It’s turned into a common greeting when we meet someone: “How are you doing?”, or, from around where I come from, as popularized in the Rocky movies: “How you doin’?” Of course, you don’t really want to know how the other person is doing, and they don’t really want to know how you are doing, but we say it anyway, and nod politely if somebody tells us anything but, “Good”, or “OK”.
Well, I’ve been out of work now for over 1 year, and for most of that time, true to the common convention, my response to that greeting has been: “Good; I’m semi-retired now and enjoying my free time reading and writing and dabbling in real estate, and just looking around for that perfect opportunity which would have to drag me kicking and screaming back to the working world.” When, in actuality, I’m not good, I’m unemployed, too depressed to do much reading or writing, real estate sucks, and I would gladly take any job that was offered. I just recently applied for a job as a dog walker, and I am anxiously waiting to hear if I’ve been accepted!
My wife suggested that maybe I should start telling people the truth when they ask how I’m doing, and maybe, just maybe they might be interested or sympathetic, and might be able to help me somehow. So, I tried it, and funny thing, nobody was interested!
Those people who already knew I’ve been out of work for an extended period, don’t ask anymore how I’m doing. I guess they feel funny or are embarrassed for me or for themselves. Those who don’t know, just nod politely and walk away. Nobody has once said: “Maybe I can help”, or “Send me a copy of your resume and I’ll pass it around my company”, or anything like that. Not that I was really surprised, although, looking back, I think I tried to be a little helpful to the less fortunate in those days when I was still working.
Hint: If you know someone who is out of work, don’t be afraid to really ask how they are doing and be a little sympathetic and interested in their plight. Humor them (us). Even if you just throw it away when they are out of sight, offer to take their resume, and keep your eyes and ears open for jobs in your area or company. It’s not fun out here, and it helps to have a little hope and maybe something to hang onto.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
MEDIUM...WELL DONE!
My new favorite TV show is the Medium. Yes, it is a little corny and, unless you believe in those things, a little out of this world, with the main character solving crimes by going to sleep and dreaming about what happened. But, there is a real-life dose of reality now in the show, with the husband of the main character a long time unemployed engineer.
In addition to the all important dreaming and crime solving, which is of course the basis for the show, we now see, if only briefly, the day to day problems of an unemployed professional as he struggles to cope with his situation, his family and trying to find another job. He is, by the way, an aeronautical engineer, which makes his situation even more difficult.
Granted, it is not the main plot focus, and if it was, it would probably be too depressing for anyone to watch. It does, however, give a picture of what it is like in today’s world and economy to have your life turned up-side-down. Last week’s episode even featured a plot line and guest character, also unemployed, who said that his family was falling apart and that he was “out of work so long that he almost forgot what it was like to work.”
Fortunately, I haven’t reached that point yet, or maybe I just have a long memory, but it is kind of refreshing to show a little bit of reality on something other than one of those “Reality” shows, which really aren’t so real anyway. I can’t wait to see how the show and the plot lines develop during the season.
In addition to the all important dreaming and crime solving, which is of course the basis for the show, we now see, if only briefly, the day to day problems of an unemployed professional as he struggles to cope with his situation, his family and trying to find another job. He is, by the way, an aeronautical engineer, which makes his situation even more difficult.
Granted, it is not the main plot focus, and if it was, it would probably be too depressing for anyone to watch. It does, however, give a picture of what it is like in today’s world and economy to have your life turned up-side-down. Last week’s episode even featured a plot line and guest character, also unemployed, who said that his family was falling apart and that he was “out of work so long that he almost forgot what it was like to work.”
Fortunately, I haven’t reached that point yet, or maybe I just have a long memory, but it is kind of refreshing to show a little bit of reality on something other than one of those “Reality” shows, which really aren’t so real anyway. I can’t wait to see how the show and the plot lines develop during the season.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
BARACK OBAMA WINS NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR….? SO HIRE ME!
First of all, I am a Democrat and I supported and voted for Barack Obama in the last election. I still, for the most part, support him. I think he has some good ideas, and represents an enlightened change from the past eight years, and the policies and politics that got us into the real mess that we now find ourselves in, even though he hasn’t figured out how to fix the economy and the job situation, and partly as a result, I’m still unemployed. That said, I have to question, along with a lot of others on both sides of the political aisle, what has he really done at this point, and especially less than 2 full weeks into his presidency when he was actually nominated, to earn a Noble Peace Prize?
He had and still has some enlightened ideas. He is a gifted speaker, politician and, I guess, diplomat, but today, after almost 10 months in office, his list of tangible accomplishments are few. There is a lot of hope and potential, though, which is good and important.
So, why not give me the same chance? Sure, I’ve never run a major corporation. I’ve never been a Senior Officer responsible for some major innovation, product or project. I’m not a technical guru on the level of Bill Gates or even some talented high school students. I do have some good ideas, though, and of course, like Barack Obama, the potential to do great things. I know that if I am given a Nobel…..I mean a job, I have the drive and energy and potential to make the world, or the company, proud!
But, alas, it doesn’t always seem to work that way. There is no on-the-job-training on the job to get hired, and there is no hiring anymore for potential, especially when today there are 6.3 people competing for each open and available job.
For what it’s worth, however, if anybody is reading this and interested, I am ready, willing and able, with a ton of potential!
He had and still has some enlightened ideas. He is a gifted speaker, politician and, I guess, diplomat, but today, after almost 10 months in office, his list of tangible accomplishments are few. There is a lot of hope and potential, though, which is good and important.
So, why not give me the same chance? Sure, I’ve never run a major corporation. I’ve never been a Senior Officer responsible for some major innovation, product or project. I’m not a technical guru on the level of Bill Gates or even some talented high school students. I do have some good ideas, though, and of course, like Barack Obama, the potential to do great things. I know that if I am given a Nobel…..I mean a job, I have the drive and energy and potential to make the world, or the company, proud!
But, alas, it doesn’t always seem to work that way. There is no on-the-job-training on the job to get hired, and there is no hiring anymore for potential, especially when today there are 6.3 people competing for each open and available job.
For what it’s worth, however, if anybody is reading this and interested, I am ready, willing and able, with a ton of potential!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Help Wanted.....
POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging,
permanent work in an often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication
and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends
and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a
pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment i s due when they turn 18 because
of the assumption that college will help them
become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension,
no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
no stock options are offered;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,
and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging,
permanent work in an often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication
and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends
and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a
pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment i s due when they turn 18 because
of the assumption that college will help them
become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension,
no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
no stock options are offered;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,
and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Experience Required, Please.....
Am I the only one who is tired of the advice columns and articles on What to do when you are unemployed, How to cope with being unemployed, How to find a job when you are unemployed, and How to be happy and contented when you are unemployed?
Actually, the main reason that I am tired of those columns and articles, is that they are written by people who are EMPLOYED! It’s easy to sit back and say and write enjoy yourself and your time off and go out and “smell the roses”, when you are the guy growing, selling, pocketing the money for the roses and collecting a regular weekly paycheck. It’s a lot different and more difficult when you are the guy scrounging around to find the money to buy a couple of daisies! I really think that you need some recent first hand experience on the unemployment line to fully understand what is going on and how difficult it is.
I have tried all of the networking, and websites and job fairs. I have tried finding all of those so called “hidden” jobs and have applied to temporary consultant jobs and have gone through the long explanations, given in the advice columns, to explain why I am not “overqualified” for a particular job, or if I am, how it could still benefit the company, and how I really don’t care if I am “overqualified”. I am still unemployed, though. Most people that I have talked to have also done these same things and are still unemployed and not real happy or contented about it.
Despite what those columns say, and what the government itself may be trying to tell us to try and paint a somewhat hopeful picture, today I received the following very telling email from one of the Recruiting / Management Consulting Firms that I have been working with which really sums up the situation:
“Some of you are concerned that I have not sent any new positions/projects within the past few week. It has been tough and jobs are very limited. Most of our clients are trying to hold onto their core group, and others have had lay offs and hiring freezes.”
And that’s really the way it is. So, going forward, please only those who are actually, currently unemployed should write advice columns and articles about being unemployed. Of course, then, I guess, if they are writing the articles that would mean that they were no longer unemployed, but, you get the picture.
Actually, the main reason that I am tired of those columns and articles, is that they are written by people who are EMPLOYED! It’s easy to sit back and say and write enjoy yourself and your time off and go out and “smell the roses”, when you are the guy growing, selling, pocketing the money for the roses and collecting a regular weekly paycheck. It’s a lot different and more difficult when you are the guy scrounging around to find the money to buy a couple of daisies! I really think that you need some recent first hand experience on the unemployment line to fully understand what is going on and how difficult it is.
