Job Seekers

Wherever you are is a good place to Network!

2010-04-08T19:22:00.002-05:00

Network Wherever You Might Be!

No matter how strange the setting, it does not hurt to try. One of the stranger places I did successful networking was through UPS (www.ups.com). In December I worked as a Driver’s Helper. (I learned that this is another job I don’t want to do when I grow up. Especially during December; those drivers work way to hard. I have a new-found respect for the UPS driver.) As a driver’s helper, we would pull up to a business or house, I’d be handed the package, run it in for delivery and run back to the truck. This would go on for many hundred stops a day.

At one business stop in Adel, I delivered an overnight letter to a business that had taken up residence in an old church. The company is Bow and Arrow productions, www.baproductionsinc.com. I asked what they did and Anne Greenwalt told me that they were a communications fulfillment company specializing in Business Theater and special events. I asked if they were hiring and if I could send them a resume. Anne said she would be glad to take a look. That night I emailed my information to her and the owner, Michael Mars. I also got hard copies into their hands.

When I followed up on my next day off (wouldn’t want to be accused of wasting UPS company time) Ann let me know that they did not have any openings, but she would keep an eye open for me. And she said to keep in touch. The networking did not result in a job, but I did get to meet a very nice person who is keeping her eyes open for me, and I have one more resource to contact.

Oh, in addition to delivering packages, we would also pick up any items that the businesses had for shipment, be it regular or overnight. The overnight shipments ranged from legal documents, a 137-pound overhead garage door spring, and shipments of frozen bull semen. Everyday was an adventure.

If anyone is interested in learning more, or perhaps hiring me, I can be contacted at:

Joe Burklund

Urbandale, IA

515/253-0337

burklund@mchsi.com

@JoeBurklund

http://www.linkedin.com/in/burklund

Joe Burklund, Job Seeker

2010-03-19T13:49:00.002-05:00

Firts of all, thanks to WHO-TV for putting me on the air. Any exposure is good exposure, just spell my name right. Since my short segment aired about two weeks ago, I received three calls related to it. One was a person who thought I would be great selling nutritional-medicinal suplements. (Sorry, not my cup of tea.) Another was from a genltemen who, along with his father, had a great invention that would make a lot of money. He needed marketing help to get it going. He was to send me information, but I have not heard from him since. I wish him luck. I also heard from a man in Eldora who has a new travel site, http://www.videotripper.com/. That looks promising and I will be talking to him again soon.

Having been on the street since last August, I have been through the usual ups and downs of the unemployed. Basicly, it bites. I have also changed my search strategy. Just about all of the online job sites and listing seem to be black holes; toss a cover letter and a resume in and they just vanish. I finally realized that active networking was doing the most for my job search. Going to chamber events, Social Media Clubs, seminars, and talking to people has produced the most positive job leads. The Net2Work meeting put on by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, http://www.desmoinesmetro.com/, is a good place to be on alternate Mondays. Also, the Unemployed in Des Moines meetings and web site are great, http://www.unemployedindesmooines.com/.

So, that is the extent of my blog for now. Stay tuned.

February Week of 14th

2010-02-16T17:35:00.003-06:00

Hello,

I've been looking for full-time work since December. My passion are people, specifically children. Currently, I have been working part-time at an in-home daycare. I am checking into going back to school for a certificate in Early Childhood Education at DMACC. I am also applying for work for overnights until I get full-time work. I've been doing off-hours child care in people's homes, as needed.

It will come, I just need to keep a positive attitude & check all the options. Do what you need to do to keep going until you get to where you want/need to be!!

The Game Plan!

2010-01-11T09:08:00.008-06:00

I'm sitting here reflecting on the past several weeks. Numerous things have come and gone including the holidays, college football, and the NFL's regular season. However, during these last weeks I have reconfirmed my philosophy and the value of networking. Those relationships that I, and I'm assuming some of you, have established over the years still remain constant. I have had the pleasure of re-connecting with individuals on both a personal and professional level.

Thus far, I have come to realize that if you just regimentally apply to online job board postings, your competing with the thousands of other individuals. You become one of those other individuals that hiring managers have to scan through in a matter of seconds to decide if they are interested in speaking with you about their opportunity.

Produce a game plan for finding a new career opportunity that includes job boards but expands on that resource. Networking can provide you with potential opportunities that companies are planning on adding but have yet to be made public. It also helps to have an internal voice speaking on your behalf to obtain that initial interview with the employer. The hardest part is getting to have the opportunity to get in front of the individual company to show them what you can add to their organization.

Things have changed compared to past years, "advantage employer".

It's easy to sit at home applying for career opportunities in the comfort of your home. These lovely balmy sub-zero temperatures can make it easy to want to sit in your temperature controlled environment and wait for something to come your way. I'm not suggesting that I nor you should not apply for openings posted on job boards but before we go that route a few things should be done.

Network and then network some more and while doing that make sure we can briefly describe our self and what we're looking for in a quick and impacting manner. It's easy to say the standard items you say when people ask who you are. You usually start off by giving your name, maybe something about your family, some hobbies, and what you do for a living. Well your not currently gainfully employed and an organization doesn't really want to know about your family items up front, that's once you've made their team. Company X wants to know what your bringing to the their organization and how its different than your other teammate on the unemployment line.

