22 Mar 2009
Note: This is a version of a post I made on the Wall Street Journal online blog on 3/18/09.
With so many people out of work these days, I have noticed that it’s very easy to get caught up in the job search process, and forget to stay current in your industry. Staying current is not only important to be on par with your future employer, but given your flexible schedule, you may be in an even better position than they are to be more in-the-know.
24 Feb 2009
Being out of work, I can tell you that the weekly check I receive from unemployment leaves me with a huge shortfall every month. In order to help cover my bills, I have taken on some odd jobs and projects.
The first thing to get over, is how little you may be making doing these odd jobs versus what you used to make in your prior job. It’s a tough mental block to get over, but I try to look at it that “something is better than nothing.” If I can make $500/month doing odd jobs, it’s better than nothing, even though I could have made that at my prior job in no time. The challenge is to balance your time with also having time for your job search!
17 Feb 2009
I had an opportunity recently to interview Diane Darling from Effective Networking and wanted to pass along what I learned from her. I also watched a video from a presentation she made to the Salty Legs Networking Group, so I have also incorporated her advice from that as well.
09 Feb 2009
A bestselling author of thrillers contacted me today about working with him on social media to launch his book series. Exciting! I thought I’d put together a few ideas before talking to him, recognizing the limitation that I don’t know too much about his current reader base. Ari Herzog‘s advice to me was to stay high level, and I agree, but I would also like to have some specific ideas going into the meeting. Here are a few ideas I have, and I would love to hear if you have any more! Read the rest of this entry »
03 Feb 2009
Most people know that the best way to find a job is through networking. You can go to networking meetings, tap into your own personal network, or ask friends who they know. With the Internet buzzing with social media, there are similarly many ways to use social media in order to network, and eventually find a job. According to an article in DMNews, Jeremiah Owyang from Forrester Research agrees that social networks allow all parties involved to better search for and reach their target: “Instead of having a broad, over-arching resume, these tools let people connect over detailed experiences…”
30 Jan 2009
Dunkin’ Donuts left a bad taste in my mouth. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Dunkin’ Donuts. I have been going there quite frequently since I’ve been job searching because I’m out and about a lot, and it’s much more reasonably priced than Starbucks! Anyway, today I had a bad experience.
25 Jan 2009
There are so many Twitter applications, I can’t keep track! So, I decided to start this list as a comprehensive place to list all the Twitter programs. I plan to keep this updated as I find out about new programs. If you have any to add, please leave a comment below, and I’ll add them. Or, if you feel I have described the applications incorrectly, please let me know as well! (ones in bold italics in the chart have been added since the last update)
17 Jan 2009
Last week was my brush with fame. I am a member of a networking group called the Boston Salty Legs Career Club, which was started by Susan Kang Nam as part of Tory 
Johnson’s Good Morning America Job Club. A couple of weeks ago, Susan called me and asked if I’d be willing to be on a GMA segment about being unemployed. Um… yes, of course I would! She then sent me a few questions I had to fill out for GMA, all of which were about being unemployed: the challenges I faced, what have I been doing to find a job, etc. After I completed the form, a couple of days later I got a call and an email from the producer asking me to come last Monday for the taping. Wow, I couldn’t believe I might be on Good Morning America!!
11 Jan 2009
In today’s economy it’s a common, and understandable, fear that you might get laid off (sorry for the dose of reality). So rather than being stuck like a deer in the headlights if it happens, here are a few things you can do to get prepared, in case it happens to you:
1. Get involved with networking groups
29 Dec 2008
I am a pretty organized person. I also tend to be very efficient with computer — I’m always looking for the faster way to do things. Applying these qualities to my job search, I have perfected my process, and thought I’d share my “Top 8 tips for automating your job search”:
1. Tracking job applications
It is really important to track what jobs you have applied for. The three most important reasons that come to my head are: a) If you are contacted about a job, you will easily know where you originally found the job so can find the job description again, b) You may see the same job listed week after week, so it’s easy to go back to your list and see if you have applied for the job already, and c) Many headhunters will want to know if you have submitted your resume to a company they want to present you for.
