Iowa program shows jobless it's about whom you know

There was a good article in the Des Moines newspaper this week on the Net2Work networking meeting. See Iowa program shows jobless it's about whom you know

If you participate in this meeting you might also want to join the Net2Work group on LinkedIn.

Goodbye? Iowa

Another thing that Dave asked about was how my search strategy has changed since I first started. It's a good question.
When I first started, my search was a non-search. I spent some time doing some pro bono work for the local food pantry. However, when I did start my search in earnest, I was focused on finding a position here in Des Moines. My family and I would like to stay in Des Moines for a variety of reasons. I have always been open to a move, for a great position, if necessary. But I really was focusing my efforts on finding a role in Des Moines. However, after months of networking and searching I have reached the conclusion that there actually are no senior technology leadership openings in Des Moines. So, I'm switching gears to spend the majority of my time and energy on finding a position outside Iowa.

Don't get me wrong. If Steve Smith at Wells Fargo returns my call and asks me to re-join WF, I am there tomorrow. If Tom Fischer from GuideOne Insurance sends me an email tomorrow and invites me to join them, I'm signing on the dotted line. If Richard Gass from EMC Insurance sends me an IM and wants me to start there tomorrow, I will clear my calendar. If Aviva, Casey's, Dahl's, Hi-Vee, Iowa Health, Marsh, MidAmerican Energy, or Wellmark call me tomorrow, I would be ready to start the next day. So, clearly I'd love to stay in Des Moines. In fact, if Clayton Jones at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids or Mike Bennett at Terra Industries in Sioux City asked me to stay in Iowa even if not in Des Moines, I would be elated.

However, the reality is that there are no technology leadership openings in Iowa. So, I am going to have to focus on other geographies. I do understand that eventually Wells Fargo will lift their hiring freeze. I know that Principal will eventually stop laying off wave after wave after wave of employees. I believe that Microsoft will build their data center on Grand some day. And I am confident that Google will eventually open the doors to their data center in Council Bluffs. But I cannot wait.

P.S. If you can introduce me to any of the leaders of the companies mentioned above, I will introduce you to my friend Mr. Lincoln (you will only get this reference if you have watched the "Rufus in Show" episode of Kim Possible with your kid). :)

--
Mike
Original story that WHO-TV did on me: Iowa Job Seekers

Pink Slip Networking Meeting

Went to the Des Moines Pink Slip Networking meeting tonight. Definitely worth the $5 charge. There were 4 speakers (Billie Sucher, Heidi Myers, Elizabeth Floyd, & Janet Tingwald) that spoke about, "How to Be the 1 In a Million STAND OUT (Rather Than Having a 1 In a Million Shot". Some of the material was standard fare job hunting 101 stuff, but there were also some nuggets in the material.

Plus, I finally got to meet, in person, the legendary Suzanne Hull (the author of the Unemployed in Des Moines blog).
I also saw many of the usual suspects from Net2Work, Westview Career Transitions Connection, Hope At Work, etc. It is a tiny bit sad that I recognize, on sight, so many job seekers at these events (and can even tell you their elevator pitch at this point).

I even won a door prize, but the prize was a resume review and I felt like somebody else could probably use it more than me so I asked them to draw another name. Would have been nice to win the free night at the Staybridge instead!!

About the only downside was that the A/C was out in the building and you probably remember that it was as hot as the surface of the sun in Des Moines today.
See ya there next month.

Frustration (part 2)

I served as a Captain in the US Army. So I have tremendous respect for the people that serve in the military and that respect extends to (almost all) the people that serve in other government positions. However, I'm frequently dismayed at the processes/operations of government. The latest example is the Dislocated Worker program run by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). A friend told me about this program in April and while I really did not have high expectations, I sent an email to "S". Then I called to make an appointment because it is prohibited to apply online [Fail] or even via snail mail!!! After leaving a VM, I eventually got a return call and I was told that the earliest appointment that I could get was 5 weeks out (too late to register for the Summer session at the colleges) [Fail]. And that was only if I was willing to drive 45 minutes to Perry. If I wanted to meet with IWD in Des Moines, then it'd be 10 weeks out instead of 5 weeks. [Fail].
In an interesting coincidence I met "M" from IWD at the Net2Work meeting on May 18 and asked if there was any way to see somebody sooner. He took my card and told me that it should not be a problem and that he would have somebody from his office call me later in that week. Never heard from anybody. [Fail]. Then several folks from the IWD were the featured speakers at the Net2Work session on June 01. "S" provided some details on the DW program. The presentation was impressive and I became seriously excited. "S" mentioned that she had $600K and half was earmarked for the Dislocated Workers program. And that it was intended for people just like those of us in the room (the other $300K was more targeted to other groups). Somebody (Ben?) asked if the qualified training was just classes at the local community colleges or if leadership seminars/technical training/etc. was re-imbursable. And the answer was that they should be if the provider was already on the approved provider list and if not, providers could be added. But the process to add them typically takes months. But that IWD has had expedited additions in weeks if not days. Now, my expectations were raised and I was stoked about this program. And only had to wait 2 more weeks to meet with an advisor. So, my appointment finally arrived. Hooray. The first thing that I found out was that the DW program had no money. They were broke until July. [Fail]

