I was laid off a little over a year ago, and I’ve spent part of every day since then looking for a job. In the last year I’ve had 1-on-1 meetings with over 150 people at coffee shops all over northern Colorado. Some of these folks I knew already, but most of them were people I found on LinkedIn or through referrals. Some people I’ve met just by walking up and saying hello. I’ve attended almost 100 networking events, including local chapter meetings of national professional organizations and job search workgroups. I’ve applied to at least five jobs every week. I’ve had 23 phone screenings, 6 on-site interviews, and zero job offers.
I think I’ve done everything that the job search experts say you’re supposed to do, although I’m always open to new suggestions. I’ve got a list of over 20 target companies in the area, and I’ve got good connections at all of them. I received outplacement services, and at this point I’m sure I could teach others how to look for a job. I’ve been posting regularly to my blog on WordPress, and I’ve been participating in on-line discussions on LinkedIn, and I opened a site on ScoopIt to highlight news items from my field of expertise, all intended to establish and maintain professional credibility. I started a personal web site to provide some details about my work accomplishments and methods. I’ve given talks at professional meetings, and I was a guest lecturer at the local university before becoming an adjunct professor, teaching project management, strategic planning, and supply chain management.
I joined a volunteer committee to help new job seekers get started with LinkedIn. I was asked to write five chapters for the ninth edition of a technical handbook that will be published next year. I’ve been a guest blogger for two other sites. I’m working with a former colleague to record podcast interviews with authors and industry leaders in reliability and quality. I spent a year studying Spanish, and now I’m working on Mandarin Chinese.
While my focus has been on finding a full-time job, I’ve let everyone know that I’m also open to temporary contract positions and consulting. I’m willing to commute long distances, and I would consider relocation. Despite my considerable experience and training, I’ve lowered my salary expectations. I’ve been told that I’m over-qualified. No one has told me that I’m too old, but I worry about age discrimination. I worry about the stigma that goes with long-term unemployment: the longer this goes on, the more likely hiring managers will assume that there’s something really wrong with me.
I’ve been told that my resume is the problem, and I tweak it regularly. I send cover letters and follow-up with my connections (almost 1500 people on LinkedIn). I’ve sent Pain Letters to help companies imagine how I could help them solve their problems. I’ve been told that the red background on my photo in LinkedIn is the problem. I’ve gotten a lot of conflicting advice from folks who mean well. I’ve just about run out of ideas, and I’m not sure if doing the same things over and over again will lead to a different result.
I keep plugging away, but I’m beginning to wonder whether corporate America has a place for me. I’m busy and optimistic most days, and I try not to let myself be defined by my unemployed status. We’ll see what happens next.