What is it that makes you a unique individual in comparison to the thousands of individuals potentially in the same unemployment line?

Keep the faith!

Kalani

Working The Holiday Season

2009-12-21T15:06:00.000-06:00

I am amazed at the job postings that continue throughout the holiday season. Today is Monday, December 22nd and the job boards are updating new career opportunities every day. Beyond the job boards, companies are not closed down until the New Year. I'm making a lot of networking contacts this time of year. There seems to be a lesser amount of stress making employers accessible and willing to meet with me. I met with a senior executive of a company after an introduction by a friend. Although there wasn't a specific job available, he told me that he was interested in my resume and wanted to share it with his colleagues. More to come....

Weeks 4-8

2009-12-20T15:52:00.002-06:00

I talked to friends of mine to let them know I was looking for a job. One of my friends said he did not think his company was hiring, but he would check anyway. Turns out they were not hiring at the moment, but they wanted to interview me for upcoming positions.
That is a great example of trying to let everyone that you know that you are looking for a job. Also, get your own business cards made! One website to check out is vistaprint.com That is were I ordered mine. Business cards are an easy way to exchange information with someone, or just give them information. Just be sure to carry some in your wallet or purse at all times. Not that I have ever forgotten that, LoL.
My job hunting I limit to about one or two days a week. There are a few reasons that I do this. One being, there are not very many new applicable job postings from week to week. Two, I think it is more stressful to search everyday, especially when you do not see any new postings at all.
Check back for my next blog where I'll talk about a couple of interviews that I had in the last few weeks. With any luck by my next post I may have a new job!

Noah

First Post

2009-12-17T12:00:00.007-06:00

As all of you can see, attending job fairs can bring about some interesting results, like an interview with Dave Price of WHO TV. This is my first post to all of you seeking employment during these difficult economic times. My message is to maintain a positive attitude and to remember that the career positions you are applying for with a myriad of companies will happen within their time frame not yours. This is probably the most frustrating aspect of the job search. We're excited by an interview, whether telephone or face to face, then apprehensive about the screening process and the perpetual wait to hear again from a prospective employer.

For those of you seeking a new career, especially professionals who are unemployed, you must take advantage of the great opportunities available to you free of charge at the Iowa Workforce Development Center (IWD) located at 430 E. Grand Avenue in Des Moines. This is not just the "unemployment office"!! Become a member of IWD and the doors open with friendly professionals who give you the respect you deserve, help you build your resume, brush up on your interviewing skills, and most importantly, assist you in finding the right job. I have even been able to network with outside corporate leaders from introductions by staff at IWD.

As I continue to pursue my next adventure in life, I will keep you informed through this blog. I really appreciate the many blogs that all of you have been posting. We are here to listen to and help each other. I'm grateful to meet so many of you online.

Steve

Week 1-4

2009-12-07T08:40:00.003-06:00

Well, at first I performed the obvious. I went to all the similar companies in the area and dropped off a resume. Unfortunately only one was 'hiring'. I use this term loosely because while they were advertising for a position, I came to find out later that they were not actually going to hire someone until the market rebounded.
I also applied with a bunch of 'headhunter' companies. These companies actually seek out employee's for employer's. They basically do a lot of the work for you. I would highly recommend seeking out these type of companies. I also tried to let everyone that I knew that I was looking for a job. You never know who might know someone! This will come into play later on my next blog on how I got another interview.
I also checked in with my alumni association at Iowa State University and probably had the most success with finding applicable jobs initially. They have CMS 'Career Management Services' where employers can post job opportunities on the universities website and you can apply online.
Another avenue I pursued was the usual Des Moines help wanted, Monster Jobs, Career Builder, etc. I did have moderate success with finding applicable jobs at these type of locations as well.

Stay tuned for more updates next week.

Noah

Dazed and Confused

2009-11-18T18:43:00.003-06:00

Well here goes my first blog. I'm Noah, I was on the Channel 13 news 'Job Seeker' report on Saturday September 7th on the 10pm news. I was formerly employed by a Fire Sprinkler company in Des Moines. I had worked for the company since my graduation from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in May of 2004. Unfortunately, there was no heads up from my former company that anyone was going to be let go. I found out on a Friday at 2pm. I guess at least I had the weekend to gather myself and figure out a game plan for looking for a new job. I'll discuss my next steps on my following posts............So stay tuned!

A bit disappointed

2009-09-13T21:31:00.001-05:00

I am a bit disappointed that after having three interviews with one company, I was the person who had to make the contact with them and find out that the job had been given to someone else. Oh, well, on to the next contact!

Yes, I'm still here

2009-09-13T21:11:00.003-05:00

Yes, I am still looking for a job. I just got sidetracked a bit as I took on a seasonal job at the great Iowa State Fair!!

What an adventure--if you count an adventure as working 12-13 hour days for 14 days in a row!! I did have fun though and learned a lot about myself. Like . . .

1. I could work 12-13 hour days in the sweltering heat and/or during rainy days
2. I don't need to find a desk job anymore like I used to have. My legs held up for those 12 hour days.
3. I developed a new appreciation for sleep. My head hit the pillow as soon as I got home at night.

Most importantly, I gained a new self confidence. After doing that job, I think I can do anything!!

Project Lemon-aid De-brief

2009-07-27T09:20:00.002-05:00

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

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.

