Well, I'm back into the job search. Officially. Again. Ugh!
Okay, I'm done with that. Now, where is my list of business cards? It's time to reach out and touch again. I'll be going through my address book, through my LinkedIn contacts, and will start twittering again, too.
So, if you're reading this, let me know what you would like to know about this search. Suggest things. Ask things. Let me know what you think about the things that are written here.
Because, here I go again!!
Showing posts with label Job search. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job search. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
What are the personal needs during a job search and how do we acknowledge those?
Ok, I'm still on this subject, but I promise, I'll change soon!
Most of us attend networking groups, training, volunteer work or some other social event related to our job searches. But do you ever wonder "Is there anyone out there who thinks like me?" or "How does everyone survive this?". The existing events are good within their purposes, but where do you go to discuss yourself rather than your search?
When I listen to others at these events there seem to be many individuals who say the same things. "I'm tired of reading about tips to have the perfect resume" or "80% of postings on job boards are bogus so what do I do?". In other words, there is a lot of legitimate frustration out there among us. But I've never come across anything organized where we can discuss and deal with these things.
I would like to know how everyone takes care of themselves during this phase of their career search. Are there any sort of support groups out there where members actually discuss their personal issues as those relate to the job search?
Where do you go, or how do you express yourself when you are different from what the newspaper says you should be doing? I am tired of having to read some "tip" about how to find a job. How do you acknowledge and accomodate the ups and downs of the job search so that you can do all the other things necessary?
Most of us attend networking groups, training, volunteer work or some other social event related to our job searches. But do you ever wonder "Is there anyone out there who thinks like me?" or "How does everyone survive this?". The existing events are good within their purposes, but where do you go to discuss yourself rather than your search?
When I listen to others at these events there seem to be many individuals who say the same things. "I'm tired of reading about tips to have the perfect resume" or "80% of postings on job boards are bogus so what do I do?". In other words, there is a lot of legitimate frustration out there among us. But I've never come across anything organized where we can discuss and deal with these things.
I would like to know how everyone takes care of themselves during this phase of their career search. Are there any sort of support groups out there where members actually discuss their personal issues as those relate to the job search?
Where do you go, or how do you express yourself when you are different from what the newspaper says you should be doing? I am tired of having to read some "tip" about how to find a job. How do you acknowledge and accomodate the ups and downs of the job search so that you can do all the other things necessary?
Am I alone or are there others like me?
Let’s continue with this thought. I’ve mentioned it before. Am I the only person like me? Does anybody else think like I think about being unemployed?
Sometimes it seems like there is a secret society of unemployed people who are searching for jobs – for that next, elusive career. How can I say that? There are network groups, job boards, news articles galore!! There’s nothing secret about Michigan’s unemployment levels.
Ok, tell me this. Where can I go to talk with another person about our “down days”? We all (I presume – since there’s no place to actually go to talk about it) go through cycles where we’re gung ho at our searches and then we drop through the floor and can’t bear to do another thing. Does that mean we’re depressed and need a shrink? Or are we normal?
What about duration? Some of us have been out of work for months and years. We do all the “right things” like apply to jobs, go to networking sessions, volunteer and take classes. But we’re still unemployed!! Are we just losers? Are we not doing it the best way? Or are there really just no opportunities? What?
I could go on with more, but basically, is there anyone else out there like me? Actually, yes!! There are discussions in LinkedIn where people write “Thank you!” because there is something out there to show that we think and we feel!
So the next question should be, what do we do to make this better?
Sometimes it seems like there is a secret society of unemployed people who are searching for jobs – for that next, elusive career. How can I say that? There are network groups, job boards, news articles galore!! There’s nothing secret about Michigan’s unemployment levels.
Ok, tell me this. Where can I go to talk with another person about our “down days”? We all (I presume – since there’s no place to actually go to talk about it) go through cycles where we’re gung ho at our searches and then we drop through the floor and can’t bear to do another thing. Does that mean we’re depressed and need a shrink? Or are we normal?
What about duration? Some of us have been out of work for months and years. We do all the “right things” like apply to jobs, go to networking sessions, volunteer and take classes. But we’re still unemployed!! Are we just losers? Are we not doing it the best way? Or are there really just no opportunities? What?
