My CBS Job Hunting Adventure

The statistics on job hunting success are pretty one-sided. More than 65-70% of new jobs are found in some part through successful ‘networking’ and not through internet job searching sites. And, one of the more amazing observations of successful networking people is that you never know which contact will lead you to a new job. No matter how brief or unexpected the contact, each networking opportunity can be the one that lands you a new career.

Let me tell you about one of my unexpected networking adventures that is taking me a long way; as a matter of fact, it is taking me nationwide courtesy of CBS television.

I am a manufacturing professional who has been unemployed for over a year after being downsized from within the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. One of the first and best recommendations that I received from friends and professionals concerning the job hunting process was to tell everybody and anybody that I was looking for a new job. The more people that know, the better for you. So that’s what I have done. Family, friends, professional contacts, and networking groups all know that I am out there looking. In this particular story, it is important to note that my neighbor’s daughter also knew.

One day in June of 2008, I was working at home at my computer when I received a call from my neighbor’s daughter, Lindsey. She was a junior at Marist College doing a summer internship with CBS television in NYC. CBS was thinking about doing a story on ordinary people that were trying to find new jobs during challenging economic times. She wondered if I would be interested in participating in the story. My answer was an immediate and emphatic yes. So, I sent my resume and a few photographs to Lindsey and then things went quiet for a while. I just figured that the opportunity had passed.

Then in January 2009, I received an email from Audrey, a wonderful producer from CBS. She was checking to see if I was still interested in being part of this story. Again, I said yes and I am very pleased to report that it has been quite an adventure. CBS has followed my daily job hunting activities and offered assistance in various areas of the process.

The CBS Early Show has provided me several valuable job hunting resources to include one-on-one counseling sessions at my home with:

· career counselor – Lisa Panarello

o Learned valuable techniques to improve resumes, interviewing and resource planning.

· financial planner – Nick Nicolette CFP

o Learned about “overall” financial planning. Think about running a household in terms of running a business

· image consultant – Lisa Johnson Mandell

o Update your look and your outlook. Positive energy is a good thing.

Honestly, the most fun that I have had involved reinventing me. In support of this activity, several packages of clothing were delivered to my house by Zappos, a terrific online retailer big on customer service. It was like Christmas and my birthday combined. Lisa Johnson Mandell ran my own little fashion show in the foyer of my house with the cameras running and my wife and daughter looking on. There is nothing like the love of a good woman and the feel of a good suit.

The CBS Early Show (channel 2 in New York) is presenting my story on March 24, 2009 somewhere around 8:00am. There are supposed to be 4 to 5 minutes of video followed by 2 minutes of live conversation with Harry Smith. Additionally, information on my job hunt story will be posted on the Early Show Job Squad website.

Now let’s be clear here; not everyone is going to be able to develop a networking opportunity just like this. However, there are many surprising success stories out there where people get jobs through unexpected contacts. These stories will come up in everyday conversations if you just talk to people.

I hope my story offers some helpful ideas if you are also out there searching. It’s an understatement to say that being unemployed can be stressful for you and your loved ones. Just remember, do not go it alone. Reach out to your network. There are a lot of people that are willing to help because they have been where you are now.

I expect to have a few new doors open thanks to the CBS Early Show story and that has happened only because of some unexpected networking. That new job is just out there waiting for me to find it. Good hunting to us all.

To Be or Not To Be… Reinvented

To Be or Not To Be… Reinvented

So, after years of dedicated service, you have been downsized and you are now on the outside looking in.  You, like so many others, are unemployed in an uncertain economy and a competitive job market.  You are no longer in your comfort zone at work or at home and the clock is running.

· So how do you start to get your career back on track?

· Who can help you?

· What should you do first?

After working for some time with career coaches, recruiters, networking groups, business contacts, friends and family, I recommend that you start by going to the person you know and trust the most; start with you!

To begin, take a good look in the mirror; then, look again!  Who and what do you see?  When I first looked in the mirror, my heart saw an energetic, young man with bright eyes and a full head of hair?  But then I blinked, rubbed my eyes and looked again.  This time, my eyes saw a mature husband and father with thoughtful eyes and distant memories of a need for a comb.

The point here is that at a time when you are looking for a new job or career, it is also time to assess who and what you are?  If you are honest, you will probably find that it is time to reinvent yourself.  A critical part of that reinvention would entail an update to your personal image.

Reinvention can be a difficult concept for most of us.  After all, we have been successful in our careers and other areas of our lives up to this point by looking how we look and dressing how we dress. So, why should we change?

Well, why not?  Change is required to stay competitive with business processes;  so why shouldn’t we expect that change in our personal images is also required to help us remain competitive in the job market.

I was fortunate enough to get some professional help when I looked to reinvent myself.   Through some unexpected networking contacts, I met Lisa Johnson Mandell who is an author and entertainment media professional.  In a matter of 2 to 3 hours, Lisa helped me update to a more “modern” look.  Sorry Lisa; I just can’t say “hip”.

We made some positive changes to my business wardrobe with the addition of a very stylish suit and trendy dress shoes that contain Nike Air technology.  Additionally, my clothes closet now contains several colored dress shirts and bold designer ties.

As for my physical appearance, and it took some convincing, I have removed my mustache for the first time in a very long time.   To date, the reactions to this change have been the most interesting and amusing part of my reinvention. My wife just stared and smiled; my son laughed; and my daughter would not look at me (she got over it in a few days).  When I surprised my sister and then a good friend, they looked at me knowing something was different. They both asked if I got new eyeglasses.

Anyway, the important thing is that I am quite happy with the changes.  I definitely look and feel younger.  I know that the overall positive effect will improve my chances of success in face-to-face interviews and ultimately in landing that new position.

Reinventing yourself can be a positive step no matter what your personal circumstances.  Give it a try!   And don’t forget.  The best thing about reinventing yourself is that if you’re not happy after you do it, you can always do it again.