Stumbling blocks and prospects

2009-07-19T19:43:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-17T15:50:00.010-05:00

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!

2009-07-15T12:49:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-15T07:46:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-14T20:44:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-09T09:13:00.006-05:00

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

2009-07-08T09:24:00.004-05:00

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
To get automatic notifications of updates to this blog click the Follow button at the top right. Or just add the feed to your Reader.

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

2009-07-06T17:06:00.004-05:00

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.

Iowa program shows jobless it's about whom you know

2009-06-26T21:42:00.006-05:00

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

2009-06-26T11:46:00.005-05:00

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

2009-06-23T22:40:00.005-05:00

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)

2009-06-22T10:18:00.008-05:00

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

2009-06-20T20:10:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-18T23:40:00.004-05:00

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

2009-06-09T21:42:00.004-05:00

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!

An interview!

2009-05-20T12:52:00.002-05:00

Hey,
I had a phone interview yesterday. It was an initial, "weeding out" conversation, but I enjoyed it. If nothing else, it gave me some practice. It's at a place that I would love to work at and my qualifications fit it very well. Time will tell . . .

This economy is rough, but people do want to help

2009-05-19T10:57:00.004-05:00

I've been networking for several months and it has obviously not helped me land a job yet. Nor has it actually helped me secure many interviews. However, I keep reading that it is the only way to go and I had a couple of interesting situations pop up last week...

1. A while back, I had an internal company recruiter contact me after reviewing my LinkedIn Profile. The position was a good fit and something that I would both enjoy and be good at immediately. However, after a short delay, the position was put on hold. But I've checked in with this HR person every couple of weeks. And during the last call, he let me know that it was unlikely that there would be any movement on the role for an extended period. :(
Then he suggested that I contact another company, local to that geography, and gave me some contact details. Wow. That is somebody with vision. He knows that establishing a relationship with me will bear fruit in the future even if a different company ends up hiring me right now. Anyway, I contacted the person to whom I was referred and started a dialog. Not sure if it will result in a job offer or even a formal interview, but the company is growing and there is definitely some possible positions for which I am a fit.

2. I contacted an external recruiter about a position for which she was conducting a search. That position turned out to not be a good fit. (So, far this is all part of the normal job search process). But this recruiter then referred me to a hiring manager that she knew was looking for somebody like me but that was not able to pay a recruiting fee. That does not always happen when the recruiter has no chance for a fee. So, I called the hiring manager (different companies involved than those above) and we had an informal networking conversation. It was a great dialog. Then we had a formal interview. Then a second round interview. And next the HR person called me to set up travel arrangements for me to fly in for a face-to-face interview session. However, before the travel arrangements could be finalized, the company completely changed the job description and now I was not only no longer one of the top 2 candidates, but really not a match at all for the revised position. :(
Ouch.
However, a couple weeks later I got an email forwarded from the hiring manager that was from somebody else he knew asking if the hiring manager knew anybody that would be a good fit for the position description attached. It is indeed a good match for me and is even a better role than the position with the original company would have been. Again, Not sure if it will result in a job offer or even a formal interview, but it was nice of that hiring manager to go out of his way to make me aware of an open position that was not even with his company.

3. I will also echo Sheri's comments on the Net2Work gathering. I missed the first half of the first meeting (schedule conflict) but was blown away by the presentation that I did catch. And the function as a whole exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended.

It's been a long time

2009-05-15T22:16:00.002-05:00

Seems like it's been a long time since I wrote here. Time has just been sweeping me by. I've relaxed my job search a bit. Am not as frantic as I was initially. I have still been taking advantage of some of the great programs offered at Iowa Workforce. Went to a resume writing workshop yesterday. Have also started going to a great program called Net2Work which is being held at the Botanical Center. There was a great inspiration talk 2 weeks ago by Drew McLellan, the Top Dog at McLellan Marketing Group here in Des Moines. He talked about how to market ourselves and offered good tips about social media networking.

I am still keeping my daily "to do" list which keeps me on track and where I keep track of the jobs I've applied to and the rejection emails I've gotten. No luck so far with interviews. It's difficult when you're competing with several hundred people. But, because of my lay-off, I've got to do a lot of things I couldn't have done if I were working. Have gone to art galleries, had a garage sale during the week and have gotten to know people at Iowa Workforce! Life is good!!

The perks of being unemployed

2009-04-22T09:32:00.008-05:00

Unless you are Jack Welch, the perks of being unemployed are not like those of the employed. There are no junkets to Las Vegas. There are no free golf outings. No limousine rides. No franking privilege....
However, every now and then I run across some small perk of being unemployed. I got an email this morning that outlined such a perk.

Lost Your Job?
FranklinCovey Products Gives Those Unemployed A Boost

******************
FREE FRANKLIN PLANNERS on April 24-25, 2009
******************

WHO: Individuals who recently lost their jobs are invited to visit a FranklinCovey store nationwide or call the FranklinCovey Call Center at 800-654-1776 to receive a free 2009 Franklin Planner*.

WHAT: FranklinCovey Products is giving those who have recently lost their job a leg up during these recessionary times. Individuals recently unemployed can receive one 2009 Franklin Planner for free by providing the names of their last employer and supervisor, and the date they were laid off.