I could go on with more, but basically, is there anyone else out there like me? Actually, yes!! There are discussions in LinkedIn where people write “Thank you!” because there is something out there to show that we think and we feel!
So the next question should be, what do we do to make this better?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
What did you learn?
Am I the only person like me? Does anybody else think like I think about being unemployed? Has anyone else learned anything because of being unemployed?
I don't mean did you learn how to write a resume or to use linkedin, or are you angry about being unemployed. I mean, DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING?
What are you doing? We can't all be sitting here behind our computers and still be sane! How do you balance your life? Where do you get your joy? Where do you give back to your community?
What? I want you to think about giving back? How can we do that? We aren't bringing anything in. Well, other than food stamps and unemployment, I mean.... Yes! How do you give back?
I have a blog. It's www.kathywalton.blogspot.com. It's where I have been writing down what I think.
I think that there should be a column in the weekly edition of Freep that is like my blog. Personally, I'm really tired of reading all these "tips" on how to find a job or write a resume or increase my network. Good grief! We've been unemployed forever. I want to see something that is written by someone like me. How are we surviving, keeping our sanity and our humor?
So, Freep Editor, read my stuff, call me, tell me you want to hear more from me. Not just because I think it's a great idea, but because there are others like me out there and we need to know that each other exists, that we think similiarly, that we deal with our own problems, and that we still manage to give back, to smile, and to keep our sanity.
This is how I think we can give back.
I don't mean did you learn how to write a resume or to use linkedin, or are you angry about being unemployed. I mean, DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING?
What are you doing? We can't all be sitting here behind our computers and still be sane! How do you balance your life? Where do you get your joy? Where do you give back to your community?
What? I want you to think about giving back? How can we do that? We aren't bringing anything in. Well, other than food stamps and unemployment, I mean.... Yes! How do you give back?
I have a blog. It's www.kathywalton.blogspot.com. It's where I have been writing down what I think.
I think that there should be a column in the weekly edition of Freep that is like my blog. Personally, I'm really tired of reading all these "tips" on how to find a job or write a resume or increase my network. Good grief! We've been unemployed forever. I want to see something that is written by someone like me. How are we surviving, keeping our sanity and our humor?
So, Freep Editor, read my stuff, call me, tell me you want to hear more from me. Not just because I think it's a great idea, but because there are others like me out there and we need to know that each other exists, that we think similiarly, that we deal with our own problems, and that we still manage to give back, to smile, and to keep our sanity.
This is how I think we can give back.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
What day is it today?
This morning when I woke up my first thought was "What day is today?". We are still in the midst of the Christmas and New Years holidays so in addition to not having a job to go to on a regular basis, everyone has been home at one time or another when they wouldn't usually be home. That can really mess with your sleepy perceptions!!
I've been reading a book by Robin Roberts during the last few days. Usually it's only a very few pages at a time, but she has some very interesting thoughts. It's almost like she's trying to push you forward with her words, she was able to express herself so well.
So, let's change the perception of the question "What day is today" from being just a day of the week into "What can I accomplish today?". Just think, what if I could wake up every day and think af the upcoming hours as an opportunity with the same enthusiasm as Robin expresses in her words.
I would like to work in the non-profit sector. I would like to work somewhere where I know why I am working there, and why is that good. I would like to write a newspaper column from the job seeker perspective, very similar to this blog. Tomorrow when I wake up I want to think "What day is it today? Oh yeah, it's the day I get to work on what I want to do."
I've been reading a book by Robin Roberts during the last few days. Usually it's only a very few pages at a time, but she has some very interesting thoughts. It's almost like she's trying to push you forward with her words, she was able to express herself so well.
So, let's change the perception of the question "What day is today" from being just a day of the week into "What can I accomplish today?". Just think, what if I could wake up every day and think af the upcoming hours as an opportunity with the same enthusiasm as Robin expresses in her words.
