tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19841710023655706822024-03-13T11:41:03.457-05:00Labow's Last SearchCurrently morphing. FINALLY!! From "Offering often contrarian, sometimes funny, usually helpful, and always supportive pathways through the job search", to...to....well, we shall find out together, stand by, please.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-53312699887579749232013-12-31T11:44:00.000-06:002013-12-31T11:44:33.301-06:00Your Post-Christmas, Pre-New Year's Eve, Snowing, Freeeeezing, Single-digit-Chicago-Temperature Post!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE9DpxETV60tH4dlvS4HJx5t3WfeqzTrXD4GtLZJnhRvAysF-SKy2-6Xxni9xUekuKjLGXzkXFOKRqwUDld9a_IisS_hgzDy7EsNFlQ4MWz3qaq0CDzIZG4txDw1uwIIkInufoOWjf2Y/s1600/Christmas7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE9DpxETV60tH4dlvS4HJx5t3WfeqzTrXD4GtLZJnhRvAysF-SKy2-6Xxni9xUekuKjLGXzkXFOKRqwUDld9a_IisS_hgzDy7EsNFlQ4MWz3qaq0CDzIZG4txDw1uwIIkInufoOWjf2Y/s200/Christmas7.jpg" width="143" /></a>It wasn't easy, they said it couldn't be done (don't they always say that..whoever "they" are?), but just under the wire, here it is: my final blog post of the year. It's been a while since my last one, so tell us, is the economy fixed yet? Everything going better than ever? Everyone you know is employed? Signed up for your Obamacare policy yet? More on that later (and no, <u>not</u> from any political point of view). Carefully formulating your new year's resolutions - want to share yours?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTar25FUAyCUMJkFASIim1i7mYQ8TnGr0D8sNXr2J9UXCEr6Hmxp1jTA9NmLTufGWkmy33b5nDj4jLOr35j0x1DQg87e6EQoNXJOmXkt_q7Rn_rKA7hJvU_KlUeyDyYaV6CI_wZms4W4/s1600/NewYears8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTar25FUAyCUMJkFASIim1i7mYQ8TnGr0D8sNXr2J9UXCEr6Hmxp1jTA9NmLTufGWkmy33b5nDj4jLOr35j0x1DQg87e6EQoNXJOmXkt_q7Rn_rKA7hJvU_KlUeyDyYaV6CI_wZms4W4/s200/NewYears8.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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How about sharing any wonderful things that happened to you or your family this year? What about any challenges you faced, overcame, or even still may need help facing?<br />
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An email from a good friend inspired me to work on a new blog post - I want to share with you some of her feelings about her relatively new job. Like so many of us, she's struggled through a few job searches, trying to apply her deep experience in sales and marketing to a new position.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNZb4JXjzNGn4X2RneKC7kGpNsaEaT3Q5LesxjwlFkdodSgGuuEGpLWNK_C1296hpHc2ZN-v36VcW_Gl8QhODaGR9uUpo2hqjXgZEJaeNncZFvCTIMSWd-ecx3rfU5-9LlY8t8TTP1mc/s1600/gohealth-logo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNZb4JXjzNGn4X2RneKC7kGpNsaEaT3Q5LesxjwlFkdodSgGuuEGpLWNK_C1296hpHc2ZN-v36VcW_Gl8QhODaGR9uUpo2hqjXgZEJaeNncZFvCTIMSWd-ecx3rfU5-9LlY8t8TTP1mc/s200/gohealth-logo2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Thankfully, she recently landed, now working for <a href="http://gohealth.com/">GoHealth.com</a>. What is GoHealth.com you may ask? They were the first Marketplace to go live with an integration that allows consumers to fully enroll in health insurance plans created by the new health reform law. One can also get tax credits and subsidies through GoHealth.com. Personally, it was a wonderful chance to avoid our government's famously flawed <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/">Obamacare</a> site. And...as I learned first hand just weeks ago: navigating GoHealth.com is easy, and it does work very well. Plus, working with her on the phone made it painless.<br />
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Her email made me think: when was the last time that I heard anyone this sincerely enthusiastic about their new job? Here are some of her thoughts she expressed:<br />
"The culture there is so cool, I really enjoy it. We were visited by the <a href="http://www.dol.gov/_sec/">Secretary of Labor</a> two weeks ago for the job creation, training program initiatives. They paid for all licensing & classes, registration in multiple states, etc. I now have the ability to go anywhere pretty much to get work and because of my deep knowledge of ACA (<a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr3590/text">Affordable Care Act</a>) most agencies would love to hire me. I will be 60 in 2014 and have a great future employment forecast."<br />
This is so rare, amazing, and something that can't be taken for granted...especially from someone in their upper fifties! After reading her email, I immediately went to the GoHealth.com site to read about marketing job opportunities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRFzMDP070EqhXCYHudD17s_ucce0UFYTIbH3Q30dvGffDPPO5jQtmmz2rgG7amn2oA56WuHhmAv8KDhupSa15xBCyTO3lEVuK1KMDtft2D9JWmrsufygIhIh_XasCYf_5XiQR9gHvU8/s1600/NewControlLogo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRFzMDP070EqhXCYHudD17s_ucce0UFYTIbH3Q30dvGffDPPO5jQtmmz2rgG7amn2oA56WuHhmAv8KDhupSa15xBCyTO3lEVuK1KMDtft2D9JWmrsufygIhIh_XasCYf_5XiQR9gHvU8/s200/NewControlLogo2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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And now a quick update: I landed a tremendous contract job in September with <a href="http://www.newcontrol.com/">New Control</a>, a very unique, fantastic direct and digital marketing agency located in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Loop">Loop</a>, in downtown <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html">Chicago</a>. I was fortunate to work on one of their key clients, <a href="http://www.wellpoint.com/index.htm">Wellpoint</a>. The role abruptly ended last month due to an unexpected lack of work from the client. With Obamacare around the corner (good lord, Larry, enough with Obamacare!), this was such an interesting time to work on this client since they run Blue Cross Blue Shield in 14 states - the second largest health insurance provider after <a href="http://www.uhc.com/">UnitedHealthcare</a>. The people I worked with were very talented and top notch, management really cared, and those aren't empty words...I've been all over...the people running this agency cared so much! Fingers are crossed for a call-back once their work load picks up. </div>
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I've been very fortunate with the few contract jobs I've landed the last few years. Next: turn one of these into a much longer lasting opportunity. So, gulp, yet another job search continues...and I'm here as always, to help you and your friends' searches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01J60lGb943wEQ4zEcyDaB-YnTlYCVwugUfprySknFfhVFZWiMdfLzlkiaZqgLZaPHFvuPGtTvuQyq36qhjynl9SXFNXR3NCRnKezsDZEi_ERVpU6TXwyziI5cagZvKQD3sk1U5bQINg/s1600/jobsearch10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01J60lGb943wEQ4zEcyDaB-YnTlYCVwugUfprySknFfhVFZWiMdfLzlkiaZqgLZaPHFvuPGtTvuQyq36qhjynl9SXFNXR3NCRnKezsDZEi_ERVpU6TXwyziI5cagZvKQD3sk1U5bQINg/s200/jobsearch10.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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For those dinosaurs out there (e.g., me), I've found a bunch of interesting articles to help us all through the ageism challenges we face (ageism? Yes, everyone denies its existence, except, those that have to deal with it). Some statistics about boomer job searches really surprised me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1BnS_4Q0gvXUGoRBC9S-BHBB_ZwcBC1ZCiNJFerpyQnWxmn8k7bFyWL08gF7gk8xMP3z86rwZTzFW7QUFZ3u_DCqTRCTJ-GL2iTVwaQInH1S8ukteRwdOVYDiOjhc7WCTr13qG1MQ5E/s1600/JobSearch29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1BnS_4Q0gvXUGoRBC9S-BHBB_ZwcBC1ZCiNJFerpyQnWxmn8k7bFyWL08gF7gk8xMP3z86rwZTzFW7QUFZ3u_DCqTRCTJ-GL2iTVwaQInH1S8ukteRwdOVYDiOjhc7WCTr13qG1MQ5E/s200/JobSearch29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here's a program developed for those over 50 and out of work. Some frightening facts: about 40% of unemployed workers are over 45; unemployed people aged 45-54 were unemployed on average for 45 weeks; for 55-64 year olds this number reaches 57 weeks. Have a look, share your thoughts on <a href="http://inplainsight.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/16/21266839-over-50-and-out-of-work-program-seeks-to-help-long-term-unemployed?lite">this article</a> from <a href="http://nbcnews.com/">nbcnews.com</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYXZMuh_OTh7k9Oo3VkQj-cUh_1kz4fAE1_d3ij6NtffJExO_jYM3LTNtHkTpecpRXnwZsK_mI21HT9sZN8Wqe1amle65ccG12WO4vdX6zjBRWlhyH_yQLhspB4fQEo3ldjmKd5xFoV4/s1600/headhunter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYXZMuh_OTh7k9Oo3VkQj-cUh_1kz4fAE1_d3ij6NtffJExO_jYM3LTNtHkTpecpRXnwZsK_mI21HT9sZN8Wqe1amle65ccG12WO4vdX6zjBRWlhyH_yQLhspB4fQEo3ldjmKd5xFoV4/s200/headhunter1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I don't call this article negative, I see it more as eye opening, being aware, and a learning opportunity about some, not all, but some headhunters. From <a href="http://www.forbes.com/">Forbes</a>, <span id="goog_426525576"></span><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2012/07/26/7-things-a-headhunter-wont-tell-you/">Seven Things A Headhunter Won't Tell You</a><span id="goog_426525577"></span>. Do you agree? Have any experiences like this or similar when dealing with headhunters?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSDc6qBXsqPRvro6sUP_OQTGtNMfwcTRCyqqPH_YtLgt3RU5mtLrbYnXeyhp1QZqNsxg4OfpznEguLU6mJp_9B8czZE7gmfl_SQjg8lTfCvgKSR0X9bAkCFsvH4Uz6FEfX0l2tB-mTno/s1600/jobsearch18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSDc6qBXsqPRvro6sUP_OQTGtNMfwcTRCyqqPH_YtLgt3RU5mtLrbYnXeyhp1QZqNsxg4OfpznEguLU6mJp_9B8czZE7gmfl_SQjg8lTfCvgKSR0X9bAkCFsvH4Uz6FEfX0l2tB-mTno/s200/jobsearch18.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Last, from <a href="http://www.theladders.com/">The Ladders</a>, a good piece covering us older job searchers, but also a link to their article on <a href="http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/job-search-in-your-20s-30s-40s-50s-60s">job searching in your 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's</a>. Does it make sense? Any thoughts on <a href="http://info.theladders.com/blog/bid/183162/Overcoming-the-Age-Issue-in-Your-Job-Search?et_id=3571489762">this other Ladders piece</a>?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuDQb70AevlxVi6syp0KAyVN6y-TUHA_xxXeJJmV8sVw23DVpuiJbQfZ59A0K5XCXEbryq48btYt-qG3JmthHtizcOrjbkYKb42HQa-k1BDYN_5YCoRNjbEeeDLPHriEXGDR0AIBgs7M/s1600/JobsearchResumecartoon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuDQb70AevlxVi6syp0KAyVN6y-TUHA_xxXeJJmV8sVw23DVpuiJbQfZ59A0K5XCXEbryq48btYt-qG3JmthHtizcOrjbkYKb42HQa-k1BDYN_5YCoRNjbEeeDLPHriEXGDR0AIBgs7M/s200/JobsearchResumecartoon1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I think that's plenty for now to nudge our job searches forward, as we're just hours from 2014 creeping into our lives. As always, I wish for success for you all in your search, as well as a healthy, happy, MORE prosperous, safe, and loving new year! And, I hope to hear your thoughts here, soon, from which we can all share, learn, and debate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrfRx2SQWGhVhZXbZOf9tKxDP_VcAD1uFADwHS-Bborlo11GYYX8KqFD_y9OFbYKOH82bo5HwpZMqW4RfJYGsopPCbMKvjJULfaBFv_MWFejCYlu6kXBNU6F43q9CxcCDXhfGsMDMzJk/s1600/NewYears13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrfRx2SQWGhVhZXbZOf9tKxDP_VcAD1uFADwHS-Bborlo11GYYX8KqFD_y9OFbYKOH82bo5HwpZMqW4RfJYGsopPCbMKvjJULfaBFv_MWFejCYlu6kXBNU6F43q9CxcCDXhfGsMDMzJk/s200/NewYears13.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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larry</div>
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Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-28248423784045889732013-04-09T21:48:00.000-05:002013-04-09T21:48:02.786-05:00So....Did Anything Happen Around Here for the Last Eleven Months?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sure, it's been almost eleven months since you've read an update here. Perhaps since then you've had exciting and challenging opportunities at work, breakthroughs in, or an end to, your job search, achieved personal fitness goals, met the love of your life, or shared new milestones and adventures with your family. You know that we all want to celebrate your successes - please share them with us, if you like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4qjafeF7_eo_GoJUerfAHebdWZUwygN8HIqACjvpMMyM3NLwczv8BKufykPKd3yXU8qqBL_3QVRiFyDgixDpW4ikmZEWyb0MPV2RPnT_OglCnxyoD7h1sjvU-SwFJXNmWNsYDvJpgJQ/s1600/Erez4montha_112012a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4qjafeF7_eo_GoJUerfAHebdWZUwygN8HIqACjvpMMyM3NLwczv8BKufykPKd3yXU8qqBL_3QVRiFyDgixDpW4ikmZEWyb0MPV2RPnT_OglCnxyoD7h1sjvU-SwFJXNmWNsYDvJpgJQ/s200/Erez4montha_112012a.jpg" width="200" /></a>It was a year that, in hindsight, I can't really compare to any other in my life. Last year's highs included:<br />
- a wonderful three month contract Brand Manager position with <a href="http://www.deltak-innovation.com/">Deltak</a> in <a href="http://www.oak-brook.org/">Oakbrook</a><br />
- a blog ghostwriting opportunity for an <a href="http://www.goldsmithinsurance.com/blog/">insurance web site</a><br />
- the birth of my brother's first grandchild<br />
- a short trip to <a href="http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Pages/home.aspx">Israel</a> to meet him, who is also our family's first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabra_(person)">Sabra</a>, and to attend his <a href="http://judaism.about.com/od/lifeevents/a/britmilah.htm">brit</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8B9_6viIWKwz_eP8NuaYRfyjraYEdca3mGNnZmGdYQgphzKZ5exHAyTmrJNZUwkRLu14RAh5NqEM7ibs84So6JhcRs1bY_N8-L6VWY01S0vAVqjMDD-jFKf42RHVrTeWkUGBCYejJuE/s1600/OriolesHardy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8B9_6viIWKwz_eP8NuaYRfyjraYEdca3mGNnZmGdYQgphzKZ5exHAyTmrJNZUwkRLu14RAh5NqEM7ibs84So6JhcRs1bY_N8-L6VWY01S0vAVqjMDD-jFKf42RHVrTeWkUGBCYejJuE/s200/OriolesHardy.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the fall, my little six year old daughter was blessed with one of the most incredible first grade teachers out there. Finally, and most incredible - fourteen long, torturous years of misery came to an end for my beloved <a href="http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bal">Baltimore Orioles</a>, a playoff team, no less.<br />
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Sounds pretty great? Well, 2012 also included its share of bad - a case of <a href="http://www.ehow.com/about_5213189_symptoms-mild-pneumonia.html">mild-pneumonia</a> that hung out with me for the last 9 weeks of the year. But of course that was nothing compared to the worst - after five long and miserable months of battling <a href="http://marrow.org/Patient/Disease_and_Treatment/About_Your_Disease/AML/Acute_Myelogenous_Leukemia_(AML).aspx">AML leukemia</a>, the death of my mother, Jackie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEV7kimZnWHwz9CBGM_3WpunWkpDrSF1OWP2XrLp3jmH0ZqwGfsPjCfPix0YzM65QsRxRj9dEUmjnDQt1Ni2sC5sOYH-Bk1jf8nVadyp-9T-nTukPb6D2Q5WRBJFJCclLnT4E3SdGw3U/s1600/Mom_shabbatBday_2011a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEV7kimZnWHwz9CBGM_3WpunWkpDrSF1OWP2XrLp3jmH0ZqwGfsPjCfPix0YzM65QsRxRj9dEUmjnDQt1Ni2sC5sOYH-Bk1jf8nVadyp-9T-nTukPb6D2Q5WRBJFJCclLnT4E3SdGw3U/s200/Mom_shabbatBday_2011a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSY5U_MU0y5Ys-QgiSMZQjix6fWRP4UU5760XWx6NbBrbcTTaPsO69YU4__upewTmhxTope3UMIorQDl6h2DybrgVTg1J4eR3avz5BjZHqlJ53PARjE702l37lEdUP5xQZvrNMhtRVTw/s1600/Kaddish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSY5U_MU0y5Ys-QgiSMZQjix6fWRP4UU5760XWx6NbBrbcTTaPsO69YU4__upewTmhxTope3UMIorQDl6h2DybrgVTg1J4eR3avz5BjZHqlJ53PARjE702l37lEdUP5xQZvrNMhtRVTw/s200/Kaddish1.jpg" width="200" /></a>So, what's on my table? Once again, I've kick started the job search; a smattering of freelance work; catching up with <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2012/07/26/7-things-a-headhunter-wont-tell-you/">headhunters</a>; networking; and saying <a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/kaddish.html">Kaddish</a> three times a day for my mom, (to learn more and read a fantastic traveler's blog about our year of saying Kaddish see my brother's blog: <a href="http://travelingandkaddish.wordpress.com/">TravelingandKaddish</a>). <br />