WHEN: Friday, April 24 (in-store and call center) and Saturday, April 25 (in-store only)

WHERE: Your local FranklinCovey store (Friday and Saturday) or the FranklinCovey Call Center at 800-654-1776 (Friday only)
Find a store
Call Center hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm MST

WHY: Getting organized for a job search can ultimately save much time and frustration. Having one place to track all information, contacts, appointments, job leads, and interview notes can make a job search less stressful and more productive. Planning and organization are an integral component of a job search....

I also got a very uplifting email this morning (see below) so my day is off to a great start (although not as great as if I had gotten a job offer--hard to top that).

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you. And, remember... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it.
Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

Now, you have a nice day.
God

(Technically I did not check the SMTP header on the email so it could be a spoof and not actually be from God but I am going to go with it anyway).

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

Job seeking no more.....

2009-04-22T09:10:00.003-05:00

My title as a job seeker has officially ended! As of 8:30 this morning........the search has ended. I was offered a great job and of course accepted! I am now a billing and insurance coordinator for a great company. I start on Monday and will still keep you up to date on the job.

To those of you still seeking..........Good Luck! It will happen.....a little bit of faith can get you a long ways! Just think of what you can do with a lot of faith!!

It's been a week......

2009-04-21T21:48:00.003-05:00

What a week it's been! The last interview I had was last Wednesday and I'm supposed to call them tomorrow to follow up. I feel that I did well in the interview and sent them a note thanking them for the interview. I'm anxious to call them tomorrow and figure this out! In the mean time.....I have another interview tomorrow for a different company. I honestly feel like before the week is up.......I WILL be employed!! Hopefully the positive attitude will be the weapon I need!

Once again........keep the fingers crossed!!

The O-Word

2009-04-20T15:11:00.009-05:00

Over-qualified. If you're not fresh out of college, then you've probably run into a response from an employer that you're overqualified. What does that actually mean? It means that the employer is...
A. ...Afraid that the candidate will accept an offer but leave, after the economy turns around, for a better paying position. This is a semi-legitimate concern as there are costs associated with bringing any new employee onboard and businesses don't want to incur any more cost than is absolutely necessary. However, most companies seem to exhibit an immediate knee-jerk reaction by issuing a generic "over-qualified" response (if they respond at all) when they receive resumes from outstanding candidates rather than initiating a dialog. There are actually tons of good reasons why candidates might be interested in positions that seem to be a step down (candidate believes that the company will grow and wants to grow with it, family care, non-compete, health-related, housing, taxes, etc. etc. etc.). However, it does take time, energy, & money for a company to validate the true candidate interest. So, unless the candidate has successfully networked (see The N-Word) there is not much chance of having that dialog. (It is probably still a good idea for candidates to address the issue in a cover letter right up front, but understand that it may not matter).

I have also wondered what sports organizations would look like if they took the same approach as the majority of businesses/hiring managers. What if the I-Cubs had an opportunity to acquire Babe Ruth in his 1921 season (ok technically if the I-Cubs could figure out how to implement an Einstein-Rosen bridge to facilitate relativistic time dilation they would no longer be in the baseball business, but just go with me here) for the standard I-Cubs player salary? Even if they knew that they could only keep him for only one year (he will surely get a better offer from a big league club), do you think that they would let him know that he was "overqualified"?
I don't think so.
What about if the Iowa Energy had an opportunity to acquire Michael Jordan? Even if they knew that they could only keep him for only one year, do you think that they would let him know that he was "overqualified"?
I don't think so.

It seems that although most of the business world has not figured this out, that the sports world has figured out that acquiring superior talent drives the business forward even if the stars do not stay forever.

B. ...Afraid that the candidate will not even accept an offer in the first place because the company assumes that the compensation will be inadequate and therefore they want to spend zero (0) time, energy, or money on determining the true candidate interest. This seems even more short-sighted of businesses/hiring managers than the reasoning in "A" above. Many companies simply ask candidates what their last salary was and seem to automatically delete the resume if the previous salary was more than the mid-point for the company's open position. While it's probably appropriate to assume that any candidate wants to earn a fair market rate and further needs to earn a certain minimum amount (everybody needs a home and food)--there are a virtually infinite number of factors that dictate what that minimum amount may be (and it may or may not be the same as the previous salary amount). I'm not sure why more businesses don't pursue outstanding candidates at least to the stage where some two-way conversation about compensation takes place. (3rd party recruiters actually seem to do a good job with this).

P.S. The I-Cubs have several one-dollar nights coming up. If you are a baseball fan, you might want to head out to the ballpark.
P.P.S. If you are a hiring manager that is looking for an IT leader and that is a baseball fan, then let me know and I will spare no expense and buy your ticket on an upcoming $1 night and we can chat about how I can help your organization. I will even spring for a pretzel. :)
(I think that the sales guys call this the strong close). :)

Keeping my fingers crossed!

2009-04-15T13:48:00.002-05:00

So maybe that's a superstition.......but at this point, I'll try anything!

I had an interview this morning and it went great. Or at least I think it did! I can't recall ever wanting a job this bad. They have everything I want and I feel I have everything they want....and need!

I should know within a week and in the mean time.......Time will not be my friend. I'm sure it will go slow. Did I mention that I WANT and NEED this job??

So keep your fingers crossed, your thoughts with me, and your prayers expedited!!

Could it be?