What I am most interested in was getting re-imbursed for PMP certification. Not on the list. [Fail]. Apparently nobody has ever wanted to use this program to obtain PMP certification? [Sarcasm=on] Since that would obviously never make anybody more employable. [/Sarcasm=off]

I am also interested in in-depth DBA training from Oracle. Not on the provider list. [Fail]. Or even a seminar on the latest trends in Business Intelligence software. Not on the list. [Fail]. And my advisor was not at all confident that any of the things that I was interested in could be approved in less than months. [Fail]. But he is going to look into it. Obviously, this program is intended for entry level and assembly line positions and I understand that workers in these kinds of positions need such a program. Clearly, the state of Iowa is interested in retaining workers for such positions and as Rick Warren reminded me--life is not just about me. But it would seem like Iowa would want to keep knowledge workers and senior people with extensive experience just as much. And given the severity of this Recession, it would seem to make sense to expedite changes to the program to address the unique circumstances we find ourselves in?

Since this is the 2nd post on frustrations, I do want to also provide a counterbalance lest I leave you with the wrong impression. My life is NOT all frustration. A friend reminded me recently that it is easy for us, as humans, to focus too much on what we do not have or are missing and totally forget about all that we do have. So... I am enjoying taking a walk each morning with my teenage daughter. I appreciate that Grandview is offering free tuition to those of us that are unemployed and I plan to take them upon their offer in the second session (the entire registration process was one quick form, a fax and a follow-up email). I have met many many great people through all of this networking (and am adding themn to LinkedIn, etc.). I have enjoyed volunteering at the food pantry in Waukee ...

Finally, I know that IWD does much good (so I do not want to seem like a hater). They are re-architecting their delivery model which should address at least some of the failures listed above. However, for me and at this point in time, the DW program just did not seem very helpful.

--Mike

Original story that WHO-TV did on me: Iowa Job Seekers

Networking meets worship

Juice recently featured an article entitled, "Networking meets worship" that is worth a read.

I recently joined a couple LinkedIn groups that feature this intersection: Westview Career Transitions Connection and HopeAtWork. Feel free to join me if you think that membership would benefit you.

Frustration

I met with Dave Price from WHO TV this week to catch him up on my search.
One of the comments that I made was that it has been a frustrating time.
1. It is frustrating to have earned top marks on my performance reviews while working for a series of A-list companies (Wells Fargo, IBM, Bank of America...) over the last 20 years and yet still not have a new position.
2. It is frustrating to have multiple positions in which I am interested all go "On Hold" in the same week.
3. It is frustrating to not receive any feedback (even a robo-response) at all after spending an hour or two to fill out an online application at many many many different companies.
4. It is frustrating to see a job posting and know that I am a perfect fit for the role, that I have all the experience called for, and that I have all the skills needed to move a company forward and never even have an opportunity to talk to the hiring manager before getting the classic "we have other candidates that are a better match" note (although at least it is a response of some kind which is better than none (see above)).
5. It is frustrating to watch companies post extremely positive quarterly results and yet still have a Hiring Freeze in place.
6. It is frustrating that my life seems to have been reduced to an endless stream of networking meetings and yet I still do not have a new position.

If you caught Ben Stone's Social Media presentation at the most recent Net2Work meeting then you know how to add this blog to your Reader.

--
Mike
Original story that WHO-TV did on me: Iowa Job Seekers

Updates

Check out the blog, "Unemployed in Des Moines," written by Suzanne. It's at: http://unemployedindesmoines.blogspot.com/
I checked it tonight and saw the blog about the Townhall Meeting which was held tonight. Raced off to it and was greeted warmly by the participants. I really enjoyed meeting some new people and telling my unemployment story. Watch Suzanne's site for more details about the next meeting. It will be held on June 23. The group is attempting to collect unemployed Iowan's stories and will be having a large meeting on November 1 at the Polk County Convention Center hopefully with the governor.

Also, I had an interview last week (following the phone interview I had previously). Got a phone call today though saying I wasn't chosen for the job. On to bigger and better things!! Meanwhile I'm taking advantage of Grandview University's offer of free classes this summer. Had my first test today! Yikes!