I have tried all of the networking, and websites and job fairs. I have tried finding all of those so called “hidden” jobs and have applied to temporary consultant jobs and have gone through the long explanations, given in the advice columns, to explain why I am not “overqualified” for a particular job, or if I am, how it could still benefit the company, and how I really don’t care if I am “overqualified”. I am still unemployed, though. Most people that I have talked to have also done these same things and are still unemployed and not real happy or contented about it.
Despite what those columns say, and what the government itself may be trying to tell us to try and paint a somewhat hopeful picture, today I received the following very telling email from one of the Recruiting / Management Consulting Firms that I have been working with which really sums up the situation:
“Some of you are concerned that I have not sent any new positions/projects within the past few week. It has been tough and jobs are very limited. Most of our clients are trying to hold onto their core group, and others have had lay offs and hiring freezes.”
And that’s really the way it is. So, going forward, please only those who are actually, currently unemployed should write advice columns and articles about being unemployed. Of course, then, I guess, if they are writing the articles that would mean that they were no longer unemployed, but, you get the picture.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
And the Good News Is.....
The Labor Department reported today that the number of newly laid off workers applying for benefits dropped to 601,000 last week. According to the Labor Department, that was far better than the rise to 635,000 claims that had been expected!
Wow! Now that’s what I call grasping for straws and trying to be optimistic at all costs. I know that the government is trying to spin the economic problems and try and put somewhat of a positive face on things, but 601,000 new claims for unemployment, which means 601,000 new lost jobs, doesn’t sound too optimistic to me. What I would like to read is the number of new jobs created and the number of people who went back to work…unfortunately, I don’t think those numbers exist.
By the way, the Labor Department also reported that the total number of unemployed workers getting benefits climbed to a new record high of 6.35 million, and that’s just the number of people actually getting benefits. It does not count those whose benefits have run out and who are no longer getting benefits.
This is why both the housing and auto industries are still in big trouble and will probably stay in big trouble for a long time yet. With people still losing their jobs and other people still afraid of losing their jobs, people are afraid to make big, long term purchases no matter how much credit the banks make available. Not until the employment situation stabilizes will these industries begin to recover.
Wow! Now that’s what I call grasping for straws and trying to be optimistic at all costs. I know that the government is trying to spin the economic problems and try and put somewhat of a positive face on things, but 601,000 new claims for unemployment, which means 601,000 new lost jobs, doesn’t sound too optimistic to me. What I would like to read is the number of new jobs created and the number of people who went back to work…unfortunately, I don’t think those numbers exist.
By the way, the Labor Department also reported that the total number of unemployed workers getting benefits climbed to a new record high of 6.35 million, and that’s just the number of people actually getting benefits. It does not count those whose benefits have run out and who are no longer getting benefits.
This is why both the housing and auto industries are still in big trouble and will probably stay in big trouble for a long time yet. With people still losing their jobs and other people still afraid of losing their jobs, people are afraid to make big, long term purchases no matter how much credit the banks make available. Not until the employment situation stabilizes will these industries begin to recover.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
To Be or Not To Be.....
Well, today I made the “big” decision. It’s coming up next week on six months that I’ve been “retired”. Six long, boring, generally unproductive months that took me through the end of Autumn, the Christmas Holidays, Winter, the end of Football season (through a miracle or two, the Eagles kept it going longer than most people, including myself, expected), early Spring, the Easter Holidays, and now the start of Baseball season. I guess I could add in the Basketball and Hockey seasons, but most people in this area don’t get too excited anymore about Basketball and Hockey, even though both the Sixers and the Flyers each made a brief playoff run.
During that time, I catapulted hundreds and hundreds of resumes and cover letters into cyber-space, made dozens of phone calls, renewed old contacts and made some new ones, and, had one interview. Santa Clause, it seemed, made a bigger blip on the radar screens flying across space than did my resumes. Or, to quote from, and agree with, a letter from a former colleague (also unemployed) which was recently published in Fortune magazine: “There have been more sightings of Bigfoot, than reports of a successful job search”.
Not to sound too dejected. It wasn’t all bad. I knew with the economy as it was / is, it was going to take time to find a job. I did have some fun and good quality time, which I most probably wouldn’t have otherwise had, with family and friends during the Holidays. I was also able to greatly help out with a serious family illness. And, I was finally able to satisfy a life long dream of sorts to do some “broadcasting” by volunteering to record books for the Blind. My voice may not have been heard round the world, but I was sitting in a professional recording booth, speaking and recording. That experience, and some of the really interesting people I met doing it, helped keep me a little sane. Of course, too, there is this blog, which I started, and which, probably like my resumes and cover letters, isn’t making a big impact, but I’m enjoying writing it.
So, getting back to my “big” decision. As I wrote in an earlier post, I was seriously thinking about dusting off and re-activating my Real Estate licenses. I had studied and gotten them about 6 years ago when I was initially thinking of a career change, and while I didn’t do much with them then, always kept them active just in case for the future. Well, I finally decided, the future is now!
Over the past 2 weeks I interviewed with several Brokers to get a feel for the business, their offices, my potential with them, and the type of training and assistance that they would provide to help get me started and hopefully productive. Since Real Estate Brokers have very little real outlay for their agents other than desk space and some business cards, they were all very receptive to talk to me and even “hire” me. Afterall, if I sell a property they get half of the commission, and if I don’t, they’re not paying me a salary, so all they have lost is part of a desk and some business cards.
Today, I made the decision, and picked a Broker, Weichert Realty in Yardley, about 7 minutes from my house. I liked the office and the personality of the manager, and from what we talked about and from my research of the company, which has a presence in 42 states, they can provide me with the tools, support and leads to help me be a success, or at least sell some houses.
It was a big decision. I’m both excited and scared. I’m excited because it is potentially a big new career. I’m scared because it is potentially a big new career and I had tried it briefly before and wasn’t real successful. But, I realized, that while the weather is getting nicer and both my bike and golf clubs are cleaned and ready to go, I couldn’t keep sitting around beating the bushes and cyber-space for jobs that didn’t seem to be there right now. This will at least get me out there “working” with a real potential at a career and at making some money, and even expanding my network.
During that time, I catapulted hundreds and hundreds of resumes and cover letters into cyber-space, made dozens of phone calls, renewed old contacts and made some new ones, and, had one interview. Santa Clause, it seemed, made a bigger blip on the radar screens flying across space than did my resumes. Or, to quote from, and agree with, a letter from a former colleague (also unemployed) which was recently published in Fortune magazine: “There have been more sightings of Bigfoot, than reports of a successful job search”.
Not to sound too dejected. It wasn’t all bad. I knew with the economy as it was / is, it was going to take time to find a job. I did have some fun and good quality time, which I most probably wouldn’t have otherwise had, with family and friends during the Holidays. I was also able to greatly help out with a serious family illness. And, I was finally able to satisfy a life long dream of sorts to do some “broadcasting” by volunteering to record books for the Blind. My voice may not have been heard round the world, but I was sitting in a professional recording booth, speaking and recording. That experience, and some of the really interesting people I met doing it, helped keep me a little sane. Of course, too, there is this blog, which I started, and which, probably like my resumes and cover letters, isn’t making a big impact, but I’m enjoying writing it.
So, getting back to my “big” decision. As I wrote in an earlier post, I was seriously thinking about dusting off and re-activating my Real Estate licenses. I had studied and gotten them about 6 years ago when I was initially thinking of a career change, and while I didn’t do much with them then, always kept them active just in case for the future. Well, I finally decided, the future is now!
Over the past 2 weeks I interviewed with several Brokers to get a feel for the business, their offices, my potential with them, and the type of training and assistance that they would provide to help get me started and hopefully productive. Since Real Estate Brokers have very little real outlay for their agents other than desk space and some business cards, they were all very receptive to talk to me and even “hire” me. Afterall, if I sell a property they get half of the commission, and if I don’t, they’re not paying me a salary, so all they have lost is part of a desk and some business cards.
Today, I made the decision, and picked a Broker, Weichert Realty in Yardley, about 7 minutes from my house. I liked the office and the personality of the manager, and from what we talked about and from my research of the company, which has a presence in 42 states, they can provide me with the tools, support and leads to help me be a success, or at least sell some houses.
It was a big decision. I’m both excited and scared. I’m excited because it is potentially a big new career. I’m scared because it is potentially a big new career and I had tried it briefly before and wasn’t real successful. But, I realized, that while the weather is getting nicer and both my bike and golf clubs are cleaned and ready to go, I couldn’t keep sitting around beating the bushes and cyber-space for jobs that didn’t seem to be there right now. This will at least get me out there “working” with a real potential at a career and at making some money, and even expanding my network.
Monday, April 27, 2009
To the Beach.....
