Ecclesiastes 3:6 "A time for search and a time for loss; a time to keep and a time to give away"

Ecclesiastes 3:1  For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.

When you get some time to examine yourself, especially if you are busy searching for your next career opportunity, you may find that your mind wanders off in many directions.   Perhaps, you think, you could make a living as a fisherman or fireman or circus freak like you dreamed of doing when you were a child.  Maybe what you've been doing isn't what you really want to do or what you feel God has planned for you in life.   We should always be asking ourselves hard questions about our direction in life, but most of the time, we excuse ourselves as just being way too busy.

Always having been one to spend a lot of time in reflection (some might say way too much), I imagine the many different courses my life could have had, has had, is on, and/or could take, and frankly, it's both terrifying and exciting!  Like the next person, I enjoy the comfort that is the American standard of living, but if all we are concerned with is physical comfort (i.e. "making a living"), are we experiencing "life" or just "physical existence?"  Years ago, I remember being in a dead-end job, thinking, "God, is this it?  Is this all there is to life?"   When you pose that question directly to God, you probably should have your seat belt on and tray tables in an upright position.  It's at that point that I think He must deem us teachable, and class usually commences shortly after we pose such a question.

I'm reading Bob Buford's Half Time (Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance) right now, and I highly/especially recommend it for anyone approaching that "reassessment" period in his or her life.  I'm guessing that a lot of people are experiencing "reassessment" as they find themselves looking for work during this economic downturn that has turned out so many long-tenured, experienced workers.

As you think about your life and career---and this is largely the point; YOU MUST TAKE TIME TO REFLECT---lose yourself in your dreams and imagination.  You may be holding yourself back from something wonderful that matches with what you believe is your life's mission.  Sure, some people are so far underwater with the cares of life that they can't hope to reach their life's vision in the foreseeable future.  If in frustration we give up and stop dreaming, we become real-world versions of Star Trek's Borg.  Realization of some dreams just takes more time and commitment, and some changes in life require greater commitment than thinking about it one afternoon and deciding to act.

It's a good thing it takes many years to get to adulthood.  When we're "grown up," we have finally reached a point where we can possibly learn about ourselves---if we are willing to take the time and effort. 

Employment Situation Information for Those in Texas

The Texas Workforce Commission provides detailed information on Texas economics as related to jobs (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/customers/jsemp/jsemp.html).   If you need to get some data on Texas and your area in Texas, this is a good place to get it.  If you are from another state, check with your state government/unemployment office for these figures.

A key indicator of employment trends in Texas is the statement, "The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March remained unchanged at 8.2 percent for the fifth consecutive month, and continues to trend well below the March U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. At more than 12.1 million workers, the Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by nearly 29,000 workers in March." 

The unemployment rate in Texas is significantly lower that the rest of the United States:  8.2 vs. 10.2 (see partial chart below).  It is important to note, however, that for Texas and the US in general, the unemployment rate has risen over the past year by 1.2%, and if you're out there job hunting, you know how much of a challenge finding a job is.

Click image for larger view.

The point of all of the statistical information is to help us all understand state and national trends affecting our job searches.   Yeah, I know, "so what?"  Well, since economics and hiring is based on perception -- either "gut feeling" ("We think we're doing better, so let's hire people.") or by numbers ("These stats show some improvement in economic conditions, so let's hire people."), it is enlightening to know if you have a better chance at getting a new job.   Feeling more confident about success in finding a job will also improve your attitude, and potential employers can pick up your attitude in your correspondence, your phone screens, and definitely in your face-to-face interviews.  Hey, if nothing else, your family and friends will appreciate your better attitude.  Come on, you know you haven't been fun to be around when you are in a nasty state of mind.

"The Labor Market & Career Information Department (LMCI) of the Texas Workforce Commission provides statistics and analyses on the dynamics of the Texas labor market and informational products designed to support informed educational and career decisions. In addition, LMCI provides a wide array of career and occupational information through software programs and printed publications. Visit the LMCI website at http://www.lmci.state.tx.us for additional products and services.  For more information or questions about our data, please contact labor market analysts by phone at 1-866-938-4444, or by email at lmci@twc.state.tx.us."

Contracting: Reality in the Current State of Things

I remember reading some years back that "in the 21st century, many people would be free agents, contractors," but I didn't really believe it.  There are so many reasons for hiring a person, none the least of which is ownership and productivity.  However, after being a contractor for just about a year, I'm not dismissing that as an option anymore.....but then again, I wonder if I can make a living with multiple income streams, some of which involve gardening and woodworking.

I've spent most of this past year in a focused, informed, network-savvy job search.  I've done some presentations at professional groups, had some interviews, even 2nd and 3rd interviews, but no offers.  In the past, I've averaged a couple of calls a week, and on a good week, I would have two interviews with two separate companies.  Not so at the present time.

It's not that I don't like my present contracting situation--it honestly doesn't pay too badly.  It's just that there are no benefits--especially health insurance--and that puts a damper on things. (Disclaimer:  I do not support the socialized medicine that our current administration is pushing.  When a high-ranking Canadian official comes to the US for surgery that he could get "free" in Canada, that says a lot about the highly-touted Canadian system and others like it.)  So, a major concern is health insurance, and if you've had to buy insurance privately, you know why that is an issue.  If you haven't, pray that you never have to, and have an AED nearby when they tell you the rates.


The other thing about contracting is that no matter how involved you get in the business, no matter how great your co-workers are about making you feel at home, you will always be a NON-EMPLOYEE.  I'm not saying that my current contracting company treats me badly; they don't.  It's just that as a contractor, you do not share in any of the "company" things, and there are some issues you have to steer clear of, as no one wants a co-employment issue to crop up. 

Companies like contractors because they aren't as difficult to get rid of (pretty much a phone call will take care of it), and companies want to bring in just the right skills for just the right job.  Of course, that only happens in the bizarro world.  Though a contractor does bring established skills that are useful to a company they contract for, he or she must also get a lay of the land and understand the issues surrounding the work they are contracted to do.   Perhaps some contract positions/temp employees may be able to "drop in" and perform a job adequately, but others need time to assimilate to the work environment, learn what has been done, and understand the political situation to be effective.  

I wonder if when regular employees see contractors filling positions that could be and would be better be served by a regular employee, they may become less engaged (a hot topic these days), as they may be concerned that their position may be given to a contractor or that they are always preparing for the eventual departure of the short-term contractor.

Companies like to tout contracting as being cheaper, but in reality, after the fees by the contracting company (the contractor's employer of record) are taken into account, the cost is about the same.  The only difference is that you have a worker who does not have the same investment in the company's success as a regular employee and who is looking for his or her next contract from almost the start of the job. 

Rebecca Metschke has done it again.....see the article that sparked my comments on contracting.

Are You the Boss of You?

from The Interview Edge by Rebecca Metschke

 

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting piece about the “age of going solo” – working for yourself. While it focused on the ins and outs of how to succeed as a consultant, I was struck by the snapshot of today’s workforce in the article’s setup.

With unemployment stuck on “high” and millions of people in the “long term unemployed” bucket, seismic shifts are taking place in the composition of the workforce.

According to author Richard Greenwald, 20% to 23% of U.S workers are “operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors, or rmicropreneurs.”

Think about that. Close to one quarter of working Americans are employed on a contingent basis.
Goodbye, defined career paths and benefits – hello, project-to-project work.
With the employment picture looking gloomy for literally years to come, contracting may be in your future, too (if you haven’t gotten there already).

I know many folks who were forced out of traditional jobs during the last recession – and quite a few are still working for themselves today.

Contracting/freelancing/consulting isn’t easy, especially if all you’ve ever known is the 9-to-5 world…but it can be rewarding. Many independent employees will tell you they don’t ever want to go back.
Bottom line: given the lackluster employment outlook, you may very well end up being the boss of you, whether or not that’s what you were planning.

The Interview Edge- a comprehensive guide for people who are serious about their careers. Available in instantly downloadable format.

Reasons to Invest in Your Career NOW

Found a new job hunting site that appears to be targeted at new college grads and 20-somethings http://www.careerealism.com.

This site looks like a 2 x 4 across the forehead for a generation that grew up on the relative affluence of the late 1980's and 1990's, but I know that those of us who are out of our 20s need to hear the same message...don't sit around and just answer Internet job openings all day.  According to CNN, there are 6 people seeking work for every job opening.  While I would challenge that 6:1 is true of every career field, it surely is in some, and as those of us actively hunting for a new job, we know it's tough right now; but then again, so is sitting around doing nothing and whining.  Don't let these numbers bum you out; let it be a challenge to meet head on.  Like I was once told, "You're looking for a job and not many openings. Thing is, you only need 1 job."

15 Reasons Professionals (Ages 18-25) MUST Invest in Their Careers NOW

December 10, 2009 by sparktalk   By CAREEREALISM Founder, J.T. O’Donnell

I saw this video on CNNMoney.com of college seniors being interviewed about their future plans after graduation this spring: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/04/n_cmr_class_2010-jobs.cnnmoney/.
YIKES!


Students are on their own when it comes to finding a job – and it’s not pretty. I think the worst part is to see most of them believe the answer is to just stay in school and spend even more money on an advanced degree. I wish they could talk with all the unemployed MBAs out there right now who are knee-deep in loan debt.

Reality-check for College Students & Recent Grads
How you look for work, as well as how you find work you love has changed deeply in the last 20 years. And yet, college teaches you everything EXCEPT how to get the job. That being said, there are two ways you can attempt to learn what you need to in order to take control of your future.
1)   You can try figuring it out for yourself. Unfortunately, most students opt for this, get too busy at school, and end up putting it off until they graduate. They return home, unemployed and hundreds of miles from their campus career center.
2)   You can invest in a program that can help you get organized and focus on the right things to do to identify a career path and land a job. [Note:  This is the site's sales pitch.]