2009-04-13T21:13:00.002-05:00

Last Friday, I was resume happy and sent out a quite a few! I was anxiously waiting for Monday so I could check the email and see if there were any responses. Like most job seekers, I begin checking the email and start watching the phone for all responses to posted resumes, on a regular basis! I almost feel like a teenage girl waiting for someone to ask her to the prom!

Fast forward to Monday.......

Monday was great! I sent out a resume to a job lead that I feel very confident about and I received a call from that very job today! We played phone tag a few times......and then it happened. We finally got connected and we spent about 20 minutes on the phone. I have an interview with his boss on Wednesday!

This opportunity sounds perfect for what I want. I can't wait to talk more with them on Wednesday. Hopefully this is the job I've been waiting for and I'm the employee they've been waiting for!

A Day in the Life of ...

2009-04-09T19:00:00.002-05:00

... a Job Seeker

6 a.m. - Check email and Facebook for networking opportunities
7 a.m. - Breakfast. Check job sites.
8 a.m. - Work on rewriting resume and cover letter for another job opportunity
9:30 a.m. - Donate plasma (earn $25)
12:30 p.m. - Lunch with friend (he buys - $1.99)
1:30 p.m. - Call mortgage company to see if I qualify for a "makinghomeaffordable.gov" re-do of my home mortgage
2 p.m. - Work on freelance project (yea! there will be a little money coming)
3 p.m. - Back online looking for more job opportunities
3:30 p.m. - Apply for job out-of-state (few opportunities found in-state)
4 p.m. - Take 1 hour walk
5 p.m. - Update calendar for tomorrow's activities
5:30 p. m. - Watch national news on TV. More bad news about unemployment
6 p.m. - Snack while searching web again for jobs
7 p.m. - Receive phone call from friend. She's afraid of being laid off too.
8 p.m. - Post resume on 2 job sites
9 p.m. - Check out Facebook to see what my friends with jobs have been doing during the day in their real world
9:30 p.m. - Watch 1 hour of sitcoms to wind down
10:30 p.m. - To bed and . . .
Wake up tomorrow and do it all over again!!

Family

2009-04-04T15:41:00.003-05:00

Mike said it very well in his blog of March 30. One thing he said: " You may be pleasantly surprised by the core strength of your family."

My son and I have been through some really tough times throughout he years. Imagine my surprise when I received this card from him yesterday.

It said: "I know this was a difficult year for you. But through it all, you lived each day with amazing courage and grace--growing and learning and finding your way ... and now it's your birthday, and you have a brand-new year ahead of you, the past behind you, and a lifetime of dreams just waiting to come true."

Thanks Hallmark, BUT especially thanks to my son for showing such maturity and insightfulness to know that this card would be the perfect thing to cheer me up during the days of my unemployment.

The N-word

2009-04-03T18:45:00.002-05:00

Networking.
If you've been searching for a job for more than 2 seconds, somebody (probably multiple somebodies) has told you that networking is the key to your success. And I wouldn't refute the assertion. However, for some of us networking is easier said than done. A friend of mine (who is one of the best networkers that I know) was sharing with a group that we should, "just have fun with it." I had to politely inform him that those of us with an "I" (rather than an "E") at the front of our Myers-Briggs do not at all find calling friends-of-friends-of-friends (i.e. strangers) asking for favors to be any degree of fun. May be necessary and required but not fun!!
I was looking forward to being flooded with calls after the interview aired. And like one of the other bloggers, the first three (out of the total of four) calls that I have received were from Primerica MLM'ers "looking to expand their financial services business with additional branch manager Vice Presidents." (I'll have to create another post on MLM).
So, it was back to dialing for dollars for me. Ug. I spent almost all day yesterday on the phone. Very frustrating. Couldn't reach anybody directly and left a ton of voicemails. Companies not returning my calls. Which I expect--only the very best companies do a good job of communicating with candidates (and there are not many very best companies out there). 3rd party recruiters not returning my calls. Again, mostly expected--recruiters are focused on the client side right now as it is a terrible environment for them also. Friends and former colleagues not returning my calls!! Wha???? This surprises me. I know everybody is busy, but really? You can't even touch base at the end of the day? Really?

Again, I totally understand how important networking is. I have a friend who is very well connected. She has had success on multiple occasions, after getting a rejection email from HR, by calling somebody she knows at the top of the house for the organization and asking them to intervene. She invariably then gets an interview--which sometimes requires a conversation about over-qualification (yet another topic I will have to post on later), but at least she gets to have the conversation. I, on the other hand, am not as well connected. So, even though I am an unbelievably extremely well-qualified candidate for IT positions I have applied for at Ruan (whose HR actually did return my call) and Des Moines University, I do not actually know anybody there and therefore do not get an opportunity to even have a conversation with the hiring manager. Did I mention how spot-on my qualifications are for those roles? [Note to self -- you must master the power of the Force, er... networking].

There are a bazillion sites out there with tips on networking (who, when, where, how, etc.). Check them out. And maybe some other folks will add some good tips here.
For me, the keys to networking are:
1. Remember to give as much as you take (obviously not always possible, but you get the idea).
2. Contact everybody, but prioritize, and start with folks who know you best. You may be able to link to Kevin Bacon in 6 degrees, but he will still not know you and be less likely to take your call then the guy you worked with for the last 5 years (notwithstanding my experience this particular week--see above).
3. Join a group that promotes networking (especially if there are a ton of people from your industry in the group).
4. You may not like to network, but in the words of master job search guru Ric Flair, "Learn to love it, ...cause it's the best thing going today! Wooooooo."

