I knew I was in trouble when the thought of folding two baskets of clean laundry was appealing.
This morning I woke up still upbeat from yesterday. After driving my daughter to school, I sat at the computer (Are you sick of this phrase yet?) to work on my resume. Today it was the chronological version, verses the functional one that gave me so much trouble over the past few weeks (which finally made the cut with the outplacement counselor I am happy to say). All that effort paid off though, because after shaking up the functional document and executing a little cutting and pasting, by about 8:30 a.m. the new format was complete.
That was OK because there is another assignment due this week—a document that identifies my areas of expertise, though not in a resume format. When networking, I’m told, sometimes a formal resume is a bit too—well, formal. This piece is developed to create dialogue, not necessarily job offers. It may serve to open doors to people who will open doors to people who may get me to the job offer place. So, when the resume was done, I started on that. This document too was a cut and paste from the functional resume, so my first pass was complete by 9:15, at which time I contemplated this blog, came up dry and started pacing.
Thankfully, a friend called looking for a walk. We let her dog set the pace through the sandy streets of seaside neighborhoods, after which I perused job boards until my daughter got out of school on an early release day. Due to some dynamic issues with girlfriends (and trust me, I’d rather be 50 and smarting from the band aid rip of unemployment than a teenager again), I took her out to lunch. After a salty, smoky pastrami sandwich, we left via a circuitous route, pausing at the beach to admire the calm, flat sea and arrived home—at which point I was at a loss.
Those who know me are aware that other than cooking, household chores are not my forte. And, while I’ve perfected a phenomenal new shortbread recipe in the last few weeks, one more batch of cookies and my family is going evict me. We have a small celebration scheduled for Friday, and I toyed with the idea of preparing the dining room, but the cat considers any tablecloth fair game. The gardens are too wet to work; I don’t want to spend money, therefore stores are off limits. The ever present book tempted, but turning my back on it, I made my way down to the basement resolved to throw some dirty sheets into the washer, and was delighted to find two baskets of laundry to fold. That scared me.
I redeemed myself by coming up with the subject matter for today’s blog.
During the first month of unemployment there is a vast amount of paperwork relating to the change. The initial few weeks are filled with phone calls to make, letters to write, people to tell, financial counselors to speak to. There is life insurance to change and unemployment to sign up for, budgets to develop and schedules to adjust. Friends and family call regularly to make sure that you are hanging on. Five weeks into it though, guess what? All that stuff is done and you are still, um, unemployed.
Having worked full time since I was out of college, with the exception of the few months after our daughter arrived, today I realize that without the pressure of “never enough time,” I don’t know how to fill hours not allotted to a paycheck. In my previous life, weekends were typically crammed with our daughter’s activities, sandwiched between house and yard work, preparing for the week ahead, or sometimes spending a few idyllic hours relaxing. I have never been much of a group joiner but it never bothered me because there wasn’t time. Suddenly there are long unassigned periods to fill and I’m not sure how to accomplish that. It’s pretty clear to me today how depression could sneak in. In order to avoid that my goal now is to investigate and to identify activities that make my time valuable again. Any suggestions will be gratefully considered.
At the moment you can be proud of me though, because all of the laundry is done. Oh, and I guess so is today’s blog.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
On-line 101
I was going to cheat today and post an oldie instead of a job search related topic. But I just came back from two meetings; one with the outplacement counselor and, a presentation on on-line networking. Other than the fact that one of this week’s outplacement assignments is developing yet another version of my resume, I am energized. The networking meeting gave me some insight as how much I know. I suppose there should be no surprise there, as networking was a big part of my previous position, but a job loss is a job loss, and I’ll take any confidence booster.
That said, a lot of people in the meeting were not familiar with LinkedIn. When I started this blog I hoped that along the way I might help others by documenting my job search experiences. Since consistency and format were lacking with the presentation today, I thought I’d create a quick synopsis of what I know about LinkedIn for you job seekers out there. I’m not an expert, but perhaps some of this will be of assistance to those who are just beginning.
LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Members of LinkedIn form connections by creating an on-line profile and building a network of professionals they trust.