Let’s face it, the latter option is going to help you more and is much faster.

And still, if that doesn’t convince you…
Here are 15 reasons why you should invest in your career early:

• 23%. How much a college education has gone up in the last 10 years.
• 11%. How much the starting salaries of college grads have gone down in the last 10 years. (FYI – In 1985, the average starting salary for a college grad was $40,300. In 2008, the average starting salary was only $39,000 and it continues to drop in this recession.)
• Less than 50%. The number of students who ever see the financial return on their investment in an advanced degree (i.e. Masters, MBA).
• 70M+. The number of Baby Boomers (people in their 50s-60’s) in America who are ‘retirement-ready, but under-funded’ and thus will stay in the job market, holding back the entry of new grads to the workplace.
• 90%+. The number of young people today who plan to go to college because they feel they have to in order to get a job. Most DON’T know why they should go or what they should study!
• $100K+. The minimum you can plan to spend on a college education from top private or state university.
• Less than 30%. The number of students who actually work in a professional setting while they are in high school or college in order to gain professional skills they can use when they graduate.
• 25 years old. The average age before a college grad can finally afford to move out of their parent’s house and live on their own. (They are called Boomerang Kids and K.I.P.P.E.R.S – Kids In Parents Pockets Eating Retirement Savings.)
• 80%+. The percentage of jobs people get by networking. Most people don’t know A) how to create and leverage a network effectively, and B) feel uncomfortable doing it.
• Less than 20%. That’s how many 2009 college grads had jobs when they graduated last year.
• 6:1 ratio. There are 6 job seekers for every job out there right now.
• 18 months. The average time a young person spends in a job in America . The reality is EVERY job is temporary for young professionals.
• 9 careers with an average of 3 jobs in each one. That’s what today’s college grad can expect over the lifetime of their career. Can you imagine looking for a job 27 times!?
• 5 years. The amount of time it’s going to take for us to recoup the jobs we’ve lost from this recession. This does NOT include the additional number of jobs we need for all the college grads in that time.
• 10 years. That’s how long it’s going to take for us to fully recover from this recession: 

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/07/n_cmr_slow_recovery.cnnmoney/.

Career Diversification

Once again, Rebecca covers a topic that is so critical, yet I'll bet that the majority of readers of this blog NEVER think of it. Stated another way, never stop asking yourself what you want to do/be when you grow up. If you do, you may find yourself disgruntled with the jobs that are "available" to you.

Rebecca's line "Nothing about the market is static" is very true and applies to life in general. Nothing stays the same, despite our wish for it to do so, but then, it is also true that "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." ("The more things change, the more they remain the same." Alphonse Karr). Life is in constant change, and as jobs/careers are an important part of life, you can count on them to change; however, if you're like me, you now notice that the changes are predictable and are the same ones you endured at a previous job or from a previous boss. So, things change, and things don't change. :)

Thanks, Rebecca!

______________________________________________________________

October 27, 2009

Career Diversification

The employment landscape is littered with people who’ve allowed their skills sets – and their careers – to become inert. The more competitive the job market, the greater a liability this becomes.  Nothing about the market is static. 

Economies fluctuate. Industries and products alike progress through inevitable stages. External influences – like foreign markets – shift and transform. The one thing you can count on is change.  If you want to succeed professionally, you need to be just as dynamic as the market –and you must avoid tunnel vision. 

Think like a company:  figure out how you can diversify. How can you broaden your reach? How can you break into new markets? How can you extend your brand?

The key is to ensure you’re as marketable as possible. What do you need to do to augment your skills? Is there some sort of project or initiative that would give you good experience and exposure? Volunteer for it.
How might your background and experience apply to another industry? Are there competencies you should pick up that will make you a more attractive candidate should you want to attempt that kind of transition? Who do you need to meet?

Stay on top of trends. Know what’s “hot” and figure out what you need to do to position yourself to get closer to it. Find out what you need to learn…and figure out how to pick up that knowledge or proficiency.
Think ahead and always be looking to broaden your skill set. You’ll be much better positioned to survive during the lean times, and ultimately to thrive.

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

Job Hunting Presentation in Second Life

Just finished a live presentation in Second Life on job hunting and the use of social media in a job hunt.   Was a very fast hour, and had about 16 avatars/people in attendance.  I got some very nice comments on the presentation, and I sincerely hope that everyone will use what they have learned. 

Job hunting is and isn't the same as in "the past."   I talked a lot about the use of electronic media and how to aggregate job listings to save time looking for openings, but as usual, I came back to something that has never changed in job searching since the beginning--- networking.

Despite all of the wonderful tools and electronic gizmos, finding a job comes down to getting in front of a human and selling yourself.  Bottom line.   Electronic networking tools, fancy resumes, hours spent searching job openings will NOT net you a job.   They can only get you in front of another human....and then, the fun begins.

If I were to list what I consider the second most important thing in job searching (behind networking), it would be to practice, practice, practice your 30-2 min commercials (elevator speeches) until you were mumbling them in your sleep.   This is part of being able to interview well, which is where you win or lose a job offer.  If you know who you are and what you have to offer, and you couch it in "sales" terms ("here's what I can do for you"), you'll have a tremendous advantage over 90% of the rest of the population.

Being prepared for an interview is a book in itself, but being emotional prepared will help you even more.   Frankly, if you go into an interview so worried about getting the job that you can't function, you will fulfill your own prophecy.   Now I have been in some tight spots in my time---had no job/income and was interviewing---and those are tough.   I am blessed with not having debt, and that relieves a lot of pressure.  Of course, picturing my family scraping by because I'm out of work adds a tad more pressure.   I have had to learn the hard way that if I really trust that God will take care of me, I will relax in an interview and my thoughts will flow much better.   It's a test, or should I say like a test that we've all had in school (remind your kids of the kinds of tests adults take and the stakes of performing poorly on THOSE tests).   If you are prepared for the test, your stress level is much lower than if you know you're winging it.  Of course there could be a test that asks questions poorly (bad test design) or something you totally forgot, but that's where part 2 of preparedness comes into play---trust God.

No test, no interview is life ending.  Though we don't believe that we'll ever find another job as our last good job, honestly, we will.   I have often counseled job seekers with two words:  patience and persistence.  You must be patient, and you must never give up.   Since I like Star Trek, the analogy I offer is that of the Borg.  For those unfamiliar with Star Trek:  The Next Generation, the Borg are a race of cyborgs who are notorious for taking over and assimilating other races in the galaxy, and they are incredibly persistent.  Nothing seems to phase them...they just keep coming and coming.   Like the Borg, we must all keep pressing on to find the next job, and most of us need to work on our patience while we do that.

Cyborgs and virtual worlds like Second Life aside, the reality is that job hunting will continue to be the bane of our existence, at least until we land that next job. : )

Tales of the Interviewer

So I go on an interview with a well-known company for a contract position, and my contact at the contract company tells me that the job is for 6+ months, and that it could be extended beyond 6 months.  Since this isn't my first rodeo, I take statements like that at zero value.  And man, do I hate being right about something not feeling right.

The interviewers were gracious, professional, and the company is clearly a leader in their field, but when I asked about the length of contract and what happens after the 6 months, and the main interviewer discloses that the contract is only for 4-5 months, backfilling her position while she is away on leave, with no apparent possible employment after the contract period.   I kept my composure and continued on, but homicidal thoughts about my contact at the contract company begin to run through my head.  He'd either lied, misrepresented, or was uninformed about the nature of the contract.   If the interviewer told me the conditions of the contract so easily, you have to wonder why the contracting company didn't ask about/clarify this.

Remember, contracting companies' business models are all about getting bodies into companies and making, say, 25% markup on each person they place at a company.  Many are caring people, I'm sure, but given their business model, you have to figure that they get giddy with excitement at the possibility of getting a contract placement.

My caution to readers is this:   make sure you ask plenty of questions when the contracting company calls (this one pulled my resume off of a large job board), especially regarding the length of the contract, the company where you'll be working and their history with contractors, the possibilities of the contract being extended or cancelled, and your being converted to a full-time employee.

I spent 3-4 hours with this exercise, which, even though the job was not what I was hoping for, provided me another "real-life" practice situation with which to get ready for more interviews.... and another "lesson learned."

Retooling Yourself for the Future

by Rebecca Metschke

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

How marketable are you right now? What will you need to do to make sure you’re still relevant five years from now? 

When the economy is in recession, workers focus on their marketability. They’re either trying to hang on to their jobs or attempting to land new ones. Nobody wants to be deemed redundant, or expendable, or a weak candidate. Those are labels no one can afford to be tagged with. People spend time thinking about how they can shore up weaknesses and increase perceived value.

Unfortunately, though, when the job market finally rights itself, a lot of those same people will just as suddenly put thoughts about how to stay relevant on the back burner. And that will be a mistake.

Even when the economy begins expanding again, we’re still going to be looking at a dynamic job market. Remember back just a few short years ago when the market was red hot? People were still facing layoffs. Companies were still merging – or outsourcing – or streamlining operations – resulting in head count reductions. Of course jobs weren’t being lost at the pace they are now, but the point is…you’d better make sure you’re marketable.  

If you don’t keep up with the pace of change, you will always be vulnerable. (Emphasis mine.)

Your skill set needs to be broad and relevant. You need to be sure you’re making a meaningful contribution to the organization. You need to identify future trends early and understand what you need to do to adapt and thrive. 

This will require initiative on your part. Nobody’s going to do this for you; it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re as marketable as possible.