One of the nice things about not working is that on a nice day like today you can easily take off and go to the beach (or golf course) without feeling guilty, having to ask anybody or having to reschedule anything. Of course, I guess technically, if you are not working, then there is nothing to take off from, unless it is from not working, which would then mean you are going to work. So in reality, you are not taking off from not working, but rather, relocating where you are not working from. So, instead of not working from home, you are not working from the beach or the golf course.
Anyway, it’s a beautiful day, so enjoy it and remember to put on plenty of suntan lotion so you don’t get sunburned. Also, if you are married, be sure to be back home and busy in your home office before your wife / husband gets home from work, because they would probably not understand the whole idea of you taking a day off from not working to go to the beach / golf course to not work. They probably expect you to be home not working and looking for work.
Anyway, it’s a beautiful day, so enjoy it and remember to put on plenty of suntan lotion so you don’t get sunburned. Also, if you are married, be sure to be back home and busy in your home office before your wife / husband gets home from work, because they would probably not understand the whole idea of you taking a day off from not working to go to the beach / golf course to not work. They probably expect you to be home not working and looking for work.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Want to Buy a House.....
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Real Estate and new Cherry Dr. Pepper. Really, I love that stuff. I can’t get enough. It’s awesome!
Now, if you haven’t seen it or tried it, you might ask, “What’s new about it? Isn’t that what Dr. Pepper is, cherry?” No! Regular Dr. Pepper is Cherry Cola. Cherry Dr. Pepper is CHERRY. Not too sweet. Not too tart. Not too artificial. Delicious!!
Anyway, I digress from my main point which is really Real Estate. I have been thinking a lot about it lately, too. It’s been almost 6 months that I’ve been “retired”, and while it’s been fun doing all of the networking, and volunteer work, and launching hundreds and hundreds of cover letters and resumes into cyber-space, fixing up my basement a little, and hanging around surfing the web, all that hasn’t seemed to have gotten me anywhere. At least if I had been drinking the Cherry Dr. Pepper all that time I would have had some cavities to show for it!
About 6 years ago I decided to get my Real Estate license. Actually, because of where I live, I studied and got two, one for Pennsylvania and one for New Jersey, and I worked in a Real Estate office for about 6 months. I never sold anything. I never listed anything. I did see a lot of houses and talk to a lot of people. It was interesting and fun, but in the end, it wasn’t bringing in any money, so when I had a chance, I decided to go back to my real job. Not that Real Estate isn’t a real job, it is, and it is a hard job, especially getting started and getting that first sale or listing, and you don’t get paid until you finalize that sale.
Well, I’m kind of back in a similar situation now, and I’m thinking maybe it is time to try a different tactic and follow a new course. I’ve always paid my fees and taken the required continuing education courses to keep my licenses active, thinking someday when I’m “retired”, I might want to go back into it.
True, the Real Estate market isn’t necessarily red hot right now. The latest reports released today in fact show that sales of both new and existing homes are down again. But, there seems to be some hope and some movement in the lower end market for first time buyers, especially with the $8,000 stimulus package and super low mortgage rates, if of course you can get a mortgage. Also, hanging around in a Real Estate office might seem to give me more of a chance to get lucky and make some money than continuing to hang around my basement “office”, if things continue as they have. I could additionally continue to look for other work at the same time.
So, the other day I visited a few Real Estate offices to scope things out, see what the market potential is, see what some of the offices were like, and see if anyone would be interested in having me join their staff. I have more appointments next week, but the initial reception and impressions were positive. The two Office Managers / Brokers who I spoke with both said that there was potential, that if I was really interested they would work with me and provide the tools and training to get me going (I guess not too many people are lining up to sell Real Estate these days), and eventually, all those homes with For Sale signs will sell, one way or one price or another.
Some interesting options to think about, at least. I do need to do something soon, though. My wife will be retiring in June, and if I’m still home, I think she will kill me. I just thought that I would put that in writing in advance, in case a body is found!
Now, if you haven’t seen it or tried it, you might ask, “What’s new about it? Isn’t that what Dr. Pepper is, cherry?” No! Regular Dr. Pepper is Cherry Cola. Cherry Dr. Pepper is CHERRY. Not too sweet. Not too tart. Not too artificial. Delicious!!
Anyway, I digress from my main point which is really Real Estate. I have been thinking a lot about it lately, too. It’s been almost 6 months that I’ve been “retired”, and while it’s been fun doing all of the networking, and volunteer work, and launching hundreds and hundreds of cover letters and resumes into cyber-space, fixing up my basement a little, and hanging around surfing the web, all that hasn’t seemed to have gotten me anywhere. At least if I had been drinking the Cherry Dr. Pepper all that time I would have had some cavities to show for it!
About 6 years ago I decided to get my Real Estate license. Actually, because of where I live, I studied and got two, one for Pennsylvania and one for New Jersey, and I worked in a Real Estate office for about 6 months. I never sold anything. I never listed anything. I did see a lot of houses and talk to a lot of people. It was interesting and fun, but in the end, it wasn’t bringing in any money, so when I had a chance, I decided to go back to my real job. Not that Real Estate isn’t a real job, it is, and it is a hard job, especially getting started and getting that first sale or listing, and you don’t get paid until you finalize that sale.
Well, I’m kind of back in a similar situation now, and I’m thinking maybe it is time to try a different tactic and follow a new course. I’ve always paid my fees and taken the required continuing education courses to keep my licenses active, thinking someday when I’m “retired”, I might want to go back into it.
True, the Real Estate market isn’t necessarily red hot right now. The latest reports released today in fact show that sales of both new and existing homes are down again. But, there seems to be some hope and some movement in the lower end market for first time buyers, especially with the $8,000 stimulus package and super low mortgage rates, if of course you can get a mortgage. Also, hanging around in a Real Estate office might seem to give me more of a chance to get lucky and make some money than continuing to hang around my basement “office”, if things continue as they have. I could additionally continue to look for other work at the same time.
So, the other day I visited a few Real Estate offices to scope things out, see what the market potential is, see what some of the offices were like, and see if anyone would be interested in having me join their staff. I have more appointments next week, but the initial reception and impressions were positive. The two Office Managers / Brokers who I spoke with both said that there was potential, that if I was really interested they would work with me and provide the tools and training to get me going (I guess not too many people are lining up to sell Real Estate these days), and eventually, all those homes with For Sale signs will sell, one way or one price or another.
Some interesting options to think about, at least. I do need to do something soon, though. My wife will be retiring in June, and if I’m still home, I think she will kill me. I just thought that I would put that in writing in advance, in case a body is found!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
"O" is for.....
Well, it’s not for Orgasm! Sorry about that, but I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with a recruiter, who seemed to barely speak English, trying to convince him that while, sure I was OVERQUALIFIED for the temporary consulting job that he had called me about, I was very, very interested in it, I wouldn’t be bored, I could certainly add value to the company and the position, and well, hey, some job and some salary for some time is better than no job and no salary for some time.
I don’t think he believed me for some reason. His final words were, “I know that I can find you something much better and much better suited to your level and your qualifications”. I certainly hope so, but I’m not holding my breath right now, because I’ve heard it all before.
This, coincidently, brings me to more advice on the issue of over qualification which addresses just this issue and which I just happened to read in the Washington Post. The advice didn’t work for me, but, hey, who knows, it might work for somebody else.
-- Simplify your résumé. If you have an advanced degree such as a master's, don't list it on your résumé. If asked, don't lie, but you want to at least get an interview and a chance to explain why you are willing to take a job for which you may be overqualified.
-- Beat the manager to the punch. In your cover letter, or if you're fortunate to get an interview either face-to-face or on the telephone, acknowledge that you may appear overqualified for the job. But stress that you are willing to work hard and at a lower position. And you need to be convincing. This means you have to mean what you say.
-- Address the pay issue. You don't want to talk money too soon, but be upfront that you are willing to work for less -- probably much less than your previous job. Again, be authentic. Without sounding desperate -- even if you are -- explain that given the economy, you have realistic salary expectations.
-- This recession has been a humbling experience for highly experienced professionals. So my last tip is: Watch your attitude when job-hunting.
Hiring managers are flooded with applications, and they don't have time for someone who might look down on the position they are trying to fill. Think of it from that person's perspective. It costs money to fill and then refill a position. You might say you are willing to work for anything, but they can tell if you're just buying time until you can get a better job.
Good Luck!!
I don’t think he believed me for some reason. His final words were, “I know that I can find you something much better and much better suited to your level and your qualifications”. I certainly hope so, but I’m not holding my breath right now, because I’ve heard it all before.
This, coincidently, brings me to more advice on the issue of over qualification which addresses just this issue and which I just happened to read in the Washington Post. The advice didn’t work for me, but, hey, who knows, it might work for somebody else.
-- Simplify your résumé. If you have an advanced degree such as a master's, don't list it on your résumé. If asked, don't lie, but you want to at least get an interview and a chance to explain why you are willing to take a job for which you may be overqualified.
