The Game Plan!

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

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

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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.

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.

A Day in the Life of ...

... 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!!

The keys

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.

Networking pays off

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

It's been one month

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