Tonight my oldest son and I are headed out for a Boy Scout Campout. Our troop goes rain or shine so the fact that it is raining and is forecast to rain all night is not great news. Setting up tents and sleeping in the rain is not an ideal way to camp.
The thing is camping in the rain is a lot like getting laid off. Do you want to do it? No. Do you have a choice? No. Is it going to be fun? No.Will you remember it? Yes. Can you grow from it? Yes!
The this camp out will mean struggling to keep dry while doing the activities, cooking, sleeping and hanging out. While not typically seen as fun it will be a bonding experience. The boys will learn what they need to do to stay dry and may fail in their efforts. They will learn can do more than they thought they could and in the end will have memories to share for years to come.
Being unemployed has the same opportunities for adults. I am not trying to say being out of work is a fun experience but it can be a real bonding experience and can teach us more about ourselves then we may think. Odds are we will try new things and fail in our first attempt. We will think we are doing everything right and then realize we have wet socks until someone else shows us a better way to do things. We will also make new friends that we can have a shared experience and in the end be stronger for having been through it.
So think of us tonight as we hope our tents don't leak and we try to avoid puddles. My No Job Joy is that my socks get wet and I dry them out in new ways with new friends.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
No Job Joy #61 Free webinars
A lot of people get caught in a rut when in their job search. You have looked at your resume for the one millionth time trying to find that silver bullet to make sure you get a call back. You have emailed your network so many times they start filtering your messages to their spam folder and you have bruises on your ego from every network connection that has lead to a dead end.
This is the time to look for new ideas. New ways to connect, new people to talk to, new things to learn. Here one thing I have used to get connected with a new company.
Have a target company? Find out if they are doing any webinars. Almost all do and they are almost all free. During the webinar ask a question. Make sure it is relevant and try to make sure you are identified in the question.
As you are in the webinar get the contact information of the presenter. Many times the presenter will put their contact information in the presentation. Otherwise you will have to call the company.
After the webinar contact the presenter with a follow up. Once you have asked the second question you have established a relationship that can let you open up about your interest in their company and ask to set up some time to talk with them about their industry and opportunities in general in their company. As with any other kind of networking interview you are not asking them for a job. Just information. They are doing you a favor so respect their time. Only if THEY think you may have something to offer their company can you ask if there is a referral bonus at their company and ask how to best make this a win win.
Yes this takes some time and may be out of your comfort zone but it can be a great way to learn something new about a new company and get a connection.
Today's No Job Joy is about connecting out of the box.
Share your out of the box ways of connecting to new people or networks by commenting below.
This is the time to look for new ideas. New ways to connect, new people to talk to, new things to learn. Here one thing I have used to get connected with a new company.
Have a target company? Find out if they are doing any webinars. Almost all do and they are almost all free. During the webinar ask a question. Make sure it is relevant and try to make sure you are identified in the question.
As you are in the webinar get the contact information of the presenter. Many times the presenter will put their contact information in the presentation. Otherwise you will have to call the company.
After the webinar contact the presenter with a follow up. Once you have asked the second question you have established a relationship that can let you open up about your interest in their company and ask to set up some time to talk with them about their industry and opportunities in general in their company. As with any other kind of networking interview you are not asking them for a job. Just information. They are doing you a favor so respect their time. Only if THEY think you may have something to offer their company can you ask if there is a referral bonus at their company and ask how to best make this a win win.
Yes this takes some time and may be out of your comfort zone but it can be a great way to learn something new about a new company and get a connection.
Today's No Job Joy is about connecting out of the box.
Share your out of the box ways of connecting to new people or networks by commenting below.
Monday, November 16, 2009
No Job Joy #60 Other skills
This weekend I was remind twice that my value as a person is not defined by what I do to make a living. The first was at a get together for my oldest son's football team. Over the years my love of photography and the fact that I have some of the best equipment has made me the unofficial team photographer. Most parents have stopped taking their cameras relying on me to take and post photos.
As I thought our gathering might be the last time we would all be together I made my usual team video of still shots that I had taken during the season. Each parent was amazed at the shots of the boys. The fact that I can make them happy with something I love to do reinforces that I am not just a job.