-- Beat the manager to the punch. In your cover letter, or if you're fortunate to get an interview either face-to-face or on the telephone, acknowledge that you may appear overqualified for the job. But stress that you are willing to work hard and at a lower position. And you need to be convincing. This means you have to mean what you say.
-- Address the pay issue. You don't want to talk money too soon, but be upfront that you are willing to work for less -- probably much less than your previous job. Again, be authentic. Without sounding desperate -- even if you are -- explain that given the economy, you have realistic salary expectations.
-- This recession has been a humbling experience for highly experienced professionals. So my last tip is: Watch your attitude when job-hunting.
Hiring managers are flooded with applications, and they don't have time for someone who might look down on the position they are trying to fill. Think of it from that person's perspective. It costs money to fill and then refill a position. You might say you are willing to work for anything, but they can tell if you're just buying time until you can get a better job.
Good Luck!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Soccer-it To Me.....
In the all no-work and no-play department, the New York Times is reporting that a new kind of soccer league has been formed in Hoboken, New Jersey. It’s called a “Recession Soccer” league, and it is made up of the newly unemployed and underemployed.
The league was the idea of Ian Sacs, a laid-off transportation engineer. He was laid-off in October, and quickly realized that he was not the only one out of work, and started to think of ways for people to connect, get exercise and do a little networking. After all, you can’t spend all of your time looking at those job sites and sending out resumes!
Weather permitting, the league meets mid-day on Friday at the Frank Sinatra Park on the Hoboken waterfront. There is a wide mix of people and former occupations, and everybody has their own stories to tell of how they got there (unemployed) and how they are coping with their new economic situation.
Who would have thought that playing soccer could be called networking. I wonder if I could convince my wife that hanging out at the track and the neighborhood pub is legitimate and essential networking?
SCORE!!
The league was the idea of Ian Sacs, a laid-off transportation engineer. He was laid-off in October, and quickly realized that he was not the only one out of work, and started to think of ways for people to connect, get exercise and do a little networking. After all, you can’t spend all of your time looking at those job sites and sending out resumes!
Weather permitting, the league meets mid-day on Friday at the Frank Sinatra Park on the Hoboken waterfront. There is a wide mix of people and former occupations, and everybody has their own stories to tell of how they got there (unemployed) and how they are coping with their new economic situation.
Who would have thought that playing soccer could be called networking. I wonder if I could convince my wife that hanging out at the track and the neighborhood pub is legitimate and essential networking?
SCORE!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
More Fun Than TV.....
In the latest from the who would have thought that the recession would have affected this department, Planned Parenthood in Southern California is reporting that requests for vasectomies were up 30 percent in the first quarter for its clinics in San Diego and Riverside Counties. Similar increases in the procedure, or requests for the procedure, were also reported in places like Seattle and New York City.
Possible explanations for the increases include:
• Unemployed men often qualify for free vasectomies under FamilyPACT, a California family planning program for low-income households.
• With the uncertain economy and job situation, many men are anxious about the expense of an additional child.
• Some men are afraid of losing their job and want to get their vasectomy done before they lose their health insurance
• Some men come in because they are out of work and have more time on their hands to take care of medical issues.
Personally, I think that there is just not a lot of good TV anymore, and you are hanging around the house with all that free time on your hands, with nothing else to do, so……
Possible explanations for the increases include:
• Unemployed men often qualify for free vasectomies under FamilyPACT, a California family planning program for low-income households.
• With the uncertain economy and job situation, many men are anxious about the expense of an additional child.
• Some men are afraid of losing their job and want to get their vasectomy done before they lose their health insurance
• Some men come in because they are out of work and have more time on their hands to take care of medical issues.
Personally, I think that there is just not a lot of good TV anymore, and you are hanging around the house with all that free time on your hands, with nothing else to do, so……
Friday, April 3, 2009
Welcome to the Club.....
Well, it’s official. Membership in the most unwanted club has increased by at least 663,000. That club, is of course, the club of the Unemployed. Current membership now exceeds 13.5 million, which is a lot more than any clubhouse, hall or stadium can hold, so there hasn’t been an official club meeting yet. We do, however, meet regularly online and through our various networking groups.
Actually, there are considerably more than 13.5 million people out of work, because that number does not include those who are only working part time, since that is the only job that they could find, and those who have been out of work for so long that they have given up on finding a job and have stopped looking. So, right now, there are over 13.5 million people actively looking for jobs. No wonder competition is so tough and those job fairs are so crowded!
The good news, though, is, if you have some extra money to go with that extra free time now, the cost of travel has come down. Never one to miss an opportunity, the Travel industry has realized that many of the people who were previously too busy working to take a vacation are now on a type of long-term vacation. So they are offering hot deals on airline tickets and all kinds of hotel and resort packages for us folks who no longer have to worry about hurrying back so we don’t miss that important Monday morning Staff Meeting! Gee, maybe we should have missed a few of those meetings and taken some paid vacations when we had the chance. Would it have really made a difference now?
Seriously, though, check out some of the deals on any of your favorite travel web sites. Some resorts are offering 2 for 1 bookings and extended stay packages, and airfares are $100 or more less than early in the year.
Have a nice vacation!
Actually, there are considerably more than 13.5 million people out of work, because that number does not include those who are only working part time, since that is the only job that they could find, and those who have been out of work for so long that they have given up on finding a job and have stopped looking. So, right now, there are over 13.5 million people actively looking for jobs. No wonder competition is so tough and those job fairs are so crowded!
The good news, though, is, if you have some extra money to go with that extra free time now, the cost of travel has come down. Never one to miss an opportunity, the Travel industry has realized that many of the people who were previously too busy working to take a vacation are now on a type of long-term vacation. So they are offering hot deals on airline tickets and all kinds of hotel and resort packages for us folks who no longer have to worry about hurrying back so we don’t miss that important Monday morning Staff Meeting! Gee, maybe we should have missed a few of those meetings and taken some paid vacations when we had the chance. Would it have really made a difference now?
Seriously, though, check out some of the deals on any of your favorite travel web sites. Some resorts are offering 2 for 1 bookings and extended stay packages, and airfares are $100 or more less than early in the year.
Have a nice vacation!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Well, Maybe, But.....
The online job site, The Ladders, recently published some advice on how to handle the sticky situation where you have too much experience or are just plain over qualified for the position for which you are being interviewed, and which you probably desperately want and need. The slightly flawed scenario and advice that they present is:
"My current position as Regional Sales Manager requires me to cover fourteen states and the job had grown into fifteen nights of travel per month. This has become an increasingly difficult sacrifice for my family. I have decided to seek a major accounts rep position that allows me to focus on my strengths -- selling, sustaining top-notch client relationships, and up-selling -- but also allows me to go home most evenings. This is not an option at my current job. It requires a lot of out-of-town travel to do the job, which I am no longer willing to do. I believe my extensive marketing and sales skills would greatly benefit your organization in a positive way. I see this as a win/win situation for both of us."
I say that this is slightly flawed because, while this may be a perfectly logical way to address the issue when you are working, if, like many of us, you are not working, your problem is not that you are away from home too much on business, it is that you never leave the house because you have no business to go to!
My suggestion, without appearing too desperate or begging, is to use their line, “I believe my extensive marketing and sales skills would greatly benefit your organization in a positive way.” And then maybe beg a little!
"My current position as Regional Sales Manager requires me to cover fourteen states and the job had grown into fifteen nights of travel per month. This has become an increasingly difficult sacrifice for my family. I have decided to seek a major accounts rep position that allows me to focus on my strengths -- selling, sustaining top-notch client relationships, and up-selling -- but also allows me to go home most evenings. This is not an option at my current job. It requires a lot of out-of-town travel to do the job, which I am no longer willing to do. I believe my extensive marketing and sales skills would greatly benefit your organization in a positive way. I see this as a win/win situation for both of us."
I say that this is slightly flawed because, while this may be a perfectly logical way to address the issue when you are working, if, like many of us, you are not working, your problem is not that you are away from home too much on business, it is that you never leave the house because you have no business to go to!
My suggestion, without appearing too desperate or begging, is to use their line, “I believe my extensive marketing and sales skills would greatly benefit your organization in a positive way.” And then maybe beg a little!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Perfect Gift.....
We’ve probably all heard, and maybe at one time even asked, the question: What do you get the person who has everything?
Truly, the Queen of England would, I think, qualify as a “person who has everything”, or at least a person who could have anything she wanted. So I guess it is hard to find a gift, even a token, ceremonial gift to give her. She certainly doesn’t need any plates or medals and she has a few whole palaces full of paintings and art work. But, I was a little surprised at President Obama’s gift today to the Queen of an ipod. I would have thought, maybe, one of those Franklin Mint coins with his picture on it and the official numbered certificate would have been nice, or how about a Yankee Candle, I'm sure those old castles that the Queen lives in can be pretty musty smelling.