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One of my freelance gigs took me to the "other side of the table". An excellent <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125069793645343423.html">outplacement firm</a> hired me for one day to meet with newly downsized employees of a large, local company. I was tasked with sharing the outplacement information with them, encouraging them to take advantage of this package offered from the downsizing company. Not being a human resources pro, it was brave, but wise, of the company to use me. Who understands what these folks were going through better than someone like me? It made for a long, emotional, but fascinating day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuvF8hjscAapFtlfvOyx_lCatmoC4fy8e5RqwTsXR-KRWdnOtmt8gP_j2899NptyZbYsd5ZxISFECdx8tOmb426TN1d9sa66OjXmf5zUABKPo74-_zF3r2ofV5729Oxw15AQozG7oRFM/s1600/nugget3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuvF8hjscAapFtlfvOyx_lCatmoC4fy8e5RqwTsXR-KRWdnOtmt8gP_j2899NptyZbYsd5ZxISFECdx8tOmb426TN1d9sa66OjXmf5zUABKPo74-_zF3r2ofV5729Oxw15AQozG7oRFM/s200/nugget3.gif" width="150" /></a>I haven't posted here in way too long, but my information gathering never stopped. Here are a few nuggets I mined that may help you, please share your thoughts after you read them. A reminder, I've attached very helpful links to highlighted words in my post, as always. Please click and take advantage of all this additional knowledge.<br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubD2mcK7kgsF4mBRCEhcw6lWag_fC2UkHlk_TniCfOAyiSr7Qe30gQDHxMuC0xwrUHRmIRgGCr5C5lKJr4wPD9gkLtItifsfFjhJRNKBnQMzi4uH2CB8ySuzcQNYZZk-zkNqsWJKyoaM/s1600/TheLaddersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubD2mcK7kgsF4mBRCEhcw6lWag_fC2UkHlk_TniCfOAyiSr7Qe30gQDHxMuC0xwrUHRmIRgGCr5C5lKJr4wPD9gkLtItifsfFjhJRNKBnQMzi4uH2CB8ySuzcQNYZZk-zkNqsWJKyoaM/s200/TheLaddersLogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div>
On <a href="http://theladders.com/">TheLadders.com</a> are many helpful articles, a great resource, including one that discusses <a href="http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/perspective-killing-your-job-search?et_id=3235193003&sign=y&link_id=537">changing your perspective</a> while in a job search. Many excellent jobs can be found on The Ladders as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50lGvt_xjlQn9aVKvCpYWpz-rX8qvUQZ1NqVRveLMBadAL2Il_VGix5lnDbgdRUBFj_2y9QKc8ALHPBUlxfGe_cSfLqTZTuMotV6Zd0b6FUg0Wvl2W9XQO4l5jmvrtLirEoqa8bIoU8s/s1600/keyword4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50lGvt_xjlQn9aVKvCpYWpz-rX8qvUQZ1NqVRveLMBadAL2Il_VGix5lnDbgdRUBFj_2y9QKc8ALHPBUlxfGe_cSfLqTZTuMotV6Zd0b6FUg0Wvl2W9XQO4l5jmvrtLirEoqa8bIoU8s/s200/keyword4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
In <a href="http://chicagocareersite.com/">ChicagoCareerSite.com</a> I found a few helpful ones concerning your resume. For those that are new to the concept of <a href="http://support.godaddy.com/help/article/5171/what-are-keywords-and-why-do-i-need-them">Keywords</a>, so crucial when your resume is discovered through <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/10/06/162440531/why-companies-use-software-to-scan-resumes">corporate scanning software</a>, this one helps you avoid <a href="http://www.chicagocareersite.com/articles/article.asp?id=11021">Resume Key Word Mistakes</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eGPs7ult9g5kAnmQhHfvuBld02AfQR797QETkxVZwYZqLjLNocODvuvW57jw1fuRcUkfxenkrUZEkpfoSAO5bAXX2EwcBChjq2pi2u-GVzo7WPAqpJlJH-_2Oq2MX2jvENq73Z7t2lc/s1600/JobSearch_Mature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eGPs7ult9g5kAnmQhHfvuBld02AfQR797QETkxVZwYZqLjLNocODvuvW57jw1fuRcUkfxenkrUZEkpfoSAO5bAXX2EwcBChjq2pi2u-GVzo7WPAqpJlJH-_2Oq2MX2jvENq73Z7t2lc/s200/JobSearch_Mature.jpg" width="200" /></a>From the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a> - an article from January, and I know it's a very scary thought for our tender, younger readers, but it may be very helpful for those of us who are, eh, um, not very young any more: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/business/how-5-older-workers-saw-a-chance-to-remake-their-careers.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1&">Over 50 and Under no Illusions</a>.<br />
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I hope that you take a few minutes to comment, share, criticize, opine about the articles, the post, the young baseball season, last night's NCAA Championship battle....anything. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for reading.<br />
LarryLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-12351273208828127742012-05-14T17:45:00.000-05:002012-05-14T17:46:21.285-05:00Now, Time For Some News From the Search<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTG2LgoQjDFR3rzDrEzl6XSNrkC6gLy32hltTheAXbATFKEC-VqbY-hH3p6IPTH0fiBrStr2wL6E58IAkB3JZC9bEz2iUiuXAyne4rWYuwpjmrZhwODyXOvk4HEiA14R_8B5w3PDCdAU/s1600/DerekRose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTG2LgoQjDFR3rzDrEzl6XSNrkC6gLy32hltTheAXbATFKEC-VqbY-hH3p6IPTH0fiBrStr2wL6E58IAkB3JZC9bEz2iUiuXAyne4rWYuwpjmrZhwODyXOvk4HEiA14R_8B5w3PDCdAU/s200/DerekRose2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
And with that hideous, untimely injury...the <a href="http://www.nba.com/bulls/">Chicago Bulls</a> summer begins. After the disappointing <a href="http://blackhawks.nhl.com/">Blackhawks</a> playoffs, and then this excruciating one...it's time to forget about all the silliness, and to finally focus on much more important concerns:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZNGlnCyu1qH-tMBwRg8QSDQvNjIJppssP8WOvYZ-CxRoCvqUEAD3ZfoSTAd28N17gE_cz3-1eLFfjB8YNEj_A8lWmGOv1Jwp7l2HRCDGvCg7RKpwOpNadKQPLrJ6UNQpcurKX1NN83A/s1600/OriolesLogo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZNGlnCyu1qH-tMBwRg8QSDQvNjIJppssP8WOvYZ-CxRoCvqUEAD3ZfoSTAd28N17gE_cz3-1eLFfjB8YNEj_A8lWmGOv1Jwp7l2HRCDGvCg7RKpwOpNadKQPLrJ6UNQpcurKX1NN83A/s200/OriolesLogo8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
OK, it felt good to selfishly work in a mention of my beloved <a href="http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bal">Orioles</a>, who impossibly had the best record in all of <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp">baseball</a> when I woke up Sunday morning...(I know, I know, it won't last...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRf4LxeMTiDMgLmTbWApWk2Jfg1cl3rIOg7BJnBV849KW4gLn8jIgbKj0cP4ZCXzuzhuW966SEwhCymFnb5zSmyyG22jwtExR99Cn71YYBHx4yH5_8o56lj1DAn0PxvK499GwUUMKNNA/s1600/jobsearch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRf4LxeMTiDMgLmTbWApWk2Jfg1cl3rIOg7BJnBV849KW4gLn8jIgbKj0cP4ZCXzuzhuW966SEwhCymFnb5zSmyyG22jwtExR99Cn71YYBHx4yH5_8o56lj1DAn0PxvK499GwUUMKNNA/s200/jobsearch1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Those that are <a href="http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000">job searching</a> (i.e., half of the U.S. it seems), we're all very curious to hear details about if and how your success has changed in the past three months. I'm noticing a new, uninterrupted stream of opportunities and activity since about February or March - are you? <a href="http://jobsearch.about.com/od/searchfirms/a/headhunter.htm">Headhunters</a> calling, many friends landing, interviews coming...FINALLY! I'm really curious if others are having more bites as well, tell us about it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xp9rj8dvC3dIKwrj_OKkyNvSiFUoZchhiIy6QE1RG3P6aHaTWmqhwuZwxWoktXIoxbglV11Qavy2Ha2CpD9Ezmytsj034crw51AhEVnDZzpDhesWOlvfBBdRZ74_2q80YVCndf8bpUU/s1600/job+search+rut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xp9rj8dvC3dIKwrj_OKkyNvSiFUoZchhiIy6QE1RG3P6aHaTWmqhwuZwxWoktXIoxbglV11Qavy2Ha2CpD9Ezmytsj034crw51AhEVnDZzpDhesWOlvfBBdRZ74_2q80YVCndf8bpUU/s200/job+search+rut1.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
If, like most of us, you experienced the all too common rut, or lag, or stall in your job search...are you still in it, or have you busted out of that rut? If it's passed - that's great!! Please share with us how you broke out of it. We all can benefit from tricks used from those that have been through it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs5V02G38jtJ1-c-Eg6SsJlSsTOFOO07W57fZvM9lyTbyllf9X9-Uv0pnHXgZ-1xGPSElZDKQBCwrov52Reh82i3xcQhXqB9bUKVfsFxrVPexTnXup806-WqjIj9hh0kMH1YcDGJxydg/s1600/CareerRenewal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs5V02G38jtJ1-c-Eg6SsJlSsTOFOO07W57fZvM9lyTbyllf9X9-Uv0pnHXgZ-1xGPSElZDKQBCwrov52Reh82i3xcQhXqB9bUKVfsFxrVPexTnXup806-WqjIj9hh0kMH1YcDGJxydg/s200/CareerRenewal1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
On Sunday, there will be an outstanding free <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">networking</a> group, <a href="http://holycrosspa.web130.discountasp.net/career/">Career Renewal Ministry</a>, that only meets every other month. Their next meeting is in <a href="http://www.deerfield.il.us/">Deerfield</a>, on May 20, a Sunday morning, so no traffic for folks driving up from <a href="http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en.html">Chicago</a>. You'll network, see a presentation, and most important: you will be assigned a mentor or advisor. And again, it's free! Personally, I've had tremendous experiences during my job searches with the mentors with whom I've been paired up. If any of you have been there, please share your experience here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QSyPMi9LRtU_j2EwEcWCTLDZMjrGFTcSp3Nc3ARFe2P93NY6p3JEyilkMRSRIUtfIpnmYeJKbCgYQdJKvASDpgJBENnt1SUe1VcdK3VEmAb0RSXExZ_qqNBtL-0eLgUbpRIGdGilT10/s1600/jobsearch19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QSyPMi9LRtU_j2EwEcWCTLDZMjrGFTcSp3Nc3ARFe2P93NY6p3JEyilkMRSRIUtfIpnmYeJKbCgYQdJKvASDpgJBENnt1SUe1VcdK3VEmAb0RSXExZ_qqNBtL-0eLgUbpRIGdGilT10/s200/jobsearch19.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I found this piece for those of us <a href="http://www.marketingpower.com/Careers/Pages/OutofWorkforMoreThanAYear.aspx">who have been out of work for more than year</a>. Some of us never expected the search to reach years, let alone months. Share your thoughts; are there good ideas in here? What can you add?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6m3zVp5zZuVC1MGfKBesQh9IsS8lOIuQoRyk4aX3-_-ZB3x076mX6On5-0gaBqkwI8AlQelXZgKj8poodnTaURDpt9n31iWxZppvRY99XjWFgfJgfl5-C_p76bk8rZxkaAWL-sMttl8/s1600/job+search+book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6m3zVp5zZuVC1MGfKBesQh9IsS8lOIuQoRyk4aX3-_-ZB3x076mX6On5-0gaBqkwI8AlQelXZgKj8poodnTaURDpt9n31iWxZppvRY99XjWFgfJgfl5-C_p76bk8rZxkaAWL-sMttl8/s200/job+search+book1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Just last week, while networking at <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/">Starbucks</a>, a newly employed person not even three feet from us was kind enough to share a tremendous book that she used and swore by, in her search. I've heard of it, still haven't read it, but it seems you will find it worthwhile: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Marketing-Job-Hunters-3-0/dp/1118019091/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336358285&sr=1-1">"Guerrilla Marketing For Job Hunters 3.0"</a>, by <a href="http://www.gmarketing.com/">Jay Conrad Levinson</a>. If you're familiar with this book, did you find it useful? Do you have other books you swear by? For me, I still go back to my very dog-eared copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Answers-Toughest-Interview-Questions/dp/159863853X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336965661&sr=1-1">"101 Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions"</a>, by Ron Fry.<br />
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My update: I'm seven weeks into a terrific freelance brand manager contract job with a very interesting company called <a href="http://www.deltak-innovation.com/">Deltak</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBsDausZNpTnPqtAekdAuC7nBz0cYliY1PyVR_d4aRocVcZADS1NGQKhhvn3lZalnDSPtIc-NQJQRybldrUizNN30VBhvJb_558Zj9I3oz1X2i_jRzveW3LIg38N6utfWgsQv5rs__uE/s1600/Deltak3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBsDausZNpTnPqtAekdAuC7nBz0cYliY1PyVR_d4aRocVcZADS1NGQKhhvn3lZalnDSPtIc-NQJQRybldrUizNN30VBhvJb_558Zj9I3oz1X2i_jRzveW3LIg38N6utfWgsQv5rs__uE/s200/Deltak3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
It's a fascinating business, and I'm lucky enough to be working with some fine, very smart, interesting, and wonderful people. With any luck, this will go much longer than three months, keeping my fingers crossed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwzekzameQYXuM5su5IafFlTuw3U2_m3FFLZOvzhNbFrIb_bbnz-87Y3yAnPeUb9j8R8WqQMj2sP-j2IJZm-eLkuHgLp_KRIKF8FkEv44V5NHxPzKWrgSzqBfXHqY7RFTCpgjD1x-bkg/s1600/FirstImpressions3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwzekzameQYXuM5su5IafFlTuw3U2_m3FFLZOvzhNbFrIb_bbnz-87Y3yAnPeUb9j8R8WqQMj2sP-j2IJZm-eLkuHgLp_KRIKF8FkEv44V5NHxPzKWrgSzqBfXHqY7RFTCpgjD1x-bkg/s200/FirstImpressions3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Every week I hear more and more stats: when you meet someone, you are judged in the first 2 min. Or, people decide their impression about you in the first 30 seconds. <br />
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Now take a look at this short article about the way-too-fast glance taken at your resume: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-recruiters-look-at-during-the-6-seconds-they-spend-on-your-resume-2012-4?utm_source=twbutton&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=careers#ixzz1rw409CEa">What Recruiters Look At During the 6 Seconds They Spend On Your Resume</a>. So, let's add to our to-do lists: create the 6 second version of our resume, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf2oqm5Ekg4hr1lRmsvZbqPwuJ0j2WwndZlFwrRdHAyX5KKWnsobZrFs6Sx-Zlpg5xFs77PMWqlwkEGl_UISXPHe8HzbIbyX_cYBXFbtB97OM46hrAa5ChaMNArJVqwM2qwa5RlQBGJo/s1600/AngryBoss4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf2oqm5Ekg4hr1lRmsvZbqPwuJ0j2WwndZlFwrRdHAyX5KKWnsobZrFs6Sx-Zlpg5xFs77PMWqlwkEGl_UISXPHe8HzbIbyX_cYBXFbtB97OM46hrAa5ChaMNArJVqwM2qwa5RlQBGJo/s200/AngryBoss4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
And finally, there is some classy advice in this piece that can help all of us: <a href="http://career-advice.comcast.monster.com/in-the-office/workplace-issues/things-not-to-say-to-your-boss/article.aspx?WT.mc_n=comcast802">9 Things Never to Say to Your Boss.</a> Thoughts? What have you said that you lived to regret?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsiEyysh2Z3ni9hRmy6MNEvcfF_TtRBjqtOcwPGR0xw3ez7HPZScU5VQCOqTWHyu_vNm994FpHMUDSXKwskVOury5rbz1GJ0RzzCNCxhTp6D37Yl54IR3LQo5kod1U1Ed8asqsul8QR0/s1600/mothersday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsiEyysh2Z3ni9hRmy6MNEvcfF_TtRBjqtOcwPGR0xw3ez7HPZScU5VQCOqTWHyu_vNm994FpHMUDSXKwskVOury5rbz1GJ0RzzCNCxhTp6D37Yl54IR3LQo5kod1U1Ed8asqsul8QR0/s200/mothersday1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Mother's Day....what did you do for your mom? True, in one of <a href="http://www.woodyallen.com/">Woody Allen</a>'s films, he once said "You only have one mother......thank god". Sometimes, this is so true, but seriously...whatever friction you might have experienced...before it's too late, do something outstanding for her, today, and many days, and much sooner rather than later! Don't wait. Call her, soon, and often! She's worth it, no matter what.<br />
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thanks for reading,<br />
larryLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-88642119213541401982012-03-04T11:17:00.072-06:002012-03-05T17:19:11.346-06:00Winter Ends, Spring Training is Here, Next?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7jLmGjC9eLqiVynqHoTJruCYlO65MkmeUZ2IMp8APIzTxhzCuiVfvWo_T7zQUzZ1cjDRi_L5zc95hMWtxq-HYjrz4hplcqFwQ4ZoQdNvxCA7CX-s1kbemIPtzGKEmZWAokdrVqDxzeI/s1600/OriolesSpringTraining5.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7jLmGjC9eLqiVynqHoTJruCYlO65MkmeUZ2IMp8APIzTxhzCuiVfvWo_T7zQUzZ1cjDRi_L5zc95hMWtxq-HYjrz4hplcqFwQ4ZoQdNvxCA7CX-s1kbemIPtzGKEmZWAokdrVqDxzeI/s200/OriolesSpringTraining5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716547509220804738" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">No matter where you live, no matter how much snow you see outside your window and even if the temperature is near freezing...WINTER IS OVER. Why? You have to ask? No, not because March has arrived. Spring training is well under way! In fact, on my radio at this instant is a spring training baseball game.</div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVR8DfhJQCIzoHps4aVNFp-1nQwEXEoY-BkYQywjXNzooyeik_149OIfyGWRbJz-wcmcvPWYxIsJU3K7ozxkT7f0Drbyd5MafrU2ae7oIyTuVYw-IUkDt0Y5ikIY5mUygAPH-XqEojEY/s200/Chicago1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716546784324558370" /></span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">But a special alert to all Chicagoans, you heard it here first: watch o</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">ut for a ni</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">ce blizzard in March and or April. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">This winter</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "> h</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">as been way too freakishly mild for this tough, 175 year old city. Why, </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/04/chicagos-175th-birthday-1_n_1319329.html#s751794&title=First_skyscrapers" style="font-size: 100%; ">happy 175th Birthday to beloved Chicago!!</a></div><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IZoNI7s9MF3S3utvT9nUECrgYCEn8r0uwP85qK65JU5cJGMO180BPto1dzR10xk83Vd4-xAmWje3sTCpUJWJO2QrVTwPimnKU1flp4JzW1IePQ_eokep81_4gQanPDHkbCPcKf8KIEk/s200/headhunter3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716546348355434626" /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">During every job hunt, unemployment statistics never even enter my thoughts. Are they up? Are they down? It really means nothing - if you're out of work, then you're still out of work, no matter what the economic reports say. But in the last two months, phone calls and emails from recruiters are increasing. Even more telling: recruiters are actually returning my messages. Don't look now but, I think the job market is actually getting a bit better. Do you agree?</span></div><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">The 15 Second Rule. No, not the little kid's rule when you drop that pe<span style="font-size: 100%; ">rfect chocolate chip cookie on the floor. What are the 6 Ways to Get Your Resume Noticed in 15 Secon</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">ds? Click </span><a href="http://www.recareered.com/blog/2012/01/31/6-ways-to-get-your-resume-noticed-in-15-seconds/" style="font-size: 100%; ">this link</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">, learn from Phil Rosenberg's excellent site, </span><a href="http://www.recareered.com/" style="font-size: 100%; ">ReCareered</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">. Do you have other ideas? What do you think of his suggestions?</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHw42cz59CymSMGPipK5hle_getgHfnqXEKbcwk5Ly85Y9e_mPQnbY0Vf_hiGn49BFSO6REE3kCi-HtBUyXxVEpT6It2D1Izj6oEMcmYzhIHIawV6_LlKcEtys39w8BXcl3UyX111h7I/s200/KeywordSearch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716545482109830610" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center; font-size: medium; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Each day my poor resume undergoes massive key word tweaking - think HR, think SEO, think ATS...wait, I hate acronyms. Instead, think about staying far away from that bottomless, scary, black hole piled up with resumes from all those online applications. These days, the constant tweaks can't be avoided. I do think the market is slowly opening up (hmmm, wait...might it be an election year?) What about you? Are you getting more bites? Are you hearing about more landings? These experiences are definitely worth sharing with the readers here.</span></div></div><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Is it time for a </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Dirty Rotten Job Search? Can you imagine? I liked </span><a href="http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/12/03/dirty-rotten-job-search-secrets/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Recareered+(reCareered)&utm_content=FaceBook" style="font-size: 100%; ">this article</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">, also from Rosenberg's site, </span><a href="http://www.recareered.com/" style="font-size: 100%; ">Recareered</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">. Tell us your thoughts - have you tried any of these ideas with success?</span></div><div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckucbq0R6hh82fj6_bfSp00SQj5mz_uvQS51CNUmINo5MnnVqn93scaTNqgk9YSd6SZMK4bHCfWgIfleRDlMDrA8c-P__MUGRDHwgI0nkhBfXA_XsFkxqv8eh0MAK0MMfe5YDwhrcpvU/s200/academyawards9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716540032096819186" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: center; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Movies are the perfect escape from the grueling, ongoing job search (and life's) ups and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">d</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">owns. Well, the Academy Awards have come and gone. Did any films really get to you this year? Were there any special performances that stuck in your head? Streep? Clooney? Mara? Davis? Here's a fast quiz: do you remember when the Oscars used to be on the same night as the </span><a href="http://www.ncaa.com/finalfour" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">NCAA Final Four</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "> championship basketball game? Pretty difficult to deal with in the days before dvr's and vcr's. So does </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001285/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Elliott Gould</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">'s name ring a bell? Be sure to see the end of this post for an explanation.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7Nmm9NvPb0bxpa4vOmW9it0-mcAsehreB5bzvHgTPexqa1PdpBKEF190zAuO3yLunlTGmCUgMkal78RFSUIfrpDRyCnEgnhAMrlrRhTR69yLcNXEGnq9j_xRYW0mBVVZ31b9IapSyOg/s200/ElliottGould1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716521777460725986" style="text-align: center; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 118px; " /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc38JgKJh4ThF-_PMjjwpYCe2whKdvchv2pCDZ2kMM4Kxff5DpjUHmMP-gFS4dU_2PjoXQQk0w48vmXLybJi6erdtjPBO72X_aVi2lCAiuMxJFuCSAxMPgCQgeFgvE_LP90pA1ZB545-g/s200/SpitzerLogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716555706600599058" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 76px; " /></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Writing online for my friend's business has come to a break. It's been a </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">couple years full of learning and on line communicating. I'll </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">miss the great </span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> clients as well as the </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">interesting </span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> work for</span></div><div><a href="http://www.tsisg.com/" style="font-size: 100%; ">The Spitzer Internet Strategy Group</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">. From high-end swimming pool </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">service, design, a</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">n</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">d construction; insurance; to divorce mediation. </span><span>Be sure to check out her site</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgLZbGWoc7goYuy2zF6e8jR060FfsEpnhXfbeofOB3cwa2N8cKwfsVeHJ1war69ku_0NHKMuwk919EKUgHB-kpZus0drNszf8zbVcIxiJubD8s69DDnAJgHJCTofvGHRoZRR4pei0W9E/s200/TeamInTraining1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716517114446612402" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 60px; " /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">By running <span style="font-size: 100%; "> five marathons years ago, I was able to raise over $23,000 </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">for the <a href="http://www.teamintraining.org/">Leukemia and Lymphoma Society</a>.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> Back then, the great, late singer/songwriter <a href="http://www.stevegoodman.net/">Steve Goodman</a> was my closest brush with this horrible disease.</span></div><div><span><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span>During each of these unwanted job searches, I've met people who have temporarily put the brakes on their job search or career, in order to care for very sick relatives. I've never quite understood how they do it. I wondered how they broached the subject of this unusual gap in their resumes during interviews. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><div><div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Still very stunned by the awful diagnosis given earlier this year,</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDO4KZek31NTH5XNloHOdgQYRzGZ6LN4NRTEHYnZEynnC703nCDsJ4xRRuMADuN2tXN1k0YYfJGilFMJVs7u7lmlCitrWisoxAygqXRJAQLDwdwaaSoRa3Ce8NSa8UUaus8qxqUSNj08/s200/leukemia1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716515258891738578" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px; " /><div><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">the disease has landed in my </span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">own family. It certainly puts the job search in a new perspective for me. But, always keeping it positive, thus far the patient has responded amazingly well to the first two rounds of treatment</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div><span><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">When some friend hits you up for a donation for a worthy cause for their race or walk, I highly recommend giving something, anything, to that cause. Even we job seekers can always spare something, anything. It's very true: you never know.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Now let's learn about some upc</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">oming events that look very worthwhile:</span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE9ocDPi6exeZEOdm3EBXI-1ECiVXagBghH8MdfLokJFUCD9O-nkMKIIQU5Yg2tTodrGdBnSCfTdbIgUMWLRt54xal8hj4PN_BwQbXlrY4QsWEbgUdYDHglKyQZNxg7MOAjcdogh1HbE/s200/CareerRenewal1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716514710267194322" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 67px; " /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Holy Cross Parish in Deerfield offers their <a href="http://www.holycrossparish.net/career/">Career Renewal </a>on Sunday morning, March 18. They only meet once every other month and I can't recommend this group enough. You'll network, see a presentation, and most important: you will be assigned a mentor or advisor or coach, and it's free.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBX_fYYdrb8-PaW7VzJW2BlZMALlktdZjgVVkUlsQjqo92-PGZ9KPC_OhYPXQNxVUF64di0kgG8qrQz5eA6ca-8af-bYshKQXpKIVzrcEPHsrK_13ftdx9pIFZWjvVXVRzQ1U208WyA4/s200/JVSchicago1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716513922989236018" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 153px; " /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2672319981" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">"What's That Noise"?</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "> A Linked In overview presented by JVS, Thursday, March 29, 4:30 - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "> 7:30pm. This is always an excellent networking opportunity as well as a worthwhile presentation. JVS often has a few programs each month.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mM6ERrUE4C-rDzhxwdd5SmBe41o-wMIkxC45JvLZZ63p2OURTRu0QVYQJWwnjV5n2Bar4JMld5DeSzJPUZf2H6PblQoY7H3n8Zo-4__YxbslNjh8iDVFITknFPF0Z7lkHlVR9l-bflg/s200/BizBash2012_All_Info_1_27_12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716551640661097506" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px; " /></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Save the date: Tuesday, May 8, BMA's: </span><a href="http://www.bmachicago.com/bma-events/2012-windy-city-biz-bash" style="font-size: 100%; ">Windy City Biz Bash</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">, more about that in a later post. They are still seeking volunteers for this event, another great way to meet other B2B marketers here in Chicago.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsbeTaT93fh_dJm_2PrBUZ6K80mPLBFIgaQPwQV8fvMAus-oVT-UvHIJPRyutQKVuOny9ry4JvvXVrCgz6ZaDbrkDk-tY-No-Vxs0wZrt-grdfYODnehh9YvqXFBhBiOKf7wbvloV4jk/s200/ncaa2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716512436384899730" style="font-size: 100%; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 139px; " /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Ok, so what's this about Elliott Gould? Go back more than 30 years, it was the 1976 Academy Awards: It was Monday, March 29 and the </span><a href="http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/hoosiershq/historia/1976/" style="font-size: 100%; ">undefeated Indiana University (32-0)</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> destroyed the University of Michigan in the first ever inter-conference (Big 10) NCAA Championship basketball game. Presenting the Oscar for </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Best Film Editing, the envelope was torn open, and then Gould said "And the winners are....Indiana, 86-68". For some reason, I've never forgotten that scene.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>Folks, I encourage you: comment, respond, argue, agree, let us know your thoughts, share.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>thanks for reading!</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>larry</span></div></div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-7322837532312358832012-01-03T20:03:00.131-06:002012-01-10T14:21:54.626-06:00Happy 2012! Oh My, It's an Election Year too....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL2Sojl3DBSoewhgfU3mr-nsds2rf1PNlPADdykrij7cqbjQKttA7FOCEL-oslYEMekC6iGLfmZND_7wAzgDVewhySkn0lpwNy6RbzaTatedMCQnPDWKcshiVUP_Fu2vSuoX41AuHEHA/s1600/IowaCaucus3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL2Sojl3DBSoewhgfU3mr-nsds2rf1PNlPADdykrij7cqbjQKttA7FOCEL-oslYEMekC6iGLfmZND_7wAzgDVewhySkn0lpwNy6RbzaTatedMCQnPDWKcshiVUP_Fu2vSuoX41AuHEHA/s200/IowaCaucus3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693601551766340226" /></a><div>...and, god help us all! To be clear, I mean "all" as in Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, Libertarian, as well as far left, far right, the middle, up, down, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just thought I'd acknowledge both the new year and our incredible country at work. This isn't the place to debate how, why, and especially not who, will lead us after the election. By the time you read this, maybe the <a href="http://www.livefreeordiealliance.org/ElectionCentral/2012PresidentialPrimary/tabid/2048/Default.aspx?gclid=CLHa7-qZwq0CFY0BQAoddnZxAg">New Hampshire primary</a> will have ended and the political pundits will be in full force...let's enjoy the long bumpy ride!