As we sorted and repacked boxes of oranges and cabbages, we shared our stories of lay offs, the months and months of job searching and the levels of frustration (and depression) we have each gone through. I kinda laughed about how much it felt like a support group for the unemployed. It was so therapeutic to be with individuals who can relate to each other! No one was saying “I know the right job is waiting for you” or “whatever happens, happens for a reason.” No offense to anyone who has spoken those words to me, the support of my friends and family means the world to me. It’s just hard when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel to feel good about the “right” job that is waiting for you “someday” around “a” corner. The only people who truly understand that are folks who are trying to navigate up the same river.

I finished off the shift feeling very fulfilled in a few expected and unexpected ways. Yay! I spent time out of the house and away from the job search. YAY! I made a positive impact for an organization that relies on volunteer support to fulfill it’s mission. Yay, (maybe best of all) I spent time with others who can relate.  Yay!!

One could argue that having a Blackberry when unemployed is a mighty fine luxury, and I wouldn’t disagree. I have spent many a minutes feeling guilty about my ridiculously expensive cell phone bill. Especially since it is actually higher than my employed husband’s cell phone bill. BUT I maximize that little sucker to it’s fullest potential. Email, texting, Twitter, Facebook, Google Sync, and from time to time I use it as a phone too.

Here is a bit of background on how my realization came to light. I was sitting on the couch struggling to maintain a clear focus on a book while my thoughts wandered away to the Blackberry that was snuggled up next to my leg. Suddenly my concentation is completely lost with the feeling of the “bbzzzz” announcing that I have a new email. So I check it. Then I think “Well, it’s 8:30 at night so why don’t I change the settings so that it only buzzes for text and phone so I can actually focus on the book?” Ok, quick change to the settings and ten seconds later I’m back to reading. Thirty seconds later  my mind wanders “But, what if I get an email..blah blah blah…..” and I decide to tweet that I am considering doing a Blackberry detox. Yes, instead of just shutting the darn thing off I tweet about how I’m thinking about doing it. You don’t have to say a word, I’m pretty well aware of how far gone I am.

Feeling good about my tweet, I decide to bite the bullet. Step 1: Deleted my email account from Blackberry. Step 2: Sign out of Facebook application and hide it. Step 3: Twitter’s up next…except I haven’t quite made it around to signing out of Twitter, I promise I will do it before I go to bed.

Apparently the best way I could figure out how to deal with the first 5 minutes of withdrawals is to come and blog. Good things may come of this!

I’m stating it here and now…”I, TwirtyGrrl am going to maintain this level of disengagement with my Blackberry for the next 24 hours.” If all goes well maybe I will extend it. Maybe.

I can’t be the only one with this problem, what piece of technology is your “right hand, left hand and two left feet?”

Here’s the story about that carrot. Late November/early December I was referred to an open position and interviewed for what I discovered would be a great job, a job that I saw myself in, for a company I saw myself being a part of, a boss that I saw as a coach and team leader. This was the job that would be the polar opposite of my last job, a job that was so terrible at times that I am still having nightmares. Well, I didn’t get the job. It was tragic and I was perplexed. What I came to discover was that there actually wasn’t a position, that offers had already been extended for the position and it would appear that I was brought in as back-up in case those offers went through. I was the victim of bad timing. I had been referred to an “open” position by an employee of that company that wasn’t exactly open any longer since an offer had already been extended, but I was led to believe there was an open position. That information maybe kinda would have helped me handle my expectations, maybe.

So, I blew the interviewer out of the water and I have heard time and time again from both her and the person who referred me to the position “As soon as we can add a new addition to our team you are #1 on our list!” Awesome right? Makes me feel good! The problem with all of this….when exactly is that going to happen? Is it ever going to happen? Who freaking knows! So it’s like a carrot that dangles in front of my face that I just cannot have. Even worse, I run in to that employee at networking events and she tells me AND shares that same quote with other people that I know so I get the double fun of hearing it out of other people’s mouths when I see them too! I kinda want to scream.

Anyone else holding on to hope of something great that is driving you mad because you can see it but you just can’t quite grasp it?

I’ll admit, I was feeling more and more blue the closer the holidays got. As the days rolled on by I was being smacked in the face with the reality that I was going to wake up on Christmas morning unemployed and then have to face 2010 unemployed. Never in my worst nightmares did I think that it would take me *&$Q(&*# months to find a job. Never in my nightmare’s worst nightmares did I think that 2010 would arrive and I would still be a job seeker. What the heck?!?!?! This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be!

Well guess what? You won’t be shocked here, but that is exactly what happened. It’s 2010 and I’m still looking for a job…bleh! Double bleh!

Back to the part where I’m feeling awesome about my job search 2010…2009 was a tough year, we all know this. It was tough and also filled with so many successes! In an effort to keep my blues in check I wrote down a list of all the fun things I did in 2009. I also wrote down the positive impact I have made in the lives of others through my networking & volunteering efforts. Last but not least I noted all of my own personal successes as a job seeker. 2009 was an awesome year! My list showcased that the only thing missing really was the paycheck. Kinda important yes, but there isn’t a dollar amount large enough that I would trade for some of these great experiences & new friendships that have blossomed through the year.