I know that the President is supposed to be a hip technologist with his Blackberry and his own ipod. But, if the Queen doesn’t already have an ipod, and if she wanted one, I’m sure she would have one, what would she do with one? I somehow can’t picture her walking the dogs around the palace grounds with her ipod on her belt, or sitting in the royal chambers listening to the ipod in it’s docking station (I wonder if the President also gave her a docking station?). Or, driving around in one of her Rolls’ with the ipod plugged into the radio. Of course, with Wall Street and Detroit in the dumps, the ipod is perhaps the ultimate example these days of American engineering and ingenuity, so on those grounds I guess it might be the perfect American ceremonial gift.
The Queen, now on the other hand, did, I think, give the President the perfect gift, a framed, signed picture of herself and Prince Philip. I don’t know how it was signed or if there was any little inscription like, Keep up the good work, or, Good luck with your Final 4, but most likely the President doesn’t have one of those pictures yet.
Attention relatives and friends, since I’m not working and I have a neat digital camera and photo printer, you are all getting pictures of me for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. If the Queen of England can do it and not be considered cheap or worse, why not me!
Truly, the Queen of England would, I think, qualify as a “person who has everything”, or at least a person who could have anything she wanted. So I guess it is hard to find a gift, even a token, ceremonial gift to give her. She certainly doesn’t need any plates or medals and she has a few whole palaces full of paintings and art work. But, I was a little surprised at President Obama’s gift today to the Queen of an ipod. I would have thought, maybe, one of those Franklin Mint coins with his picture on it and the official numbered certificate would have been nice, or how about a Yankee Candle, I'm sure those old castles that the Queen lives in can be pretty musty smelling.
I know that the President is supposed to be a hip technologist with his Blackberry and his own ipod. But, if the Queen doesn’t already have an ipod, and if she wanted one, I’m sure she would have one, what would she do with one? I somehow can’t picture her walking the dogs around the palace grounds with her ipod on her belt, or sitting in the royal chambers listening to the ipod in it’s docking station (I wonder if the President also gave her a docking station?). Or, driving around in one of her Rolls’ with the ipod plugged into the radio. Of course, with Wall Street and Detroit in the dumps, the ipod is perhaps the ultimate example these days of American engineering and ingenuity, so on those grounds I guess it might be the perfect American ceremonial gift.
The Queen, now on the other hand, did, I think, give the President the perfect gift, a framed, signed picture of herself and Prince Philip. I don’t know how it was signed or if there was any little inscription like, Keep up the good work, or, Good luck with your Final 4, but most likely the President doesn’t have one of those pictures yet.
Attention relatives and friends, since I’m not working and I have a neat digital camera and photo printer, you are all getting pictures of me for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. If the Queen of England can do it and not be considered cheap or worse, why not me!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Trailers for Sale or Rent.....
…..Rooms to rent, fifty cents. Well, it’s not that bad….yet. But, in another sign of how bad things are, and how much worse some people think they will get, many recession-pinched homeowners are looking for paying boarders to share their space.
Apartment sharing is not uncommon among the 20-something set, especially in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston, where the rent for a decent apartment can easily run well over $1,000 a month. But, homeowners needing and looking for paying guests is a recent occurrence and a repeat of the depression era of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Actually, renting out part of the family house was a very common practice in the late 19th century, but as more Americans moved into single-family homes, the arrangement became less popular, and by 1950, boarders and roomers were largely out of the picture. The current economic troubles seems now to have brought it back, and the whole process has of course been updated considerably through the use of Craigslist and other online web sites.
Listings for housemates on the various classified and house-sharing web sites have ballooned in the past year. On Craigslist alone in the Philadelphia area, roommate wanted ads have risen by 60% in the past year, according to company figures.
If you are thinking about possibly renting out part of your house to help meet expenses, needless to say, check out the persons very carefully. Unless you have completely separate living spaces, the boarder will have full access to your house and everything in it. Also, check with your local municipality for any special rules and regulations and licenses.
Apartment sharing is not uncommon among the 20-something set, especially in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston, where the rent for a decent apartment can easily run well over $1,000 a month. But, homeowners needing and looking for paying guests is a recent occurrence and a repeat of the depression era of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Actually, renting out part of the family house was a very common practice in the late 19th century, but as more Americans moved into single-family homes, the arrangement became less popular, and by 1950, boarders and roomers were largely out of the picture. The current economic troubles seems now to have brought it back, and the whole process has of course been updated considerably through the use of Craigslist and other online web sites.
Listings for housemates on the various classified and house-sharing web sites have ballooned in the past year. On Craigslist alone in the Philadelphia area, roommate wanted ads have risen by 60% in the past year, according to company figures.
If you are thinking about possibly renting out part of your house to help meet expenses, needless to say, check out the persons very carefully. Unless you have completely separate living spaces, the boarder will have full access to your house and everything in it. Also, check with your local municipality for any special rules and regulations and licenses.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Put Me in Coach.....
In another sign of just how bad the economy and the job situation is, over 2,500 people recently applied for 150 jobs at a new supermarket which is scheduled to open in Collegeville, PA, in October. At one time I used to feel sorry for the checkers and baggers and produce stackers, but I guess not anymore. It’s steady, paying work!
In other employment news, or so I have been told…
Jeff Gordon fired his entire pit crew. This announcement
followed Gordon's decision to take advantage of
President Obama's scheme to employ Harlem youngsters.
The decision to hire them was brought about by a recent
documentary on how unemployed youths from Harlem
were able to remove a set of wheels in less than 6 seconds
without proper equipment, whereas Gordon's existing crew
could only do it in 8 seconds with millions of dollars worth
of high tech equipment. It was thought to be an excellent
and bold move by Gordon's management team as most races
are won or lost in the pits. However, Gordon got more than he bargained for!
At the crew's first practice session, not only was the
inexperienced crew able to change all 4 wheels in under 6
seconds, but within 12 seconds they had changed the paint
scheme, altered the Vin number, and sold the car to Dale
Earnhardt Jr. for 10 cases of Bud, a bag of weed, and some
photos of Jeff Gordon's wife in the shower.
In other employment news, or so I have been told…
Jeff Gordon fired his entire pit crew. This announcement
followed Gordon's decision to take advantage of
President Obama's scheme to employ Harlem youngsters.
The decision to hire them was brought about by a recent
documentary on how unemployed youths from Harlem
were able to remove a set of wheels in less than 6 seconds
without proper equipment, whereas Gordon's existing crew
could only do it in 8 seconds with millions of dollars worth
of high tech equipment. It was thought to be an excellent
and bold move by Gordon's management team as most races
are won or lost in the pits. However, Gordon got more than he bargained for!
At the crew's first practice session, not only was the
inexperienced crew able to change all 4 wheels in under 6
seconds, but within 12 seconds they had changed the paint
scheme, altered the Vin number, and sold the car to Dale
Earnhardt Jr. for 10 cases of Bud, a bag of weed, and some
photos of Jeff Gordon's wife in the shower.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Take this Job.....
In yesterday’s New York Times, Jake DeSantis, an AIG executive (or now former executive if the letter had the stated affect), boldly and publically resigned from his job. What a guy! What a ballsy move!
In his resignation letter, Mr. DeSantis said that he, and many of his colleagues, were tired of being unfairly and unjustly blamed and persecuted for the problems at AIG, and by extension, the rest of the country. Most past and present employees of AIG had nothing to do with it. They were just trying to do their jobs as best they could.
I must admit, that I was kind of impressed. He did make some true and valid points that I hadn’t really heard or seen made on the subject. AIG and most of it’s employees are being made the scapegoats of this economic crisis, not that the company didn’t have a big part of it, but it wasn’t all their doing as some would lead you to believe.
Even the now infamous “Retention Bonuses” were explained and put into some context. They are, as he explained, a normal part of doing business. When a company is in financial trouble or undergoing some other major changes, the first reaction of most employees is “I’m going to loose my job”, and their first instinct is to find another job. “Retention Bonuses” or payments are a perfectly normal way to keep employees around to keep the company running until either the doors are officially shut or the company is otherwise reorganized. They are intended to compensate employees for income they may have lost by not taking that other job at that other company.
My problem, however, with Mr. DeSantis’s letter is, if it was intended in anyway to gain the public support or sympathy of the middle Americans who have been calling for his and other’s heads at AIG, it may have had somewhat of the opposite affect. While most people might like to follow his lead and tell their bosses to “take this job and shove it”, most people are not in the financial position to voluntarily give up their jobs and still be able to afford their mortgages, car payments, health insurance, food, colleges tuitions, etc. I think it might actually further point out the disparity in incomes and lifestyles that people are complaining about, and even further enflame the situation.
