question about experience and finding a job.

[tim enigma]

i have been in printing since 1992. spent the first 5 or so years on my knees throwing paper on MOs, sm 104s and sm 74. unfortunatly the pressman i threw for did not want to teach me very much. i was there to make his life easier. i then went on to run small duplicators. 2800, 3200, 3302, 3304. i have spent the last 7 or so years running 4 color process. the only thing is that it has been on a 2 color heidelberg pm 52. i have been out of full time work for over a year and a half now. every time i apply for a job running 4 color, i am denied because i dont have experience running a 4 color heidelberg, komori whatever. printing jobs in phoenix are hard to come by. how can i gain experience or convince a shop to hire me? someone suggested that i go to a shop and ask if i could train there to get experience. is this a good idea, are shops open and willing to do this. i am really getting down about not being able to land a gig. thanks
tim

 

[spike]

Hey tim keep your chin up' running process 2/colors at a time is an art. You should bring some
samples of your work to interviews and show them your skill as for running multicolor presses you should have no problems any pressman who can keep color register two times through the press knows what hes doing as for the ******* who did not teach youanything
forget his sorry *** ,hopefuly someone will give you a shot good luck .spike

 

[PMS]

in search of opportunity

I'm a pressman too Tim, and you deserve much better, and you will. Just hang in there, and you will find the right shop soon enough. I know, times are tough right now, for all of us, but I really believe we will bounce back from the recession.
You are good, forget the past, and you will be reconised soon.

 

[milo]

Yeah don't loss hope. I agree with both Spike & PMS. Bring your portfolio when applying and show them all your excellent art works and masterpiece. I'm sure there is someone out there that will appreciate your experience and will give you a shot. Good Luck.

 

[tim enigma]

thanks guys. i never thought about the sample of my work. i dug some up and put a portfolio together. now i just need to get my foot into some ones door. i sure hope something happens soon before i have to put on a paper hat and ask if you want to try a hot apple pie. its funny, the first bunch of years i was in printing, if you quit or were fired, you could pretty much have another job by the end of the day. maybe not a great job, but the work was there. now you got 15 guys all fighting over any job that pops up.
tim