I'm a PC :(

2009-04-03T08:29:00.003-05:00

I've decided that in order to make myself more marketable, I'm going to take a Microsoft Word class on a PC at the Iowa Workforce Center. To a Mac user (and a darn good one at that!)--this is almost a death sentence. I DON'T WANT TO DO IT. But I will. Anything for the job search.

On the plus side, I have heard that the class is excellent and the instructor is fabulous. Wish me luck.

"I'm gonna wash that gray right out of my hair"

2009-04-02T15:24:00.005-05:00

Upon having a discussion and taking an unofficial poll at the workshop this morning, it was decided by the majority, that women may have a better chance at getting a job if they look younger. We already have the age discrimination factor against us, so don't add to it by looking older than you are.

Some of the comments: "Gray will date you;" "Perhaps if you were trying to sell a unit in a retirement village, gray might help you;" and "Do everything possible to look as young and vibrant as possible during your job search."

As we all know, though, men are treated differently. Men with gray hair are viewed as distinguished, mature and handsome!

To Gray or not to Gray

2009-04-01T19:26:00.007-05:00

That is the question I will ask tomorrow at the Iowa Workforce workshop for tips for hunting for a job for workers ages 40 and up. A few months ago, I started to let my hair go to its natural color (gray!!), covering up the gray with semi permanent rather than permanent color until my roots grew out. I started doing this in order to save money in the long run. Now that I'm in the job search and will be facing age discrimination--yes, it's out there--I don't know if this is the way to go or not. Stay tuned here for later thoughts. Or give me your comments ladies. What do you think? Have you gone gray? Has it affected your job search?

A different kind of rejection!

2009-03-31T19:56:00.003-05:00

Well I returned the phone call that I received last night. I'm sure glad I didn't get my hopes up. After several phone calls and several conversations with different people, I learned that the company he was calling about was basically a scam. It's a pyramid type of company. I'm not interested in that type of thing.

I had 4 people call from the same company. None of the 4 people knew anything about the other! One lady would barely let me off the phone!

I know that putting myself out here like this has it's disadvantages; however, I'm not going to be taken advantage of. For whatever reasons people think that I may be gullible--I'm not!! I just want to take care of my family with a legitimate job. I'm not looking to start at the top.....I know you have to work your way up and I'm willing to do that. I'm not sure why people feel the need to tell you that you can earn an unlikely amount of wages to begin with--this is just not the way things work.

I guess this is my rejection letter to companies who feel they can take advantage of me and the situation at hand.

Disappointment or Delight?

2009-03-31T11:30:00.003-05:00

I just found out that I didn't get the temp job that I interviewed for yesterday. As I very well know, there is a huge group of laid-off people with similar skills as mine all vying for the same positions. I was partially relieved though as I would have had to sacrifice 10 days or so of job hunting if I were working during those days. It is a Catch-22, a vicious circle. Other good news about this experience was that I met two very delightful women during the interview process. I enjoyed that! Anyone out there looking for a print graphic designer?

The keys

2009-03-31T08:15:00.000-05:00

It's predictable that you will have mixed emotions about leaving your job. What was interesting to me though was what triggered these emotions. The first trigger I had was my keychain. It was immediately lighter in weight. I had to give back three hefty, old-fashioned keys to the building I worked in. The lightness of my keychain was a trigger--both good and bad. Not only did it signify a cleansing, a new beginning, a chance to start over with my life--it also brought great sadness to me. No more would I be able to roam the hallowed silent halls of my workplace as I worked in the early hours or into the evening when other workers had long gone home or would I be able to hear the laughter of students and colleagues filling the bustling building during work hours. Still, one month later, when I pick up my keys, I think of what had been such a part of my life. I know the sad memories will fade though and the positive will prevail. A fresh start is ahead of me. I don't have the weight of those keys to carry around any more.

How to Stay Positive During Your Search

2009-03-30T23:00:00.002-05:00

And so it begins...
If you ended up on this page and are not sure what a blog or blogging is, then click this link Blogging (but remember to come back here).
When WHO-TV interviewed me and invited me to join this blog, I thought that it would be both interesting and pertinent since the majority of people that I know in IT have been laid off at least once since 2000 (when Y2K did not end civilization and the Internet bubble burst). Now I feel like I need to write something useful, entertaining, and compelling as there are a ton of good blogs and bloggers out there competing for your eyeballs. We'll see if I can pull it off.

This past week is the first week in a while where I can legitimately say that I have multiple irons in the fire. Having a definite and specific position for which you are actively interviewing has a huge positive impact on mental state. Having more than one opportunity is even more uplifting. It is critically important to stay positive during a job search, but anybody that has spent more than a couple weeks looking for a new position knows that there are ups and downs during the process and it can sometimes be hard to stay positive. During the WHO interview Dave asked me how I stay so positive. My response was, "my faith, my family, and my friends." Which is true but incomplete--TV interviews are not really designed for long detailed answers.
So, I thought that I would offer some additional thoughts on how to stay positive during a job search--with a generic overall attribution to many of the folks in my outplacement group who offered several of these ideas.