Just a few pointers for Mr. DeSantis, from past and present experience, now that you are no longer working:
• Try to keep a schedule as close to your working schedule as possible. If you got up at say 5:00 am to go to the gym and then to the office, get up and go to the gym and then to your “home office”
• Don’t let yourself get sloppy and hang around in sweats. Get dressed reasonably well. You can leave off the tie; business casual is acceptable.
• Find a hobby or some kind of volunteer work to give yourself a break from job hunting and make yourself feel like you are making some kind of a meaningful contribution to society.
• A professional resume and cover letter is critical. In today’s climate, you might want to de-emphasize your AIG experience, or at least be well prepared to explain what you did and didn’t do there.
• At least in the beginning, be prepared to spend 6 – 8 hours a day job hunting. It is almost a full time job in itself going through all of the job boards and networking. Thanks to the internet and email you don’t have to get your hands dirty with news print from the classified, lick stamps and address envelopes!
• If you get really bored or lonely, let’s hang out! You can Twitter me at gridunplugged, and be sure to check my blog for more interesting and helpful tips!
In his resignation letter, Mr. DeSantis said that he, and many of his colleagues, were tired of being unfairly and unjustly blamed and persecuted for the problems at AIG, and by extension, the rest of the country. Most past and present employees of AIG had nothing to do with it. They were just trying to do their jobs as best they could.
I must admit, that I was kind of impressed. He did make some true and valid points that I hadn’t really heard or seen made on the subject. AIG and most of it’s employees are being made the scapegoats of this economic crisis, not that the company didn’t have a big part of it, but it wasn’t all their doing as some would lead you to believe.
Even the now infamous “Retention Bonuses” were explained and put into some context. They are, as he explained, a normal part of doing business. When a company is in financial trouble or undergoing some other major changes, the first reaction of most employees is “I’m going to loose my job”, and their first instinct is to find another job. “Retention Bonuses” or payments are a perfectly normal way to keep employees around to keep the company running until either the doors are officially shut or the company is otherwise reorganized. They are intended to compensate employees for income they may have lost by not taking that other job at that other company.
My problem, however, with Mr. DeSantis’s letter is, if it was intended in anyway to gain the public support or sympathy of the middle Americans who have been calling for his and other’s heads at AIG, it may have had somewhat of the opposite affect. While most people might like to follow his lead and tell their bosses to “take this job and shove it”, most people are not in the financial position to voluntarily give up their jobs and still be able to afford their mortgages, car payments, health insurance, food, colleges tuitions, etc. I think it might actually further point out the disparity in incomes and lifestyles that people are complaining about, and even further enflame the situation.
Just a few pointers for Mr. DeSantis, from past and present experience, now that you are no longer working:
• Try to keep a schedule as close to your working schedule as possible. If you got up at say 5:00 am to go to the gym and then to the office, get up and go to the gym and then to your “home office”
• Don’t let yourself get sloppy and hang around in sweats. Get dressed reasonably well. You can leave off the tie; business casual is acceptable.
• Find a hobby or some kind of volunteer work to give yourself a break from job hunting and make yourself feel like you are making some kind of a meaningful contribution to society.
• A professional resume and cover letter is critical. In today’s climate, you might want to de-emphasize your AIG experience, or at least be well prepared to explain what you did and didn’t do there.
• At least in the beginning, be prepared to spend 6 – 8 hours a day job hunting. It is almost a full time job in itself going through all of the job boards and networking. Thanks to the internet and email you don’t have to get your hands dirty with news print from the classified, lick stamps and address envelopes!
• If you get really bored or lonely, let’s hang out! You can Twitter me at gridunplugged, and be sure to check my blog for more interesting and helpful tips!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Buy Now...Pay Never.....
The latest marketing craze, in tune with the economy and people’s fears that it will get worse or at least not better in the near future, is buy our product now and if you loose your income, it’s free or close to free. What a concept! Where were these guys last fall and early winter when I could have used them?
I’ve seen credit card companies advertise forgiven missed payments and reduced payments and interest rates. I’ve seen car companies advertise 3 months free payments and then return the car with no penalty and no impact on your credit. Now, a men’s clothing store, Joseph A Banks, is advertising buy one of our suits at our discounted price, and if you loose your income, we’ll refund the price of the suit and you keep the suit.
I haven’t read the fine print in the ad or in the sales agreement to see what you need to do to qualify. I have plenty of suits, and most places where I have worked over the past 10 years or so, including financial service companies, insurance companies, software and consulting firms, have been “business casual” and some even weekend sloppy. I can imagine, though, that there has to be some kind of qualification or limitation to this offer.
Do you somehow have to show that your job, your company or even your industry is stable in order to qualify? If you work for the auto industry or a financially troubled bank, can you still get that car or suit? How long after buying that suit do you have to work before getting laid-off or getting your lay-off notice?
A car purchase usually takes some time, but a suit is much quicker, especially with no alterations. If you get a call from your boss to come to his office for one of “those” meetings, can you ask to postpone the meeting for an hour or two and run out and buy that new wardrobe? It could, after all, be essential for getting that next job!
And, again, back to the suits, how many men still regularly wear suits to work? I guess if you are a Lawyer, a Funeral Director, work in the White House, or are a career criminal who needs to look good appearing in court or before Congressional Committees, you need to wear suits. For better or worse, most other occupations these days are more casual. So, this may actually be an attempt by the clothing store to save itself and prevent its salesmen from qualifying for a free suit of their own!
I’ve seen credit card companies advertise forgiven missed payments and reduced payments and interest rates. I’ve seen car companies advertise 3 months free payments and then return the car with no penalty and no impact on your credit. Now, a men’s clothing store, Joseph A Banks, is advertising buy one of our suits at our discounted price, and if you loose your income, we’ll refund the price of the suit and you keep the suit.
I haven’t read the fine print in the ad or in the sales agreement to see what you need to do to qualify. I have plenty of suits, and most places where I have worked over the past 10 years or so, including financial service companies, insurance companies, software and consulting firms, have been “business casual” and some even weekend sloppy. I can imagine, though, that there has to be some kind of qualification or limitation to this offer.
Do you somehow have to show that your job, your company or even your industry is stable in order to qualify? If you work for the auto industry or a financially troubled bank, can you still get that car or suit? How long after buying that suit do you have to work before getting laid-off or getting your lay-off notice?
A car purchase usually takes some time, but a suit is much quicker, especially with no alterations. If you get a call from your boss to come to his office for one of “those” meetings, can you ask to postpone the meeting for an hour or two and run out and buy that new wardrobe? It could, after all, be essential for getting that next job!
And, again, back to the suits, how many men still regularly wear suits to work? I guess if you are a Lawyer, a Funeral Director, work in the White House, or are a career criminal who needs to look good appearing in court or before Congressional Committees, you need to wear suits. For better or worse, most other occupations these days are more casual. So, this may actually be an attempt by the clothing store to save itself and prevent its salesmen from qualifying for a free suit of their own!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Battle of the Ages.....
In today’s economy and job market, if you are out of work and looking for a job, is it better to be young and relatively inexperienced, or older and experienced? (Actually, I’ve always thought that the perfect combination would be to be 25 years old and have 20 years of experience!)
Seriously, though, it is tough today for everybody, and everybody thinks that the other guy/gal has the advantage. For one thing, people are living longer and need additional income to support their life styles, so many older workers, who at another time would have retired and thus created openings for younger workers, are continuing to work, or are out looking for work. Add to this the fact that people who want to work are being laid-off from their jobs and fewer and fewer new jobs are being created, and you have the pictures of hundreds of people waiting in line to apply for a handful of jobs.
But, when filling jobs, without overtly discriminating, do employers favor young or older workers? While each age group has strengths and weaknesses, one employment counselor observed that “many businesses do prefer older workers. They know they’re dependable and reliable. Older workers also take less sick days.” Older workers, however, are often not as technically savvy as their younger colleagues, so often find themselves edged out of higher paying technology jobs. Also, older workers are perhaps not as “glamorous” as their younger counterparts.
What about the older, experienced worker who is applying for a job a rung or two lower on the corporate ladder than he/she used to occupy? Are they looked at as “over-qualified”, or “too experienced”? And what does “over-qualified” or “too experienced” really mean in today’s world and job market?
As a one time hiring manager in a different place and economic time, sure you would look kind of suspiciously at the CPA and former VP of Corporate Audit who was applying for your bookkeeping job. What’s wrong with the guy? Does he have no ambition? Is he burned out, or worse? What’s going to happen if and when a more suitable job opens, is he just going to leave us? These were all true and valid questions during much better economic times.
Today, however, things are decidedly different. There are fewer jobs, fewer employees, and companies are trying to do more with less. As a result, it would seem that employees with that “extra” experience would be an asset. They would be able to do things quicker and more efficiently, and provide additional help and training to the rest of the staff. They might even be able to take on additional responsibilities which somebody with less experience couldn’t.