How Many Hours a Day Do YOU Search for Jobs?

Ok, for those who are totally out of work (no pay at all), I hope you wind up feeling like I do:  "I have to get a job soon, because this job of hunting for a job is killing me.  I spend 10-14 hours a day working on this job!"

I admit a become a bit maniacal when searching for a job, especially if I'm out of work.  Don't know about you, but the unemployment check isn't really cutting it.  I am very fortunate to be working a contract position 40 hours per week at the moment, but am very much looking forward to my next "full time" gig.   

I guess I'm easily shocked, but there are people in serious financial straights that I've met who spend the absolute "minimum" time looking for work.   I have heard of those who've spent a couple of hours in the mid-morning "looking for a job" by scanning the Internet job boards, maybe sending in a couple of resumes, then calling it a day.   The kicker:  some get angry that they aren't finding jobs.

A real job search campaign (yes, like, as in "marketing campaign") is a more than full time job.  A "day in the life" should look something like this:   up at the regular work time, eat and get dressed for work, begin making contacts (by phone, email, IM, etc....phone is best if you can't meet them in person), set up and go out on informational interviews, hit a networking group (just a couple each week), each lunch with a contact, do more of the same in the afternoon until 5pm, then, after dinner, scour the Internet job listings and apply for those that are possibilities (I use Google Reader to pull the job listings applicable to one location via RSS) and do some research on your targeted companies and look for contacts.   After sleeping my needed hours, get up and do it all over again.

Yes, it makes for a busy day, but I am making contacts, networking, researching, and generally busier than I would be at a "real" job.    Note the amount and time of day you should spent Internet job hunting---evenings after work hours for maybe a couple of hours.  My use of the RSS subscription and Google Reader helps me to lessen this time considerably.

I have had people tell me that this schedule is crazy, that that is "a lot of hours," and ask "why don't you relax some?"  Usually those comments come from people fully employed. : )

The truth is, you can burn yourself out while job hunting, but, I would venture to say that it's not the case with most job seekers.  Most probably fit the pattern of the few-hour job search on the Internet, followed by hours of frustration and anger because "no one is calling."  

By the grace and care of God, my last few job searches, using this kind of schedule, were 67, 35, and 14 days (even though I am currently in a contract job, the pay is about the same).   It isn't that I've earned this by working the plan outlined above; it's that I was faithfully doing what I know to do and allowing God to do His work.   I can't take credit for any of that.   I do believe, however, that if we put forth little or wasted effort on the wrong things in a job search, a) God will not bless our laziness and 2) even an atheist has no hope of getting a job by that puny of an effort.

Organizing your job search, spending your time working at the job of searching for a job full time, and doing the right things are the keys to shortening your search.  Need motivation?  Keep a picture of your spouse and children nearby.  You know you don't want to be lazy for their sakes, even if you don't care about yourself.

This one just speaks to me right now....

Now, I'm not in a panic yet, but I'm starting to feel a little like a teenager without a date to the prom that is next week or the last kid to be picked for a team....I may not agree with every word below, but they are pretty dead on in this article.  I'd one a #12...Take it all to God in serious prayer.

12 ways to stave off job-hunting desperation

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/career/?p=669   April 1st, 2009   Author: Toni Bowers 

It´s not unrealistic to feel panicked and fearful when you´re unemployed in the present market, but panic and fear may be keeping you from landing another job. Here are tips on how to overcome those feelings and put your best foot forward.
------------ --------- --------- ---------
Mark Jaffe is an executive search firm president who was identified in 2008 as one of the "World´s 100 Most Influential Headhunters" by BusinessWeek.

According to Jaffe, "Nothing is more attractive to a potential employer than the heady aroma of desperation. Hardly a day goes by without employers asking me for candidates who are radiating pure terror." Of course, he´s being facetious, but he makes the point that if you want to land that next job, you have to lose the air of desperation.
Here are 12 tips from Jaffe on how to keep your calm in a tough job market:

1. Try to stay calm. Take a deep breath and relax. Hyperventilating is never pretty, particularly during an interview. Prospective employers want Jason Bourne - not Jason Alexander. Show them you´re capable, confident, and cool. No sobbing. 

2. It´s not you, it´s the economy.. Please, please remember that what´s happening is a reflection of the overall economy; it´s not a commentary on your specific qualifications. Sometimes stuff just happens, and we all get stuffed in the process. Don´t take it personally. 

3. Revitalize, don´t reinvent. Why is "reinvent" even a word? Companies need the experience and accomplishments you've earned over time. Leave the instant makeovers for people who have something to hide. Leverage what you already have instead of focusing on what you fear you may lack. 

4. Your money´s no good here. When times get tough, the tough get pitched a bunch of crap. If someone offers to craft you a "killer resume," put you in touch with the "hidden job market," or coach you to become a newer, more marketable you, keep your wallet in its holster. Whether they´re asking for $3,000 or $300, it´s overpriced. Don´t take candy from strangers, either. 

5. Seduction trumps selling. Your next boss wants to be enamored, not assaulted. In business as in love, infatuation rarely results from a hard sell or a soft shoe routine. By all means, explain but resist the urge to exclaim. Let people reach their own conclusions about just how "world class" an employee you are. 

6. Be realistic. Naked ambition is a great thing, especially on reality TV, but baby steps may be more effective in this business climate. Besides, starting at the top is overrated. Set your goals at achievable levels. 

7. Give yourself some time. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Listening too closely to your inner "job clock" can get you wound way too tightly. Yes, time is of the essence - there´s not a moment to waste - but most people underestimate how long it will take to find the right gig. Pace yourself and spare the whip. 

8. Work your network, but gently. Chances are you already know the person who will put you on the path to your next salary. Your network is a precious resource and should be treated as such. Now is the time to use it...but gently. Ask for a reference, not a job. When you don´t put your friends on the spot, they´re more inclined to think about ways to help you. 

9. Choose wisely. If Smokey Robinson was recording "Shop Around" today, he´d probably say: "Try to get yourself a bargain, son. Don´t be sold on the very first one. Pretty jobs come a dime a dozen. Try to find one that´s gonna give you true lovin´." Or something like that. Smokey knows about love and work. Whenever possible, be reluctant to jump into a temporary fix. As things improve, you´ll be defined - at least in part - by the compromises you made. 

10. This too shall pass. Despite what you see on the cable networks, we are not living in the End of Days. Yes, it´s miserable out there - worse than most of us have ever seen - but at some point it will just be a bad memory. Sooner than you or anyone at CNBC thinks. 

11. Don´t put your faith in recruiters. Seriously. We are not the answer to your prayers. Most of us never even answer our phones. 

12. Take another deep breath. Admit it, you´re all tensed up again. Deep breath, cleansing breath. And...exhale. Once more, and exhale. 

Toni Bowers is the Head Blogs Editor of TechRepublic (www.techrepublic.com). She has been in the publishing industry for 20 years, with concentration in IT-related topics. She has edited newsletters, books, and web sites pertaining to software, IT career, and IT management issues.

New Directions

I began a contract for a large company today that seems to be a very good fit for me (and I seem to be a good fit for the company's skill needs).  I am very optimistic and look forward to a good run at the company.    I'm new to contracting, so I am still holding my breath, as I figure that contracting is one way companies might "try before they buy," and given the state of the economy as reported by the news media, my contract might be shorter than we originally agreed on.    

I have had 3-4 year engagements in full-time employment with several companies over the past 10-15 years, and in each case, it almost seemed like my length of employment was project driven, as I was usually released after completing a major project(s).  I have heard of people working a contract position for as long as 3-4 years.

Since there is no employment that can be guaranteed---not from unions, a job in government,working for big corporations, etc.---why do we think of contracting as "temporary employment?"  All employment is, in effect, temporary.  Not many people are planning to retire from a single company and receive the gold watch (may the reader please forgive me if they are indeed planning this---you are in a dwindling minority).

Perhaps in days gone by, companies would develop young, raw talent into the employees they needed.  My experience has been to the contrary.  Talent is acquired/bought on the open market for specific functions and to secure workers with very specific experience.   Not that this offends me; labor/talent is a product in every way, and companies should be free to secure the most cost-effective solution for the business needs.

It is a major paradigm shift for most people to think of their talent and experiences as "products" that can be bought and sold.  If you consider than no employment is permanent (usually stated somewhere on the paperwork HR has you sign when hired), then the shift to a string of jobs/positions for hire won't upset you so much and will free you to take on short contract work (3, 6, 9 12 months or longer).  After all, you're signing on to give them your talent for a specific rate of pay, and you probably don't give them any guarantee that you'll be waiting for that gold watch at retirement.  Your "gold watch" may come in the form of a very portable 401k, which, managed correctly, is a much sweeter deal that even the best gold Rolex.

Below is the info dump from "Pounding Pavement" from my old Xanga blog on job hunting, 2005-2006.
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Sunday, September 03, 2006

Currently Reading: Life@Work: Marketplace Success for People of Faith Can't say enough good things about this book and the effect it can have on your outlook toward work.


