<p>Thanks for all your positive vibes. I am going to fight back, at 4 am this morning I began to map out some next steps- attend this conference on Mon/Tues that I had signed up for six months ago; brush up on my html and design skills that way not only can I strategize, write & develop, I can create it as well. It may come in handy. I also want to create my own site to showcase some of the great things I created in the last year. </p>
<p>Baby steps…, it took me a month to get my resume together, and I only had to add the latest job. Reminds me of that movie with Bill Murray.</p>
<p>One more set of positive thoughts heading your way! Be sure you play up any skills gained in your latest job! Today’s corporations are not looking for long tenure, they are looking for a rich skill set. So hopefully your last experience gave you another slant/set of experiences that will make you an even stronger candidate this time around. Good luck!</p>
<p>As a marketing person I’m pretty sure you have probably already found the power of LinkedIn for helping with your job search, but if not you should definitely use it.</p>
<p>Definitely go to the conference but next time have some cards with you. Vista print allows you 250 free cards. These should have your name, your expertise and contact info. Better than carting a resume around. If you are talking to someone have a card handy. You never know where the next lead is coming from, whether you are hunting for jobs or clients. Have your “elevator pitch” ready. What are you really good at and what are you looking for as a next step. Should be no more than a 30 second statement. </p>
<p>Also don’t be shy or ashamed. Tell everyone you know you are looking. Your next job lead could come from church or the grocery store or a friend of a friend. All have happened to friends. .</p>
<p>idinct- I am so sorry about your situation. I, too, am in the job market. (I was fired, not downsized). These are hard times, but I have great hope that things will get better. For you and for me. </p>
<p>Keep your chin up- if necessary, see a counselor or doctor to address the possibility of depression. Events like this can cause depression, which will only slow you down. </p>
<p>You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep pursuing your dreams!</p>
<p>Ha Ha my elevator pitch needs some work. I learned about it in my outplacement service from my last downsize. I was just talking about it today. I do have biz cards, again from my last episode, although they are more freelance/consultant focused, but they do have my email and cell.</p>
<p>This is the time of year when many companies hire temporary workers for the Holiday Season. The pay ain’t great but it will feel good to get out of the house and do something. I did it three years ago and lost some unemployment insurance, but I enjoyed the experience helping customers select Christmas presents. One week before Christmas I received a phone call and a permanent job offer.</p>
<p>Here’s hoping and praying that you find yourself looking back from a wonderful opportunity and knowing that you are so glad this all happened so you could get there. It sounds to me like you are on your way!</p>
<p>OP, you mentioned non-profits in your previous job search. The job market with non-profits now is pretty bleak so I’m not suggesting you look for a career there, but how about volunteering for one you support (or would like to support)? Not only does it help the resume gap, but also the connections could be rich with potential. And forward momentum is always a good thing!</p>
<p>whether you are looking for another corporate job or try to be on your own, you need have to choose. with your decision, you just forge forward with your decision an believe, never mix those two together otherwise nothing will be accomplished.</p>
<p>Just let you know, live outside of corporate arms is lot more harsh than working for some one. On my own, I have to constantly sell and facing failure to close the deal. Once in a while I get the sweet fruit of success. I do expect I close one big deal a year and it does feed me well. Never mind I closed 5 major deals in 2007, I was in heaven.</p>
<p>Puzzled- Boy, did that video resonate with me. BTW- I just finished reading Dan Brown’s new novel- The Lost Symbol. The premise of the novel is that the “secret of the universe” is harnessing our thoughts to create what we want. (An uber- power of positive thinking notion). So- think positive and the world will be what you want it to be- major delusion. </p>
<p>She made some compelling points. I have seen this at work, and H did at his previous job - if you were positive, you were a team player. Constructive feedback to improve production or output? They didn’t always want it. </p>
<p>There is a lot of delusional thinking going on in many workplaces, I think!</p>
<p>Barbara Ehrenreich has also written about the positive thinking myths that surround illness. It seems particularly cruel to imply that cancer patients are to blame because of negative thinking or that an inability to respond to treatment is somehow a failure of will.</p>
<p>pipmom, you used the exact words - “resonate with me” - that my friend did when he sent the link. He also said that “So many people make it feel like it’s all my fault that I don’t even bring it up anymore.”</p>
<p>Yes, I understand and apparently have the “cooties” associated with being terminated.
But, life goes on. Today I start using up all the pre-paid massages I have at Massage Envy that I didn’t have time to take while I was working. (I have 12 of them) Then I will cancel the membership since I can’t afford it anymore. At least I’ll be loose and well-oiled by the end of the week. Ha!</p>
<p>Did anyone see 60 Minutes last night? One of the reporters met with a bunch of people in Silicon Valley who have been unemployed for 18 months or more and are about to lose their unemployment benefits. Virtually all were professionals, all had college degrees and many had masters. These were people who appeared to have done everything right, and yet it still all fell apart for them. They were willing to take ANY type of work - one guy was working part-time at Target and was happy to get the job. It was scary.</p>
<p>lafalum…I DID see 60 minutes…and yes…it was scary and depressing.
And I watched most of the Barbara E. video…very interesting. </p>
<p>I believe the positive thinking folks DO go too far sometimes. Not everything is in our control. Yet, I still believe that we need to do our best to keep constructive and positive. One friend of mine ( a senior professional) was out of work for 18 months after being laid off from a long term job (22 years!). He is the most positive person I know. He admitted that his time off from work was painful at times. And humiliating for sure. But he kept up his search and kept a smile on his face. He also traveled (cheaply of course) and did some things he never had time for when he worked. He finally landed and at a VERY good job. And he’s no spring chicken. </p>
<p>Other folks I know are constantly complaining and negative. They feel that being positive is “putting on a show” and make no effort to see the good side of things. They may be clinically depressed but won’t get help. And I have to admit I DO avoid hanging out with them too much…such a downer. Emotions are contagious. So it’s not that they’re out of work or divorced or whatever, it’s that they are bitter and constantly rehashing the past. Is that realism? If I try to move forward and make the best of a bad situation, is that denial? I don’t think so… </p>
<p>Like everything, there’s a middle ground. Negative thinking, blame, resentment - all can be toxic and CAN limit your opportunities. And impact your health too.</p>
<p>I’m back. Had a good networking experience today. I can’t be bitter in the short term, its just not really in my nature. I’ve got to keep my positive outlook. Thanks for all your well wishes.</p>