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also in 2012: the <a href="http://www.olympic.org/london-2012-summer-olympics">Summer Olympics</a> will come. For those of us in <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html">Chicago</a>, let me remind you: "summer" clearly is just a rumor - allegedly it gets here in a few months. For those that miss the tons of snow as much as I do...here's just a couple of heart-warming visuals for you from last year's blizzard, Chicago's 3rd worst, all-time blizzard. Ahhh, the memories...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRnT9vUmbt0mSuXTXrw_eMbPZXro1Ue7GeTlavUfz_H3wSown8WxBD22cF3-MdZYFPMVllxBNk5Yy9lOx9K8YaFtJHKc_B9TXOvPKok8QLWBR3dBvKK9W8A7kYY5Z_iIhGnViR_VytP4/s200/snow2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693602650331312562" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccPlPyqui8JZcpXZJOWDqt_y5WWTWJqdJIT27v6Qvx40r2QI18GRW1sA_5AMLxxvhFsrf4p4ka1vrJsioAdGtzScRI_N3-LtDQjoBFoTmiVsFJfc_uYGCqsFLif4KyfqgnViept8WSLU/s200/snow4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694354724873859010" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px; " /></div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevgm6lCrNa9l9i5wZT6k0aXqKywy7hXnouIb8ICxWKld8hr9eXymIwmkvt0DiDkdILrQ_N6LVQTrajzAZtbcKeUKSKhTEBiMS4lGQny5PTFXaV_N6-r6uGWZdeN75c4xCpKWlFhZXP6w/s200/snow5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694361472136090626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px; " /><div><b style="font-size: 12pt; "><span>Blog interruption:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> to all of you that are employed - before you delete this or go back to work or browsing or emailing, please read the last paragraph of today's blog, thanks! Your friends, family, peers will thank you for it!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Many job seekers have begun implementing new year's resolutions. Tell us how you plan to intensify (and hopefully end) your job search. We can use a boost, your tips, your energy, and your positive enthusiasm. I'm very interested in what your resolutions are, job search-related or not, please share them with us. In fact, making these goals very public increases the odds for success.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk79-JaPRugDrewWSxeUn5zVFQ3xTlc02bUVxdbsDfP3dbU67oUGmpTLyUXdzvhmf1e-_y1_B63o-blz5jKI55VmKgODFGDP8aB7uLOQjPXsL5VJscjhkvzsR_0H_iahfuw_SPBOrk_IY/s200/Utah1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694359527956917106" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div>I'm thrilled that this blog has been added to an interesting web site which is loaded with great job searching information. It's based in <a href="http://www.utah.gov/visiting/travel.html">Utah</a>, but one doesn't have to be a Utahn (or do you say, Ute?) to benefit from checking it out, and I hope you do: <a href="http://careerient.com/">www.careerient.com</a>. Please let us know what you think of the site. <a href="http://careerient.com/about/">Amy L. Adler</a>, its president and founder, is an expert resume writer and career strategist.</div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div>The excuses are over folks..."nobody hires in December", "nobody's in the office", "nobody wants to focus on work", "they all focus on Christmas parties". Am I missing any? As I suggested a year ago in this blog, check out the 1979 film, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crdwdViiG-A">Kramer Vs. Kramer</a>" for one of the best, urgent and desperate December job interviewing scenes ever written. The lines that Dustin Hoffman says to the interviewer, lines that I wish we could use, at the end of his interview with an advertising agency...during their office Christmas party, no less:</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIUi6lXK_zBYZNiKb0TLVYXRGkl9AbbqZh86_l0LpcqKJ4kRbcV5TuPmJiIbmfLAWEwAb6ouP8E_223f_P6LFD3QJJWOMX40aRDL0NH5oMtjALMd1nvEeEBJCC5_PVCYPLhZGzbVU7OY/s200/KramerVsKramerInterview.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694734226299856018" style="text-align: center; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 108px; " /><div><br /></div><div><span><b>"This is a one day offer. You saw my book, you know I can handle the work. You're gonna have to let me know today, not at the end of the holidays. If you want me,</b></span></div><div><span><b> make a decision right now."</b></span></div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXptnGzuGD5u0KOvJAGGbPeZJnN6x7nx0Luy5SBIWiuh6X0xGsm3VSCHItHHKVcupNvmWDsAGRwwVmgH2ZoT-XEVSOhRzmD_PBdrTPoNq90pqcENVkBpn-4g1HAmoKi-xoQcpB7kSETRI/s200/NewYears5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695488426842109058" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></div></div></div></div><div>It's January - time to get serious, again. Here's a good piece from The Savvy Intern, by Mark Babbitt, called "<a href="http://www.youtern.com/thesavvyintern/index.php/2011/06/28/the-three-%E2%80%98p%E2%80%99-statements-to-guarantee-a-great-interview/">The Three 'P' Statements to Guarantee a Great Interview</a>". How do you feel about these statements? Have any other ideas you want to share?</div><div><br /></div><div>And, once you've gotten past those three 'P' statements in the interview, and you are learning about the company, the position, the interviewer - do you take notes? Do you have strong opinions about this? Please share your thoughts. Here's a piece I found helpful from The Ladders, "<a href="http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/taking-notes-in-job-interview?et_id=2243198867&sign=y&link_id=540">Taking Notes in the Job Interview</a>". </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Networking events - time to share with you some good networking events and organizations to consider:</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL22MaGsYHnSUeCkKflDGi88hyphenhyphenhGba6aLe1Pe2bRCT8gXStrRcJ_A20-yNIhEP1vE2i0gxP56I4sP7i71J95VIP5neX6XhRSFPSq8PmSAaSwHdZB5bJTfB4xKehJp87cmlB2sepb9DJU4/s200/NetworkAfterWork1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694736676057362786" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 83px; " /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><b>Tuesday, January 10</b>: <a href="http://chicago.networkafterwork.com/chicago/index.htm">Network After Work</a> at <a href="http://www.crimsonchicago.com/">Crimson Lounge</a> This is a pretty good group. They have monthly events and have a very large turnout, as many as 400 people. It's both social and business networking, only $10 in advance and a pretty solid group of people attend. Definitely worth trying at least once.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRW1VJN5BpvWQb_N5d8XdX2iPjhKWDpDOgAQFvte9lQti1HXgwypP5MWihuSb9IvjkkBtR8qhjHcaKFCZfwYIOWFdCEcz9W_4iqrazAAfdWvGv-NOlii5MxFHTRRUWQI8jylLcv40rOnU/s200/SocialMediaClubChicago1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694741589418774018" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /><div><b>Wednesday, January 25</b>: <a href="http://socialmediaclub.org/chapter/chicago">Social Media Club of Chicago</a> at <a href="http://corporate.morningstar.com/us/asp/company.aspx?xmlfile=7094.xml">Morningstar</a>. If you have interest in learning more about social media, meeting many smart, young professionals in the social media world, then this too is a great group for you. Click <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/231989933542597/">HERE</a></b> for some initial information, via <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>. They always take place at very unique locations each month. Last month's was at the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/">Chicago Tribune</a> Museum.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjgYRcUk7dYgb9gCAMRHj25xAtZxk5-8KDTGSXv6Lws06QS2hBCGHjTfn8pFrQqtFj-Mxr4Tq3Y5LauBz7hmcdFpo2tedQ7vtRyNkOVhyb5comaa9Oe4lHBSM_pQnccn1a8aCm3pZowI/s200/JVSchicago1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694745071788555714" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 153px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.jvschicago.org/calendar/">Jewish Vocational Services</a> (all are welcome) Some good presentations coming up, free, and these also are great networking opportunities:</div><div><span><b>Friday, January 20</b></span>: Social Networking and Linked In</div><div><span><b>Thursday, January 26</b></span>: Networking and Crafting Your Elevator Speech</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwFa5HKBN1IJk3qJm95wmGZ4ImTyvHOzojKyhRDjPTouTffV7KZudD6bB7A1qzhsyklvD7W7pZLkQy3_HwFzrLMeKQL5_8X3VQNLY2BzRnDjcnz_fD0DHZYBx6Kfgv-YI0HkPz1KevT8/s200/jobsearch19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695493540772724418" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 123px; " /></div></div></div><div>Enough for now, let's get back to it. And a suggestion for many of <b>you who are employed</b>: you all know more than one person in the job hunt. Go out of your way, at least once this month, get in touch, offer to help. You all know someone who can help them, I'm certain. Not someone who can offer them a job, but you all do know someone who can help, who can network, who can get them one step or one person closer to landing. Don't wait, don't think about it, don't say "Larry's right"...just help them. Now, not next week. It's nuts out there! </div><div>Here's a challenge: jump into the comments section below and tell us what your specific commitment is to help your friend or relative this month. Mind you, many of them do read this blog too, but hey, no pressure!</div><div><br /></div><div>thanks for reading!</div><div>larry</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-81771970991619989442011-12-23T15:45:00.008-06:002011-12-24T00:11:59.774-06:00New Year's Resolutions? Seriously? Not here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZ0wA0DV7zE5N6CDsOCPhG31KYS80jY6OdvR64UpWMQxXbmu9SECawZ0k654g23Hzrjr-mUFIN5Q8KazdrX4bg7qmGa_LNmIe4Seu8OHAgbZNvgR1r60G02Zir3hKzYbbg76z-6sWsFI/s1600/NewYears13.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZ0wA0DV7zE5N6CDsOCPhG31KYS80jY6OdvR64UpWMQxXbmu9SECawZ0k654g23Hzrjr-mUFIN5Q8KazdrX4bg7qmGa_LNmIe4Seu8OHAgbZNvgR1r60G02Zir3hKzYbbg76z-6sWsFI/s200/NewYears13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689377958354963698" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 173px; " /></a><div>This blog post has obviously taken a long time to complete. Maybe it's a post that has been organized so meticulously, deeply thought out and planned, well crafted and edited so thoroughly, that the finished product took such a massive effort to....nahhh. I wish.</div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div>Well, I guess I need to delete all of the clever tie-ins with the June trip to <a href="http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Pages/home.aspx">Israel</a> for my niece's wedding, July 4th, Labor Day, my six week part time job at the <a href="http://www.lcwa.com/">PR agency</a>, the <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/">Chicago Marathon</a>(people ran it the day after <a href="http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4687/jewish/Yom-Kippur.htm">Yom Kippur</a>? wow..), Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. Here we are, the end of 2011 glaring at us! All together now...Thank god!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnOfOahw6nD7-Yio2q4DrPOVfjcjS3Wlz4uwG4_rfZfYHaArT80uUdWw_6KEXCzA9-yr2P6s-jB4QYgS3NXDz8uD0rMJiEWzRzi8hwJSL4op3K5ZoN_rAT4F2aYmKpK17S0mTbFe6770/s200/NewYears6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688834748740852050" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Moving on...of course there has been so much happening since my last post - tons of articles to share; so many new wonderful people I've met; seminars attended; small successes; frustrating failures; fighting 'funks' generated by the longest job search known to man. What about you? Share with us what's gone on - the great, the horrible, your biggest successes or achievements this year. Or even your unexpected frustrations.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yH2RqcmUjI4BCo1iSu3X6-EC9WKTyI1ydzwEMI9SuDoiEnRTPbILJoBHoHewvsbnYyFYnluMnlITa4RgWMrUv4mPc3orsHiR2lW_9ojd9is3BjgEwho9qgBSrEkY-LewAbTeCuthkDw/s200/NewYears4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688840509754100466" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 200px; " /></div><div>During that obnoxiously early twelve hour <a href="http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/States/USA/">El Al Airlines</a> flight to <a href="http://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/english/Index.htm">Tel Aviv</a>, while speaking with other passengers, friendly flight attendants, after giving each my short<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/careers/content/jun2007/ca20070618_134959.htm">elevator speech</a>, (which gets longer and longer each week), that dreaded question thrown at me: "Larry, describe your perfect job" One of my least favorite questions, (perhaps second most to "what is your New Year's resolution?") . How do you feel when asked that question? Has your answer changed during many months of the job search? In what way? Please share it with us all here.</div><br /><div></div></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzxZicCIhIOTTOQBTCjzygLuGjuIfe1NvA5l6aKqan25KlBpOpzFf73yOd5KXitO6udvLFgmizbwPUETxAY8v5VGKiwG7h5veXpVEeOtoOQ4JVSaWHbuFzNdaDkVHwBU1hw07P6NMlOI/s200/LInkedInLogo1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689188943631768610" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 36px; " /></div><div>Let's get to it: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">Linked In</a> - everyone is on it, right? And you're using it exhaustively in your job search...right? It's crucial, used more by headhunters than...anything. This <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/05/19/job-search-linkedin/">article</a> should help you sharpen your Linked In usage. Please share your thoughts, additions, disagreements, etc. And of course, please feel free to connect with me there:<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/llabow">http://www.linkedin.com/in/llabow</a> I'm always more than happy to help bring people together there.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuyAr1OEWLifJZ5FRKw3dWLIXSanp-fcSO6j3LK1HEo3Yqjq7lrQGf0xViHOHTCxN1WE-MsT0pOAsQ0Ovv-ueERv093cJB5oLg8kekW5IT5EMACinKirLLYyLSmYLRcS9CWovzjio8lI/s200/Elevator1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689375398279976626" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, let's discuss the elevator speech. For me, with each job search, it's gotten tougher to keep my elevator speech sharp, interesting, and focused. Have a look at this piece on the <a href="http://moveupormoveout.com/wordpress/2011/06/networking-the-informal-elevator-pitch/">informal</a> <a href="http://moveupormoveout.com/wordpress/2011/06/networking-the-informal-elevator-pitch/">elevator speech</a> for some new ideas. Did you find it helpful? Let us know. Do you have other ideas? Share them please.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cover letter. Are they still necessary? Do you write one? Do they read it? How to make a killer cover letter? This <a href="http://marketing.theladders.com/career-advice/getting-cover-letter-noticed?et_id=2243198867&sign=y&link_id=537">article</a> had some good ideas. What do you think?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdaRon2cbiyt02_LvVIxo_6fnDVDGopVo3EwU_28yg2a6jLkVOgYZXUVTapzEmbA9lfhZ84bSc6WN1I214A_7r5NDOCq3HCV7CP_6BVAvbup80UjWCW5d8NjH-XVnpaUVnllYaPPy34k/s200/NewYears3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688832686291481394" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px; " /></div><div><div>That brings us to the title of this post. I'm all about having goals, and self-improvement, but not making them on New Year's eve.<a href="http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20111223081607833">Read why</a> 88% of all New Year's resolutions fail. Years ago I was quoted about my facetious New Year's eve resolution I often make. It almost appeared in a columnist's piece in the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/">Chicago Tribune</a>, but was cut due to editing. (email me, and I'll share it with you).