Need some feedback (networking?)

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-12-2008, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Sarge47

My living, for now, requires a D.O.T. physical every year as well; I drive buses. So I can pretty much guess what happened to you and you have my condolences. However, if I remember my CDL training correctly there were 3 positions that were EXEMPT from requiring a CDL: Religious Organizations; Farms: & the military. Regardless DO check out the "e-Bay" thing; I hear positive stuff about that!

I'll check out the E bay thing... I was wondering if any government driving job qualifies for that exemption? I'll check into that as well. I was talking to someone here about working for the government. I don't know if that is the way I'll eventually go due to my age. They say that they don't discriminate against age but they do to an extent at least. But, I'll check that out. It seems to be harder for me now because I am older to get a regular job anywhere because of my age. companies don't want to hire someone that is looking at retirement (and I am not mentioning this to any prospective employer) sooner than not. most of the career oriented jobs are going to the younger generation who has the time in lifespan to devote to it. Hmm, maybe I am really looking at a semi-retirement and dont' realize it fully yet.

Although, I have always had in the back of my mind (and I hope that this isn't affecting my approach to employment, i.e. employers see an overshadow of that, extrapolating that I am not willing to commit) of doing a leisure activities business or employment type of some kind. Vacation services or sales or something of that nature. Got to do some goal searching etc., find out what drives me at this time in my life.

I am taking in all of the suggestions here, considering them and checking viabilities, feasibilities. Thanks.

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-12-2008, 10:04 AM

I was just wondering if Chris has any feedback? I have heard that he owns a few websites?? I might PM him.

**crashdive123** · 06-12-2008, 04:39 PM

Ridge - if you're looking into gov jobs - are you a vet? I believe vets get preferential something or other for certain jobs like at the post office.

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-12-2008, 05:58 PM

yep.. I just need to figure out where I plug into that. I sent ya a PM.

Things aren't as bad as they look now that I have discovered a few facts.

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-13-2008, 11:30 AM

I have been doing some research into government jobs over the last week. I have found out that I qualify as a disabled veteran (hearing loss) for the 10 point veteran's preference on civil service exam scores for competitive civil service jobs. I also qualify under the VRA (veteran's readjustment act) because of my vietnam era service and I qualify under the VEVRAA (Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act) and I qualify under VETS (Veterans Employment Training Service), the Government will train me for a new job. DUH!!! I now know the direction I am going to gain new employment.

I want to thank all those that posted in this thread with some very good advice and ideas. In the interim I am using those suggestions to carry me through until I can get a job with the government somewhere and I know of a few areas I'd like to work in with the gov. and qualify for some as I am and some with some additional training.

Whew!! this is going to be a cake walk in some respects.

**Beo** · 06-13-2008, 12:21 PM

Good luck bro, also you qualify as a vet for a loan to start to business, I got one to start my Martial Arts School and didn't even have to pay it back. My school is doing real good and student enrolement is up.

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-13-2008, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Beowulf65

Good luck bro, also you qualify as a vet for a loan to start to business, I got one to start my Martial Arts School and didn't even have to pay it back. My school is doing real good and student enrolement is up.

Congrats on that..

I just was down at the VFW and got referred to Voc ReHab from there. Now I am busy all day with appointments and I have another one tomorrow for a "Vets hiring event" being held here in town. Man, I never realized there was so much help out there.

**Rick** · 06-13-2008, 02:32 PM

Networking, brother. It's who you know to find those jobs. Folks know about openings before they are ever posted to job seekers.

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-19-2008, 10:43 AM

I went back yesterday to re-take the D.O.T. physical. I have been a disabled vet since 1982 for loss of hearing, I have hearing aids from the V.A. The other medical condition is not the issue now as to the reason for not passing the D.O.T. But there was another issue and that was the hearing problem. So, they tested my hearing with the wisper test, that is the usual method. I didn't pass even with the volume cranked up. Now, I know I am not going to be driving for a living with any organization or company that requires the D.O.T. physical. Driving is not completely out of the picture as there are some exceptions, namely government jobs. I am looking into that as well as getting some training in other fields. But I am more inclined to preference government jobs rather than the private sector now. There is more job security in government jobs as they do not rely so much on the economy for revenue. Also, even if an R.I.F. occurs employees are almost always transferred to a different job within the government. I am also considering an increase in disability rating with the V.A. because of what has happened.

I have had some locksmith training in the past and am strongly considering that as an option in an apprentice position and working into that, maybe in another part of the country.

Just keeping certain people informed as they wanted to know.

**crashdive123** · 06-20-2008, 07:02 PM

Ridge - another possibility is teaching. High school, college, community colleg, vocational school.

**nell67** · 06-20-2008, 07:19 PM

Ridge,have you looked into vocational rehabilitation?? They will pay for your schooling/retraining 100% and if you qualify for educational grants,you can keep those to live on while you train.

**Ridge Wolf** · 06-20-2008, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by nell67

Ridge,have you looked into vocational rehabilitation?? They will pay for your schooling/retraining 100% and if you qualify for educational grants,you can keep those to live on while you train.

Yep.. see private message.