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LaidoffCamp Chicago a huge success
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Camp season has swung into full-gear. Laid Off Camp that is.
This week I had the opportunity to attend LaidoffCamp Chicago, which to my surprise, ended up being one of the best networking and educational opportunities I've had since being laid off in January this year. I'll be quite honest and admit that I didn't know what to expect heading into the event. Was it just going to be another one of those events where you get your resume critiqued and hear all the same advice you hear everywhere else? It absolutely was not. I'd like to share my experiences from the event, what I took away from it, and hopefully help anyone else out that is unemployed and looking for their next FT gig, or simply an entrepreneur/freelancer and looking for project work. I've learned during my whole unemployment situation that I have an entrepreneurial side of me and I'm trying to kick it in high gear before I go back to work FT.
First of all, LaidoffCamp Chicago was a huge success. It was modeled after other events that have taken place across the country. The original LaidOffCamp was held in San Francisco, with Dallas, Miami and NY following. Miami was just held in last Saturday, June 6th and upcoming camps are planned in Vegas, Phoenix and a few others. It's part of a growing list of job networking events sprouting up all over the country, not seen since the Internt bubble burst in 2001. Both ABC7 Chicago and The Chicago Tribune were present covering the event. There were approximately 200 attendess and dozens of "Camp Counselors" and "Camp Directors" managing the event. Jane Ackerson, one of the three Camp Directors, started organizing the event when she was unemployed, but she recently found work (CONGRATS ON THE NEW GIG JANE!). She continued on as a volunteer to help others who have not been lucky enough to find a job yet. The entire event was driven by other volunteers like her. Everthing from the facilities at Loyola's Water Tower Campus where the event took place to the human capital necessary to run the event, it was all professionally organized and executed. What I liked the most about the event was the open and suggested active participation. There was no real set agenda. Everyone signed in, got their nametag and proceeded where they could sign up for a list of breakout sessions on various topics from social media in the job search, starting a business, job searching, interviewing 101, and several others. If there was a topic you were interested in learning more about, you were encouraged to add it to the list. I personally wanted to interact with other freelancers and share my experiences and also learn what others are doing. That particular breakout session was probably the most useful for me. I as well as others, learned about great resources to find projects, issues freelancers often deal with, best practices, the business aspects of running your own business, and how to market yourself. If/when there is another event in Chicago, I strongly urge anyone interested in attending to sign up ASAP. There was a waiting list for this event, but they were able to get everyone in that wanted to participate. I met one gentleman, who took a bus from Cincinnati to attend the event. LaidoffCamp has also just formed a group on MeetUp and I'm sure they'll utilize this group to organize follow up events to network. Join the group today so you too can join the camp.
Now, to some quick take-aways from the event
You're not alone...
The overwhelming majority of people felt one of the major benefits of going to camp was being with and talking to other folks who are also unemployed. Sure, our friends are great, but they just don't understand the situation. Do you know how many times I hear the question from my employed friends "So what did you do today, watch TV?" Sorry folks, the majority of us unemployed are actively networking, looking for jobs, doing freelance work, and trying to stay active and stress-free. It's not easy. I personally had conversations, and overheard others, that delved into this topic and the fact that it's nice to get out of the house and socialize with people in similar situations. It's emotionally uplifting and reassuring that you're not the only one.
Give and take...
To effectively network you need to look at it as a two-way street. You can't just be a "taker." There's give and take and I, as well as others I spoke to at the event, believe you must actively participate in the networking process. Share information, resources, contacts, job leads, etc with people you meet. People will in turn want to help you out more. Plus, the good vibes you personally get from helping other people is in and of itself, an uplifter, at least for me it is. You get out of it what you put in. I offer my Freelancing breakout session as one example.
Market yourself...
Another great piece of advice I got is develop "Brand You." What is it that you're an expert at? Can you pick up some project work or do something to make you stand out and not just be one of the other millions unemployed? This will make you stand out when applying for jobs, interviewing and networking. That way when you give your elevator speech, it's not the pity "I'm unemployed and looking" speach, but rather "I'm doing this, that or whatever." You're putting your skills to work and setting yourself apart from everyone else. Get a personal business card for whatever type of freelancing and consulting work you do. This will also help you stand out above the crowd.
Job search tips...
Learn to adapt. I can't stress this enough. You must evolve with time. You can't be stuck in traditional means of job searching and networking. Don't assume a resume has to be a certain way. Don't assume anything. Don't be afraid of social networking. Stay current with all the latest technology and job searching/networking tools that are available. The majority of people I spoke with are on Twitter, LinkedIn, etc, but I did hear some folks say how much time it must consume and ask "can they really be useful"" They are most definitely helpful and you are definitely getting passed by by more active job seekers.
Stay tuned for more specific info, resources I picked up at camp, including where to find freelance work and job sites.
Further info:
Follow LaidoffCamp Chicago on Twitter @LaidoffCamp
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