Rule number one with LinkedIn is to scrutinize what you put on there. Prospective employers and business contacts will use it to learn more about you. Check for accuracy and typos. In some ways it’s a mini-resume, so proofread it—again and again and again.
Before you get started, it may help to use “The Learning Center” at the bottom of the LinkedIn home page (www.LinkedIn.com) where there is a “New User Guide.” In addition, links exist to teach you the best way to develop a LinkedIn profile and how to use LinkedIn to find a job.
Once you develop a profile, you may start inviting individuals to be a part of your network. Current members may be identified by searching by name, by company and in some cases by title and user groups. (For example, my former employer has an group for past employees, and I am a member of my college alumni group). Play with LinkedIn by clicking on links until you get a comfort in regard to how it can be useful.
Notwithstanding that I used LinkedIn in my previous job as a recruiter to identify potential candidates; here are some examples of how I’ve used it now that I’m on the other side of the desk.
1. Finding folks. I wanted to network with someone from my past, but did not have an email address. I knew where this individual worked.
• First, I “Searched Companies” using the drop down box on the top right on the LinkedIn Home Page. Bad news though, I misspelled the first name so I got no results.
• Then I used “Search People” using the last name only. Bingo. I found the person listed by company, and sent a LinkedIn invite. Head’s up, I’ll be meeting that person soon for coffee, to do some investigating with regard to future opportunities.
2. Researching jobs. I identified a job title about which I was interested in learning more, so using the “Search Jobs” feature I typed in the title. Oh dear, there were more than 50 pages of results. Clicking on “Advanced” on the top right, next to "Search" brings up options allowing a search to be refined. By altering the title and choosing a location, I culled the results down to a manageable twenty-five job possibilities. I examined the skills required and the companies with openings for that job title.
3. Someone checked my profile. On the right hand column of the profile page, there is a blue highlighted box called: “Who checked my profile?” Today, information indicates that five people have checked my profile in the last week. Unless the searcher allows their name to be identified, it’s not possible to confirm who actually checked me out. However, by clicking on the link underneath, I found a list of people that are employed at the same company as the person who was researching me. While I couldn’t determine who specifically was looking, I know someone from that company was. Using logic, I thought, well, if they are interested in me, I may be interested in them. Clicking on the profiles of the individuals employees, I identified information about the company. Then I Googled it. It may be something that I am interested in exploring.
4. Helping others network. Last week someone who lost his job the same day I did found a job on line he was interested in at “A Company.” He sent me an email asking me if I had any connections at “A Company.” I typed “A Company” in the “Search Companies” drop down in LinkedIn. A list of LinkedIn members employed by “A Company” popped up. One of those employees, an executive in the Human Resources Department, is connected to a member of my LinkedIn network. I contacted my connection and facilitated an introduction between the job seeker and him. While I introduced the two via email outside of LinkedIn, there are tools with which to do so within the resource also. The thought process here is that a recommended candidate has more credibility then a resume received out of the blue. The next step hopefully will be an introduction for the job searcher to the Human Resources executive at “A Company” by my LinkedIn contact.
I’ll stop here. However, I encourage any of you who are feeling nervous about LinkedIn to play with it. As long as you use professional judgment with regard to what you include on your profile, it is an excellent, mainstream, supplementary networking tool.
Just remember, the outplacement folks will tell you that as good as it is it can’t replace face to face.
That said, a lot of people in the meeting were not familiar with LinkedIn. When I started this blog I hoped that along the way I might help others by documenting my job search experiences. Since consistency and format were lacking with the presentation today, I thought I’d create a quick synopsis of what I know about LinkedIn for you job seekers out there. I’m not an expert, but perhaps some of this will be of assistance to those who are just beginning.
LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Members of LinkedIn form connections by creating an on-line profile and building a network of professionals they trust.
Rule number one with LinkedIn is to scrutinize what you put on there. Prospective employers and business contacts will use it to learn more about you. Check for accuracy and typos. In some ways it’s a mini-resume, so proofread it—again and again and again.
Before you get started, it may help to use “The Learning Center” at the bottom of the LinkedIn home page (www.LinkedIn.com) where there is a “New User Guide.” In addition, links exist to teach you the best way to develop a LinkedIn profile and how to use LinkedIn to find a job.
