Note: This is a version of a post I made on the Wall Street Journal online blog on April 28, 2009.
One of the biggest changes for me since I lost my job is being at 
home a lot instead of at an office filled with people. I’ve gone from chit chatting in the hall and having lunch and laughs with coworkers, to being home alone, sometimes all day. In addition to the financial stresses that come with being unemployed, I think this is why a lot of unemployed people get depressed. But for me, I don’t think it has really impacted me in a negative way.
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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.
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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.
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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…”
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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!!
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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
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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.
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Wow, it’s been a long lapse between How and Why I use Twitter (Part 1) and Part 2! I got excited about writing about video thank you notes, then was out of town, and then was sick with bronchitis. I’m finally back, well, almost 100%!
My twitter profile
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One of the things that makes my days different from when I was working full time, is managing my diverse daily schedule. When I was working, sure, every hour was different, but I was at work, working on the same job. Now, my days are filled with networking meetings, emails, twitter, checking job listings, going to physical therapy, babysitting, consulting, and more. I find it great to have the variety, but also find it very tiring. So, here’s what my day looked like on Friday:
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