The second time I was reminded of this was as I was working on another home improvement project. Having the right tools and the ability to use them the right way to get the job done really helps boost ones confidence and drive home the fact that I am not just a job.There is something about making sawdust that makes you feel good.
Today's No Job Joy is the satisfaction of completing a project and using talents other than those that people pay you for.
As I thought our gathering might be the last time we would all be together I made my usual team video of still shots that I had taken during the season. Each parent was amazed at the shots of the boys. The fact that I can make them happy with something I love to do reinforces that I am not just a job.
The second time I was reminded of this was as I was working on another home improvement project. Having the right tools and the ability to use them the right way to get the job done really helps boost ones confidence and drive home the fact that I am not just a job.There is something about making sawdust that makes you feel good.
Today's No Job Joy is the satisfaction of completing a project and using talents other than those that people pay you for.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wrestling with Grandma Hayes
This week end our 91 year old neighbor was in the alley with her walker sweeping the leaves from three oak trees off her driveway. Seeing that she had a huge chore in front of her, my wife, brother in-law and youngest son went out and helped her bag up the leaves.
Then my son who couldn't be stopped, started raking the yard, even though they have a lawn service. All told we bagged up 8 very large bags of leaves. My neighbor an her husband we very grateful and that was all the thanks we needed. We know they wanted to pay us but since they weren't expecting us they didn't have any money out so we quickly said you are welcome and left before they could go get any.
Today as I was in the alley, she found me and tried to pay me again. I politely said thank you but no several times. From there our verbal struggle of wills became physical as she stuffed the bills in my pocket. Now I knew I was in trouble. I tried to hand her the money back but she wouldn't take it. You would be surprised how strong a 91 year old can be.
As we were in the alley and she had a walker so I knew this wouldn't end well. If I try to out run her I look like I am running from a little old lady. If I stand and fight I risk getting beat up by an old lady. A no win situation. So I took the money on the understanding that it would go into my son's camping gear fund. A compromise that lets her feel good about paying us for our good deed and I still get to feel good about doing it.
I think she really wants a throw down with me as she wants me to take a look at fixing some cracking cinder blocks in her alley as she noticed I was going to fix some of mine. I don't know how I will get out of this one.
Then my son who couldn't be stopped, started raking the yard, even though they have a lawn service. All told we bagged up 8 very large bags of leaves. My neighbor an her husband we very grateful and that was all the thanks we needed. We know they wanted to pay us but since they weren't expecting us they didn't have any money out so we quickly said you are welcome and left before they could go get any.
Today as I was in the alley, she found me and tried to pay me again. I politely said thank you but no several times. From there our verbal struggle of wills became physical as she stuffed the bills in my pocket. Now I knew I was in trouble. I tried to hand her the money back but she wouldn't take it. You would be surprised how strong a 91 year old can be.
As we were in the alley and she had a walker so I knew this wouldn't end well. If I try to out run her I look like I am running from a little old lady. If I stand and fight I risk getting beat up by an old lady. A no win situation. So I took the money on the understanding that it would go into my son's camping gear fund. A compromise that lets her feel good about paying us for our good deed and I still get to feel good about doing it.
I think she really wants a throw down with me as she wants me to take a look at fixing some cracking cinder blocks in her alley as she noticed I was going to fix some of mine. I don't know how I will get out of this one.
Monday, November 9, 2009
How being unemployed is like having a disease - part 4 - Better than a cassarole
When people have a serious illness their friends really want to help. They bring meals, they pray, they help run kids to activities and help reduce the stress of day to day activities. Friends and loved ones do this because they care and want to help the family focus on getting better and because they want to be able to do something.
When people are unemployed their friends often want to help them but often don't know how. Meals, money and babysitting are helpful but they seem to much like charity to be helpful. Since most people don't have a spare job lying around that they can give a friend, they often feel helpless. This often makes people frustrated as they want to help but are afraid to ask how, because they are worried about hurting the person who is unemployed and confuse friendly assistance with charity.
So what can friends do to help. As I mentioned in the last post i this series, just be a friend and care. Ask how we are doing and not just on the job front. Ask about our kids and spouses just like we had a job. This is a temporary situation. We are not contagious.