P.S. > In the interest of fairness and full disclosure, I am one of those “older, experienced workers”!
Seriously, though, it is tough today for everybody, and everybody thinks that the other guy/gal has the advantage. For one thing, people are living longer and need additional income to support their life styles, so many older workers, who at another time would have retired and thus created openings for younger workers, are continuing to work, or are out looking for work. Add to this the fact that people who want to work are being laid-off from their jobs and fewer and fewer new jobs are being created, and you have the pictures of hundreds of people waiting in line to apply for a handful of jobs.
But, when filling jobs, without overtly discriminating, do employers favor young or older workers? While each age group has strengths and weaknesses, one employment counselor observed that “many businesses do prefer older workers. They know they’re dependable and reliable. Older workers also take less sick days.” Older workers, however, are often not as technically savvy as their younger colleagues, so often find themselves edged out of higher paying technology jobs. Also, older workers are perhaps not as “glamorous” as their younger counterparts.
What about the older, experienced worker who is applying for a job a rung or two lower on the corporate ladder than he/she used to occupy? Are they looked at as “over-qualified”, or “too experienced”? And what does “over-qualified” or “too experienced” really mean in today’s world and job market?
As a one time hiring manager in a different place and economic time, sure you would look kind of suspiciously at the CPA and former VP of Corporate Audit who was applying for your bookkeeping job. What’s wrong with the guy? Does he have no ambition? Is he burned out, or worse? What’s going to happen if and when a more suitable job opens, is he just going to leave us? These were all true and valid questions during much better economic times.
Today, however, things are decidedly different. There are fewer jobs, fewer employees, and companies are trying to do more with less. As a result, it would seem that employees with that “extra” experience would be an asset. They would be able to do things quicker and more efficiently, and provide additional help and training to the rest of the staff. They might even be able to take on additional responsibilities which somebody with less experience couldn’t.
P.S. > In the interest of fairness and full disclosure, I am one of those “older, experienced workers”!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Keeping Busy.....
With the rise in Unemployment has come a corresponding rise in the number of people interested in volunteering their time at various charitable and nonprofit organizations. According to a recent article in the New York Times, organizations like volunteernyc.org, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and even neighborhood soup kitchens have been experiencing a 25 – 30 percent increase in the number of people calling to volunteer their time and services.
Many who run nonprofits have marveled at the sudden flood of ex bankers, advertising copywriters, marketing managers, accountants, project managers (like me), and other professionals looking to do some good, maybe network a little, develop new skills, or simply fill the hours they used to be at the office. These are people that were typically used to working 50, 60 hours a week or more, and then suddenly found themselves with an abundance of time on their hands.
Most of the new volunteers, like myself (I’m volunteering at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic…I always wanted to do broadcasting and announcing), are still seriously job-hunting. The volunteer work, though, does provide a pleasant and relieving break from the many solitary hours job-hunting in front of the computer screen or on the phone in my basement office with my cats and dog. It also at times can provide some much needed positive reinforcement and encouragement after receiving those “Thanks, but No Thanks” messages from employers, or no responses at all.
Another very positive thing about volunteering, according to many recruiters, is that it fills up those gaps in time on your resume and demonstrates to a prospective employer that you are not simply satisfied to sit around. You want to stay busy and make an impact. So, if at all possible, do volunteer work if you are out of “paid” work, and try to work it onto your resume, especially if you have been out of work for an extended period of time.
Many who run nonprofits have marveled at the sudden flood of ex bankers, advertising copywriters, marketing managers, accountants, project managers (like me), and other professionals looking to do some good, maybe network a little, develop new skills, or simply fill the hours they used to be at the office. These are people that were typically used to working 50, 60 hours a week or more, and then suddenly found themselves with an abundance of time on their hands.
Most of the new volunteers, like myself (I’m volunteering at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic…I always wanted to do broadcasting and announcing), are still seriously job-hunting. The volunteer work, though, does provide a pleasant and relieving break from the many solitary hours job-hunting in front of the computer screen or on the phone in my basement office with my cats and dog. It also at times can provide some much needed positive reinforcement and encouragement after receiving those “Thanks, but No Thanks” messages from employers, or no responses at all.
Another very positive thing about volunteering, according to many recruiters, is that it fills up those gaps in time on your resume and demonstrates to a prospective employer that you are not simply satisfied to sit around. You want to stay busy and make an impact. So, if at all possible, do volunteer work if you are out of “paid” work, and try to work it onto your resume, especially if you have been out of work for an extended period of time.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Show me the Money.....
It’s probably safe to assume that most people reading this are currently in no danger of having their multi-million dollar salaries or bonuses rescinded or renegotiated by the government. It is, however, an interesting and, to say the least, controversial question and issue. What to do about the employees of companies like AIG which have accepted billions and billions of dollars from the government and, in AIG’s case, are now 80% owned by the government?
On the one hand, these are legally negotiated and signed contracts guaranteeing the employees certain salaries and benefits. The purpose of the contracts were to reward the employees for outstanding performance, and to protect the employees from the arbitrary whims of management which could result in the lose of these salaries and benefits. These contracts were all legally negotiated in good faith last year before the proverbial shit hit the fan. This was “business as usual”.
On the other hand, of course, today is no longer “business as usual”. “Business as usual” is making money the old fashioned way: earning it through sales and good investments, and generating profits from which bonuses and rewards are paid. The moment a company goes to the government and asks for and accepts money to stay in business, it can be said that “business as usual” stops. There is then a whole new game plan, a whole new business plan. At that point, it can be argued, it is totally fair to re-examine and renegotiate any and all existing agreements. Besides, the whole purpose behind bonuses is to reward outstanding performance, and AIG, and it’s employees, lost over $62 billion in just the fourth quarter of last year. That is certainly outstanding performance, but not in the usual, good sense of the term!
Andrew Ross Sorkin, a columnist for the New York Times, had a whole different, if not scarier, spin on the issue in the Times today. According to his reasoning, we need to pay the salaries and the bonuses to keep the employees right where they are. “AIG built this bomb, and it may be the only outfit that really knows how to defuse it.”
“AIG employees”, he explained, “concocted complex derivatives that then wormed their way through the global financial system. If they leave—the buzz on Wall Street is that some have, and more are ready to—they might simply turn around and trade against AIG’s book. Why not? They know how bad it is. They built it. So as unpalatable as it seems, taxpayers need to keep some of these brainiacs in their seats, if only to prevent them from turning against the company.”
What do you think?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thank you, but.......
Dear________
Thank you for taking the time to apply for the _________________ opening at_________.
Although your qualifications are commendable, after careful consideration, we have decided to pursue another individual for this position.
We will retain your profile in our database and will inform you of future opportunities than may come available. We also encourage you to continue looking for other career opportunities within__________.
We sincerely appreciate your time and interest in ________and wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Recruitment Services
_________________
Go ahead, fill in the blanks with your name, the job you applied for, and the company where you applied. By now I’m sure we’ve all gotten one or more of these messages either by email or postal mail. If you haven’t gotten at least one, then either you are amazing, because you’ve been offered every job you applied for, or, you’re not trying hard enough. You are not sending out enough resumes.
Messages like this are a normal part of job hunting, and shouldn’t be a cause for discouragement. There is a lot of competition out there right now, probably more so than ever before in recent times. If nothing else, on the positive side, I look at a message like this as an affirmation that at least my resume got somewhere, and isn’t just lost somewhere out there in resume cyber-space.
Thank you for taking the time to apply for the _________________ opening at_________.
Although your qualifications are commendable, after careful consideration, we have decided to pursue another individual for this position.
We will retain your profile in our database and will inform you of future opportunities than may come available. We also encourage you to continue looking for other career opportunities within__________.
We sincerely appreciate your time and interest in ________and wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Recruitment Services
_________________
Go ahead, fill in the blanks with your name, the job you applied for, and the company where you applied. By now I’m sure we’ve all gotten one or more of these messages either by email or postal mail. If you haven’t gotten at least one, then either you are amazing, because you’ve been offered every job you applied for, or, you’re not trying hard enough. You are not sending out enough resumes.
Messages like this are a normal part of job hunting, and shouldn’t be a cause for discouragement. There is a lot of competition out there right now, probably more so than ever before in recent times. If nothing else, on the positive side, I look at a message like this as an affirmation that at least my resume got somewhere, and isn’t just lost somewhere out there in resume cyber-space.
Friday, March 13, 2009
It's Tough Out There.....
With the economy and job market the way it is, it's tough out there. For every job posted there can be literally hundred of applicants, so it is critical that you have a strategy for applying for the job, for setting yourself apart from the other applicants with your resume and cover letter, and of course for the all important interview.