1. Faith - Obviously, this will not work for everybody, but I'm a Christian and take comfort in knowing that God is in control and loves me (even when I'm unemployed). I have no idea why some people with credentials virtually identical to mine get a call out of the blue after two short weeks from a friend of a friend of their cousin's brother's ex-wife's former caterer with the opportunity of a lifetime when I have to bust my hump week after week (side note--networking is part of the answer but seriously some people just have things land in their lap). Life does not always seem fair to me, but I still believe that God is in control and that He loves me--which comforts me. So, I'd encourage you to seek strength in your house of worship.

2. Family - Your family (more than likely) loves you unconditionally. They want you to be happy. Accept their support. This may be especially useful if you are normally the strong silent type or you are typically the strong leader figure in the family. You may be pleasantly surprised by the core strength of your family. If you have a tough day, let your family know and let them help cheer you up. Even if you are the kind of family leader that doesn't want to share all the details and place undue stress on your family, you can share with your family when you need a pick-me-up (even if you don't provide all the details). Maybe your spouse will plan a romantic evening for you. Or your daughter will draw you a picture. Give them a chance to put a smile on your face. However, remember this is a give-and-take proposition. Your family is also under stress while you are looking for work (this is especially true if you are the provider in a single-income family). So, when you are having a good day, be the one lifting them up.

3. Friends - Humans are social beings. We like to do things with others. We like to be on the team. The first team is your family (see above). The next team is your friends. They already know you and can be a steady stream of encouragement. If you haven't already shared your situation with your friends, do so immediately (this is all part of networking which is critically important to your search). Maybe even go to lunch--you have to eat anyway and who knows, your friends may even buy your lunch. They will want to help you with your search. If they are in IT, they have probably already been laid off at least once in their own career and if not they will be at some point in the future (so they will be especially sympathetic). Virtually everyone knows somebody that has been laid off and therefore can appreciate the challenges of being laid off. An added benefit is that your friends can also help you stay accountable and can be a great sounding board to bounce ideas against.

[The first 3 items could possibly be summed up by the statement, "we are not alone."]

4. Plan - Plan the work and work the plan. There is something immensely satisfying about crossing tasks off your list. So, your search plan will not only help you land the next gig, but can also help you stay positive on the way. Your plan can also help you avoid making hasty (and often bad) decisions--bad decisions can definitely increase your stress level. Even if you don't have your search plan completed yet, you can at least make a schedule or list of daily tasks and cross items off the list as you accomplish them. Having a standardized routine, so that you do not have to constantly be making decisions about what to do next, can reduce your stress level. It'll also help you focus, fight boredom, and prevent you from wasting time.

5. Party - Take a break. Don't spend 12 hours a day, seven days a week on the computer. This will be hard for work-aholics and over-achievers. We just have a hard time having fun when there is work to be done. But it's important to establish a balance in your life. Schedule time (see Plan above) to do something you enjoy. Something that will cause you to laugh and smile is best (there is all kinds of data on the physiology of smiling out there). If you enjoy reading, set aside time to read something fun (I am on book #4 of Jordan's Wheel of Time series). Or maybe a movie (the matinee show is usually less expensive). Or maybe a weekend trip--there is a cool Union Pacific railroad museum in Council Bluffs. You might even throw yourself a party--just a casual affair--invite your friends to your "Find-Me-A-Job" party and start networking. Have fun with it. And while Mae West believed that, "too much of a good thing can be wonderful," just remember that this is the diversion and finding the job is still the priority.

6. Physical (Exercise/Diet/Sleep) - You'll have to tailor this item to meet your individual needs. I won't get into the technical explanation of the physiology of exercise and benefit of endorphins (mostly cause I don't know the exact details), but exercise (in moderation) makes you feel good. Exercise also takes your mind off job search (as you focus on the exercise). And in addition to improving your mental condition, it has the added benefit of improving your physical condition. It's even better if your exercise program is consistent (see Plan above). Unless you're already a gym rat, you probably should not go overboard with exercise just because you have more time than usual. I have decided that now is not the time to train to compete in the IronMan (even though it is on my Bucket List along with running the Iditarod). In fact, I haven't done too well with my exercise program. My wife and I have enjoyed walking in the past, but Winter in IA is not conducive to walking and my wife has sustained a foot injury. Proper diet can also contribute to your sense of well-being (watch out for those fleeting sugar highs) and make sure you get enough sleep (different people need different amounts of sleep so just make sure to take care of yourself).

7. Support Group/Networking - This could have even been #3B. Meet some new (also unemployed) friends and get together weekly. These are the easiest people to network with and can provide tremendous support as they know exactly what you are going through. Often they can also help with basic mechanics of the search process and have answers to questions that may come up in your search. Your former company may have provided you with outplacement services that can help with this, but if not there are also groups like the Career Transition Support Group at Westview Church or the Hope@Work Group at Lutheran Church of Hope. Remember to try to supply and not just consume assistance/support/leads with this type of group.

8. Try/Learn/Do something new - This can not only lift your spirits but also provide a practical benefit. Learn a new skill. There are free instructions online for an unbelievable number of topics--for example, with such instructions it is actually fairly easy to build a computer from scratch--although the parts may be an expense that you aren't willing to incur. If you cannot find what you want for free check the local community college. Or your local library. You might want to learn how to use some of the MS Office products a little better (just click the Help tab). Or even have your spouse show you how to do the laundry.