I would like to work in the non-profit sector. I would like to work somewhere where I know why I am working there, and why is that good. I would like to write a newspaper column from the job seeker perspective, very similar to this blog. Tomorrow when I wake up I want to think "What day is it today? Oh yeah, it's the day I get to work on what I want to do."
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What are the worthwhile risks to take in our career searches? Do we really have nothing to lose by taking a risk?
What are the worthwhile risks to take in our career searches? Do we really have nothing to lose by taking a risk?
In this job search there has been a theme that surrounds the concept of “I have nothing to lose by doing ______ in my search for new career opportunity”. Is that true?
Job seekers, I would like to know how you are proceeding in your searches, and employers, how do you perceive imagination landing at your office door? What are we doing that works for both roles in meeting and interviewing, and what doesn't?
I am a career seeker and have been so for more than a year. One thing that I am learning as part of this experience is that you have to consider things that you wouldn't have considered a few months ago.
What would you do to get noticed by that hiring manager? There are stories of sending someone a shoe with a resume in it to symbolize getting your foot in the door. Or sending a coffee cup with an invitation to meet. Personally, I sit about 15 feet from the office door of the HR manager at the organization where I volunteer and would like to work. How much can I do without becoming a pest rather than an opportunity? How do you get invited for that interview and get offered that job that you want - and can succeed at - without transitioning into a stalker?
Do we really have nothing to lose by going out on that limb? What have you done to find a job that might fall in the "I've got nothing to lose, so I'm going to be BOLD and really go for that job!" category.
We all know about resumes and cover letters. What are the worthwhile risks to take in our career searches?
In this job search there has been a theme that surrounds the concept of “I have nothing to lose by doing ______ in my search for new career opportunity”. Is that true?
Job seekers, I would like to know how you are proceeding in your searches, and employers, how do you perceive imagination landing at your office door? What are we doing that works for both roles in meeting and interviewing, and what doesn't?
I am a career seeker and have been so for more than a year. One thing that I am learning as part of this experience is that you have to consider things that you wouldn't have considered a few months ago.
What would you do to get noticed by that hiring manager? There are stories of sending someone a shoe with a resume in it to symbolize getting your foot in the door. Or sending a coffee cup with an invitation to meet. Personally, I sit about 15 feet from the office door of the HR manager at the organization where I volunteer and would like to work. How much can I do without becoming a pest rather than an opportunity? How do you get invited for that interview and get offered that job that you want - and can succeed at - without transitioning into a stalker?
Do we really have nothing to lose by going out on that limb? What have you done to find a job that might fall in the "I've got nothing to lose, so I'm going to be BOLD and really go for that job!" category.
We all know about resumes and cover letters. What are the worthwhile risks to take in our career searches?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Office Workspaces
How often to you take time to sit back and look at the space where you spend so many hours of your day? In this particular case I am referring to your office or where ever you do your job hunting. My space has just progressed again!
You see, I have a desk downstairs in the family room, right at the bottom of the stairs. Ugh. But if it is moved anywhere else it takes away from family space and there is little enough of that already. During the years when I worked at home the desk was under the one window that is down here so I could see out under the deck (oh boy!) and I could see this one little bit of sky.
Yesterday I went to the craft store and got 16" of bright red vinal, just like you would think of in an old 50's diner. It is now wrapped around a board and has some holiday lights attached to the back side and is hung up on the wall behind the desk. You see, I'm trying to find some fun brightness down here around my work space, and to have a place to stick things with tape, or just post-it notes.
Above the red piece are 3 pictures. The one closest to the red is a pinkish-red sunset type pictues of palm trees. Stuck on that frame are some glass flamingos that I got in Florida when I was a kid, and a much newer flamingo, and pictures of a couple kids, and prints of my brain (yes, I have proof that I have one thanks to an MRI). Above that are 2 other pictures of nice, calm beach scenes. 2 more flamingos are gracing my book shelves. Those are filled with job search materials and records, college stuff for the kids as well as study books for myself, and with dozens of slide carousels that need to be scanned and saved electronically.
What is the point of all this conversation? You need to make your own work place into something that you don't mind spending time at. My place changes with my moods and I suspect it will continue to change as long as I need it to. In the midst of making it into something that you like, it has to be functional. Almost everything is within reach. And when I need a brain break all I need to do is sit back and look at the scenery above the desk.