Wednesday, July 19, 2006

How Do You Know It's Time to Leave Your Job
Alright, let's face it...when we're having a bad day at work, we think that the grass may be a little greener somewhere else. How many of you want to admit that you've fallen for that lie? You might think your boss is psycho (and he or she may be), and you think that it can't get any worse, until you jump over to the seemingly greener grass, and BAM! son of psycho is picknicing on that green grass! Everyone has different levels of tolerance for the daily BS so many of us have to put up with. Discounting employers asking us outright to do something immoral and/or illegal, how do you reach the point of deciding "IT'S TIME!"? I would say that emotion should have very little to do with it. If you're angry, upset, been spit upon, etc., of course you want revenge ("I'll show him/her what life will be like without me!) Almost sounds like you want to break off a teenage romance. Some real world factors to consider: have I reached a dead end in this company, either through my abilities (and you're not looking to get more training) or through something stupid I did one day or because my boss is really toxic? All are legitimate concerns, but even combined, you may not be ready to move. One thing I constantly remind myself, "A bad day at work is better than a good day in the unemployment line." It has more than once stopped me from reacting emotionally to a situation at work.No, there has to be more to a job move that just getting fed up. We need to consider if we've hit the ceiling regarding opportunity; we need to be ready to move on if our company, the SS Titanic is ready to tank after the next lost contract; we need to be ready if the boss or anyone else in the company is creeping you out as you walk through the cube farm, admiring the "way you walk." These are some valid reasons---along with getting an offer of a promotion and more money somewhere else (you'll want to really check the "greener grass" offer especially then). One company president I know says every Friday upon leaving, "I quit." Of course he doesn't mean that, I'm sure (?), but everyone feels like pulling the ejection lever now and then. When any of the above issues are a daily issue, or when you can bearly pull yourself out of bed to go to work, stop and try to logically assess the situation to see if it is permanent with no hope of change, or if it is a company growth spurt or downturn that you can weather. Most importantly for me, ask the Lord is NOW is the time to leave. If you're not on His timetable, you may well be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.


Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Long Absence
Sorry about the long absence. I have a quick tip for job hunters who have difficulty networking--- register yourself at www.linkedin.com. You'll need an invitation to join this free service, but you can search for people you know on this networking service, and it'll help you get names and contact numbers of decision makers in companies you're looking to work for......do exercise good common sense in posting your contact information; we all know that there are crazies out there.


Friday, December 09, 2005

Alright....I've been lax on getting here. Since the kidney stone popped out, I've been going full steam at work, trying to catch up 2 years of no training person in a few months. Yep, I'm pushing a little too much. One job resource I can highly recommend for DFW residents is the "Internet Job Search: A Quick Guide to Career Websites" by Julie Holister (Julie.Hollister@twc.state.tx.us) of the Texas Workforce Commission. Julie also has a large Internet job search guide that's well worth anyone downloading (free) from the TWC website.


Monday, August 15, 2005

Currently ReadingCreative New Employee Orientation Programs: Best Practices, Creative Ideas, and Activities for Energizing Your Orientation Program By Doris M. Sims see related
I'm on the acceleration ramp, almost back up to full speed after the weeks o fun from the kidney stone. Brief words of advice for those working and especially for those who haven't looked for a job in a while--take the time to help others looking for work. Take their calls, do short informational interviews with them, share your contacts and resources. Not only can you positively affect another person's life, but the day may come when you will be "looking" again. Yes, it takes extra effort, but the personal satisfaction of helping someone else, as well as the networking you're doing will be worth it. And...as some of you know, the person you help today may be your interviewer or new boss tomorrow!
Friday, August 12, 2005

Ok, ok, so I'm going to have to put the newsletter off until September...got the main article ready, but need some time to do research.I'm happy to say that I'm kidney-stone free, care of God, as we prayed this weekend for it to pass naturally. Wasn't looking forward to the pain, risks, and costs of getting it removed. For whatever it's worth--when you are between jobs, look into "bridge insurance." We did. It was available for either 3 or 6 months and was non-renewable. Cheaper than COBRA for us, and it has helped some in this current situation, since my new job has a 90 waiting period before you are on insurance. I think Murphy watches for those who have a little gap in their insurance (being between jobs) then hits them hard....it could have been worse though: I could have been unemployed and without insurance! I'm just about back in the saddle, so look out--I have 30 days of pent-up creativity to release!


Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Some may be wondering if I gave up the newsletter as well....nope. Again, the kidney stone thing has me beat into submission. I'll get one out this month....but late. Something I never can understand is when people are looking for work and act like they have all the time in the world. I offer to help anyone who is interested (not that I'm an expert; it's just that I have a lot of job-hunting battle wounds), and when people say, "Sure, I'll send you my resume," or "Do you mind if I send my friend your way?" and I never get the resume or an email, I wonder what that person is doing in their job search. Call me crazy, but if I had someone recommend that I contact someone who might be able to help me get a job faster, I'd be all over it (indeed, I've done this, and it paid off handsomely). Maybe I'm making an incorrect assumption: people want to find a job. Now, I know this may not sound real nice, but like all of mankind that came before me, I'm going to dink the "youth" for a moment. Is it my imagination or are a lot young adults (ages 15ish to 30) in America a tad bit LAZY? (my apologies to those who are disciplined and focused) Seems like they don't try too hard to find work, and the ones I've worked with don't put too much effort in when they are at work. I've read that it has to do with their being Gen Y or Millenials, but let's face it, no matter how you stack it up, not doing your job---for whatever reason---will get you fired. Imagine that! People really do expect you to put in at least 100% today.How does this relate to job hunting? Easy. If you are in that group of young adults, your demeanor, your work history, your values (or lack thereof), etc. will say volumes about you. I've interviewed about a zillion people in my time, and I could tell almost every time the minute I saw them if I would hire them (of course there are exceptions). Call it what you want, but that first impression of confidence, class, and professional attire makes me want to hire someone. Coming in late, having various body piercings and tattoos "strategically placed," and acting like you don't really care makes me want to help you....out of the door. For the young adults who say that piercings and tats are "self expression," I say, "Sure, that's your choice, but as a potential employer, I too can express myself and not hire you." Ok, so I spent a day in a Temp agency office and saw about 40 applicants for temp jobs. America is in serious trouble folks.


Saturday, July 30, 2005

Some may be wondering if I've given up this blog thing; no way. Just seems that I must have needed a rest, as I've been in fierce combat with a kidney stone for about 4 weeks, with the kidney stone usually winning the battle. Miss being able to write.It's always fun to miss several days of work within your first 90 days of work. Fortunately, I have an understanding boss who is flexible and allows me to work from home a couple of days (especially since I have no vacation time). So if you're reading this Kevin, thanks!I haven't been on my computer at home much, saving my energy for work, sleep, and medicines. I'm officially tired of the stone now, and hopefully, it'll pass real soon, or it's going to be snatched out in the next week or two.


Monday, July 04, 2005

Happy Independence Day!If you're unemployed, you may be tempted to say, "What is there to be happy about? I'm going broke!" Ok, so you don't have a job, and today is another day of unemployment. But should you torture yourself (and your family) today because you are currently unemployed or have to go to a job you hate again tomorrow? What if you're employed by the end of this week? Won't you feel silly for acting like the world will come to an end today?It's tough being unemployed, and, if you're like me, your every thought is...."When am I going to get a job? Will it be today?" You know no one's going to call you today (ok, there may be someone out there who would, but most wouldn't think of it), so why not take care of yourself and your family and relax your stomach and intestines for 24 hours? Let yourself relax, swim, eat homemade ice cream, play a game with your kids, etc. so that you'll be all the sharper tomorrow. If you let the stress build inside of you, it will come out during phone calls and interviews as impatience. You need to maintain your confident-sounding you to expedite getting that next job. Enjoy today!


Friday, July 01, 2005

I've worked around HR types for many years and am frequently associated with HR (though I vigorously fight to disassociate myself with HR). How many of you, uh, HATE HR? My guess is quite a few. Why? My inspiration for this entry was a few jobs I posted on a website that I work on for a professional association, and I could tell that at least one of them was written by an HR person---it included PC language, stated competencies required, knowledge required, and "specialized knowledge" required. Personally, I think any trainer worth his or her salt should have all of that knowledge. An HR person wouldn't necessarily know that. I find that many HR folks genuinely care about people and want to do a good job, but they are usually so disconnected from the business issues and needs that they operate in a vacuum. My present employer is just the opposite: he's involved in the business issues, he knows what the business goals of the company are and works to align everything we do with them. He has, as HR types like to call it, "a seat at the table." He gets it. Unfortunately, he's unusual.It's just my opinion, mind you, but most HR types seem somewhat liberal and are worried more about political correctness than business performance, and hence, they console each other at association meetings by whining about not having a "place at the table."What this translates to you and me as job seekers is that HR people are the last people you really want to talk to (unless you are looking for an HR job!), as they won't know what it is you do. I've had HR folks interview me that I knew didn't really have a clue about training. If you have to explain requirements to them, it's not a good sign. BUT, you have to play the game. If you have to interview with HR, go in there and impress the socks off of them in any way you can, as many of them are the gatekeepers to the decision makers you really want to see. Of course, in the meantime, be working to find roads around HR to talk to the boss. I've seen it happen that a person talks with the boss, impresses them, and gets the job. I've also seen HR people whine about getting left out of the loop, saying that the managers don't know who's best for the job the manager is hiring for. While there is a shred of truth to that, in general, well-trained managers know what to look for and what works in their department, not HR.One more note on the job description I saw tonight. An interesting line in the job description came under the "Core Competencies" section....it read "Professional, calm presence." Am I the only one whose bs-o-meter goes off? Sounds to me like they need someone who can endure a lot of garbage and remain "professional" (ie., will not kill the jerk of a boss they'll have to work with). Of course, the other clue that this isn't something I'd want to pursue is the line that reads, "Willingness and availability to consistently work long hours." Translation: we're going to reduce you to a pile of smoldering ashes shortly after you start with us, so get your affairs in order and kiss your family goodbye.