9. Volunteer - It may not be intuitively obvious when you are discouraged but helping others in need can be a tremendously uplifting experience. Find an organization that can use your gifts, talents, and skills and donate your time and experience. As an added bonus this effort may enable you to hone/polish your skills and you never know who you will meet. The Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry can always use help and United Way can put you in contact with any number of other organizations that need volunteers.

10. Reality Check - Stop and smell the roses. Take a step back and count your blessings. Reflect on all the things in your life that are going right. Maybe your daughter is performing at the All-State competition of the Iowa High School Speech Association. Maybe your health is good. Maybe you did NOT have your retirement account being managed by Bernie Madoff. Don't underestimate the little things. Sometimes just getting all the stop lights green on the way to Menards is enough to make your day.
It's also important to have realistic expectations related to your search (kind of position you are qualified for, duration of interview process when dealing with mega-corporations, etc.). Also, remember the job search advice from the Highlander, "there can be only one." As good as you are, try not to be disappointed if you do not get an offer every single time you land an interview.

It is almost impossible not to have ups and downs; however, recognize when you are down and take steps to lift your spirits. Obviously, the tips above are not the only way to stay positive during your search; however, I hope that they can help you. Feel free to post your other ideas for how to remain positive.

Bad day-gone good?

2009-03-30T22:59:00.003-05:00

Wow! I guess that's all I can say about an interesting hour in my life. When I wrote my first blog about getting a rejection letter, I had no idea what kind of message was waiting on my cell phone.

After watching myself on the news I was texting and talking to a friend of mine and another call came in.......well like most people when you don't recognize the number.......I ignored the phone call. After getting off the phone and I checked the message, I was in complete shock. It was a gentleman, who is a Regional Vice President of a company in Des Moines. He wants me to call him to discuss what his company is looking for.

I don't want to get my hopes up, but it sure is better than looking at another rejection in the mailbox or my inbox!

I'm still a little in shock that someone called that quick! I'm ready to make the call, find out what company and do my research and then leave it up to fate!

Thanks Chris and Dave for the opportunity!

One of many?

2009-03-30T22:33:00.003-05:00

This afternoon as I was doing homework and anticipating the 10:00 pm news, when I decided to check my e-mail. There it was in my inbox........another rejection letter.

I had applied for a job that I felt I was more than qualified for; however, according to this company........I didn't have enough experience. I wish that companies would give those of us straight out of college a chance. That's why we go to college.....to gain knowledge and the experience. I don't have a lifetime of experience and I won't if nobody gives me the chance to gain the experience.

Once again........I've learned that life is a vicious circle. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow!

Networking pays off

2009-03-30T17:07:00.004-05:00

I've been telling everyone I know--old friends, new friends, doctors, Facebook friends, relatives, former colleagues, etc.--that I've been laid off and am job searching. My doctor told me about a support group called Hope @ Work that I've been attending on Monday nights. It is a great group of people, most of them in the same boat as me. Actually, a lot of them are worse off than me as many have been without a job much longer than I have or in some cases, both spouses are laid off and they have children to support also. Thanks to this group though, someone I met last week told someone else--who told someone else--about me and I had an interview today for a short-term temp job. Networking does pay off!

Sheri

Is it a bird or a plane?

2009-03-29T18:39:00.003-05:00

I had a job interview last week. One of the questions asked of me was: "If you were to describe yourself as a bird, would it be a woodpecker or hummingbird, and WHY?

I loved the question. I have no idea which was the "right" answer, but I picked "woodpecker, as I said that woodpeckers are persistent. That they keep pecking at the tree until they get the job done. Was that a good answer or bad? I have another interview tomorrow. Can't wait to hear what I'm asked there!

It's been one month

2009-03-28T04:20:00.005-05:00

It's been one month since my last confession. No, I mean, since I was laid off. It was a Friday afternoon, the last day of February when I was called in to my supervisor's office and upon seeing the HR Director also--knew I wasn't at a usual staff meeting. I later was escorted to my car.

It was a long four days before my computer left my line of vision. I was on it day and night--networking with former colleagues and friends and connecting with others who had been laid off too. On the fourth night I arose from my computer tunnel vision stupor and ventured outside. I had to "collect my belongings" from my former office. What a sad and humiliating time as I was watched while I packed my things.

Yet, on the fifth day, I arose to a beautiful, unseasonably warm early March day. As I drove to my Employee Assistance Program counseling meeting, I discovered that there were people everywhere. On a Tuesday! Were these people all laid off too? Or were they usually out and about on a Tuesday when I was usually at work?

I was told by the counselor that I was doing all the right things--networking and job searching--but that I needed to take time for myself also. Have coffee with friends, volunteer or do something that I hever had time to do when I was working. Take advantage of this unexpected time off. Don't spend all of the time on the computer.

I let my mind wander as I drove around familiar haunts from previous work lives downtown and somehow ended up at the unemployment--Iowa Workforce office. I was confused as I made my way inside. Mothers sitting on the floor feeding their babies, men in Carhardts and business suits, people leaning against windowsills and rows of computer and people filled cubicles greeted me. I was in a world I had never seen before--at least not in this country. I had been exported to another galaxy. The world of the unemployed.

Stay tuned for my next chapter.

Sheri