Once you develop a profile, you may start inviting individuals to be a part of your network. Current members may be identified by searching by name, by company and in some cases by title and user groups. (For example, my former employer has an group for past employees, and I am a member of my college alumni group). Play with LinkedIn by clicking on links until you get a comfort in regard to how it can be useful.
Notwithstanding that I used LinkedIn in my previous job as a recruiter to identify potential candidates; here are some examples of how I’ve used it now that I’m on the other side of the desk.
1. Finding folks. I wanted to network with someone from my past, but did not have an email address. I knew where this individual worked.
• First, I “Searched Companies” using the drop down box on the top right on the LinkedIn Home Page. Bad news though, I misspelled the first name so I got no results.
• Then I used “Search People” using the last name only. Bingo. I found the person listed by company, and sent a LinkedIn invite. Head’s up, I’ll be meeting that person soon for coffee, to do some investigating with regard to future opportunities.
2. Researching jobs. I identified a job title about which I was interested in learning more, so using the “Search Jobs” feature I typed in the title. Oh dear, there were more than 50 pages of results. Clicking on “Advanced” on the top right, next to "Search" brings up options allowing a search to be refined. By altering the title and choosing a location, I culled the results down to a manageable twenty-five job possibilities. I examined the skills required and the companies with openings for that job title.
3. Someone checked my profile. On the right hand column of the profile page, there is a blue highlighted box called: “Who checked my profile?” Today, information indicates that five people have checked my profile in the last week. Unless the searcher allows their name to be identified, it’s not possible to confirm who actually checked me out. However, by clicking on the link underneath, I found a list of people that are employed at the same company as the person who was researching me. While I couldn’t determine who specifically was looking, I know someone from that company was. Using logic, I thought, well, if they are interested in me, I may be interested in them. Clicking on the profiles of the individuals employees, I identified information about the company. Then I Googled it. It may be something that I am interested in exploring.
4. Helping others network. Last week someone who lost his job the same day I did found a job on line he was interested in at “A Company.” He sent me an email asking me if I had any connections at “A Company.” I typed “A Company” in the “Search Companies” drop down in LinkedIn. A list of LinkedIn members employed by “A Company” popped up. One of those employees, an executive in the Human Resources Department, is connected to a member of my LinkedIn network. I contacted my connection and facilitated an introduction between the job seeker and him. While I introduced the two via email outside of LinkedIn, there are tools with which to do so within the resource also. The thought process here is that a recommended candidate has more credibility then a resume received out of the blue. The next step hopefully will be an introduction for the job searcher to the Human Resources executive at “A Company” by my LinkedIn contact.
I’ll stop here. However, I encourage any of you who are feeling nervous about LinkedIn to play with it. As long as you use professional judgment with regard to what you include on your profile, it is an excellent, mainstream, supplementary networking tool.
Just remember, the outplacement folks will tell you that as good as it is it can’t replace face to face.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Week in Review (5)
Things I have learned:
It is the results that matter on a resume, more than the responsibilities.
If I had realized that before I lost my job, I would have kept a list...
...which I would have updated frequently and emailed home for use upon my departure.
“It will never happen to me,” is not a good enough argument to delay on the above.
The printer will undoubtedly jam on the material that means the most (Fair enough--I confess. I knew that one already).
A repeat from Week One (almost): When you email a former vender with whom you had an enjoyable relationship and find out she's lost her job, you discover that it is (still) possible to feel worse for someone else.
It will take three trips to the mall to find shoes for your daughter’s confirmation next week, just because it can.
Repeated trips may mean less stress. In the future though, it will be healthier to consider the carbon footprint.
At 75% off, that carbon footprint is marginally more forgivable.
A hungry hawk will not hesitate to dive to the road in front of a moving jeep in order to retrieve, err--recently deceased prey.
This is how you spell y-u-c-k.
It is the results that matter on a resume, more than the responsibilities.
If I had realized that before I lost my job, I would have kept a list...
...which I would have updated frequently and emailed home for use upon my departure.
“It will never happen to me,” is not a good enough argument to delay on the above.