Wednesday, June 22, 2005

I have a business acquaintance who emailed me today with great news.....after months of searching, she got a job with a large, well-known company 5 minutes from her house, with a nice increase in pay and responsibility!That's the happy ending of the story. When I talked to her 4 months ago, she wasn't so optimistic about her job, as she hadn't done a lot of networking and searching (as she was working at a bummer of a job at the time), and she wanted to get out of the place very badly. It seemed like a distant dream to her, but within 4 months, she found everything she was looking for in a job: a lot of responsibility, a solid company, much better pay, and challenge.This entry is to serve as a reminder to all of us that patience and persistence pays off. If you are reading this because you are searching for a job and maybe feel hopeless in finding that next job, I can't stress enough: faith, hope, patience, and persistence.It's tough to do a job search while you're working, but it's essential that you work hard at finding a way out of the job you want to get out of. Congrats Liz!


Saturday, June 18, 2005

Saw that Congress was considering raising the retirement age to 69 the other day....said that since we can reasonably expect to live until 80, people should work longer (wonder if any of the Congressmen or women will?).That's somewhat good news for older job seekers, especially as the number of available workers is getting smaller with baby boomer retirement (2010 being a big labor crisis year). You'll be in demand, and maybe you won't have to feel that "if I'm not in a secure job by age 50, I'm out of luck." I'm thinking that the youth culture will have to adapt somewhat.


Thursday, June 09, 2005

Folks, I just have to share a "job hunting advice" article that I came across this week on one of the job-hunting email lists I'm on. This was offered as serious "advice," and while I list it here in its entirety, I'm not listing the bibliographical info, in order to protect the guilty. If you really want to know where I got it, email me, and I'll send you the URL. You read it, then I'll let you know what I really think:Why are so many people unemployed?We are now in a time when all theories and beliefs are being tested. We are in a society that strives to achieve the highest level of financial gain, independence and security. So then, why are so many people unemployed, still searching for themselves, and feeling lost?I have the answer: Changes in society, the universe and our environment. This is why we seek gratification and the desire for security in life is even greater now than five years ago. We have seen the fall of government leaders, empires and religions. There must be some other way to obtain a secure and independent life on this planet.My solution -- follow your inner guide. If you feel a positive urge to move in a direction or career that will give you the creative and financial freedom you desire, do it. Too many people sit around and do nothing. Life is too short to do nothing. It is time to do something. Live the life you were meant to live. Take control of your destiny now.It was all I could do to keep myself from either bursting out in laughter or in vomit. I'll be honest and tell you that I haven't seen such drivel since I taught freshman comp as a graduate student in English. Ok, here goes...I have a few questions for this person (along with my comments):When hasn't there not been a time in history that "all theories and beliefs are being tested?" This tells me the writer has to be under 35, because if he'd lived in the 60's as I did (albeit as a child), he would have seen some serious testing of beliefs and theories.What society isn't striving for "financial gain, independence, and security?" Maybe a really "loser" society somewhere. 'Nuf said."So then, why are so many people unemployed, still searching for themselves, and feeling lost?" Just the other day on the radio, I heard that the latest US unemployment figures are at 5.5% unemployment---what world is he living in? Europe is still at 10-12%, and the rest of the world is much worse. As for the "searching for themselves and feeling lost," I know that it's a spiritual problem that won't be solved by a high powered job and big bucks (ask Solomon in Ecclesiastes---a man who really had it all!)"I have the answer:" Uhoh, run for your lives! My "bs-o-meter" has gone to red!"Changes in society, the universe and our environment. This is why we seek gratification and the desire for security in life is even greater now than five years ago. We have seen the fall of government leaders, empires and religions" First, who in the heck is he talking about---Change is always going on. The more things change, the more they remain the same (an old French proverb). Not sure what he's basing his statements on, and he doesn't tell us. What governments, leaders, empires, and religions is he talking about? Mustn't have grown up in the Cold War era; that's when nuclear annihilation was a real Sword of Damocles hanging over the entire world.....but back then, at least the evil empire was in tact. Maybe he longs for those "good old days.""There must be some other way to obtain a secure and independent life on this planet" I've addressed this one---it's a spiritual issue. Solomon answered it just fine. Oh, and by the way, an "independent life" is a fallacy---we are all dependent on each other."My solution -- follow your inner guide" Ok, at this point, I almost fell out of my chair! The same people he said "feel lost" and are "searching for themselves" are now supposed to follow their "inner guide?" Heck, their "inner guide" is as lost as they are! There is no inner guide!"If you feel a positive urge to move in a direction or career that will give you the creative and financial freedom you desire, do it. Too many people sit around and do nothing. Life is too short to do nothing. It is time to do something." We're now reduced to following urges? This is his solution to lost and confused people? They are to go out and "do something?""Live the life you were meant to live. Take control of your destiny now." Hey, if the fantasy people you are talking about could "live the life they were meant to live," they'd be doing it!Ok, I've gone on too long on this, but it amazes me that someone would pass this off as serious career advice. If I didn't know any better, I'd think is was from a spoof site. Actually, this guy has a Darth Vader complex. He certainly has the same fatalistic mentality as Vader. Unfortunately, if he follows his "inner guide," he'll wind up as Vader did.We can only hope.


Tuesday, June 07, 2005

I had a friend, who is a business owner, send me comments on my last Pounding Pavement newsletter that I want to share:"I do want to remind you, however, that some of us are EMPLOYERS. Additionally, most are what the government calls "small businesses". When I interview a prospect, I am VERY aware of how much I can pay them, regardless of what they think their VALUE is worth. In other words, the EMPLOYER's assessment and impressions are extrememly important, but so is the market-driven bases for salaries and compensation. WE are people too! :) (I hope you know I'm only half serious! )He shares his perspective that as a "small business," there is only so much salary that they can afford, and of course, he's right. You have to decide how much you think you can negotiate and not push a potential employer too hard. I had one position at a government job for a few years that had a set range that had been approved by a board of directors, and nothing would change that. I went in knowing the range, and like everyone, I hoped I'd get the top end (incidentally, my boss offered $1000 over the stated range). If you interview with a large company, they MAY be more flexible, or they may not. You'll have to learn negotiation and "discovery" savvy to find out how flexible they are.I think that my business-owning friend's comments take on a deeper meaning as you read his continued comments below:Some trends I have noticed in prospect employees are:1) too self-confident, cocky, arrogant and totally lacking in humility2) no experience to butress their misguided false confidence3) "what can YOU do for ME?" attitude; it should be the other way around!4) terrible (if not dispicable) dress code and attire (oh, man, where'd he buy THAT shirt? :)5) poorly written resume (taint ben no'whar nor lernt much, but I dun red a heep)6) lack of real understanding of the industry in which they are interviewingHow very insightful! I don't think I've gone into the Gen X and Gen Y issues on this blog, but that is partly what is driving what he's experienced. First, to Gen X & Y folks (and if you're wondering, I sit on the fence between Baby Boomer and Gen X): the "old" folks aren't all wet. You have to understand that their values of dedication and humility isn't all bad, nor has it harmed most of them....and too, they still sign the checks. As an old roofer friend of mine once said, "When you sign the checks, we'll do it your way."Also, no accounting for differences in generations allows for rudeness and arrogance, and this is what I suspect he's seen. Hey, get this: doesn't matter how great you think yo are, the world doesn't owe you a living, and employers aren't knocking at your door to hire you. Yes, sure, some people make $40-60k right out of college, but that is a small number of people, usually in a field like Occupational therapy. Most of us (yep, I worked in places that they said, "What, you have a Master's degree? You shouldn't be working here!"), have to work at "nothing" jobs to pay bills, feed a family, etc. Just because you think you're special doesn't make it so. Regardless of your generation, you'll still have to "play the game" (I know it's a game---I've been on so many interviews that after a while, it's almost funny how predicatble interviewers are), and that includes dressing professional, being humble (but confident), selling yourself, having a killer resume, etc.I had the "world owes me a living disease" years ago, and the world stepped right up to slap me into reality. I knew a college student who told me that he was graduating, and that he figured his degree was worth about $30k (this was around 1990). My roofer friend and I were sitting there as he said this (rather arrogantly), and we looked at eat other and busted out laughing. We both had learned that the world doesn't care about what you think you are, but what you can do for them---that's what you are selling in an interview!Dad, if you're reading this, I often quote a line I remember you told me during my "after college education period," "Education only provides you an opportunity at success, not a guarantee." Hey cocky job seekers---better learn humility before the world hands you your pride on a chopping block.


Sunday, June 05, 2005

I've had a friend whom I've helped with her resume and job search, and she told me I ought to be a job search coach....nice idea, but unemployed folks aren't generally looking to part with any money.Very late, very tired....I'll be doing some posting this week.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Currently Reading: Living on the Ragged Edge, Chuck Swindoll. This book is a clear-cut explanation of what causes mid-life crises and how to overcome/prevent them. I highly recommend it. few years ago, I was helping a friend with his job search. What was unique about his experience was that not only was he out of work and had financial pressures, but he was also having a full-blown mid-life crisis. ob hunting is tough enough by itself, but struggling with the "what am I going to do with my life that really matters" at the same time is a really a double whammy. Put a mid-life crisis together with a job hunt in a field that now requires qualifications my friend didn't have (a completed college degree), and you've got the makings of festivale of misery.I'm addressing men here primarily, as women seem to have missed out on this struggle in life (though menopause doesn't sound like fun trade off to me). Gentlemen, our culture has stressed our business or professional success to the point that we "are" what we do. Think about this: when meeting new people at a party, one of the first things you're asked after your name is "What kind of work do you do?" This question can create a lot of anxiety in those who don't feel good about what they do or believe the lie that your business/professional success defines who you are. If you're out of a job when you're asked this, you may feel especially depressed (you shouldn't anymore...most people have lost their jobs in today's employment market or knows someone who has). Because we've (the baby-boomers and early Gen X'ers) been raised with the mentality that you are what you do, and your worth is measured by how "important" your work is, we are ripe for debilitating mid-life crises that, even if we are successful by world standards and respected in our fields, and we are in a career we love, can devastate us.Some job hunting tips for males in the "over 40" crowd (includes me!):1) Realize you aren't what you do2) Realize that the only constant in the universe is change, and this is especially true of careers these days3) Realize that God is in control, despite our academic degrees, our experience, and all of our networking contacts4) Realize that life is more, much more, than business/professional success. To paraphrase DCTalk, I've never heard anyone on their death bed say that they should have spent more time on their portfolio.In the book I'm reading right now, Swindoll discusses the biblical book of Ecclesiastes in which King Solomon, though the richest, wisest, most-babe accessible man who ever lived, tells of his discontentment with life despite having everything the marketing folks tell us we should have to make us happy. At "mid-life," Solomon realized just how stupid he'd been and how empty all his pursuits of happiness had left him.When he finally came to his senses, he realized that inner joy and direction in life doesn't come from external stuff, but from a living, inner relationship with the living God. Nothing in this life will ever fulfill us (despite the obvious temporary enjoyment of earthly pleasure); we're just not made that way. If we get caught up in the American "success religion," we may find ourselves empty, even if we are gainfully employed.