</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you get some use out of some of the articles here, and really hope you engage, agree, disagree, battle, praise, share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you, and hope you forward, share, and enjoy the blog.</div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pYtpMbwpe9mM39fP97t0ssULy1SARHu0tF1Drpsl9FYTzOEFcDGarffkarv670W2w6k4TrpaDa_9R-s7UcAgN5Kla5LmP5QfoKYu5epTsXvhy9fGlBOFoY_W4oNkAOj-We75McGHfxI/s200/NewYears1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689186527076895682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 113px; " /></div><div>Oh, and why the black eyed peas photo? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea">Click here</a>, if you don't know (go to the 4th section).</div><div>I wish all of you and your families, a happy, healthy, loving, prosperous, and safe 2012!</div><div><br /></div><div>thanks for reading,</div><div>larry</div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-5439408825908057942011-05-17T21:06:00.077-05:002011-05-18T23:38:10.262-05:00Apparently, STOP means...Stop!<div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcwmRWYi9U8D1kqCfQQnajxNEN8KoIVxsg73Qdv9ECoroNcKP-HuXKZYHTy9H8j4iAFADoly1gpzt905g_iOIAsq1y2zxJd554pClegTSKD1ktshiIPujEAQUi0teO-hmTBzxaxxHLZU/s1600/Stop2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 164px; height: 160px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607880417833996242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcwmRWYi9U8D1kqCfQQnajxNEN8KoIVxsg73Qdv9ECoroNcKP-HuXKZYHTy9H8j4iAFADoly1gpzt905g_iOIAsq1y2zxJd554pClegTSKD1ktshiIPujEAQUi0teO-hmTBzxaxxHLZU/s200/Stop2.jpg" /></a><br />It's true, working on this post began in <a href="http://trafficschool.northwestern.edu/">Traffic School</a>, late last night. I know that each and every nugget we were taught was so timely, important, and demanded my full attention. But I still remember most of what I learned as a sixteen year old (100 years ago) concerning the <a href="http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/rules_of_the_road/rrtoc.html">Rules of the Road</a>. If I didn't start writing this, I'd have fallen into a deep sleep in class. You laugh? Ok, how many feet before an intersection in an urban area must you signal a turn? Hmm? Yes - I did remember! Do you?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 102px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607881335096525426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fxhYz3EvmvfvV-tKYpAuKgf66xivQ58QApDbYanCWaZKuq1qGrMIR1-Ge5Vdf5jVnTVSKXhW3i3ZqBItnoR8yorTp0azf_uwJGIY4Jc2y-NeZ3uwKwxyYnFyY8syP0zBU3Kh6fQW3cs/s200/overqualified2" />"<b>You're overqualified for this position"</b>. I'm guessing many of you may have heard this too. How do you handle that challenge? Please share it with us. I have an answer, which must be said a certain way, so as not to be misconstrued. But first, what ideas can you share with us? I've been warned that I'll be thrown this roadblock for an upcoming interview next week...and I'm ready for it. How would you dismiss this concern? For one point of view, click <a href="http://careerpathadvice.net/career-change/what-to-do-when-youre-overqualified-for-a-job/">HERE</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><br />And from the <a href="https://www.theladders.com/">Ladders</a>, read <a href="http://marketing.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-handle-youre-overqualified-interviews?et_id=2091379704&sign=y&link_id=538">this article</a> for another thought on how to handle this challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 150px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607883883905278658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u3AUOL44nQVFCSpK84h7xPu7vWYNQ7MYTCaDrhURk8lRiUvQSrdjeCEklQEC-bGEhyphenhyphenqTHFhATN7xiPNMjxIMzSUUdTfUAc_99n2xjMMEJmEiADxWEpJLcL_h7937Ig2LjLCb6gfO0S4/s200/Jobsearch14.jpg" /></div><div>What about your new, never before tried tactics, tools, techniques that you've begun utilizing in your job search. Tell us some of these new ideas that you never used before, perhaps not even a few months ago? I'm constantly preaching network, network, network. What else are you doing? Me: I've begun another tactic to pile on top of all the networking I've done and will continue to do. How about you? What have others used? This article <a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/06/16/unusual-job-search/">HERE</a> offers some ideas to consider.</div><div><br />If you've read this blog before today, you know that I'm all about networking: I preach it, trust it, believe it. And, it has and continues to bring me amazing results. But it's so important to</div><div> remember that it's not a one way street. This was forwarded to me and I think it's a great reminder of perhaps a new way of thinking for some people. Tell us what you think of <a href="http://sales-jobs.theladders.com/career-" advice="">this article</a>.</div><div> </div><div><span style="line-height: 17px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 221px; height: 175px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608066557865202450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmSrKb6QBzzqkaTPsqcvJE_S0jxlrCh-lrNIjxIRtqAlHJ78F_rXM4jMb5CVR1NMHmU43qUNvnfikL6pDTg0dIyuhr_E3SQgunCzpTvfhJc3i5kedw1_VqdULq_8BgObbtDDcrrS5D4Y/s200/Networking4.jpg" /></span></div><div>Are you using social media more than in the past? <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">Linkedin</a>, e-newsletters, blogs? How have you been using them? Who do you follow? </div><div><br />What blogs have <span class="Apple-style-span">you found </span>that have helped you in your job search? Of course I hope this is one of them, but we are all curious what other sources have provided you with great ideas, tips and encouragement?</div><div> </div><div><b>Events coming up to consider attending:</b></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 154px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608183853414711074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin44wJk7Q-8FbXp-8OIydO2EM6MjlWOOyhIsWEhDYdKRZzVgeVS7AlDkLVx140tUUiTJ-Ah_UFPpbWAXikQ7b2DFBvXSKnC2IvZ5EXbgJqYv8ORjAT-HGsvLMBzZBs40dS-u5dhNxwUVU/s200/DianaFlyer.jpg" /></div><div>A retreat with two inspirational workshops this weekend, led by <a href="http://www.nicolaamadora.com/">Dr. Nicola Amadora</a> at <a href="http://www.icanflourish.com/">Flourish Studios</a> on Lincoln Ave. in Chicago: </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://flourishinleadershipandlove.eventbrite.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Flourish in Leadership & Love</span></b></a></div><div>May 21, Saturday, "Leading Like a Woman" </div><div>May 22, Sunday, for men and women: "To Love & Be Loved" </div><div><br />For more information, please contact: Diana Fleischmann, 608-780-2244 or <a href="mailto:fleischmann.diana@gmail.com">fleischmann.diana@gmail.com</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>For B2B Marketing professionals:</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.bmachicago.org/events/windy-city-biz-bash/register">The Windy City Biz Bash</a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 390px; height: 66px;" alt="" src="http://www.bmachicago.org/sites/default/files/Banner450(7).jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.bmachicago.org/">Business Marketing Association Chicago</a> hosts their tenth anniversary Windy City Biz Bash on Tuesday, June 2, 5:30-8:30 pm at <a href="http://www.rivereastartcenter.com/">River East Art Center</a>.</div><div>Click <a href="http://www.bmachicago.org/events/windy-city-biz-bash/donate-2011-auction"><b>HERE</b></a> to see some of the amazing silent and live auction items available.</div><div><b><a href="http://www.bmachicago.org/events/windy-city-biz-bash/register">Register by May 20 and save 20%</a>!</b></div><div><b><br /></b><span class="Apple-style-span">And for all marketing folks, coming up next week:</span></div><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 161px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608198929701098770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioE15AtEDjBWV2zM9-0Xx8p3QPqPpwQqkwYMqmFxDM0AI1UKuz5mKYWZDknsvS7ZJhy1EzdtFm2eoY8Ipj7Ud3JUYSiHu6xpeGukAVKeav2S_N8VSrfvVea2RpbZk5szAwy5rf71ucaYw/s200/UChicagoLogo.jpg" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span">On May 25, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.chicagobooth.edu/alumni/roundtable/marketing/">Chicago Booth Marketing Roundtable</a>, featuring <span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/bio.aspx?person_id=12825985024"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Craig Wortmann</span></a><span class="580042822-15052011">, Clinical Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chicago Booth School of Business. It's f</span></span></span></span></span>ree, and as always you don't need to be a University of Chicago alum. Register <b><a href="https://survey.chicagobooth.edu/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=showform&pollid=alumni_roundtable%21Marketing%20Registration">HERE</a></b>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 15px;" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><br />Hoping there was a nugget that you found useful in this post. And I'm looking forward to your thoughts, comments, disagreements,</div></div></div><div>thanks for reading,</div><div>larry</div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-46853238545448824342011-04-28T14:00:00.036-05:002011-04-30T23:59:03.713-05:00Three Weeks Down..How Many More To Go?<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGvdqYsm-gLzniUVpem3NPvUknTgG4vv5j7v5CM-U48NNN1KJqoNEDM14myywGKVC_QSEQf9JoHMnaQtQyO0vutWMPY-jqKmNTzs3cNYxtKjRkYndJwMThyjwJ_X2Aii5eZzOe2xzjNg/s1600/Kate7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGvdqYsm-gLzniUVpem3NPvUknTgG4vv5j7v5CM-U48NNN1KJqoNEDM14myywGKVC_QSEQf9JoHMnaQtQyO0vutWMPY-jqKmNTzs3cNYxtKjRkYndJwMThyjwJ_X2Aii5eZzOe2xzjNg/s200/Kate7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601216956556508818" /></a></div><div>Why the Royal wedding shot? Well....why not? On to other matters.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqNRDc3kj6lOP15qw9qbmUcqHSbBX4EWumgSetv5CkPVqsmEM4etD565GV3zyabpMQdBrXX9dgE52Lg0___aOK0A22w-XZnQaY78MB2Hyb2v7Egv6L0nePRioZoo24YJsWeZL8K6H3uo/s200/writer2.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 130px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601602203458251010" /><div><br /></div><div>I’ve heard the voices of some readers, which sound something along the lines of “Larry, are you EVER going to write another blog post?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>a positive person, I take it as such a nice compliment! They miss my writing as well as my thoughts, information, and ideas that I share here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Certainly they’re not complaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, new business cards for this last search have been ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Included on these cards will be my Twitter account</div><div> as well as this blog site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The pressure to post more regularly is on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I plan on being here often, and hope you will be too!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbiLMjB80jZ1yqbDnWauDwZPO2N2awqL56kjHsNsrKCFQxsCTb9pO4_2DtXOYtwfglOniPBAmUzhSCnvsSHBkvefb3kSlZBhDHe45J4SPDFLou5Z97XDDvEvi7doVf-cxOBSObRJJIH0/s200/walgreens5oldstore.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601599720116939122" /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvriRdDW5sE6gd8ZVvjdYJvYCG1cskofYH9HfYITF6fAq8rkIfBX7Amu3YFnuIiR0Enl7xET2N03YLE-23iGY0eARkVsOp206wGK5uELosCAdHAH2YJOz5N2h8RgKId2EJM3QGSsidPnc/s1600/walgreens5oldstore.jpg"></a><div>My three month marketing contract with <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/">Walgreens</a> ended earlier this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What a great group of people I got to work with in their infusion and respiratory care marketing area!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> More people need to know that Walgreens has over 100 <a href="http://www.walgreenshealth.com/wagclient/business/productsservices.jsp;jsessionid=2OxNGdhlud0nPVYPa05bdw**.p_whportal1?page=irs">facilities</a> across the nation staffed with expert nurses for these patients. First on</span> my long, never-ending, to do list: getting myself right back into that great company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pRdmEbg0nuInbF7oCFB9-tzPiEspuHscIqQegLRlgW1xodi-9KEy8CkjzZFkXk75fcl-EV45mDNR-E-tbuKUf7aE4P3WoGiduY9q5BYMtnzcjuT9em1jgSfDcsNI6w95_RD9rQFGBH4/s1600/walgreens5oldstore.jpg"></a></span></div><div><br /></div>As always, we all want to know how others are doing. How have your job searches changed this year? Have the number of bites you get increased? Are you getting more interviews? More calls from headhunters? </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOyoo5Q63ZZxNF_X_34gxRt1tlabS-pxdE12hFtEMz9KOi_ifLxUoJmzYntyXv8ahnrshAv1OQwQJcbIFC6XmSt2HFcOnmx9XtfqqE_U4eIIBpzCQ3QDHRnA8UW-Pzqey9DTLyZQirbM/s200/jobsearch6.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601590258160436066" /><div>I'm very interested in knowing </div><div>how it's going for you and your friends.<br /><div>Since that contract ended, these first three weeks of my last search have been much more active for me than any three weeks in the last two years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Timing? Luck? Networking? Not sure.</span></div><div></div><div>Have you considered changing your job searching strategy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are you thinking of changing industries, careers, going back for school or training?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Share it here, we’re really interested in how your approach has changed.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rNOcWRSxj6BR-UjJoDTk70OKIJ-KnMXszSZ-8cY8aaM0vSs3uimgiTA4jkeHwt5maqzRfCkcL3sbgdxo2P_SOR7cbYULkKHbTwQ_zpmw1Xqn0UwpNfqknkWnG0JnFxNGQiliDmdU0JE/s200/gas1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601594481408543170" /></div><div>I’ve always thought that during the job search, I go wherever I need to go to meet the right people, to network, to interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Whether it’s by car, <a href="http://www.metra.com/">train</a>, or <a href="http://www.transitchicago.com/">bus</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To me, transportation is a necessary evil that one can’t worry about during the search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And then…the price at the pump hit $4.00!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How high do you think It’ll go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As always, the economists are predicting everything you can think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have your driving habits changed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are you budgeting</div><div>differently now?</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuOKGcLKOdlz5eNd2LOW6DtrZ7cH4N75P-frv9DW8jX-Vo6Tj7YcQdzFUfkQGGiRYM2lMoHgitKQxOaE4mti_UCVq8-EPiG62EBQz6cbp7QSjpS71pP_GqG45087hww0SWUeF_o-FUDE/s200/stressreduce4.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601598994978915378" /></div><br />Tell us what you do to relieve the insane stress of the search.<span> </span><a href="http://www.thewalkingsite.com/">Walking</a>? <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga</a>? <a href="http://swimming.about.com/">Swimming</a>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><a href="http://www.tennis.com/">Tennis</a>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cooking, <a href="http://www.garden.org/">gardening</a>, eating, drinking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> We all have something to learn from how others effectively </span>deal with the madness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For me…it's many things including: spending lots of time with my daughter; <a href="http://www.cararuns.org/">running</a>; reading; movies; seeing friends; and always always…plenty of chocolate!