The printer will undoubtedly jam on the material that means the most (Fair enough--I confess. I knew that one already).
A repeat from Week One (almost): When you email a former vender with whom you had an enjoyable relationship and find out she's lost her job, you discover that it is (still) possible to feel worse for someone else.
It will take three trips to the mall to find shoes for your daughter’s confirmation next week, just because it can.
Repeated trips may mean less stress. In the future though, it will be healthier to consider the carbon footprint.
At 75% off, that carbon footprint is marginally more forgivable.
A hungry hawk will not hesitate to dive to the road in front of a moving jeep in order to retrieve, err--recently deceased prey.
This is how you spell y-u-c-k.
Friday, March 13, 2009
TGIF
Whew. The third incarnation of my functional resume is now winging its way through cyberspace to the outplacement consultant for review. Though it surely will be returned to me with a request for copious edits, at least it is finally taking some shape. It’s humbling to recognize what a struggle it is not only to quantify my achievements but to put them down on paper with a semblance of clarity. While I can’t promise that every hour of every day has been dedicated to this feat it has been a focus for the last several, and though determined, the effort to wrench the information from my mind has been taxing. It is as if my accomplishments hang like spaghetti strands from the uncovered landscape of my cauliflower brain, and the only way I’m allowed to pull them off is with a pair of slippery tweezers. And I like to write. For those of you who don’t and are in this situation, you have my utmost sympathy.
This pseudo-accomplishment though, has put me into a “Thank God it is Friday” mentality—which is fascinating, since lately, everyday is Friday for me. Now though, I feel it--that it is only a matter of hours before I’m unshackled from the self-imposed handcuffs of my new routine. It has been a week of minor success in ways both related and unrelated to the employment situation; so for the next two days, in some regard I get to rest. “Some regard” because most of the snow has finally melted. There is sand to sweep from the driveway, branches and sticks to pick up from all over the yard and a probable bonfire to light. Tiny snowdrops with their optimistic white blossoms are emerging from the ledge garden, and out front the crocuses are about to bloom. It’s time to survey the damage to the rhododendrons, to prune the rose bushes and rake up the leftover leaves.
We are not out of the woods yet. It is March and New England and there is plenty of chance for winter to push its arms back into the sleeves of its long flowing coat. But for the moment, the snow is gone. Daylight Savings is here along with budding warmth and mud-earth smells. Every spring creeps ahead with a promise of joy and renewal. I’ll try to keep inching myself forward too.
This pseudo-accomplishment though, has put me into a “Thank God it is Friday” mentality—which is fascinating, since lately, everyday is Friday for me. Now though, I feel it--that it is only a matter of hours before I’m unshackled from the self-imposed handcuffs of my new routine. It has been a week of minor success in ways both related and unrelated to the employment situation; so for the next two days, in some regard I get to rest. “Some regard” because most of the snow has finally melted. There is sand to sweep from the driveway, branches and sticks to pick up from all over the yard and a probable bonfire to light. Tiny snowdrops with their optimistic white blossoms are emerging from the ledge garden, and out front the crocuses are about to bloom. It’s time to survey the damage to the rhododendrons, to prune the rose bushes and rake up the leftover leaves.
We are not out of the woods yet. It is March and New England and there is plenty of chance for winter to push its arms back into the sleeves of its long flowing coat. But for the moment, the snow is gone. Daylight Savings is here along with budding warmth and mud-earth smells. Every spring creeps ahead with a promise of joy and renewal. I’ll try to keep inching myself forward too.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Focus
It’s all resume today. I’ve been allowing this blog to distract me, and today that’s not permitted. Oh my. I wish I had thought to bring my daily calendars with me when I departed work so unexpectedly. It’s all about the specifics and that’s where the real action is recorded. It’s been five weeks, and my accomplishments over the years are already drifting toward a black hole of oblivion. When I caught myself investigating on-line MFA programs this morning, I exited to the library--where it’s a bit less tempting to access the local wide area network. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
One Twenty over Eighty—I Hope
In the end, it was one envelope that defeated me. It took over 35 minutes to coax one from my home printer today. Well, actually two, because the one that printed thirty seconds into this exercise was upside down. That was the only one that came out clean. When all was said and done, I had to use labels, because the envelopes refused to cooperate. It’s a good thing no one is checking my blood pressure right now.