Sunday, May 22, 2005

This is a little off the subject of job searching, but somewhat related. Tomorrow morning, I start my new job, and I actually am a little nervous. Sure, the newness of the job makes me a little nervous (Can I do the job well? Will they like me? etc.etc.). You know the feeling.Like I've told some others, unemployment wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the lack of money coming in. I've been busy doing work on the house I've been needing to do (almost killing me, as it's been in the 90's here the last few days, with high humidity), and the freedom is nice. Of course, without income, you don't even get to keep your house.As for starting a new job, it is stressful. I've taught people about change and how to manage their feelings in the midst of change. Even "good" change is stressful. The example I've given is getting married. Usually, when people get married, it's because they want to marry the person they are marrying...right? Then why are people so nervous---brides faint, grooms get loaded the night before (and probably have their first fight as a married couple on the wedding night!). As human beings, we like predictability. Going to the same job every day for a zillion years is predictable, regardless of how much we complain. Going to a new job is nerve-wracking, as we don't know what to expect, but we hope it is better than jobs we've held before....and usually the new job is. Once we get comfortable in our new job, we feel that life is predictable again, however, this is an illusion as well. Life is anything but predictable, and even when it's "steady," it's only a matter of time before something changes. This isn't evil necessarily; it's the way the world was set up. Hey, we even have four seasons (in most places ---and we get bored with them if they last anymore than a few months. God just built things to change, as that is appealing to our nature, despite how predictable we say we'd like life to be.If you'd like to receive the "Pounding Pavement" monthly newsletter, please drop me an email (see the menu on the left), and I'll put you on the list. It has articles on job-hunting subjects as well as links to more resources--most of which aren't on the blog. Make sure to put "Pounding Pavement" in the subject line. Thanks.


Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Found some other job-hunting blogs that may be helpful:QuintCareers www.quintcareers.com (Blogs below listed on QuintCareers, with their commentary.)Job Stuff, A Blog for Your Career, from Stephen Harris. http://jobstuff.blogdrive.com/ Stephen's blog is a great resource for those job-seekers who find yourselves in transition, searching for guidance and reassurance.The Occupational Adventure Blog, from Curt Rosengren, a Passion Catalyst. http://curtrosengren.typepad.com/occupationaladventure/ Curt's blog is great for finding encouraging ideas (and resources) for moving forward with your career... a career that lights your fire.Blue Sky Resumes Blog, from career expert Louise Fletcher, a general career and job-search blog that covers all aspects of the job-hunt. http://www.blueskyresumes.com/weblog/occupationaladventure/ Career Transition Discussion, a blog that deals with the issue of mid-career change... for job-seekers 40+. http://drbamstersblog.squarespace.com/ TTFN


Monday, May 16, 2005

Been on a brief vacation---working on rebuilding a section of the underhang on the roof of my house for the last 5 days....I've got to get back to work; this not working is killing me! I thought I would share a section of an email that I sent to a friend about his current job search. The email is to a Christian friend, so some may think it "too religious" for them, but it is where I live, and it reflects my experience in life.Here it is:Your situation reminds me of mine when I had just left vocational ministry---had to put food on the table and had the education but not the experience I needed to land the job I wanted. Basically, I was a new college graduate, but was 33 years old and had a family. I spent 3 years as an assistant restaurant manager, and I'm sure that the sign I saw over the door of the restaurants I worked at said, "Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here." Not sure which circle of Dante's hell I was in, but it wasn't pleasant.The only thing I know to say in the way of encouragement is something you already know and said at the end of your last email..."Looking for God's best." It is not easy (at least for me) to always remember that God is always teaching us; we want what we want right now (Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now!). Though I hated my restaurant experience for the most part and would not want to repeat it, God took care of us throughout that time. Of course, I was given to think, "Is this going to be my life? Am I going to be working 60+ hours a week on my feet and be exhausted whenever I'm home the rest of my life?" I did get some valuable work experience during those 3 years, believe it or not, and I did whatever I could to include training and writing (what I really wanted to do) in my work. I created newsletters and led a group of supervisory employees to improve operations. Regional managers above me noticed and asked me to do other things. I also developed some management skills and philosophy at that time. What I did was try to gain practical, resume-worthy experience in jobs that I thought had nothing to do with my future goals. It kept me going and helped me to see that there could be light at the end of the tunnel (and that it wasn't a train coming at me). Some days, though, I thought I was banished to the salt mines. I look at the experience now, and I think that Paul, who was educated and respected as a Pharisee, spent 3 years in the desert being prepared for his ministry, and I think of Moses, who must have had a hard head like mine, as he spent 40 years herding sheep in preparation for his ministry.All of this to encourage you by telling you that in my limited experience in life, God is always working on us, even when we are sure that he’s abandoned us to die. He hasn’t. Of course, we are usually the ones to abandon Him first.


Wednesday, May 11, 2005

One thing about finding a new job---you have to know where to look. Like many people, my most recent job search started with about 4 or 5 areas I was interested in, and I thought I could be happy in any one of those: training, writing, tech writing, OD, performance consulting, etc. There's nothing wrong with multiple interests; in fact, employers today are looking for people who can multi-task, and this is especially true in the training and development field. However, your job search must be specific, or you may hit what you're aiming at---nothing.Picture a twisted game of put the shotgun bbs on the side of the barn. Stand there with loaded shotgun, blindfolded, and have some fool spin you around and say, "Ok, now shoot the barn" (no doubt as they are hitting the ground). What are your odds of hitting the barn? The target is large, but if you've been spun 360 degrees, are dizzy, and have no spatial orientation towards the target, I give you, at best, a one in four chance--even with the expanding pattern of bbs from the shotgun shell. You have a big target, ample weapon, but no direction. You improve your odds of hitting the target if you move, but you will not hit the target in the same place if you move (I don't think you could hit the exact same place if you had no blindfold and could shoot directly at the target).All of this to say, when you start your job search, it's a good idea to have an idea of where you are heading. Only you can know where you want to go, and you must be specific about where you want to go. I love fishing, but I've noticed that fish are particular about the types of food they eat, so I wouldn't expect to catch speckled trout in the Gulf of Mexico with a fly.My own journey during this job hunt led me to discover that while I liked doing several things, there are a few things that get me up in the morning excited to go to work---that's right, I said "excited." But I didn't discover what things specifically get me excited at this point in life or in my career until I had spent some time soul searching, submitting resumes, and interviewing. I only turned down one interview, because I knew that I didn't want that job even if offered. There was one job that, when I was in the top two candidates and told I wasn't selected, I was actually relieved! While I could have done the job well and would have, it would not have inspired me like the one I'm going to and the direction I'm going into in my career.So many times, we "fall into" a job/career, and because the paycheck is comfortable, we tolerate mediocrity. Any wonder why studies say that as much as 70% of Americans hate the job they go to every day?


Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Here's an article anyone planning to be working for the next few years may want to read...it's about blogs and job searching!!

"Job Seekers and Recruiters Pay More Attention to Blogs" By Kris Maher, the Wall Street Journal Online at http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/usingnet/20041005-maher.html?jobhunting_whatsnew


Someone asked me today, "So are you going to tell us how you found out about the position or did they find you from your networking efforts?"
The story is, I think, interesting.
I post the job openings on the Dallas ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) website at http://www.dallasastd.org. I received this job to post about 6 weeks ago, and I posted it. Of course, 3 seconds after it was up on the website, I replied to the ad, placed by a local recruiter who does a fair amount of placement for my new employer. She called the next morning, we talked on the phone, then I drove to her office to meet her at 4:30 that day. After talking with her and determing that the company and opportunity was excellent and that she believed I could be successful at the company, she set me up to meet with a couple of people at the company, one of which is now my boss. The meeting went well, and I was cautiously optimistic. For almost a month, I heard nothing.

I had tried to leave messages or emails for the recruiter, but heard nothing, and I figured that the job was already filled. Then on 4/25 around 8:30am, the recruiter called and asked me if I was still interested in the position, as the company had hired another candidate, but the candidate passed on the job just before the time he was to report for work. The company had asked her to find out if I were still interested. I said YES. I had been very attracted to this company and their way of operating (very TQM and "Demingesque") and the position is a mix of training, organizational development, and performance consulting. It was an opportunity to do more of what I really like doing---consulting, solving problems, and in general helping people to better their lives and work performance.

