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What's next, locusts?
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You have to admit, the outlook is a bit bleak right now. We’re mired in a recession/depression. Every third person I meet is out of work. And now just in from Mexico, a modern-day plague, the swine flu, is advancing in America. This leads to the next logical question: is an invasion of locusts next?
Despite all that, the people I encounter are being wonderfully kind and helpful to each other. My job search (and attitude) was in need of a vitamin, so I headed over to the Career Transitions Center ctcchicago.org on Tuesday for a Peer Group networking session. The Tuesday group is led by Mike Thompson, a CTC career coach and adjunct professor at the Kellogg School of Management.
What a great place for the downtrodden job seeker! There were 12 of us who gathered 'round a conference table. Mike asked us to share what kind of job we are looking for, our recent job search activities, and “something good that occurred during the last week.”
John D. kicked us off. He has worked in sales and marketing for profit and nonprofit organizations. He shared the outcome of several interviews he’d had in the previous week. He is keen on using his skills to benefit senior citizens. “I love old people,” he said. “But I have also been networking within the arts community as well.”
“John is a networking pro. He’s a connector,” Thompson said. “The kind of person that puts people together...behind the scenes.”
Brian, who has a background in nonprofit, retail and clerical, shared that he met up with some former co-workers in the past week. He reported feeling down recently, but he said that he was on a high, feeling good, and wanted to "keep that momentum going." He discussed the conflicting advice he’s received on his resume, and this generated a spirited discussion on the need for multiple resumes and cover letters in this job market.
“Treat resumes and cover letters as living documents,” Thomson emphasized. “Adapt as needed to fit the position you’re targeting.”
Susan M., who has a background in law, media and sales, talked about broadening her search to include Wisconsin or other states. She is also considering a career change into another field.
“One of my biggest challenges is that I get bored…so I’m allowing myself to look at work as having a different place in my life, and to look for excitement in other areas” she said.
Thompson pointed out that by looking at her search differently, Susan is opening herself up to new opportunities.
“This is about putting work into its appropriate place in your life…we’re not suggesting people pursue dream jobs, but being able to translate your passion into a practical understanding of a career and work,” Thompson said. “When lifes get turned upside down, you come at it from different angles.”
Lawrence, an experienced grant writer and expert on sourcing low-cost art and entertainment events, updated the group about a position he applied for, but also reported that he took a lot of walks and spent time with friends over the weekend. “I spent time comforting myself,” he said. “One my way home today, I’m going to eat the recession special at a French bistro in Lakeview.”
We all nodded. We know what he means. (Not the recession special), but looking for work, especially if you’ve been at it for a while, has some very dark moments. Being with others offers job seekers the support and perspective against discouragement.
Some other useful suggestions from the group include: To find jobs, follow the flow of federal TARP funds—Troubled Asset Relief Program. Some of the funding will be directed into green industries, like water and wind technology. Catherine K. a product marketing manager, told the group that there is a free job fair at the Wind Power 2009 Exposition at McCormick Place next week, May 5-7. For more information, look at www.careersinwind.com
Also, I came across an article in Fortune on companies that are hiring. Take a look and take heart. money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/fortune/0904/gallery.F500_hiring.fortune/12.html Finally, I just discovered the digital job-seeker edition of Crain’s Chicago Book of Lists. It costs $50. Check it out here. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/chicagobusiness/chicago_bol_jobseeker/index.php?ap=1
The Wall Street Journal’s blog, Laid Off and Looking, details the job searches of several MBAs. A blog posted yesterday by Brain Fetterolf, who hails from Chicagoland, writes on the question: Does a layoff build character? I tried to contact Brian directly to get the short answer to this big question, but I was not able to reach him. Here’s the link to the long answer. blogs.wsj.com/laidoff/2009/04/30/does-a-layoff-build-character/
How has being laid off changed your life? You can comment below. Don’t be shy…some of my regular readers comment to me personally on Facebook. I welcome your thoughts here.
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