Now if I could just figure out how to block the noise from upstairs.... Maybe that will happen when the next mood strikes!!
You see, I have a desk downstairs in the family room, right at the bottom of the stairs. Ugh. But if it is moved anywhere else it takes away from family space and there is little enough of that already. During the years when I worked at home the desk was under the one window that is down here so I could see out under the deck (oh boy!) and I could see this one little bit of sky.
Yesterday I went to the craft store and got 16" of bright red vinal, just like you would think of in an old 50's diner. It is now wrapped around a board and has some holiday lights attached to the back side and is hung up on the wall behind the desk. You see, I'm trying to find some fun brightness down here around my work space, and to have a place to stick things with tape, or just post-it notes.
Above the red piece are 3 pictures. The one closest to the red is a pinkish-red sunset type pictues of palm trees. Stuck on that frame are some glass flamingos that I got in Florida when I was a kid, and a much newer flamingo, and pictures of a couple kids, and prints of my brain (yes, I have proof that I have one thanks to an MRI). Above that are 2 other pictures of nice, calm beach scenes. 2 more flamingos are gracing my book shelves. Those are filled with job search materials and records, college stuff for the kids as well as study books for myself, and with dozens of slide carousels that need to be scanned and saved electronically.
What is the point of all this conversation? You need to make your own work place into something that you don't mind spending time at. My place changes with my moods and I suspect it will continue to change as long as I need it to. In the midst of making it into something that you like, it has to be functional. Almost everything is within reach. And when I need a brain break all I need to do is sit back and look at the scenery above the desk.
Now if I could just figure out how to block the noise from upstairs.... Maybe that will happen when the next mood strikes!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Reducing risk and increasing the comfort level to our potential employers during our search for employment.
While browsing through blogs today (http://imagefoundry.blogspot.com/I saw this topic. "How can I lower the risk my customers feel when deciding whether or not to buy from me?"
What a relevant question!! It suggests several things that we need to consider and respond to in our own job search.
Personally, I have been passed over for consideration because the company considered non-local resources to be a flight risk. What other situations have you considered, and what are your mitigation plans?
What a relevant question!! It suggests several things that we need to consider and respond to in our own job search.
- What items/circumstances about me would a potential employer consider to be a risk if they want to consider hiring me?
- How can I mitigate that risk and make it more "comfortable" for the employer?
- What will my response be if a potential employer addresses this risk with me?
Personally, I have been passed over for consideration because the company considered non-local resources to be a flight risk. What other situations have you considered, and what are your mitigation plans?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Passion in the Job Search
In this job hunt we always seem to hear that we need to find the job for which we have a passion. For example, if your passion is to bake cupcakes and feed your friends, maybe you should look into opening a bakery.
What if it's really the opposite? What if my passion regarding the "right" job doesn't fit this model?
My passion is to love the job I have. I should like going to work almost as much as I like going away from work. Within that I can do all sorts of things! I could be entirely happy baking cupcakes as long as it supports my family and the people are nice. I could thoroughly enjoy being a project manager and putting in new infrastructure because I like to see that something that I am responsible for is completed successfully. I could love being a farmer or cowboy (cowgirl?) because it always smells so good outside and I think horses are magnificant.
So do I really have to define a passion and then find a job to meet that, or can I be passionate that I find a job that I really like doing, whatever the definition of that is?
I think I can.
What if it's really the opposite? What if my passion regarding the "right" job doesn't fit this model?
My passion is to love the job I have. I should like going to work almost as much as I like going away from work. Within that I can do all sorts of things! I could be entirely happy baking cupcakes as long as it supports my family and the people are nice. I could thoroughly enjoy being a project manager and putting in new infrastructure because I like to see that something that I am responsible for is completed successfully. I could love being a farmer or cowboy (cowgirl?) because it always smells so good outside and I think horses are magnificant.
So do I really have to define a passion and then find a job to meet that, or can I be passionate that I find a job that I really like doing, whatever the definition of that is?
I think I can.
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