I was invited to meet with the head executive of the facility, and we got along well. I was hooked. That Friday, last Friday, I went in for them to offer me the job. I gladly accepted.
We do not know how things will work out. I very nearly was hired early on when I contacted a person I hadn't spoken with in a few years whose business card felt out of my day timer when I was looking for other information. My suggestion is to leave no stone unturned in your job search, and by all means, learn how to help others and network.

And for added fun, today I received a call to interview with an employer I had not had contact with before and was offered a very lucrative contract from a contracting company, as well as being passed over for a second contract because of my new job starting in a couple of weeks. It was really cool.


Monday, May 09, 2005

Friday I accepted a full-time position as a Training Supervisor (training and organizational development) at a local company. I'm set to start on Monday, May 23.

My new position is a mix of training and OD, and is more of where I am headed career-wise. The company is solid-—experiencing 20% growth each year for the last four years. The position has a performance bonus, pays for professional association dues, has tuition reimbursement that's pretty nice, and long term, has room to grow. As an added goodie, it is only 20 miles from my house (drove 34 miles one way in my last position).

The Lord has not only taken care of our financial needs. Except for about four days out of the last 67 (from date of layoff announcement (3/1/05) to the accepted offer of the new job (5/6/05)), I have had a peace in my soul like I have never had during a job search before---my family has been quite glad for that.

It was very gratifying and encouraging to have as much activity as I had—-15 phone interviews, 12 face-to-face interviews, 5 second or third interviews, 2 possible contract jobs, and only 4 outright “rejections” (and there were also some people who just didn’t call back ). I tallied at least 300 contacts in the past 67 days (3/1-5/6), though I know that the actual number was somewhat higher.

I am sure that the activity helped me keep positive, but I credit the Lord with keeping my spirits up throughout this time. “To God be the glory, great things He has done.”

And yes, the newsletter and blog will continue....I feel that there is so much good information to share about job hunting that I've been blessed with and that many people have not had the opportunity to assimilate.

Scott


Thursday, May 05, 2005

Well folks, tomorrow I go in to a potential employer for what is being termed an "offer visit." This employer (and I can't blame them for this) wants to make an offer to me in person, according to the recruiter that has been working with me on this job.

It is with a good company that is growing (20% each year for the last 4 years while the economy was tanking) with leadership that openly exhibit the management philosophy that I embrace---total quality management, in the tradition of W. Edwards Deming, Juran (Six Sigma), and a kaizen mindset. Of all of the opportunities that I've interviewed for or researched, this one has intrigued me all along.

I will post with the outcome of the meeting tomorrow, and if they offer like the recruiter has recommended, I will be hard put to turn them down.

Incidently, I received 5 job contacts TODAY---2 interview setups, two "updates" and I can't remember the other at the moment. Unbelieveable. I figure there'll be all kinds of calls the minute I accept the position discussed above.


Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Scratch that soft landing! And now, thoughts on contracting and contracting companies....
I know several people who either are doing or have done contracting, and some really like it---good money, freedom, ongoing change. Sounds good, especially for someone like me who is "in transition."

I was so close to starting a contract in the morning for a really great client, but I backed out at the last minute. The reason? The contracting company. I read what the contract included that I would have to sign before I would be sent out on the job, and frankly, they would own me for at least a year. I was told by my consultant that if I had other contacts in the company outside of what they had, and that person wanted to offer me a permanent position, I would have to go through them even if the person was not someone they knew or was a job they had sourced. He said that regardless of the situation, because they had submitted my resume to the company first (I had given it to some contacts within the company after his submission 6 weeks ago--there hadn't been any activity for as many weeks), I had to go through them to accept a permanent job. He stated that his company had a contract with the client company, and therefore all agents of the client had to honor their contract with his company, even if they knew nothing of the contract or that I had been submitted to another division of the company independently.

Now I believe that people should get paid for their work. However, why do people expect to be paid for placing someone in a job that they didn't know about with a person they don't know just because they are in the same company? I'm sure it's my lack of understanding of how things are done, but speaking as a jobseeker, I don't care about contracts between large companies---I want to get employed. If I do all the work to source a contact and job opening, I don't see why a contracting company feels they should collect a $3000-10,000 fee because they had submitted me to the company first. They argue that their submission is why the company knows about me; I say, if I have contacts that you don't know and get submitted for a job about which you don't know, you should get the amount of money in proportion to the effort you put in on that job--- $0.

If that wasn't enough to scare me, the contracting company representative asked me if my resume was at another company that they have as a client. Of course it was, as I've developed a couple of contacts inside that company that has submitted me for different jobs. I don't always know what jobs my contacts submit me for (though usually they tell me), but they are acting for my benefit as a result of our relationship---not a non-existant relationship with a contracting company. Now I was getting scared---heck, they could say they submitted me anywhere I had contacts and obligate me to work through them or pay their fee (since the company would refuse).

Then there was their contract. My representative was more than hesitant to share the contract with me, and once he did, I and my wife found several statements in the contract that were, in our opinion, too binding to warrant the risk of winding up on the wrong side of the contracting company.

I called him before the final papers were to be signed, and told him the deal was off, that I think I've learned that I don't want to do contracting. Oh yeah, he was unimpressed.

There may be those of you reading this who have worked happily on contracts without a hitch. More power to ya! I thought it would be a great idea too (the money was exceptional and I would have my foot in the door of a major corporation's training department), but my suspicion of the workings of the business world held me back. I didn't want to add another degree to my education from that institution of higher learning lovingly called "Screw U." (thanks to Robert Ringer). I'll probably see how naive I've been some time in the future, but better to have walked away from a possible opportunity than to have walked toward a courtroom with an ulcer.


Friday, April 29, 2005

Well, had a soft-landing today! I start a contract next week to develop training for a larger retailer. It's a 6-8 week contract, and the money's good, but of course the search goes on. I'm very thankful for the contract. It not only affords me the opportunity to make money, but it puts me in touch with a company that has other openings.

What these past 8 weeks have taught me is that while I can do instructional design, technical training, and a host of other related things, I am what I have been becoming for the last few years--- a performance consultant/OD professional. I have enjoyed analyzing business processes and practices, researching and creating solutions, and training (where necessary). I enjoy helping others learn and grow in their careers and helping managers do a better job, enabling their success and the success of their companies.

I'm sure there's more education to be had, but for now, I have to get into a stable position before pursuing that. I have a good deal of work experience, and that apparently (according to one recruiter) serves me well. Speaking of that recruiter.....a recruiter approached me with an OD Analyst position, and after talking with him about the position and the compensation, I think that his call, during a time when I was pretty low emotionally, was arranged by God to not only encourage me, but to help me focus better on what I need to be doing. With respect to the recruiter's opportunity, well, it's way out of town, and while we like it here, the job and $$$ and benefits are making us reexamine our thoughts. Yeah, it's THAT good!

Guess what I'm getting at in all of this is that we all need to really examine ourselves for what we really want to do in life. For those in Christ, seek God first, and He will direct where you should be, consistent with your natural talents and gifts. Sometimes, it takes time and adversity to force you to seriously think about where you want to be working, but then, who wants to have to force him or herself to get out of the bed in the morning to a "job" versus a career. Finished reading "Never Eat Alone," by Keith Ferrazzi, and he quoted someone that said, in effect, that if you are doing what you really love to do in your job, it won't feel like you're working. I've been there before, and I hope this next time, I'll be there again.


Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Well, heck, just got another rejection. Now some may want to try to cheer me up by saying, "it's not a rejection," but that's what I call it. I don't believe it's a rejection of me personally, just of my skills. It's business, nothing personal.
A manager has to make the decision he or she feels is best for their business, and while I wouldn't always agree with their decisions (of course), they are made because they believe that "going with the other candidate" is a better business decision. Hey, if they hire the wrong person, it reflects directly on them and perhaps could cause them problems with their own job. I don't blame them.

One thing I've learned is that you have to have an effective plan of job hunting that you continue to execute up to the very minute you accept an offer from a company. To do otherwise is to set yourself up for a longer-than-necessary job hunt. And who, in their right mind, wants that?
One thing that is taking place---I'm narrowing the field of types of jobs that I want to seek, and that's good news. The bad news is, I'm wondering how I can get the job I want! Dare I say that there IS one job I'm still waiting to hear about that would nearly match what I am looking for?
The process of job hunting isn't just about getting $$$; it's also about finding a job in which you'll be happy, one that you feel is doing what you think is important. Of course, as money gets tighter, we all start to compromise, and maybe that's why 70% of people go to work every day truly disliking (or even hating) their jobs.



I'm one for a good rollercoaster ride every now and then, but I really could skip the job-hunting emotional rollercoaster (for those who don't go near rollercoasters, remember being in that elevator that dropped 20 floors and how it affected your stomach? Yeah, that's the feeling.).
I've been more steady this job hunt, as in the past, my emotional rollercoaster was so bad that it could almost make me literally sick. Still, when the phone doesn't ring all day, when there isn't a single job-related email, when you feel like screaming and are sure no one would come to see what the commotion is all about, I still experience the ups & downs. As I've said in my newsletter, it reminds me of my teen years and dating. If a girl showed interest in me, I was on top of the world and invinceable! If she ignored me or told me to get lost, I was the hopeless, misunderstood, not-of-this-world artist. And the emotions could be extreme at either end, depending on the day or if a storm had knocked out the phones.

All of this to say that even with a solid spiritual foundation in Christ, I still experience some of the emotions as I did before, however, not nearly as often and not nearly as intense. When I feel myself sliding down after a rejection or going toward euphoria over a phone call, I try to remind myself that God is in control, and yes, I know I am perfectly capable of doing that job, and the interviewer knew it!