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSHNRu3TVX6_Ls467MRg0j0PJq8bb9OLIUiEtuyzwXlkPyCVFgVP-MQ2DrlDsoBwiEJCc41Tj2V8JykoVjdf9SzG-JIYly0Hpqj3bUhxaJAFZTmY6QkFdITpxEQI62riT0z738fvnSck/s200/DSCN0555.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601597605236087666" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />You’ve reached the end of this brief post. The wait for the next one will be short. In the meantime, if you haven't already, please go back and comment on some of the questions posed. I promise you that we all can benefit and are interested in what you share.</div><br />Thanks for reading!<br />larry</div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-51758399738044535432011-02-11T12:58:00.044-06:002011-02-11T16:35:18.209-06:00December is the Worst Time to Look For a Job..Oh, Really?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzdtmjbNtTwq5ER1k-TF5bHIKaJSQdTZLGgKuSpGO7G9VJ4w780bhZlTb-fSNHAs776pIG6CJ_LUKe6NykJ1VZBICYYA_oD3Xlx4czg8aM-RnFUoDAmxGiZwtnEBud9ASmYbQ10dVJHI/s1600/JobSearchDuringHolidays.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572513821860138226" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzdtmjbNtTwq5ER1k-TF5bHIKaJSQdTZLGgKuSpGO7G9VJ4w780bhZlTb-fSNHAs776pIG6CJ_LUKe6NykJ1VZBICYYA_oD3Xlx4czg8aM-RnFUoDAmxGiZwtnEBud9ASmYbQ10dVJHI/s200/JobSearchDuringHolidays.jpg" border="0" /></a> How was your December? Were you glad when 2010 ended? Do you remember December? What excites you about 2011? Do join in the discussion, and let us know! I've mentioned before that so many <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>people rationalize, throughout the year, how some specific month is the worst month to look for a job. You can also say how that SAME month can be the best month to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Take December. A terrible month, the worst month to job hunt, right? Everything seems to be on hold, hiring managers waiting for the new year; so many Christmas parties taking up so much free time; people focused on upcoming vacations, etc.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572514573021730338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoSPRfdLm58IeaFQdXAHOtJ_UORDGZoaPdaZjcvZm4dSM8Lnrt6gcjWD54PAkKMOnFZsyGOHmnNeCiU_fXPf3O_1Z8esQvv6v3Ol5GAyTGbT3J9_SHMQDlCa7oWoirY9RGGWwa8qp0Xg/s200/Job+Search+%2526+networking2.jpg" border="0" />But, in December, this contrarian believes, many people’s pace at work slows considerably. They actually may have time to not only return your email or phone call, they may actually ANSWER the phone! Even if their workday is still crazy, they do attend these Christmas parties, and more parties = more opportunities to network! Stay tuned for next December, when I'll post links to articles about taking advantage of these increased opportunities to make great connections.<br /><br />What’s gone on with you all since my last blog post? Comment, and tell us, please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For me, the first two weeks of December were the best weeks for me in almost two years of this current job search. Two opportunities came in by that old reliable method: timing,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>networking, and luck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><br /></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515075179349234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 39px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9I3oo6_5dMq938xgcIQmMFGT7iHWseKGC8-Z6Ll6220WyWO1XwHfdou4QYo6MIWpWIl1lBT17cHT63GmhDswUrz494dloW8Z1Yr681JzEgMrchRhHcACTWF2a9ig9RZjxjg3uroX6nc/s200/Walgreens1.jpg" border="0" /> Currently I'm working on a three month marketing project manager role with Walgreens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, the latest score: 2 part time jobs done, now have one 3 month freelance job and 1 part time position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was quite an unpredictable end to my year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tell us about yours!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m hearing from many in my network who have recently landed, and hope to hear your successes here too.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515692887040866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 36px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF0g_uGgho2IUtldbDtTtRwco3CbARwfuhDnIP5q8jR1NIvhuAL1R3F93rXOrFritp1bCsdORheXW01oyM7gRAhNdKjvJIIP6ukWFkQmj_4Sq7LGxUuI0rT6EAosgskmZZ8uXGYfXpWA/s200/LInkedInLogo1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />For you newer grads or for friends of yours who may be new to this job hunting adventure, there's a nice piece from the "New Grad Life" blog about <a href="http://bit.ly/h4HgFZ">Linked In, and mistakes to avoid</a>.<br /><br />Can't put in a posting without wondering if there are any great networking opportunities are around the corner? Please, comment, tell us. Here's what I can recommend: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgFENqis02uzERpzC6qX253gcVDDZ7FTgfNW8P7BnA2t9ul5xxuxnYjlUY3RHyuK1KHo8PRdBeeF79P27ObV5ldRAOZc7J7ZJfIH9jtvacLLYfn-BXLjHgjP2TOHs_wL-WXsU6c3k-K0/s1600/UofChicago1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572551864613288850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 107px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgFENqis02uzERpzC6qX253gcVDDZ7FTgfNW8P7BnA2t9ul5xxuxnYjlUY3RHyuK1KHo8PRdBeeF79P27ObV5ldRAOZc7J7ZJfIH9jtvacLLYfn-BXLjHgjP2TOHs_wL-WXsU6c3k-K0/s200/UofChicago1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>For you marketing folk, and anyone who is interested specifically in millenial marketing and the college and university marketplace, be sure to attend the Feb. 23 <a href="http://www.chicagobooth.edu/alumni/roundtable/marketing/">University of Chicago Marketing Roundtable</a>. Click here to register for this event and to be included on their listserv to learn about future roundtables. You don't need to be an alum or connected to U. of C. in any way and they are FREE! They even offer discount parking. They take place downtown at the <a href="http://www.gleachercenter.com/">Gleacher Center</a>.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPZz6RDtRBY8rhJU6GA7_FbzMdBZOFuoq_7hV34GJ4Aquw6pT-0BJZ8XeNzGdRjaSfA6JJGB71Cl7hERBxcxaIqnt4vBZjUBkKI3dbU_ArLvlFs85bl0tjN2IHTbtveaSx3ixU4UBlQc/s1600/meetup+logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572559387368871490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPZz6RDtRBY8rhJU6GA7_FbzMdBZOFuoq_7hV34GJ4Aquw6pT-0BJZ8XeNzGdRjaSfA6JJGB71Cl7hERBxcxaIqnt4vBZjUBkKI3dbU_ArLvlFs85bl0tjN2IHTbtveaSx3ixU4UBlQc/s200/meetup+logo.jpg" border="0" /></a>What do you all know about Meetups? They are free to join, and they are an excellent way to network, socialize, get involved, meet others who share your interests, no matter what that interest is! Click their <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">homepage</a> and explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You enter your interests - you won’t believe how specific these groups can be, for networking, work-related, family, sports, anything - and they’ll notify you of groups that exist in your area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can join the group, explore that group’s page, see all the other members’ bios, learn about past and upcoming events, and decide whether or not you’d be interested.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572557293236656738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 27px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0E1I4CYeikdOjsVbF_wazwy85XpuTssSnd9UFqGNrQ_oU3I8DTA7Io0DuB7teytbnq3__xH7rMK_78MUR-5S6igDW0MZThwMzdcSXXOyDJx3qWCZd6U4AceB1DtLFyo62jDbaHrT1ts/s200/YahooLogo3.jpg" border="0" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal" align="left"></p><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p>Finally, a couple interesting articles I found in Yahoo worth checking out. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht38mUKL6jxjxykdfF-8fjUnaihs8DBteFw87r81r4djbgP7WUd9oHGSJ2M5w2VbpcJI47lkoZpefJmhFt9kJpU_QJB4AciNb5-3Wjm1JoNuxk2KPHRwT17TSgJN5cZTSo8JJTK6WpK2s/s1600/YahooLogo1.jpg"></a></o:p><br /><br /><o:p><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-How-New-Approach-ac-1883613651.html?x=0">"The And Factor"</a></o:p><br /><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-How-New-Approach-ac-1883613651.html?x=0">"Job Search Using Online Niche Job Boards"</a><br />and finally:<br /><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-How-New-Approach-ac-1883613651.html?x=0">"I want to Be a Bumble Bee: Think about the Animal Job Interview Question"</a><br /><br />A lot to digest, I know. Please folks, comment, respond, argue, agree, let us hear your voices! Forward, share, post. And remember: believe it or not, winter is over in just two days!! That's right...pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training!<br /><br />larryLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-91768408139152685972010-12-03T22:46:00.036-06:002010-12-04T02:22:33.781-06:00Chanukah Bloggah<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlGxp0WS0eUEP6t2i1Mb05CvGrzJVVInL_5crVoBK_hpATW6BbetH99wqAh8RPypDXAmCqmxcYRwe2Th2TM6ohKZ5eYihpkWrAGS9Y5Ys9hd8YFtmnKMt1gVjLNTuHM6UFnxKg7UlqQQ/s1600/Chanukah1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlGxp0WS0eUEP6t2i1Mb05CvGrzJVVInL_5crVoBK_hpATW6BbetH99wqAh8RPypDXAmCqmxcYRwe2Th2TM6ohKZ5eYihpkWrAGS9Y5Ys9hd8YFtmnKMt1gVjLNTuHM6UFnxKg7UlqQQ/s200/Chanukah1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546713949120727170" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE2U1BzOriZsTB9iveWoBLGVOQJFvkfqtlDV3TWyMnbgiWplj6YCBUzP-D0tJSdsN87d6RBNLj2yZg7s7tk4rxq0wvOcGT4xXfWYWB3F92EqOqPKN3Lh3okpsa4PB6nqJ0jJuyWbHL70/s200/Dreidel2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 160px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546714091813692114" /></div><div><br /></div>This post was to be sent long before Cyber Monday ended, so, here's wishing you and yours a belated, wonderful, bargain-filled, not-getting-caught-by-the-boss-while-shopping Cyber Monday! So, now that it's Chanukah - the candles long burned out; gigantic incredibly soft, plush kitty/pillow/opens to a rug toy given to my little girl; latkes nearly burned, but the artichokes well steamed for my little one; and as she snores peacefully...it's time to write!<div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRcVIq7nl041N3_BiT0dNa_8-g6ZruHSNcxWR3-9o12aGN7ogEODVBOggmCr3p6h68Wh2WOJ6_tzVFiZrS681TwtkmJA8PD91lbinw9TVOP1eUZ-AIlXDz3eg6tyW1XCsuise4ZscvNE/s200/NancyKerrigan1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 138px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546714691700533762" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Gee Larry, why the 1994 Nancy Kerrigan picture? First, why not? But also, her infamous whine, "Why me!?", came to mind for me recently after a very tough miss - not being chosen for an excellent, unique, and challenging job I wanted, oh I really, really wanted it, awfully bad ("why not me!?"). They chose someone else...but after sending some thank you emails for the excellent opportunity to be included as a candidate...I must say I'm pretty amazed at how fast I jumped out of that deep funk. What a huge change in perspective for me from just two years ago.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabldMyXcwUXDuT4sjXhtiIUzEvMlSTdNZgmr0T_WyGkiCUdoYg4K7R2a0kNc-EkjN0-8UxwJO01mw-iooRL-rK9f87Dv6GVYjKzOlKRmT5gLuDaD_1R2YtyLVO7yXdng5eGMocHYjUEY/s200/LInkedInLogo1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 36px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546716860106119394" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It's a given, but maybe I should mention that I'm always happy to help anyone in their networking efforts, job search, business development, etc. For that reason, always feel free to connect with me on Linked In at: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/llabow">http://www.linkedin.com/in/llabow</a> and I'm happy to help, forward a connection request, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsSN_lSkjTEllb8WmwfXwJE_FaZtJyYXvx3Tr9Lv1_MJUSps54I3-PfO0c1qmGr2mwbYs581oZ1AqUD8qxXlX3D5vXmrl2RXIU9n1jYJ3FT9PqfQk_rfXppOLRJrvuuW4cWRo3F_oP60/s200/HolidayParty1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546731274321386562" /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Holiday" parties. They're here. What do we do about it. For those still in a job search, it's a great opportunity to get out there, make new or renewed connections. Before you go, have a look at this article written by Phil Rosenberg of <a href="http://www.recareered.com/">www.reCareered.com</a> called "10 Job Search Holiday Party Fails" <a href="http://bit.ly/dJXA6r">http://bit.ly/dJXA6r</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now you're prepared, right? Hopefully you've got a full stack of business cards ready...here are a few interesting events to check out!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thur. Dec. 16: Chicago Social Media Club Holiday Event "Lessons Learned"</div><div><a href="http://smcchicago1210.eventbrite.com/">http://smcchicago1210.eventbrite.com/</a> Tickets are pretty reasonable if purchased by Dec. 15. Mad Men themed dress is encouraged, with prizes for the most creative.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tues. Dec. 14: The BNC/SYNC Holiday Party...</div><div><a href="http://bnc-sync-holidayparty.eventbrite.com/">http://bnc-sync-holidayparty.eventbrite.com/</a> Again, discounted tickets until Dec. 13.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wed. Dec. 8: The 9th Annual Acronym Bash...this event is excellent, but costly.</div><div><a href="http://www.acronymbash.org/">http://www.acronymbash.org/</a> For those in marketing, advertising, and PR industries.</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, your comments, debates, disagreements, thoughts, encouragement, forwards and followings are very welcome. If you're here in Chicago, I hope you enjoy the snow that's allegedly on its way!!</div><div>larry</div><div style="text-align: right;">l<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ1qw1M87GVfEiBV5UK_fv6IOk9BsBYcfYOwb5-gnE9EptDop-ut0DfQsAAuTffNUeFg24kQS4HvUINjtX2oVnQHOoVXjj3Aj07uqIEWSDLKRmjS_CmzmFvANsKG5Abd8CTAGR6cuv5w/s200/snow1.bmp" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546738097499045938" /></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-1973020609230837682010-11-19T16:46:00.026-06:002010-11-20T03:11:25.607-06:00Aunt Rosalie's Stuffing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUFJ4TsyQ1mPrg0lqU5p22F2b5UQug3Y6xLcEDtjhUth9ZT0dGicYdlgCDGgwV8VR9Pwh5PWl6M0N2nvn3-yha5yYmzZ6v0o-8QDiM1XPoNUzAVl5x93ufTpVPqZXB5xJHG_c25TpDhI/s1600/RockwellThanksgiving.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUFJ4TsyQ1mPrg0lqU5p22F2b5UQug3Y6xLcEDtjhUth9ZT0dGicYdlgCDGgwV8VR9Pwh5PWl6M0N2nvn3-yha5yYmzZ6v0o-8QDiM1XPoNUzAVl5x93ufTpVPqZXB5xJHG_c25TpDhI/s200/RockwellThanksgiving.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541396217301441234" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">It’s November. Thanksgiving is just 5 days away..snow is itching to start falling on us (have we seen our last 60 degree day in November?)…Irish coffee season is under way…college basketball has featured <span> </span>some excellent match-ups this week, for those of you that don’t wait until March to follow it.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">And, each year, about now is when I hear “it’s horrible looking f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">or a job during the holidays”; “I’ll take a break until after the new year”; “nobody is interviewing for the next few weeks”.