Project Lemon-aid De-brief

Last week I attended an event, Project Lemon Aid, for job seekers that was advertised as "unlike any other event you will attend." And I gotta admit that it lived up to its billing.
There were 3 speakers and a participant-participant networking session which is a fairly common format for these type of gatherings. However, the content from the spekaers is what set this event apart. Other than a few questions from the studio audience, the presentations did NOT cover the standard fare--resumes, cover letters, etc. Rather, the content of the presentations was focused on PMA. Positive Mental Attitiude. "Create the habit of thinking what you want." "Angry thoughts produce angry energy which attracts anger into our lives." "Believe it to achieve it."
And also remaining unfailingly persistent during one's search.
For anybody in sales, this was good stuff. And since everybody in career transition is "selling themselves" there was probably some benefit to all.
One exercise that I found interesting was one of the speakers asked everyone to list life experiences that induced fear. And then asked us to indicate whehter the experience held us back or helped us move forward.

There was a bit of a scheduling snafu with the photographer, but pictures were eventually taken.

--
Mike
Click here to see the segment that WHO-TV did on me

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Stumbling blocks and prospects

Well, I was a bit too optimistic about Iowa Workforce (i.e., now called Iowa Works). Spent a good chunk of 3 days down there last week and though the personnel had obviously gotten lots of training in how to treat clients, there was still tons of misinformation given out. Everyone seemed to have a different idea about where I should go next and for what reason. I plowed though the system though, skipping over areas and going to the top in some cases. I still have work to do down there this week though.

I also spent quite a bit of time at DMACC, trying to register for the right (i.e., high demand) course work that would qualify for the new dislocated worker program or the extended 26-week unemployment benefits. DMACC also did not know what was going on and I got that story from more than 1 counselor who I asked to assist me. Not too much help there. I was exhausted when I got home on Friday night.

And yes, kudos for Grandview offering free classes. I will have 9 credits in my pocket in another few weeks. Hopefully 3 of them will transfer to DMACC for my certificate program I'm enrolled in.

Of course though, when it rains, it pours. I now have two phone job interviews scheduled for this week!! I may get a job after all.

Tip of the Hat to Grandview

In the continuing series of The Perks of Being Unemployed (ok-technically this is only the second post on that topic so perhaps it not yet an official series), I gotta tip my hat to Grandview. They generously offered to waive tuition for all the Summer sessions for everybody who was laid off. I'm not aware of any other local university/college who made such a generous offer.
Unfortunately, there were no IT classes on the Summer schedule, but I jumped into an Investments class. Have been to several sessions now and gotta say that I'm really enjoying being back in the classroom. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the intellectual challenge of studying a new subject.
The instructor is great. He uses a very practical and real-world approach to the material. It feels a tiny bit odd being in class with all young people, but they probably think that it is a bit odd being in class with me and we all make a dynamic group with diverse views.
Taking a class (even a free class) is not as good as landing a new position and the course is taking a little more time than I was expecting, but I still think that this endeavor is well worth the time (and definitely better than crab fishing).
I have no idea whether Grandview will continue the program in the Fall, but if they do I would highly recommend taking a class.

--
Mike
Click here to see the segment that WHO-TV did on me

Click here to see my profile

To follow this blog add it to your Reader or click on the link in the Followers section at the top right.

What a difference!

Just got back from the "newly revised" Iowa Workforce Center. What great changes they have made! They've been operating for four days with the new system and the unemployed actually get treated as "HUMAN BEINGS." I was very pleased. I complimented every worker that I had contact with. Was told though that they are still working out kinks which I'm sure they will be doing for quite a while. I have to really commend the agency though for putting on this "NEW FACE."

I did come away though without some specific questions about the dislocated worker program and the extended unemployment benefits while in school being answered. The new system requires you now to attend an assessment meeting which is held at 2:30 every day. That is a good thing though--I Just have to wait a bit more time to get my questions answered and to get back into "their system."

I believe though that even with all of their efforts, it is still going to be extremely difficult for the unemployed to find jobs. That is why I think the grassroots efforts of AMOS are important. They are going to be talking one-to-one with employers. Perhaps Iowa Workforce does this also though.

Meanwhile though, I did turn my experience into a networking opportunity and was able to give out two business cards for my home interior, home staging business!

Iowa Workforce

I also heard last night at the AMOS meeting from the Iowa Workforce representative that the job fairs held in Des Moines have now been changed to once a month rather than every week due to a lack of employers interested in participating.

Yes, I'm tardy

Yes, I realized I have been very negligent in posting to this site. But I have been busy . . .

. . . Busy attending the free classes for the unemployed at Grandview University. Yea!

. . . Busy trying to get my new business off the ground--thinking about writing a business plan, networking, designing a brochure, getting a web domain, and so on and so on

. . . Busy applying for the few jobs I have found in my field

. . . Busy talking to DMACC about classes I can take this fall

. . . Busy again at Iowa Workforce to see about their new unemployment/dislocated worker programs

. . . Busy trying to increase my customers for my current part-time business

. . . Busy attending meetings, networking groups, having coffee with friends and new friends

. . . Studying

. . . and the list goes on . . .