Even if you make it onto that coveted "short-list" of candidates who are selected to be invited in for the interview, how can you assure yourself that you make it through, and when all is said and done, you are the one selected for the job? Well, sometimes it helps to have some friends.....
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Last Call.....
I’m sure that this is not “Breaking News” from this site. It’s already been all over the media. I’ve seen and heard reports from “The Today Show”, MSNBC, The New York Times, and even AOL News. Eddie Doyle, the bartender at Cheers, has been laid off after 35 years!
You remember “Cheers” the TV show, maybe not first hand, but I’m sure at least in re-runs. It was the sitcom about the Boston bar “where everybody knows your name”. It ran for 10 years on NBC and started, saved or jump-started the carriers of Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, Woody Harrelson, John Ratsenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Kristie Alley, and Shelly Long. Probably more than anything else it also gave bars a good name.
Well, and for most this isn’t news either, the TV show was based on an actual Boston bar, the “Bull and Finch Pub”, and that’s where Eddie Doyle has worked since 1974. It’s been said that Eddie was nothing like his TV counterpart, the womanizing bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson), but the bar was a friendly place with a group of eccentric regulars. “It was a great mix of people,” Doyle said. “I could probably say goodnight to each one of them by name or face.”
The hard time economy finally hit the bar business, though, and Eddie and several others at the bar are now out of jobs. Eddie’s last day at the bar will be later this month, but, like many not so deserving corporate executives, he will be leaving with a nice package that will pay him until the end of the year. Good for you, Eddie, you certainly deserve it!
For me, though, another employment myth has been shattered. I always thought that bars and drinking were sacred. In good times, people went to their favorite bars to celebrate and be happy. In bad times, people still went to their favorite bars to commiserate with their buddies, drink and forget their troubles. The last time I was out of work, about 10 years ago, I even went to bartending school thinking I might start a new carrier. (I also got my real estate license, but that’s another bad move and story now.) Unfortunately, I wasn’t as cute as a lot of the other graduates, so it never became a full-time job, but I had some fun and learned to make some great drinks!
Anyway, what is this world coming to? I guess in this economy the only absolutely recession proof job may be Funeral Director. People can give up or cut back on their drinking, but, unfortunately, they haven’t figured out a way to cut back on the dying.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Update....Update....
One of the great things about PC’s, besides the fact that they allow you to surf the web and stuff, is that they make it easy to update documents like resumes. That assumes of course that you remembered to save your last version, you remembered where you saved it, and you remembered what you called it. Fortunately, I had done all three. With everything that had been happening at the company, it seemed like now was a good time to get into resume update mode.
The really hard thing about preparing or updating your resume, besides just getting your body and mind in gear to do it, is figuring out just what you have been doing all day…and you know you have been doing something….and all of your accomplishments. Then, you have to figure out how to put it all down on paper in a reasonably concise, meaningful and hopefully even somewhat impressive way. Today, with the scarcity of jobs and the abundance of competition, impressive is probably the key word here, impressive, of course, without stretching the truth. Our resume, we are constantly reminded by recruiters and others, represents us. It is the first, and sometimes only part of us, that a prospective employer will ever see. If it is not good, and different people have different opinions on what is good, we’ll never even get our foot in the door of a company to meet a Personnel Representative let alone an actual Hiring Manager.
I was somewhat lucky with my resume. One of my many “sidebar” tasks at my company had been to re-write all of the job descriptions for my department. So, I not only kind of knew what I had been doing, but I also had in writing what I should have been doing. Surprisingly, they were pretty close.
With resumes, form or style can be almost as important as content, and they often work hand in hand. As both a hiring manager and as a resume writer, I have seen two predominant resume styles: the “chronological” resume (the one I prefer) which outlines from last to first your employment history, and a more general, topical and accomplishment focused resume. The later is more suited to someone without a long employment history or to someone who may be looking to change fields and wants to show skills and accomplishments in one carrier or field that can be applicable or transferable to another carrier or field. With either resume style, most experts agree, it is critical, especially in today’s market, to not only show what you did, but how what you did had a positive impact on the business. Sales and revenue were increased. Production was increased. There was a measurable increase in product quality.
Another really great thing about PC’s is that they allow you to easily tailor or customize your resume to the particular job you are applying for at any given time. So, if the requirements of a job call for heavy presentation skills or specific business analysis experience, you can go back and modify your resume to emphasize those skills and your accomplishments in those areas. Just make sure that you have actually done what you are saying that you have done!
The really hard thing about preparing or updating your resume, besides just getting your body and mind in gear to do it, is figuring out just what you have been doing all day…and you know you have been doing something….and all of your accomplishments. Then, you have to figure out how to put it all down on paper in a reasonably concise, meaningful and hopefully even somewhat impressive way. Today, with the scarcity of jobs and the abundance of competition, impressive is probably the key word here, impressive, of course, without stretching the truth. Our resume, we are constantly reminded by recruiters and others, represents us. It is the first, and sometimes only part of us, that a prospective employer will ever see. If it is not good, and different people have different opinions on what is good, we’ll never even get our foot in the door of a company to meet a Personnel Representative let alone an actual Hiring Manager.
I was somewhat lucky with my resume. One of my many “sidebar” tasks at my company had been to re-write all of the job descriptions for my department. So, I not only kind of knew what I had been doing, but I also had in writing what I should have been doing. Surprisingly, they were pretty close.
With resumes, form or style can be almost as important as content, and they often work hand in hand. As both a hiring manager and as a resume writer, I have seen two predominant resume styles: the “chronological” resume (the one I prefer) which outlines from last to first your employment history, and a more general, topical and accomplishment focused resume. The later is more suited to someone without a long employment history or to someone who may be looking to change fields and wants to show skills and accomplishments in one carrier or field that can be applicable or transferable to another carrier or field. With either resume style, most experts agree, it is critical, especially in today’s market, to not only show what you did, but how what you did had a positive impact on the business. Sales and revenue were increased. Production was increased. There was a measurable increase in product quality.
Another really great thing about PC’s is that they allow you to easily tailor or customize your resume to the particular job you are applying for at any given time. So, if the requirements of a job call for heavy presentation skills or specific business analysis experience, you can go back and modify your resume to emphasize those skills and your accomplishments in those areas. Just make sure that you have actually done what you are saying that you have done!
Monday, March 9, 2009
I Can See My Layoff From Here....
October 10, 2008…
There have been numerous articles about what to look for and how to recognize if your company or your job is in trouble. On the corporate level, of course, sales are down, revenue is down, profits are down, business sucks. On the personal side, you’re probably not in line for a promotion to the Executive Suite nor should you be counting on being around to collect that gold watch for 50 years of continuous service, if you start finding yourself out of the loop on office matters, are not being included in meetings, not getting a lot of “face-time” with the boss, and generally aren’t real busy. I guess we all kind of know this, but when it is happening to us or our company, we can tend to be hopeful and even overlook some of the signs. And with all fingers and toes crossed, that was how I approached my own situation.
All of the signs of course were there and then some. Business was slow. Even worse, our corporate management had made some questionable business decisions, which had earlier strained and drained resources and revenues, and now actually resulted in the loss of what was to have been a sizeable portion of our future business. I was a Professional Services Project Manager responsible for implementing and managing new business and clients, but there wasn’t any new business or clients. My role as a result had shifted to Production Support and Client Relationship Management for our one remaining large client. Some days I was real busy, other days not so much, and overall, probably not busy enough to justify my full time salary. On top of all this, we had just been acquired by a young, lean and mean competitor. Iceberg ahead!
Our first meeting with the new senior management came the day after the acquisition was finalized. The Chairman had flown in from Chicago with his Chief Administrative Officer, and met us all in the Board Room. The Chairman was young, almost too young even to be my son, and the Chief Administrative Officer wasn’t much older looking.
The Chairman talked about how they were a young, successful, aggressive company, not used to failure. They were out to “crush the competition”, and he was happy that our two companies were now together for the long fight. Then, he told us we would all be given temporary two month employment contracts and would have to immediately sign non-compete agreements which would last a year. Iceberg fast approaching!
This was all merely formality, we were told, just to cover everybody until the new company was firmly in place and the new organizations fully defined over the next 2 months. And over those next 2 months, the new management would be meeting with all of the employees to evaluate everybody and determine where everybody fit in. But, again, not to worry we were told, there was plenty of work and opportunities for everyone. Iceberg straight ahead!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Welcome To My World.....
Today marks the start of my fourth month of “retirement”. Well, actually, I’m not really “retired”. I just think it sounds better, even with the economy in the tank and, if everybody was added up, well over 10% of the population out of work, to think and say that I’m “retired” and not “unemployed”. It even, I think, carries a sense of accomplishment if people think that you did well enough in your working life to be able to retire in your mid-fifties. “He must have been some kind of a hot-shot somewhere!”
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