<span> </span>I always think of the incredible scene from the film, “Kramer vs. Kramer”, when Dustin Hoffman has to find an Advertising Agency job in one day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN_iYZAG9ofWCTzpHf0OEHZU__Py8_TU-_NLN3H_PzjNEmO1QYSJ2qCa3zJWIrEw1JPPlxZ99kIsC4RlV-R4fMUDYuI-fQTM08OD9uzgKjFLY07rVNYgQeUED_mK8lxCNNjXJuidQqWQ/s200/KramerVsKramerPoster.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541396766484735682" /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Share your thoughts here about searching during the holidays.<span> </span>Do you turn up the effort?<span> </span>Do you take a break for a few weeks?<span> </span>Does the search during the holidays bring your mood down in the midst of so many happy people celebrating?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Among the pieces of wisdom I’ve picked up during these job searches I’ve gone through is this: Every month of the year can be seen as a really bad month for job<span class="Apple-style-span"> hunting</span>, and I also firmly believe that every month of the year can be seen as an excellent time to be hunting.<span> </span>I can see either side’s point of view.<span> </span>Your thoughts?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">A new blog worth looking at has begun. The writer is very sharp, wise, funn</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">y, and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> a good friend. It's called "Career Chatter", and here's the link: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; "><a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/career-chatter/">http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/career-chatter/</a> </span>Have a look and let us know what you think of it. You can also find it in Twitter at: @Career_Chatter</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPhbfxpP3FnR_LUBoDKz0KtXyMDZOmpImRO_65qOxiHo0HDYf7XnTjvs6-SEOQ5bUwx4QGMAXW2lsayu6H-Q_o-biexnNXjbRbb67d8rHxtM2trL6errUrAdWgunp0-GbhxAAqxj8o4Q/s200/USNewsLogo.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 58px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541549662399156434" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">More homework for you - a nice article about using Twitter for your job search can be found in US News and World Report at: <a href="http://t.co/WYE8lrB">http://t.co/WYE8lrB</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BI6Dkx8Cvciyc64GWBlUzfcKUkDvU5vECcp-MLjgw1HfdHSarFwxNq0dEkLS2t1phgQ79cQzTkc4uS1_sxEnal_CX44OWrOJ15d9PvvCYE5R_ofFdY40iux7J0u-Ok1fqn4T9ENKlUE/s200/Turkey1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 176px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541551607383219906" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Finally, yes, even here: Interesting Thanksgiving trivia, I know, it's almost a requirement this time of year. Share with us yours, or even a quirky (I know, rhymes with...) memory. Here's something I picked up that I absolutely don't remember learning 1,000 years ago when I was in school: Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb", and a magazine editor, is credited with being most responsible for making Thanksgiving a national Holiday!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Here's to a very fun, happy and safe holiday for you all! I look forward to your comments,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">larry</span></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-88761510280513146582010-11-10T12:52:00.032-06:002010-11-11T09:05:50.763-06:00When we last met here..<div><div>Today is November 10, and my computer tells me it's 66 degrees outside. In Chicago. In November. What? As someone said to me at a networking event last night, "this is the new normal". On her mind wasn't weather - she was talking about the economy, the part time jobs we endure as our job searches continue. For me, it means I'm a bit tardy since my last posting here.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd_EL0kI9W6TrUFtVBKCrzmICrvFlWDNZ7fPZ_wa8uUq4c2YIcawx1Z1y6bSOiWwil8PtwWstvAMtTLFiWgKri6h2fsiuoT0PKZfgqBpLn7KO5JdWW8T2ACHiETpFTZdVtwa_uV56yOo/s200/msnbc-comLogo" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 84px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538023461806887042" /></div><div>My networking has picked up lately, so it's timely that this morning I was forwarded this column from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MSNBC</span>.com which is a good reminder for us all when we network. Please comment, share <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">anecdotes</span>, tell us your thoughts about the no-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">no's</span> listed in the article:</div></div><div><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40028263/ns/business-personal_finance">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40028263/ns/business-personal_finance</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of you might be thinking, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ok</span> Larry, so...where have you been since the last posting?" One of the reasons for the huge gap in posts on this blog: working 3 part-time jobs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ok</span>, maybe it's more an excuse, than a valid reason. Those who are also in a job search, please update us, tell us how your search has been going. I've heard all kinds of opinions lately about the job market: it's turning, it's much better, it's the same...what about for you?</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloSWPOggJU-l203i0pLmmGXwnkgFzjIPuJd7Soqz9L2XVTaSeLQaMmO0NwrRYwSp9sXAapUMdE29xHdGqF0mABwRhPhtK32bPn6tmlv91JoKAtzuhEC3J6EWq9w2EVvnjX_OUziSLmBo/s1600/TraderJoesLogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloSWPOggJU-l203i0pLmmGXwnkgFzjIPuJd7Soqz9L2XVTaSeLQaMmO0NwrRYwSp9sXAapUMdE29xHdGqF0mABwRhPhtK32bPn6tmlv91JoKAtzuhEC3J6EWq9w2EVvnjX_OUziSLmBo/s200/TraderJoesLogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538021595847909490" /></a><div>And for those still in the hunt, I can't recommend strongly enough pursuing part time work at Trader Joe's. Like Starbucks, Trader Joe's offers health care benefits to those working 20 hours per week. And reaffirming my belief that "you never know"...there are many, MANY interesting and wonderful people to meet when you work there. And if I may pause for a crucial endorsement: their Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups...only one word aptly describes them: PERFECT!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_AQj3HydI1OCTs_RTAPAWLRBXOzmvSwwNpFkwVVYAgU1G86l-PpMXpDdIWT7GrqDIMWXQJTr4Nv9pNC5ns3sBuBByjo5G4VNyJ8mHkoax3U3PQ058ZeLgKl-AwvfIU7nvT4AZFLk5Co/s200/UChicagoLogo2" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 59px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538068513232066370" /></div><div>Last: for those of you in marketing or those interested in networking and social media...The University of Chicago Marketing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Roundtable's</span> monthly FREE meeting is on Wed. 11/17 at 6pm. You do not have to be a U. of C. alum, and again...it's FREE! The topic this month: Work Your Network: Relationship Building Strategies for On & Offline Sales Success. Two experts speaking, networking before and after, at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Gleacher</span> Center.</div><div>Register here: <a href="https://survey.chicagobooth.edu/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=showform&pollid=alumni_roundtable%21Marketing%20Registration">https://survey.chicagobooth.edu/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=showform&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pollid</span>=alumni_<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">roundtable</span>%21Marketing%20Registration</a></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF70zOiL40LG5fEzzA1Sm8lPhAtffMfGGyQcMF_SC64RLwpYyuI79e4SYwmj0I96EQNMc6h9Zfq2mJ91qEl9kralCdqEECavMEaAvgU5Rk04TGiId3iRFpsOp57yad0aPvExQx9JzCQI/s200/Sunflower.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 164px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538068872262397138" /></div><div>Enough of an update, there will be many more posts soon. Please share with us how the end of summer and alleged change in the job market has affected you...is your job search bringing you more bites? If you're fully employed, is the pace and work load as insane as ever?</div><div><br /></div><div>We look forward to your comments, opinions, challenges, new followers, and please always feel free to share this with everyone in your network.</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">larry</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-63812325592747070462010-06-16T08:40:00.000-05:002010-06-16T08:40:02.520-05:00Following Up, The To Do List, and Other Scary Thoughts<div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZerCR-v0wh0OFYqaS445L7nPJhDCKbJP6gWDBy9Zg4-tsTYNf8-qeM6I4CwMs7CHLyplV725KMz7MaydDat2eDaETj1rqv6lRQstFCMBsasBOlSdYFtQ3cxRN1U1sDsYidA37YRYuus0/s1600/to-do-list-nothing.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZerCR-v0wh0OFYqaS445L7nPJhDCKbJP6gWDBy9Zg4-tsTYNf8-qeM6I4CwMs7CHLyplV725KMz7MaydDat2eDaETj1rqv6lRQstFCMBsasBOlSdYFtQ3cxRN1U1sDsYidA37YRYuus0/s200/to-do-list-nothing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482798850479058786" /></a></div><div>Once again, it's been a very long week since my last post. Just another curse from managing to keep my 4 part-time jobs alive. While the job search To Do list doesn't seem to get any smaller, it's now joined by a pair of new To Do lists from a couple of the part-time positions.<div><br /></div><div>I wonder what you think...how best do you chip away at your To Do lists? Carry them with you? Create a new one each day? Keep them electronically? On paper? Post it on your mirror, your fridge, your pc's screen? Reward yourself? </div><div><br /></div><div>Please: comment on this post, share your thoughts, I'm curious what works best for you all. This blog has leaned a bit too one sided, let's share our thoughts and start some discussions...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yYkGGEuxux7avFSqljbFlhgZbvOUhMmOaENLQf4wKL-_RltNpmRmiXZG-CrL_5q-1ckM0IrNXOEwa5tGQdpivMkqSDJ1Grw2rieE6Eloob68gDkYZxE9ijtFNXoGQHOcEr2vZlxqG-4/s200/FollowUp2.jpg" /></div><div>Had my second conversation this week about following up (job leads, networking contacts made, returning calls, deciphering the notes made on business cards, promises made...). Both of the people I discussed this with were roughly my age (the wrong side of 40+), and we shared our observations about the piling up of follow ups - seems almost inevitable. We also noticed how many younger folks (generation x, or y, or whatever you want to call them - i.e., the ages we wish we were again now that we have all this wisdom!) seem to have a strong aversion to following up, especially when it comes to the job search ("I don't want to be a nuisance"..."they promised to call me in a week"). </div><div><br /></div><div> Again...what do you think? Are they, or you - depending on age, so different from some of us older workers? Comment, criticize, agree, yell, debate...let me (and all of us) know your thoughts please.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoBo3xbviU-TTlhuH1qU8DfNkCusZa1P_kplCC3jHYzx3c3V7jWG1eA841EzvMnbgM9wz-lcZjfKfMsN-nLxSu2iwj5mQ-5tYwWAHNLEy1QEn2EasXD-bEVj8MEvW5FLDWOaEVlrOt9g/s200/Networking5.jpg" /></div><div>A final thought - it's summer! Time to be outside, especially in Chicago (the suffering is over, for a few months at least), we need to go pick up our Blackhawk Stanley Cup Championship gear - we have so much to do, but now's not the time to let your "networking" guard down. Two of my part time jobs were found due to networking. Simply put: we can't ever stop networking. So, find a great place outside to meet with these people, but try really hard to resist "taking the summer off". It's indoors, but on Tuesday June 22, 6:00pm - 9:30pm, a great monthly networking event to attend is the BNC's After Hours - learn more, register at: <a href="http://june2010afterhours.eventbrite.com/">http://june2010afterhours.eventbrite.com/</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>and now, your turn!</div><div>larry</div><div><br /></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-73846927371434101522010-05-17T19:12:00.034-05:002010-05-17T20:56:50.117-05:00Census, Part Time Work, And Much More Part Time Work<div><div>Gosh that was one <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">LONG</span></b> week since my last "weekly" post. First, some key events coming that need to be shared. Then, an update on me, and thoughts, if there's space and time.</div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ozJewxYAL6gQBXUGpbq97QvkvP5fSkjmI2dfR0zMFncTu2nTL8HUkI-OW_w5z8oVW-RQ4FGC6KnRYoTbyMphyphenhyphen-vgU6Th6YmjEy6Y0rVuUCyQjMEpiXQ8Ai3AbjbwtFHvSMr4U4VwZME/s1600/BizBashBanner_770x120_v3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 62px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ozJewxYAL6gQBXUGpbq97QvkvP5fSkjmI2dfR0zMFncTu2nTL8HUkI-OW_w5z8oVW-RQ4FGC6KnRYoTbyMphyphenhyphen-vgU6Th6YmjEy6Y0rVuUCyQjMEpiXQ8Ai3AbjbwtFHvSMr4U4VwZME/s400/BizBashBanner_770x120_v3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472399355633880514" /></a><br />The Windy City Biz Bash is quickly approaching! <div>June 3, 5:30 - 8:30pm at The Murphy, 50 E. Erie Street, Chicago</div><div>This is BMA Chicago's (Business Marketing Association) annual gala and fundraiser. Register by May 20 and save almost 20%. It's worth it!! <a href="http://www.bmachicago.org/events/windy-city-biz-bash-2010-0">www.bmachicago.org/events/windy-city-biz-bash-2010-0</a><div><br /></div><div>Another event worth attending is BNC's (Business Network Chicago) monthly BNC "After Hours" event. Engaging speakers, very interesting people with whom to casually network, a short speednetworking session if you choose, and great food in a fantastic location downtown. The next one is set for Tuesday May 25, 6:00 - 9:30 pm. Interested? Check out the details at <a href="http://www.bnchicago.org/EventDetails.php?id=269">www.bnchicago.org/EventDetails.php?id=269</a><br /><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: right;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPua-uGItMKyZaPhwUcW4q8RTtk3jN_QbQQfU2MBnxxp_c_auQX49zIbQ0pxcCSPiqudaTbYxUg1prpHxXqJTVkLvj8pXxNSrThpzOPHBFauQonhBX-cIX2ZQTqHmK5nfj0m_GImD4D4/s200/Census2010Logo.jpg" /></div><div>This heads up for those that are way too overloaded with work, family, no spare time - and never were able to send in your Census form. When the U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, please, be kind, because it might be me (and it will take less than 10 minutes out of your day!) Apparently patience pays off (sometimes) - more than a year after applying, I got the call to work part time for our government for a few weeks, they even chose me to be a "Crew Leader Assistant" (or, CLA...having been in corporate America for years, I thought I knew the overuse of acronyms all too well. Ha, not even close Larry, welcome to your government's alphabet soup!) Want to learn more? Check out the Census site at <a href="http://2010.census.gov/2010census/">2010.census.gov/2010census/</a></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim97J4dJ4ekmlqcPmJmjANprwE8ALFiz-r2QSZa7E-t9UqMFK2aVzIowSvjzsx4hQaOcEtZmAT0-CkKJeV2PoSKM-FjfkIWlf1TjjlAG76J0Lm_1MicJ435sYFjivcC8lSDv5eGxPG4oo/s200/fundraising1.jpg" /></div><div>Fundraising: for over 30 years, this has been very important to me. Having raised over $21,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other important causes during my too brief marathon career, I understand how tough it can be to raise significant money at times. For anyone connected to nonprofits, schools, teams, or any worthy cause - you are in luck: I have a wonderful, risk-free fundraising vehicle (pun intended) for you, especially if your contributors are located anywhere near: Palatine, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Melrose Park, Naperville, Tinley Park, Crestwood, Glenwood, or even Joliet. Want to know more? send a comment to me, or contact me at LLabow@comcast.net It's a great idea that people love!! No calories are involved, I promise you.