Surviving Unemployment http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com Most recent posts at Surviving Unemployment posterous.com Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:58:50 -0800 You're looking for me? http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/youre-looking-for-me http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/youre-looking-for-me It's happened. After nearly 50 job submissions, finally a head hunter is asking me if I'm available! And wouldn't you believe it, but it's for a great opportunity - 95% perfect, I just hope the hiring manager feels the same way.

My resume is being sent over today, and I pray that they like it. I've been stopped in my tracks far too many times based on my resume and even worse by the competition. I need them to say YES to an interview and hurry up and hire me before they see anyone else! I know it's a lot of wishful thinking, but that's all I have right now: wishes and dreams. After my front runner passed me up for someone else, I'm back to square one and this interview would really help turn my optimism back up to 11.

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Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:42:19 -0800 The Competition is Tough http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/the-competition-is-tough http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/the-competition-is-tough Just got word on one of my front-runner positions that I was a strong "cultural-fit" but that there was someone else who was a better strategic fit and so goes another rejection. Good news is that I'm not falling into that ego trap of expecting people to hire me simply because of my experience. I'm definitely proving why I'm a solid fit.

The lesson here then is that I'm learning more and more how quickly one can be pigeon-holed and just how tough the competition is out there. Think about it, I'm not only competing with everyone else who is unemployed but even those people who ARE employed looking for their next gig. It's tough.

To my first point about being pigeon-holed? Well, someone who's been in Marketing their whole career is gonna do a heck of a lot better then me, even if that person hates marketing cause you know what? They're stuck in that path unless they want to try something new (with a salary cut). Case in point. So I have more evidence of how freaking high this mountain is that I'm trying to climb, but it's what I want. So I'll fight for it. I don't want to go back to the career I had. Even if it means a guaranteed job and good pay, because it didn't make me HAPPY. So for those of you also looking to "change it up", stay strong. Let's climb this mountain together.

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Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:15:00 -0800 Wishful thoughts and Wish lists http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/wishful-thoughts-and-wish-lists http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/wishful-thoughts-and-wish-lists Today I met with a recruiter with an opportunity that would require an hour and a half commute everyday. On paper it looks amazing and seemingly a perfect opportunity for me except for that commute! I decided to take the weekend to think over putting my name into the ring. As the day progressed, I kept leaning towards "no".

Then I chatted with a dear friend and I decided that based on what I know about the position I would be crazy not to try for it. Let the company tell me I'm not a good fit or that they can't appropriately compensate for the commute. Why should I close a door on myself before taking a look at what's behind it? It wouldn't be a terrible bother to interview for so I'm going to give it a shot. Then at least it wasn't me that didn't try, or me that stopped something amazing from happening. I shouldn't be the shadow in my own sunshine. As for the commute, there are certainly compensation solutions to make it worthwhile--in my mind they seem steep, but the important thing is that I'm going to find out if that's the case (if they like me at all) and not assume that my asks are automatically unreachable.

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Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:52:14 -0800 Day 42 http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/day-42 http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/day-42 I've applied to 43 jobs in 42 days. Is that good or depressing? Hard to say. Great that I'm keeping up an aggressive pace but honestly why can't I get just ONE of those jobs?! 43 missed opportunities.

To be fair I did get one offer, but it was at 35% less than where I was before. Two months from now, am I going to regret having turned that opportunity down? Argh, I can't think that way. I need to reach for the stars and go for the gold while I can. After all, it's only been 42 days and excluding weekends and holidays that's nothing. Friday beckons with two phone interviews. Gotta get back into the zone and put on my game face.

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Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:36:40 -0800 The Waiting Game http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/the-waiting-game http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/the-waiting-game I learned something interesting today. In my experience, if someone doesn't get back to you within a week of submitting, I always believed they just won't ever.

Today a company got back to me after 35 days. 35 DAYS!!! Nailed down a phone interview this morning and they're ready to roll. Luckily I keep a running log for all my job postings with an auto calc that tells me how many days have passed since submitting a resume. In a separate document, I also keep a copy of every job description numbered to match my running count. This allows me to easily reference what the company is looking for if they ever return my call.

The difference about this company is that is a lot bigger than what I'm used to and larger companies are just slower to move. They constantly have jobs to fill and take time getting through applications for each position - 35 days worth of time apparently.

So don't give up, put jobs after a week from submitting on the back burner, but don't put them out for the count if it's a large, very established company.

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Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:33:00 -0800 Finding Physical & Mental Strength http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/finding-physical-mental-strength http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/finding-physical-mental-strength

When you have tons of time on your hands, one of the first things people think about is finally getting into shape. Well, I'm no different. I started working out 6 times a day, 30-60 minutes a day. Cardio, strength training and a focus on my core. In 36 days there's a noticeable difference. The physical changes came first, but the mental changes came in roaring like a freight train and haven't let up. 

Even if you're not trying to get "ripped", a key to surviving unemployment is strong mental stability and staying optimistic. I'm naturally a happy person, but even I had my doldrums and self-pity parties. Getting your body moving is an easy way to up your adrenaline and sense of accomplishment. Just this week I started to rotate in some yoga to up the ante on mental development. When I work out, it gets me burning off the frustration of no call-backs, and unsuccessful interviews. Adding in yoga has really helped bring some stress-reducing exercises into the mix. It also gives a great stretch to all my hard-worked muscles and is helping increase my flexibility. Money is tight so I don't go to the gym, I use exercise DVDs and as long as you push yourself, they're fantastic. 

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Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:26:00 -0800 Day 36 - The Beginning http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/day-36-the-beginning http://survivingunemployment.posterous.com/day-36-the-beginning

Wanted to start this sooner, but the road has been rough. It took a good month since being laid off to get my mind calm enough to understand what the hell is happening. Being unemployed makes you feel fucking bi-polar! One second you're up and the world is your oyster, the next second you feel smaller than a grain of sand. 

Well, what have I accomplished so far? Let's consider this like a first "weigh-in" and check some stats:

-36 jobs applied for
-4 succeed to interview stage
-1 job offer (kinda)

Now, the "kinda" job offer was for something I'm overqualified for at 35% less than what I've been making, it wasn't official it was a, "we really like you, but here's all we got, whaddaya think?". Beggars can't be choosers but damn, I got poor quick. That job offer made me seriously consider how low I'm willing to go. Sure you gotta take it on a case by case basis, but that sir, was too low.

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