Second help your friends network. This is hard for a lot of people especially those who haven't looked for a job in many years. The rules have changed and learning them on the fly can be a challenge. While you can't do their work for them, be willing to offer connections and honest feedback when asked for help. We know our employed friends are feeling stress from the economy and are afraid they may join us in the job search.Reaching out to your network for someone else is a great, no pressure way for you to reconnect with people you many need help from if you do get laid off.
Finally, connect with and keep current your social networking profiles and connections. This is big tool for most job searchers and the better connected you are the more you can help your friends. Sharing a personal connection is probably the best thing you can do for someone who is looking. Tools like LinkedIn help your friends know who you know that could be of assistance or may even be the person they are interviewing with.
While none of these taste as good as a casserole, this is what you can do to help your friends and help you feel like you have some control in your own life which may be crazy with job stress. Just like helping a sick friend, helping a friend get a job will make you feel good too.
When people are unemployed their friends often want to help them but often don't know how. Meals, money and babysitting are helpful but they seem to much like charity to be helpful. Since most people don't have a spare job lying around that they can give a friend, they often feel helpless. This often makes people frustrated as they want to help but are afraid to ask how, because they are worried about hurting the person who is unemployed and confuse friendly assistance with charity.
So what can friends do to help. As I mentioned in the last post i this series, just be a friend and care. Ask how we are doing and not just on the job front. Ask about our kids and spouses just like we had a job. This is a temporary situation. We are not contagious.
Second help your friends network. This is hard for a lot of people especially those who haven't looked for a job in many years. The rules have changed and learning them on the fly can be a challenge. While you can't do their work for them, be willing to offer connections and honest feedback when asked for help. We know our employed friends are feeling stress from the economy and are afraid they may join us in the job search.Reaching out to your network for someone else is a great, no pressure way for you to reconnect with people you many need help from if you do get laid off.
Finally, connect with and keep current your social networking profiles and connections. This is big tool for most job searchers and the better connected you are the more you can help your friends. Sharing a personal connection is probably the best thing you can do for someone who is looking. Tools like LinkedIn help your friends know who you know that could be of assistance or may even be the person they are interviewing with.
While none of these taste as good as a casserole, this is what you can do to help your friends and help you feel like you have some control in your own life which may be crazy with job stress. Just like helping a sick friend, helping a friend get a job will make you feel good too.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
No Job Joy #59 New Ideas
Today I went to see T. Boone Pickens do a town hall meeting at UTDallas. While I had heard some of the story it was interesting to hear it first hand. Not many 81 year olds can talk for an hour with out notes.
The thing I appreciate about Mr. Pickens is that he has gotten behind an idea, stuck with it, spend his own money and is using consensus to make something bigger than himself happen. The cynic in my says wait and see he will make money on the deal but as would rebut that he's 81. This is for the future.
I can't say whether or not I agree with his plan as I haven't looked at it closely, yet I am intrigued that he is promoting a solution that has significant impact and that he apparently would get minimal personal gain.
So my No job joy for today is new ideas and people with the courage to stand up and make sure something happens
The thing I appreciate about Mr. Pickens is that he has gotten behind an idea, stuck with it, spend his own money and is using consensus to make something bigger than himself happen. The cynic in my says wait and see he will make money on the deal but as would rebut that he's 81. This is for the future.
I can't say whether or not I agree with his plan as I haven't looked at it closely, yet I am intrigued that he is promoting a solution that has significant impact and that he apparently would get minimal personal gain.
So my No job joy for today is new ideas and people with the courage to stand up and make sure something happens
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
No Job Joy #58 Not Fall yet
Today's No Job Joy is an easy one. A sunny 75 degree day with no wind. Guess I jumped the gun on getting out the long sleeve jerseys.
Perfect day for a bike ride around the lake. So I put on a sleeveless jersey, flew around the lake twice in 57 minutes averaging 20.5 MPH. Even if I was working I would have played hooky today. Not having a job just means I could do it with out feeling guilty about all the work I was missing.
Perfect day for a bike ride around the lake. So I put on a sleeveless jersey, flew around the lake twice in 57 minutes averaging 20.5 MPH. Even if I was working I would have played hooky today. Not having a job just means I could do it with out feeling guilty about all the work I was missing.
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