In the last month, these are some of the things over which I have not lost my temper:
1) Staring at a computer print-out verifying the receipt of my weekly unemployment claim, while listening to a customer service representative on the phone tell me the claim wasn’t received.
2) Getting no answer when asking whether I should expect a disruption in insurance service, before COBRA kicked in.
3) Confirming a disruption in service when trying to fill a routine prescription.
4) Finding out that while I could transition some of my company life insurance without going through the headache pertaining to “evidence of insurability,” the cost would be more than three times that of a new policy.
5) Having to demonstrate evidence of insurability to get a new policy. This involves approximately an hour on the phone rehashing every minor medical detail that occurred over the past 10 years and feeling guilty when one series of questions uncovers something I inadvertently left out.
6) Waiting for an insurance nurse/representative to come to do a quick physical work up on me (re: #5 above) when I had a regular exam just prior to the layoff, including blood work demonstrating that I am extraordinarily healthy. (That day, the blood pressure was nice and low.)
Nonetheless, it was the envelope that wouldn’t print that caused me to percolate today, setting off a minor volcano blow. It’s all good now though, because I figured out what is happening. It’s a little punishment. The envelope is not for a resume and it probably should be. Instead, it’s for an essay I wrote a few years ago, that I have edited, polished and decided to submit one more time to see if it could possibly be published.
Like everything in the last month though, it’s all in how you look at things. Perhaps this envelope situation shouldn’t be considered an aggravation. Maybe it’s a reminder to slow down and proofread the essay another thousand times before sending it out. Ok. I get it. And, while I’m waiting to regain my composure, I’ll edit the resume, for what also feels like the thousandth time and which was what I was supposed to be doing this morning anyway. But hey. The insurance nurse is coming soon. Before my blood pressure spikes again, does anyone know where to get some envelopes printed?
PS. It’s about five hours later, and point of fact, I did find a typo.
In the last month, these are some of the things over which I have not lost my temper:
1) Staring at a computer print-out verifying the receipt of my weekly unemployment claim, while listening to a customer service representative on the phone tell me the claim wasn’t received.
2) Getting no answer when asking whether I should expect a disruption in insurance service, before COBRA kicked in.
3) Confirming a disruption in service when trying to fill a routine prescription.
4) Finding out that while I could transition some of my company life insurance without going through the headache pertaining to “evidence of insurability,” the cost would be more than three times that of a new policy.
5) Having to demonstrate evidence of insurability to get a new policy. This involves approximately an hour on the phone rehashing every minor medical detail that occurred over the past 10 years and feeling guilty when one series of questions uncovers something I inadvertently left out.
6) Waiting for an insurance nurse/representative to come to do a quick physical work up on me (re: #5 above) when I had a regular exam just prior to the layoff, including blood work demonstrating that I am extraordinarily healthy. (That day, the blood pressure was nice and low.)
Nonetheless, it was the envelope that wouldn’t print that caused me to percolate today, setting off a minor volcano blow. It’s all good now though, because I figured out what is happening. It’s a little punishment. The envelope is not for a resume and it probably should be. Instead, it’s for an essay I wrote a few years ago, that I have edited, polished and decided to submit one more time to see if it could possibly be published.
Like everything in the last month though, it’s all in how you look at things. Perhaps this envelope situation shouldn’t be considered an aggravation. Maybe it’s a reminder to slow down and proofread the essay another thousand times before sending it out. Ok. I get it. And, while I’m waiting to regain my composure, I’ll edit the resume, for what also feels like the thousandth time and which was what I was supposed to be doing this morning anyway. But hey. The insurance nurse is coming soon. Before my blood pressure spikes again, does anyone know where to get some envelopes printed?
PS. It’s about five hours later, and point of fact, I did find a typo.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Return to Sender
It’s not my way, but I forwarded one of those chain email questionnaires the other day. I don’t usually, but this one was quick and easy, came from a dear friend and seemed painless enough. So first off, to those of you who received it and didn’t appreciate it, I humbly apologize. That said; I’m moving on.
