Three Weeks Down..How Many More To Go?

Why the Royal wedding shot? Well....why not? On to other matters.

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?!” Being 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. Certainly they’re not complaining. Well, new business cards for this last search have been ordered. Included on these cards will be my Twitter account

as well as this blog site. The pressure to post more regularly is on! I plan on being here often, and hope you will be too!

My three month marketing contract with Walgreens ended earlier this month. What a great group of people I got to work with in their infusion and respiratory care marketing area! More people need to know that Walgreens has over 100 facilities across the nation staffed with expert nurses for these patients. First on my long, never-ending, to do list: getting myself right back into that great company.

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?

I'm very interested in knowing

how it's going for you and your friends.

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! Timing? Luck? Networking? Not sure.

Have you considered changing your job searching strategy? Are you thinking of changing industries, careers, going back for school or training? Share it here, we’re really interested in how your approach has changed.

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. Whether it’s by car, train, or bus. To me, transportation is a necessary evil that one can’t worry about during the search. And then…the price at the pump hit $4.00!! What!?? How high do you think It’ll go? As always, the economists are predicting everything you can think of. Have your driving habits changed? Will they? Are you budgeting

differently now?

Tell us what you do to relieve the insane stress of the search. Walking? Yoga? Swimming? Tennis? Cooking, gardening, eating, drinking? We all have something to learn from how others effectively deal with the madness. For me…it's many things including: spending lots of time with my daughter; running; reading; movies; seeing friends; and always always…plenty of chocolate!

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.

Thanks for reading!
larry

When we last met here..

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.

My networking has picked up lately, so it's timely that this morning I was forwarded this column from MSNBC.com which is a good reminder for us all when we network. Please comment, share anecdotes, tell us your thoughts about the no-no's listed in the article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40028263/ns/business-personal_finance

Some of you might be thinking, "Ok 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. Ok, 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?

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!

Last: for those of you in marketing or those interested in networking and social media...The University of Chicago Marketing Roundtable's 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 Gleacher Center.

Register here: https://survey.chicagobooth.edu/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=showform&pollid=alumni_roundtable%21Marketing%20Registration

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?

We look forward to your comments, opinions, challenges, new followers, and please always feel free to share this with everyone in your network.

larry

Filling Your Calendar

The 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.

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 http://www.biznetexpo.com/ 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.

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: http://www.chicagogsb.edu/chicagoweekly/

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!

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.

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.

Enjoy the rest of your week, and play your music loud.

larry