by kgettelfinger | Jan 29, 2009 | Job Transition
It’s amazing how much there is to do when searching for your next gig. I have to do lists a mile long and the type of things on them vary widely. I heard a stat that 80% of jobs are found via networking so I’m spending a lot of time there but it’s also important to follow multiple paths. You really don’t know where your next inspiration will come to you. I’ve been meeting people for breakfast, coffee or lunch. Talking with people on the phone, emailing, linking in, some online searching and applying and finding ways to volunteer my time. That last one is really important. I can only focus on job search for so long. I need projects that are adding value to the world, now so I’ve been volunteering for projects through groups with whom I’m involved. It’s keeping me from going batty and it feels really good to do something constructive.
I am a fairly organized person, but I’m finding that I have to be even more so right now. Since I’m going down so many paths and following up with so many different people I’m living by the list. I’ve also found I’ve had to categorize my time so I’m spending it on the right things without missing anything. And keeping track of all the great ideas people are sharing with me is a challenge. I want to act on them all at once but it just isn’t possible. I’ve actually scheduled things like exercise and calling friends. Last night I think I got my first good sleep in three weeks.
by kgettelfinger | Jan 16, 2009 | Job Transition
So many companies are freezing hiring even the successful ones. The unpredictability of this recession has people scared. The good thing is that projects still need to get done. Interestingly, right now I think my best opportunities to find good work will be from my diverse set of project experience. Since I’ve managed technology implementations in multiple areas many different opportunities exist for me. Now is a time when a diverse set of experiences really pays off. I can go down many different paths. And the fact that I was at small companies where I frequently had to manage and do the implementation on my own also helps. I can bring the soup to nuts understanding to any project. Take heart fellow nomads, I think you are going to find that your broad base of experience will really be important in this time whether you are employeed and trying to add new value to your company or if you are hunting for your next meal.
by kgettelfinger | Jan 13, 2009 | Job Transition
This morning I woke to a postponed breakfast meeting so I began going through my emails looking for more networking opportunities. I had some work to do for Heartland Institute (I’ve volunteered for this non profit to help them plan their online networking presence) so investigating social networking was on my mind. In reviewing my emails I realized there was an event today with the Twin Cities Entrepreneurs group called Networking U and the topic was Social Networks so I signed up, got out of my sweats (yeah when I learned my meeting was canceled sweats seemed like the outfit of the day) and went. It was a great overview of the possibilities and philosophy behind social networking for businesses. I didn’t learn a lot of new techniques per se but it did spark ideas. And it confirmed what I’ve been thinking about using social networking in my job search and in developing my Workforce Nomad idea. It is essential. What’s the best way to reach my people? Maybe it’s through creating a network.
I’ll be exploring some sites and seeing how other’s do it and what works for me and what doesn’t. The best part of today was that I realized I have no shortage of great ideas to explore. There is a lot to learn and do, the trick will be balancing what makes sense with what just seems cool. How are you using social networks? What is working for you? What isn’t? What would you want to get out of them that you aren’t getting right now.
by kgettelfinger | Jan 12, 2009 | Job Transition
I must say that having my lovely beagle Lucy lying under my desk as I work is a huge benefit to being laid off.
Today I went to another transition group at a church and I can tell you that if you haven’t checked out your local churches you really should. This group is particularly amazing. It meets every Monday morning at 7:15am a great reason to get your week started. First timers (me and at least 30 other people) were placed in a room and given the low down on their 6 step process. It fits well with what I’m doing and offers a lot of resources for examining Attitude, Assessment, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Materials, Interviewing and Follow up. They even give you some guidelines about what and how to work on these things so you can be productive without burning yourself out. I am probably prone to burn out as I have pretty aggressive goals to get back to working.
It was great to have support but I’ll admit that seeing so many people was a little scary. And hearing how happy and excited one man was about finding a job after 4 months was also a little scary. 4 months? I don’t want to get that used to having my dog under my desk.
by kgettelfinger | Jan 9, 2009 | Job Transition
At a breakfast with a friend today I was talking about networking. It is really hard. Some people razz me for being pretty good at it (though I am by no means the queen of networking) but it is hard work. It also is hard for me when it comes for asking for help.
I think one of the reasons it seems I’m good at is that I usually have an attitude of what can I give to this person. Being stubbornly self sufficient asking for help isn’t my strong suit. That makes me a natural for what I think is the basis of good networking. The give should be greater than the ask. When you are meeting people (and don’t wait until you’re unemployed to do this) think about what you have to offer them. Whether it is listening, words or action you have something and that is what your interactions should be about most of the time. Then when it comes time to ask for help they will want to help you, you may not even have to ask. Really, for this to be the real deal it has to be genuine. I don’t calculate this so that I can ask for favors later. I’m actually drived by a deep seeded need to bring value (believe me that’s a whole other line of posts under the topic of Kathy’s psyche). I don’t think it is something I would change. It makes me happy to help others. I’m addicted to feeling needed and helpful. So get in touch with that part of you, most people have it, and you will learn to actually like networking. Sorry, but it will still be hard.
by kgettelfinger | Jan 9, 2009 | Job Transition
I like action. I also have so many ideas in my head going in 3 or more directions that I felt like I was losing them. So today I had a mini planning session. I have one of those post it table top pads ( I love it because who has a white board at home). I started 2 idea lists. One titled Search Steps on which I’ve listed all the things I’m going to do for my online strategy, in person strategy, who to call, ideas for creating a daily system and I also made a list of things I can do that are not expensive (don’t know how long this will last) that I can do to relax- museums, conservatories, speakers etc. I think that will be really important so I don’t burn out and so I don’t turn to Tivo.
My second list is things I want to do for this website. I’ve decided to turn it into more than a blog. I’m taking a class for my masters in Designing Corporate Training and well, the original project idea I had went out the window with my job so now I’m going to do a project around the topic of job transition. I want to do most of it online. This will be a challenge since I’ve never built a website from scratch.
I read in a New York Times article that when you are under stress you forget things, lose words, ideas, sleep and all those things are true for me right now. I’m continuing to move foward but I’m definitely stressed out so keeping these lists allows me one less stress in not having to worry about remembering things.