Monday, April 25, 2005

Will it be THIS week?
Sunday night, and like every job hunter, I'm sitting here thinking, "Will it happen this week?" When I was waiting for the company to call this past week, I'd play this game of "Will I be employed this time tomorrow?" with myself. It can be pure agony. And then, if you're really fortunate, a nice recruiter will call and tell you that, despite how great and qualified you are, the company is going with someone else. Yuck.

One thing none of us understand is why the process takes so long. I've come to realize that if I were applying for a job at a fast food restaurant to work the fryer, chances are the interview process would be short, and I might get hired on the spot. As we progress up the food chain in corporations, the time from interview to offer gets proportionally longer. Right now, it looks like 4-6 weeks minimum for me as a training and development professional. 4-6 WEEKS! Don't these people know I need a job NOW! Of course they don't, or if they do, they aren't keep away at night by the fact. The unfortunate truth is that employers do not work on the same schedule as we do. We all know this intuitively, and for those of us who've interviewed and hired people, we know how the best intentions of making an offer to someone by a certain date can be sandbagged by more pressing business concerns.

What's frustrating for employers is that after spending time interviewing once, twice, or thrice, the length of the process may cause them to lose a good candidate. While you must check out people thoroughly (especially for management and executive positions), those people aren't sitting by the phone hoping and waiting that you call---at least not this person. I'm no wallflower; I'm busy working to find another dance partner.

I got the information from the unemployment people this week, and interestingly, they only require three (3) job-seeking contacts a week. These contacts can be email, filling out an application, visiting a job-seeking help group, phone calls, answering ads, etc. Now call me crazy, but I try for 3 contacts an hour! First, who'd want to live on unemployment (a max of $1330 or so per month in Texas up to $8000+ for the entire period) and second, if you make only 3 contacts a week, you're going to be looking for a job for a very long time. That's not my plan! Job hunting business is hard work for me.


Friday, April 22, 2005

Well, the wait is over! The company didn't get back to me to tell me that I'd been passed over for the training manager job, but instead, another person from the company called and brought me in right away for a face-to-face interview this week (that's how I found out!). Not a bad trade though---position B is a definite step up the training ladder, and my perspective boss seems firmly planted in reality.

There was another employer from whom I received a "thank you but no thank you email," but I don't believe it yet (emailed them for confirmation), as I received the exact same email before, and they called me to interview me the very same day....go figure.
One thing I've learned is that when you apply to large corporations, the left hand frequently doesn't know what the right hand is doing, and it makes you wonder about the corporation......but then, recruiters and HR people have their own issues.

Something else I've begun doing (I know that this is standard job-hunting wisdom but was too nervous to ever do it) is "interviewing" a prospective employer. I ask them pointed questions about themselves, their philosophies, and business goals. I let them know that I want to get a good feel for the company and those I'd be working with or for. ALWAYS REMEMBER: interviewing is a two-way street! Just because you need a job, don't jump at the first one that comes along, unless you've carefully thought about the job, the company, your boss, and the people you'll work with. If you don't, you could find yourself miserable in a hurry. Sure, it's hard to do, especially when you're unemployed. However, remember that in order to do your best work, you must be happy at your job. Statistics say that something like 70% of people go to a job they do not like (or hate) every day. Why not be different? It's fun!


Friday, April 15, 2005

Waiting still for word from employer mentioned in my last post. I think it was Tom Petty who sang, "the waiting is the hardest part," and boy, was he right! Most Americans aren't good "waiters" by nature, though I will say that being a Christian has certainly helped me in this.
What I don't understand is how an employer will take up to 6 weeks (my current frontrunner) to decide that they want to hire you. I've been in the position of interviewing and hiring people many times before, and when I interview them, I give them a time frame of about 2 or maybe 3 weeks. For hourly folks, the time is much shorter.

The problem with taking 6 weeks to hire someone who is not at the CEO level is that if they are actively looking for employment and are a good candidate, chances are that someone else is going to make them an offer first. I heard just such a story yesterday from an IT executive who had been waiting 6 weeks for this same company to get through the interview process. He told me that he had an interview last Friday with another company, talked to the higher ups on Monday or Tuesday, and got a job offer on Wednesday to start the following Monday. Oh, by the way, the company that took 6 weeks to get around to offering this guy a job finally made an offer on the same day! Because of other factors, he took the job where the interview process was less than a week, but company A could have had him in his job with them if they had only acted sooner.

What's the bottom line? Employers/Interviewers: If you find a good candidate who fits your needs and that person is available, hire them. I've only heard the line once during my last 6 weeks of job searching, "We have your resume but are collecting resumes until [date 4 weeks from present]." Odds are, my job search will be over in 4 weeks (I know, I'm being optimistic). At the very least, I won't have sat around waiting to see if you'd call.


Wednesday, April 13, 2005

NEWS FLASH! As I write this, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for a company to call me with a job offer. It would be a great position to get, and there are two of us left, so the hiring manager has to make a decision, and I was told by the company recruiter that 1) I was a top candidate, and 2) the decision would be made on Tuesday or Wednesday (today). Yesterday, someone from the company called me and asked me to call the criminal background check company. No, I don't have anything to worry about there, but apparently they need your date of birth in order to run the background check.

And now, a word about recruiters....
As we all know, corporate recruiters are part of the job hunting process in America. I've found most of them (ok, maybe 51%) to be competent, caring people who are jazzed up about the company they work for and want you to get jazzed up as well. Unfortunately, without firsthand knowledge of the jobs and skills required for the jobs for which they are recruiting, they have difficulties connecting with qualified candidates.

Just today, I spoke with a recruiter from a large, well-known company, who, in my estimation, ought to be out selling used cars. He spoke incredibly fast (on a phone interview/screen), and apparently knew little about the training profession, nor did he listen to me.

I couldn't catch everything he said about the position because he was such a "fast talker," and since it wasn't your standard trainer or training manager position, I couldn't figure out exactly what the position was (but it sounded very interesting!). After this, he reviewed my resume----or should I say he had me recite my resume to him. I actually asked him at some point, "Do you have a copy of my resume?" He said he did, but he wanted to hear me explain the items more. That seems like a fair question, unless you take into account his question of "What websites have you designed?"---which were listed on the resume by URL.

When we discussed training and development topics, I would explain how I had handled different situations he asked about, then he would ask the same question again, almost verbatim. I was a little stunned, and I tried to answer the question in a more animated way, but basically with the same content. I think he thought he got more information out of me, but he really didn't. I got the feeling he was waiting to hear buzz words, because he especially mentioned "blended learning," a big buzzword in training right now---blended learning = using different kinds of instructional methods to help people learn (nothing new about that).
Oh well, I will have to revisit this subject soon. It's dinner time.


Monday, April 11, 2005

The doldrums. At least that's what it feels like. You'd never know that I have 5 possible jobs---having had face-to-face interviews with each of them. There is something that eats at me to get really depressed, and I don't know what that is.I have 3 face-to-face interviews this week alone, with one of them being a 3rd interview (training demo). Yet, there is an underlying feeling of dread, a feeling of being on the edge of hopelessness. Now if I had not had interviews, no call backs, no phone interviews, I could be really depressed! Yet, what is this aching feeling in my gut? Is it my patience running out? Is it my severance running out? I have had much more activity in my job search than any job search ever before, and it has been very gratifying. Of course, the last time I was "in transition," it was August of 2001, an ugly time in the US for jobseekers. And God provided a miracle even then, getting me my most recent job in 35 days!Maybe now, I'm wanting to hear an offer coming from someone, anyone, just to know that someone actually wants me. It's kind of like being a salesperson and wanting a buyer. I've gotten the appointments, make the pitch, came back to discuss the product more, but no one has yet to say, "I'd like one of those." Perhaps this week. I am doing all that all of the outplacement people say to do and am learning networking from a couple of masters--the results are up to God. Hope you all have a good week.


Saturday, April 09, 2005

One of the things that really bugs me about the job hunting game is the way that candidates are treated like raw meat. This week, for example, I was waiting to hear from a company after doing a second face-to-face interview for a training manager position, only to see the job posted anew on the company's website this Thursday. Guess they passed on me...who knows?Now, I realize that I'm nobody to them, and that they see lots of candidates, but isn't it a bit tacky not to notify those waiting on word from them before posting the position up on the job board again? This did not leave me with a good feeling for this company, and like in most professions, the world is a small place---what do I tell the folks I know in the profession when they ask if I have received feedback from this company? Won't be flattering words I'll have for the company. And companies wonder whatever happened to loyalty from employees? Yeah, right...almost feel like one of the monkeys in the CareerBuilder.com™ commercial.


Thursday, April 07, 2005

Currently Reading Never Eat Alone : And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a TimeBy KEITH FERRAZZI, TAHL RAZ

Like I have time for this!
That's what I thought about blogging, and that's what a lot of us will say about contemporary career planning/job hunting.

I've thought about blogging for some time, but there's never enough time, and what the heck would I have to say that anyone would care about? Well, I have begun a job search (as of today, I am still "in transition") and since I've accumulated a lot of info on searching for a job in the US today, I thought I'd share the triumphs and tragedies of the process.
This isn't just a log of my experiences in job hunting---that would be too boring. No, this is, like everything I do, an attempt to help others. Finding a job today is a brutal process, and for those who've been secure in a job for a while (an old timer is now someone with 5+ years tenure), it is difficult to get started in a process that is essentially a marketing campaign where YOU are the product.

My goal is to share my experiences, my unfortunately multiple experiences at job hunting, and the accumulated information I've been gathering for at least 12 years now on how to find, apply for, interview for, and get a job. If you think this process is easy and that I'm being dramatic, you're in for a rude awakening.