I am especially enjoying meeting new people and seeing new places. Today I ended up on the Des Moines campus of DMACC. I had no idea they had a real campus there. Pretty cool. Lots of very friendly people there also. As is the same with Grandview. Am really enjoying that experience.

Tonight I attended a meeting held at First Christian Church. The meeting was sponsored by AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy). They have been meeting for several months at the grass roots level to try and find solutions for the unemployed. I attended a meeting in June also. See my blog dated June 9. I highly urge everyone, employed or not employed to attend next month's meeting. It will be on Aug. 11. Not sure of the meeting place yet though. They are working through the church community and meet in churches generally. I came away totally energized! An Iowa Workforce representative was there as were people from AARP, AMOS, Iowa Employment Solutions, Iowans for Social & Economic Development plus many pastors from local churches.

Project Lemon-aid

Project Lemon-aid is yet another new networking opportunity that I am planning to attend

Mostly becuase..."The first session will offer a variety of professional services, including free professional photographs for every attendee..."

Some Companies Recruiting on Twitter

You may or may not have heard of Twitter (OK. OK. You probably have probably been living in a cave with no electricity for the last 2 years if you have not at least heard of Twitter). It can be yet another tool in the Searching-For-Work-Toolbox.

Here are a few Companies Recruiting on Twitter:
Accenture: @Accenture_Jobs
ACULIS, Inc.: @aculis
ADP: @ADPCareers
Allstate Insurance: @AllstateCareers
American Express: @brandonpatton
AOL: @theregoesdave
APCO Worldwide: @Jessica_lee
Apple: @timesse
Assurant Solutions: @AssurantCareers
AT&T: @ATTjobs and @therecruiterguy
BAE Systems: @kellyviglione
Blackbaud: @stephmcdonald
Burger King: @BKCareers
City of Kingston: @kingstoncareers
Clearspring: @ihireu4cs
Compuware: @scottboren
comScore: @comScoreJobs
Davita: @DavitaJobs
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu: @JoinDeloitteUS
Disney/ABC: @DisneyABC
Ecolab: @Ecolab_Jobs
EDS: @tinahuckabay
EMC Careers: @EMCCareers and @EMCCollege
Ernst and Young: @Ernst_and_young
Excellaco: @excellaco
Follett Software: @FSCCareers
Forrester Research: @forresterjobs
Fullhouse Interactive: @fullhousecareer
Hallmark: @hallmarkcareers
HCA: @acareerathca
Hershey Company: @HersheyCompany
Hewitt: @HewittCareers
HomEq Servicing: @dcastrodale
Hitachi Consulting: @havrilla
Hyatt: @hyattcareers
Intel: @Jobsatintel
Intercontinental Hotel Group: @IHGeCareers
J.B. Hunt: @WeHaveFreight
Kaiser Permanente: @JennStockton
Kaplan Test Prep Services: @KTPA_Careers
Keller Williams Realty: @KWCareers
Kissito: @kissitocareers
KPMG: @KPMGCareers and @recruitingtruth
Kroger: @KrogerWorks
LexisNexis: @LN_Recruiting
Mattel: @MattelRecruiter and @mattelmba
McCormick & Schmick @Careers_At_ MSSR
McGladry: @lifeatmcgladrey
Microsoft @JobsBlog
MTV Networks @MTVnetworksjobs
MTV Games @MTVGamesJobs
New York Times: @NYTimesRecruit
nGenera: @nGeneraCareers
Odyssey Financial Technologies: @OdysseyCareers
Raytheon: @Raytheon_Jobs
Razorfish: @RazorfishJobs
Region 10: @LisaatRegionTen
RWRoundarch:@RWRoundarch
Sodexo: @sodexocareers
Southwest Airlines: @SWALesa
Spotsylvania Medical Center: @CareersAtSRMC
Starbucks: @Starbuckscareer
Take Care Health Systems: @TakeCareJobs
Thomson Reuters: @steffenson and @TRCareers
Time Warner Cable: @TWC_Recruiter
Twitter: @jobs
United Parcel Service: @UPSjobs
University of Pittsburgh Med Center: @UPMCCareers
United States Department of State: @DOScareers
Verizon: @VerizonCareers
Warner Brothers Entertainment: @WBCareers
Whistler Blackstone: @WhistlerJobs
Wipro: @WiproCareers
Zappos: @electra

So, now I have IDs on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, have been in the Des Moines Register, have been pictured in Juice, and have been featured on WHO TV news .
What I still do not have is a new position leading a high-performing technology/ops group at a fast-paced growing company.
(I would definitely trade all of what I listed in the have column for what is in the not-have column).
:)

--
Mike
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Am I Looking in the Wrong Place for the Wrong Kind of Job?

Perhaps I have been looking in all the wrong places for my next position? After watching several hours of Deadliest Catch on Discovery over the holiday weekend, I started thinking that maybe I should just give up entirely on not just Iowa (see Goodbye(?) Iowa) but also on IT/Technology and join one of the crews fishing for Alaskan King Crab? Those guys make some serious coin in a very short period of time...

Of course, it seems like there is about one boat per season that goes down with all crew lost. That is scary. And probably too risky for me. OK, back to searching for IT leadership roles for me.