The email asked for answers to four questions and encouraged me to return a reply to the sender, in addition to forwarding it on. As result of doing so I’ve been receiving responses for the last few days. At the end of the short questionnaire, there was a testimonial that intrigued me the first time I saw it. Now that the email has come back to me multiple times, it has given me pause for thought.
“It’s not what you are that holds you back. It’s what you think that you are not.”
In the essence of full disclosure, the quote is apparently by Denis Waitley, who, a quick Google search tells me is the author of The Psychology of Success and The Psychology of Winning, neither of which I have read or heard of before today. I may or may not pick up a copy of one of those books. However, the phrase resonated with me, and I was fascinated even before looking up the author.
The statement floated into my brain as I checked myself in the mirror this morning prior to leaving for my weekly appointment with the career counselor. Each time I take the trip to the outplacement office I cast aside the blue jeans and ragged sweaters that have become my new uniform and I put on my old “work” clothes. This morning it was my grey cashmere fly-away cardigan over a black lace camisole, with tailored grey pants and leather boots. As I stared at myself in the full length mirror, the reflection gazing back looked familiar, but as if I was viewing an acquaintance from long ago, though a tunnel of distance and place. How many times over the years have I, similarly dressed, taken a last look in that mirror, fluffed my hair, twisted an earring, and straightened my blouse? Today though, it crossed my mind that the person in those clothes is not who I am anymore. Or more clearly, I am something in addition to that individual now.
Yes, I retain the same skills as that smartly dressed woman. In the words of my evolving employment biography, I am a still a business professional with strengths in writing, communication, leadership and recruitment. But now, I am also this. I am a blue jean wearing blog writer, providing networking assistance to former business associates--a walker who listens to my friends and offers solid support and guidance. And, I’m a person in the process of whittling my priorities before launching my own networking efforts, so as to distinguish my best career options.
In the words of our spinach eating friend, Popeye: "I yam what I yam." It’s a journey of discovery though, to peel back the layers of what I thought I was not, in order to expose what I’m sure I can be.
The email asked for answers to four questions and encouraged me to return a reply to the sender, in addition to forwarding it on. As result of doing so I’ve been receiving responses for the last few days. At the end of the short questionnaire, there was a testimonial that intrigued me the first time I saw it. Now that the email has come back to me multiple times, it has given me pause for thought.
“It’s not what you are that holds you back. It’s what you think that you are not.”
In the essence of full disclosure, the quote is apparently by Denis Waitley, who, a quick Google search tells me is the author of The Psychology of Success and The Psychology of Winning, neither of which I have read or heard of before today. I may or may not pick up a copy of one of those books. However, the phrase resonated with me, and I was fascinated even before looking up the author.
The statement floated into my brain as I checked myself in the mirror this morning prior to leaving for my weekly appointment with the career counselor. Each time I take the trip to the outplacement office I cast aside the blue jeans and ragged sweaters that have become my new uniform and I put on my old “work” clothes. This morning it was my grey cashmere fly-away cardigan over a black lace camisole, with tailored grey pants and leather boots. As I stared at myself in the full length mirror, the reflection gazing back looked familiar, but as if I was viewing an acquaintance from long ago, though a tunnel of distance and place. How many times over the years have I, similarly dressed, taken a last look in that mirror, fluffed my hair, twisted an earring, and straightened my blouse? Today though, it crossed my mind that the person in those clothes is not who I am anymore. Or more clearly, I am something in addition to that individual now.
Yes, I retain the same skills as that smartly dressed woman. In the words of my evolving employment biography, I am a still a business professional with strengths in writing, communication, leadership and recruitment. But now, I am also this. I am a blue jean wearing blog writer, providing networking assistance to former business associates--a walker who listens to my friends and offers solid support and guidance. And, I’m a person in the process of whittling my priorities before launching my own networking efforts, so as to distinguish my best career options.
In the words of our spinach eating friend, Popeye: "I yam what I yam." It’s a journey of discovery though, to peel back the layers of what I thought I was not, in order to expose what I’m sure I can be.
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