, as I really like my company, and have been told by the owner he doesn't plan to get any smaller (there are 6 of us there). My major client (Kerasotes Theatres) has slowed down and are only building when a developer pays for the project and they lease it from them.

Luckily, the east and west coast still have development going on and developers trying to pull in large anchors.

Best of luck, we are in the same field, if I can be of any help, or you hear of any companies, drop me a line. It is a small world out there when it comes to Architecture, I may know someone.

Good things happen for good people...You'll pull through.

I agree 100% about the loose use of the term "Architect" It frustates me everytime I read an add and it turns out to be IT. Let them come up with their own terminology.
 
Thanks again for the thoughts and replies everyone.

I have two projects that have just completed Schematic Design phase, and one of which was a brand new project two weeks ago that is a repeat client. They asked me this week to prepare the Planning and Zoning submittal so we can get it submitted next week for a Jan. 14th hearing. If all goes well they want to immediately go into CD's (construction documents). This is a mixed use project that will be their new office (in Brentwood) with restaurant space on the first floor. It's not a big job but will keep myself and my technician busy for a few months.

My biggest client is just sitting and waiting things out (as most developers are). It seems all of my clients are hamstrung right now by the financial mess, and just cannot get tenants and funding to do anything. It's simply amazing how fast the wheels spun off of the ship. We were slowing down this year, but around Mid-September it got quiet. Then late October it got even worse. One of the big projects I was doing (the redevelopment in Rock Hill) was put on a 9 month hold in mid-November. Our main tenant Target decided to delay the store opening until July 2011. So we were told to stop. Just like that. Night and day. All of my projects that were keeping me busy are either done and open, or wrapping up construction in the next few months.

I told Michelle if I can get one new project a month, I will probably be okay. I'm having to market to keep my position. I guess that's how the strong will survive in this economy.

I'll keep my eyes and ears open Craig. I'll let you know if I hear of anything...but with 200 people in the field recently unemployed, and really nobody hiring...it will be a long winter.

Scott
 
Some companies I deal with that may use your services - Selective Site Consultants (SSC), Fortune Wireless, Kuhlmann Design Group, Fibrebond (located in Minden, La), and CellXion (Shreveport, La). Fibrebond and CellXion manufacture shelters and I only see an increase in their workload, but your other opportunity may be of more interest to you. If you need a reference from me, don't hesitate to let me know. I know the owners at all but Fortune Wireless, not saying that's worth anything, but couldn't hurt huh?
 
KDG is a direct competitor to my company believe it or not. Their architectural studio does all of the Schnuck's supermarkets and development work for NAI Desco.

I actually have done a few designs for integrated Cell tower sites and monunment signs. They never got built...go figure.

I'd like to talk to you some more about this offline.

Scott
 
Things are looking up...

I had a phone interview with a company yesterday for a position mid-state (Columbia/Sedalia) which wasn't a good fit.

But tonight I was greated at home with news that Honda has invited me to their facility in Raymond, Ohio for an interview next week! Just need to settle on a day/time as the first one they proposed conflicts with a public hearing the same day.

Wish me luck!
 
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Like everyone in the club Scott, we wish you and your family the best. Like the counselor said, our loss is their gain. I must say though that that is going to be a heck of a commute each morning, but that cobra should get you there with time to spare. Let us know how it turns out.
 
Thanks guys. We will see what happens. My interview is set for Jan. 20th. The supposedly have their own in house travel agency that I am to use. Ordered myself a Honda Racing F1 inspired Tie to wear with my suit last night! Figure it will break the ice and give me something to talk about as it relates to cars!

The town is outside of Columbus, the capital of Ohio, and also the home to the OCC (Ohio Cobra Club). But, one step at a time...
 
I spent some time just outside of Columbus, near the JEG's facility. I was in charge of the design on the Kroger Great Lakes Regional Distribution center, just outside of Columbus.

The best advice I can give is don't speed, there were cops everywhere out there, and they like to pull you over...believe me I know.
 
Well the first major cutback at my company took place this afternoon.

8 people were let go (about 20%)

the rest of us were given a 10% pay cut

and we are working reduced hours to correspond to the pay reduction

I'm thankful I made the cut...but this sucks.
 
How many bedrooms will you home have?? or should we all bring sleeping bags and camp out in the garage/driveway for LCS....best of luck..been in your situation in the past...the Good Lord works in miraculous ways....good will come of this.
 
Scott this sucks bigtime. I'm a brightside kinda guy though. And, apparently your company has been able to hang on longer than many in the building/design industry. Maybe, just maybe they're strong enough to weather the downturn. I don't know if the economy is going to pull out anytime soon, but maybe the cuts that they made will do the job and enable them to hang on.

Hang in there. Also, just a small bit of advise. The grass is not always greener on the other side. The company you are interviewing with may be just a few weeks or months from the same situation - be very careful - as I'm sure you will. Pullin for ya!

Mark
 
I was offered the position at Honda R&D Americas this afternoon guys! Kind of exciting and sad all in the same respect. Now I have to make a decision to stay here and stick things out or as Mark so aptly put it, see if the grass is greener on the other side...
 
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