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Crazy Job Market

What's the CMM job market like near you?

I live and work in the far northern outskirts of Chicago. There is a fair amount of industry around me, but there are typically only two or three CMM job openings at a time within my commuting area. Most of them are normally the same few jobs that nobody wants or they just don’t pay enough.

However, right now it seems like there are quite a few jobs available near me that I'd be happy to take if I didn't already have a good thing going. Also, where I work we have been down a CMM programmer for many months and recently lost two more who left for greener pastures. HR tells me that no one is even applying, let alone anyone with good qualifications! We are working to build talent from within, but it's going to take some time.

How about you?
Are you currently understaffed? Or should I say, more understaffed than usual?
Do you see a lot more job openings near you?
Am I the only one dumb enough to do this for a living? What am I missing here?
Parents
  • Update. The job I called about with the 4 day work week is now my employer! This place is great so far. Smaller shop (about 10 people total), job shop environment, everyone is really cool and relaxed and I am the quality department. I am taking over the AS9100 stuff, checking parts, writing programs and everything else quality related. Spoke with the owner today and he is really cool too. Wanting to expand the shop and take on more work.

    As an added bonus... I don't have to deal with anymore!!! Sunglasses Just kidding bud. If we get busy enough here, I wouldn't mind getting you on working here.


    Congratulations! Sounds like a nice gig.

    I never know how to feel about working in small shops. I've worked in big and small shops. On on hand I like that in a small shop you can do things your own way and be the local CMM expert. It can also be nice to wear a couple hats and do different stuff from day to day. On the other hand it can be rough doing so much on your own. The work seems to come in waves and it can be hard to keep up sometimes. Scheduling vacation can be rough too.

    If the people are all good there it should be more upside than downside. Especially if everyone is willing to help out at whatever needs doing. That can be a fun environment.
Reply
  • Update. The job I called about with the 4 day work week is now my employer! This place is great so far. Smaller shop (about 10 people total), job shop environment, everyone is really cool and relaxed and I am the quality department. I am taking over the AS9100 stuff, checking parts, writing programs and everything else quality related. Spoke with the owner today and he is really cool too. Wanting to expand the shop and take on more work.

    As an added bonus... I don't have to deal with anymore!!! Sunglasses Just kidding bud. If we get busy enough here, I wouldn't mind getting you on working here.


    Congratulations! Sounds like a nice gig.

    I never know how to feel about working in small shops. I've worked in big and small shops. On on hand I like that in a small shop you can do things your own way and be the local CMM expert. It can also be nice to wear a couple hats and do different stuff from day to day. On the other hand it can be rough doing so much on your own. The work seems to come in waves and it can be hard to keep up sometimes. Scheduling vacation can be rough too.

    If the people are all good there it should be more upside than downside. Especially if everyone is willing to help out at whatever needs doing. That can be a fun environment.
Children