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the job search, we're often tempted (or pushed) to go outside our comfort zone (anyone up for some insurance sales?). And we tend to hesitate, procrastinate, worry, rationalize why it's a bad idea to leave our chosen profession. Well folks, it just may be worth the risk (this, from someone who happily avoids risks, except on the tennis court) and you may be pleasantly surprised. I've jumped far outside my comfort zone, and, so far I'm still here. From retail, government work, tons of volunteering, committee work, leading networking groups, and now, gulp.....sales! Even the dreaded word "commission" enters this picture. As always, I firmly believe and encourage us all to think: "you never know...."</div><div><br /></div><div>I look forward to your comments, new followers, and always feel free to forward,</div><div>larry</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-62733536696111656362010-04-14T13:05:00.025-05:002010-04-14T15:09:57.360-05:00"Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today." - Herman Wouk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjXYD4C4pD54UHx0LikMpKGqYEVqd14JAg_gSLRUd4KqiS-n2AECqwOR6wQjkHQcK4KIWQ2P629_OlGfEMoGS50sn3Sx0krqlbshOOTgggsNBD8V1RRCDkUYyUXcDnh7nBL7yRaG3mbo/s1600/HermanWouk_Jerusalem_1955.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjXYD4C4pD54UHx0LikMpKGqYEVqd14JAg_gSLRUd4KqiS-n2AECqwOR6wQjkHQcK4KIWQ2P629_OlGfEMoGS50sn3Sx0krqlbshOOTgggsNBD8V1RRCDkUYyUXcDnh7nBL7yRaG3mbo/s200/HermanWouk_Jerusalem_1955.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460082951547948178" /></a><br />Dear Readers,<div><br /><div>The Herman <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wouk</span> quote in the title above tickled me. He's long been one of my favorite writers. If you've never read any of his Pulitzer Prize winning work, you're missing out (a huge understatement). There's a really nice piece on him in the April 19 issue of Newsweek. (at right, in Jerusalem, 1955)</div><div><br /></div><div>Why not have a look if you're not familiar with this American treasure:<a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/236028">http://www.newsweek.com/id/236028</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, marketing folks in Chicago: both those in transition and you that are blessed with full time employment and regular paychecks. Perhaps you've recently been to networking events that were crowded, had a speaker or two, sometimes interesting and fruitful, sometimes not. Sometimes costly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's one that is very low key, very inexpensive, includes free appetizers, and hosted by...your favorite blogger. The next AMA (American Marketing Association) Downtown <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Meetup</span> will be this Friday, April 16, 5:30pm at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pazzo's</span>, 311 S. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wacker</span>, in Chicago (across the street of the Sears Tower <a href="http://www.pazzoscucina.com/">http://www.pazzoscucina.com/</a> ). I'll be hosting three more after this week's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Meetup</span> - May 17, June 21 & September 20. Besides the very relaxed, friendly, and easy networking, we'll run the "Hot Seat" format. </div><div><br /></div><div>What's the Hot Seat format? Hot Seat allows you to leverage the room full of marketing experts to get some free consulting on your current marketing challenges. Or, if you're in the audience it's an opportunity to flex your brain and show off your skills. The marketing challenges can be related to a specific campaign, job search or even a new idea you'd like to evaluate. You can fudge the names to protect the guilty, but please keep these to real-life situations, not theoretical scenarios.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hot Seat volunteers have two minutes to lay out the case, followed by one minute of clarification questions (if needed). Then you have a fast and furious three minutes where the audience offers their best tips to solve your challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interested? Want more information? Send me a comment to today's blog post, I'll be happy to tell you more. Or you can go to: <a href="http://www.meetup.com/ChiAMA/">http://www.meetup.com/ChiAMA/</a> to learn more, and you can join this M<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">eetup</span> group (free). Currently the group has over 1,000 marketing professionals. But don't worry, the restaurant's room only holds about 30 people.</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, I anxiously welcome your comments, thoughts, alternate views, ideas for blog discussion, and questions. I continue to hope that you find these posts worthy of forwarding to your network, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">retweeting</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">facebooking</span>, and that you become a follower of this blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>Readers: I will moderate all comments posted in order to prevent what most of us consider to be very inappropriate, offensive language, as well as block unwanted spams.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, it's 75 degrees in Chicago, in April, and if I'm not mistaken, my running shoes are whining for me to take them out for a quick run. I hope your tax season ends nicely, wasn't too painful, and that your tax returns are all nonfiction!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">larry</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-70128723412693227492010-03-31T12:09:00.008-05:002010-03-31T13:13:12.459-05:00Part Time + Part Time + Part Time = ?<div style="text-align: left;">Dearest Readers - </div><div style="text-align: left;">We made it! The last day of March - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">Holiday</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Season</span></b> has arrived - happy Easter and Pesach to those who celebrate; San Diego's artificially flawless, cloudless, wonderful weather arrives in Chicago (and it's not even a cruel April Fool's Day gag); Only five short days until the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;">SMACK</span></b> of fastball hitting leather is heard in baseball stadiums across America (I'm long a believer in what Thomas Boswell wrote, "Time begins on Opening Day"); Dreaded Duke is in the Final 4 (yawn), but so is Butler (who?); and for me, the last day of March arrives with yet another part time opportunity plopping onto my plate. I'm thinking it's time I find a much larger plate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those still in a job search: keep the U.S. Census in mind - apparently they still need our help. It's some decent money for the short term, it gets you away from your computer, your phone and outdoors, and you're supporting our Constitution - all at the same time! I hope if I knock on your door in the coming weeks wearing my cool Census Worker lanyard, you'll answer it. I took the very easy test over a year ago, was turned down last summer, but got the call today. As I firmly continue to believe and preach: "You never know".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For a very long time I've been a firm <b>non</b>believer in new year's resolutions: the gym gets way too crowded for a month (just for a month, since most resolutions fade by February); often they're alcohol-induced; created by peer pressure; and usually they're not serious, heartfelt, well thought out goals. Not to mention my greatest aversion to them: they're trendy! Nobody ever liked my "resolution" very much, so, I've stopped sharing it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, now the very serious, long, marathon-like drama known as the baseball season begins. A season sure to be full of joy, disappointment, ups, downs, records broken, and yes - boredom (for many), and a scandal or two. For me, well, I honestly fully expect my character-building, long suffering and heartache to continue to grow due to my stubborn loyalty and love for my Orioles and Cubs. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, now that both the first quarter and the winter is over - no more excuses, now would be a great time for us all to set some practical, six month long (or, 162 games long if your brain works like mine) goals. I hope and welcome you sharing these real, achievable, measurable, serious, silly, and perhaps life changing goals in your comments to my blog.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay outside if you can, take a longer lunch out there if you're employed, see all the joyous faces! And know that it's the weather, or the holidays, or maybe that baseball hasn't started yet in Chicago!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I look forward to many comments, followers, and the Final 4!</div><div style="text-align: left;">larry</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-10295803075071909752010-03-24T15:48:00.005-05:002010-04-07T17:00:45.493-05:00Filling Your CalendarThe list of to do's during the job search is bottomless. Trying to fit them all into my small (nonelectric) day planner? Good luck. They call this leather-bound burden "Pocket Sized". Pockets that large simply don't exist. But for me, if it's not committed to paper, it'll never happen. Besides the calls, follow-ups, 1 on 1 meetings, classes, part-time job schedule, more calls, more searches, online applications, there are plenty of networking events to attend.<div><br /></div><div>Here are some upcoming events, not just for those in the job search, that should be very worthwhile attending. On Friday, April 23 is the second Business Networker's Expo & Social Media Fair. See all the details at <a href="http://www.biznetexpo.com/">http://www.biznetexpo.com/</a> A very good friend is the co-founder and it takes place in Buffalo Grove at The Arboretum Club from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be a variety of speakers covering various angles of Social Media. The afternoon's keynote speaker is Emmy Award winning Chicago sportsbroadcaster, Bruce Wolfe. He's also an attorney, video blogger and his presentation should be highly interactive and lively. His sense of humor and take on things is right up my alley, so if you can stomach mine...you'll love Bruce.</div><div><br />Another event is the monthly Chicago Booth Marketing Roundtable, usually on a Wednesday night toward the end of the month, at the Gleacher Center (University of Chicago) downtown. It's located between the Tribune and NBC Towers. This month's Roundtable is March 31, and the topic: Seizing the Advantage - Recruiting Marketing Talent in Today's Tough Environment. There will be a panel featuring three executive recruiters who specialize in recruiting marketing professionals. I know two of them and they are excellent. Each month the group is made up of really high quality people, mostly employed, many are connected to the U. of C., but you don't have to be an alum to attend, and best of all...it's free! For more information, go to: <a href="http://www.chicagogsb.edu/chicagoweekly/">http://www.chicagogsb.edu/chicagoweekly/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, proving how incredibly tiny this world is. Last week I was sent a job posting for what looks like a great position as a Marketing and Sponsorship Manager. First step: rather than be in the pile of 800 resumes, I try to network my way toward the hiring manager. Yesterday at my part-time job, while chatting with a customer, I quickly learned that she is the person they are replacing! A long story, but just incredible. Chicago - it's so tiny! </div><div><br /></div><div>This blog puts an abrupt end to the brief sidetrack I allowed to carefully focus on and follow my Terrapins in the ncaa tournament. The pain from the heart-crushing loss (a desperate, long 3- point shot as the final buzzer sounded) is just beginning to numb.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, I hope you get something out of this blog, and hope you sign up to follow me, forward it to those you know that would appreciate it, and please, I look forward to hearing your comments on this two way conversation we're having.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the rest of your week, and play your music loud.</div><div>larry</div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-32820685869868334252010-03-18T07:50:00.003-05:002010-03-18T08:17:42.064-05:00A very temporary back seatThe job search - we know it's never ending, more so than ever in this wonderful job market. But today happens only once a year. A special day. <br /><br />The search, our jobs, our kids, our plans for today...they must temporarily take a back seat, just for the morning....because, it's upon us. There is no longer any time to procrastinate. The deadline is staring at us all in the face. This is too serious to ignore. I hope you will be strong, have courage, tax your analytical skills...sharpen your pencils (always love the 'throw back' references) and just get it done...and get it done soon folks:<br /><br />Fill out your ncaa men's basketball brackets and get them into your office pools or online sites! <br /><br />Pick your underdogs, your cinderalla(s), your favorite uniform colors, silly mascot names (a turtle?), think of schools that happily hover just under the radar (a school named Maryland, as well as some others). Or, make it easy on yourself, and blindly pick Kansas to win it all, surrounded by the other 3 top seeds. It's too easy to pose the question for you about who you think will win it all, so I won't.<br /><br />Yes, today will be in the 60's in Chicago, and it's only March. However, true to form, and as predicted 3 weeks ago, this weekend we may get snow (it is Chicago, after all). But it's time to break away from all the 'shoulds' for just a short while, consider the injuries, upsets, streaks, bitter rivalries and biases such as, by how much will Notre Dame lose; just how far do I send, gulp, Duke (led by a boy from Northbrook!) in the tournament?<br />Have fun you all!!<br />larryLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1984171002365570682.post-49126353756473448512010-03-15T16:18:00.000-05:002010-03-15T16:18:10.713-05:00The Pilot, Preseason, Practice, First Attempted PostWelcome to "<b>Labow's Last Search</b>" blog...both to you and me. <div><br /></div><div>As the job search continues, I'll share thoughts, ideas, suggestions, links, and perhaps a well-edited, slightly out of control, rant here and there. One of the goals for the post - to somewhat lighten our burden. Of course we've been told over and over: looking for a job is a full time job. Actually, no it isn't..it's much more demanding than a full time job. It can be endless, since unlike you and me, the blessed (and dreaded) internet never sleeps. And it often lacks what we have on our jobs - a boss. Deadlines, demands and reviews all come from within. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, it does come with benefits, in theory at least - more time with your children; more time to work off the extra 10 lbs.; more time to learn, read, think, self-examine and reconnect. And, plenty of time to network...lots of time for this.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The first couple of posts will be experimental, the direction it takes is unknown as of now. I welcome your comments, always. Keep your eyes open for my next post, very soon. <br />Try not to 'should' on yourself too much during the search, stay positive - fake it if necessary, and give yourself credit!</div><div>larry</div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07497491852740549887noreply@blogger.com9