Taking Rejection Thu, 4 Mar 2004 23:30:29 +0000

Hello again:

It\'s Art once more. No go with job opportunities yet. It\'s still a tight market. I\'m wondering, how many of you folks out there engage with potential employers and then they just lose sight of you. Or reply to you with no real valuable information. Doesn\'t that give you a headache? It gives me one for sure. I haven\'t a clue why they reply with empty information. The least they could do is let me know why I wasn\'t wanted or why my resume didn\'t cut the mustard. Of course that\'s just a part of the job hunt.

Rejection is something you have to be able to take, maybe make a second try and then move on. It\'s a real disaster for individuals who can\'t handle rejection. It\'s also a problem for people with general self-esteem problems.

Of course, if you get the \"Dont want you\" without anything else, it can be just as bad - not just for self esteem, but also in the form of an outright insult. Anyway, just checking in after a couple of weeks of searching...

Art
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Out of State Sun, 25 Jan 2004 07:20:24 +0000

Hi folks, this is Art again. Just letting you in on where my job campaign has been taking me. As I mentioned, I'm looking in the investment sector. An interesting fact here is that in Massachusetts (my home state), the unemployment rate has reached the same levels as that of the national average. In general this is an anomaly. In the course of at least the last 5-7 years, Mass. has always been at the forefront of economic activity, including employment statistics. However, just recently, it has reached the unemployment levels of the US as a whole (5.7%).

This put me into Rodin mode and I sat trying to figure out how I was going to find a job outside of Mass. and what are some of the perils and pitfalls to look out for. I put on my thinking cap and came to some simple conclusions


  • There is an exodus of jobs from Mass.
  • There is difficulty in convincing network members in other states to bring you down to their locations.
  • Regional cultures still exist - even for the unemployed. For instance, I'm not going to necessarily be a great fan of the Florida Marlins, nor will they understand why I have tire chains in the back of my car.
  • Employers do NOT want to pay relocation costs or travel fees for interviews - especially when cost cutting has been the norm for two years. There is still hesitancy to break the cost cutting mold.

These are significant barriers over and above the usual difficulties of job searching. However, I have a true belief the grass IS greener on the other side. At least it's greener than the parched grey snow in Mass. with temperatures 20-40 degrees below freezing!

Looking for these opportunities is difficult - and even more difficult for the networking job seeker, since contacts are not traveling as frequently to trade shows, employment events, and other networking venues. This is another complication. But if the unemployment rates here are so high - doesn't it stand to reason that unemployment rates elsewhere are lower to balance the average? So, the grass may be greener elsewhere, but you have to cross a pretty high fence to get there.

Will keep you up to date on my out of state efforts...

Art
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Another Networking Day Thu, 15 Jan 2004 07:26:38 +0000

Hi again. It was another search day for me. Soaking myself in the recent newspaper filled with extra articles on jobs available. Still trying to send out resumes the old fashioned way - to complement my other techniques of course. This means sending out several snail mail letters, several email responses, a few job board responses, and finally several phone calls to new people I've met.

Attended a networking event today - first time this year!

It was good. Met over a dozen people, pulled in about 8 business cards, and sent out 4 emails that very night. Interestingly, I met someone who was looking for information about phone companies. A friend of mine was in the phone carrier business, so I gave him my friend`s reference information. The guy was really appreciative.

Some quick notes about the event that made it particularly worthwhile.
  • It was a business event, where a majority of people were employed. Yeah, I felt lower than them, just about to lose my job and all, but that's where the most valuable contacts are - not the unemployed groups (which help in other ways)
  • I didn't meet everyone and just work the entire room. I actually researched the audience the night before (as much as I could.) and then targeted 4 or 5 people I had to meet. I only met with 3 of those targets, but they were the ones who may have had opportunities in my job interest area.
  • I didn't stay through the whole event. I came late and left a bit early. You can get awfully tired after lots of handshaking, talking, and networking. It's best to give yourself a time limit, then leave appropriately. You don't want to leave the last batch of people you meet thinking you are a run down desperado. You want to put your best foot forward for everyone you meet.


It was fairly successful, but I certainly won't find out right away. I just know that after the event, over 10 people know about me, that I'm looking for a job, and what kind of job I am seeking. At least 3 or 4 may be able to forward a resume, provide me with new contacts in my field of interest, and give me immediate introductions. It was definitely successful!

Art
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