I bid you adieu 2009, your impact will not be forgotten. 2010 I welcome your arrival and all of the great things you have in store for me!

The life of a job seeker is challenging and can be very rewarding, though most people don’t see a job seeker as successful until they actually get a job. I personally believe that is one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. I like to think that I have faced it bravely and strategically and I am thrilled to see Jerome’s confirmation that I am on the right track! The inside scoop of my efforts has really been reserved for my husband, family and best friends. Outside of that circle one really does not see what I’m up to on a daily basis. Sure I tweet and update my Facebook status, both create a one dimension picture but not a full picture of what I do.

A huge thank you to Jerome! I’m so honored and humbled that Jerome used me as an example of a superstar job seeker.

~ TwirtyGrrl

December really isn’t any different to me as a job seeker. Like other months, I keep my calendar booked with a variety of networking activities, volunteering and social commitments. What I love about December? It’s so much easier to get people out of their offices for networking functions. I don’t know if it’s the lure of egg nog or if they are blinded by the sparkle of tinsel, but the level of social interaction for professionals definitely increases this time of year.

Shoot! Look at the time. I’ve got to go! Today’s networking opens tomorrow’s door!

Right now I am living the flip side of the “employed” coin. I give people a peek in to my world by tweeting, updating Facebook and writing this blog. That peek is usually pretty upbeat and fabulous because let’s be real, it’s always sunny on Facebook. I crack up at the number of times people have commented that I am “living the life.” In many ways I am. I get to do so many things that I would not be able to do while employed. But I do miss working, that rush of success when overcoming a challenge that recharges my passion and energy.  It is my drive to succeed that fulfills me!

Feeling inspired I created a list of the top 10 things I love about being unemployed/employed. You can choose which side you would prefer to be living. Being a Lady of Leisure has it’s perks but I think it’s obvious which side is for me!

10 Things I Love About Being In “Job Transition”:

1. My day starts with a leisurely stroll to the coffee shop
2. My dress code starts and ends with workout pants and a fleece zip-up
3. Make-up is optional
4. So is brushing my hair
5. My days are sprinkled with coffee & lunch dates
6. My social life is booming with new friends (YAY Networking!)
7. Mid-day grocery store trips
8. Spontaneity is my norm
9. Happy hour can begin at any time
10. Every day is Saturday

10 Things I Love About Working:

1. Success
2. Team Work
3. Camaraderie
4. Opportunity
5. Challenge
6. Growth
7. Experience
8. Relationships
9. The paycheck
10. Did I mention the paycheck?

More important than giving thanks for food, I am going to say “Thank You” for the roof over my head, the clothes on my back, the love in my life and the people who have supported me every step of the way! I hope your life is full of reasons to say “thank you” as well!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Working for a restaurant company I was well fed on a regular basis. My life revolved around our food and wine and I loved every second of it. One could say that I was in my element. There are definitely days that I miss it.

The seeds for this post started growing when a former co-worker sent me a text to tell me he was dining at the restaurant and spotted two of my friends and needed some help sparking the old memory bank on their names. The text was no big thing, I may have for a second been sad that I wasn’t at the restaurant but all was well with the world because the husband and I were on our way to grab some sushi.

Let’s side track for a moment….I love sushi. I love love love love sushi. It is my favorite food and I could eat it daily. I tease that one of my life goals is to be a sushi-tarian. That is how much I love it.

I “hmmm…mmm’d” my way through the entire meal. Every other bite was followed with “I love sushi, it is mmm good.” I was a happy clam.

And then I logged on to Facebook. I saw it. My girlfriend wrote one word in her Facebook status “Truffles” (remember, tubers, not chocolates). Oh no, it’s truffle season! How could I forget? Oh the memories flooded back! The food. The wine. Always amazing!!! And I spent a whole two minutes feeling sad and wishing I was at the dinner until I remembered my belly was full with sushi. There was no way I would have traded my casual sushi dinner with the husband in for that stuffy white truffle dinner.

What do you miss most from a former job?

So now that I’m home and fighting the urge to fall back in to the same old routine, I have created a list of things I will commit to that should keep my brain clean of all of that clutter!

• I am limiting myself to the amount of time I can spend in front of the computer every day. This means less time on Facebook, Twitter, email, job search boards, blogs..etc. Those things create a lot of white noise for me.
• I am going back to my routine of beginning my morning with a walk to the coffee shop. No more home brewed Peet’s for me! The $1.85 I spend on coffee is well worth it when it means I start the day with a lovely stroll through the neighborhood in the sunshine…ok so not a lot of sunshine in SF but at least it’s a stroll
• I am going to use Twitter and my blog as an outlet for my job search exclusively. Basically I’m not going to mix business with pleasure
• I will not…I repeat, I will not look to see how many people follow me on Twitter and how many people come to view my blog on a daily basis! My tweeting & blogging is not about numbers, it is about me! And “me” gets so sad when people un-follow her. So sad.

That is my starting list! I think it is a great first step, I am excited and hoping I can keep the noise at bay

What do you do to keep your head clear?