Category: Just me being me

Today was my first actual workday of being unemployed.

A month ago or so, when I thought about what my life would be like without a job, I imagined that I’d sleep in nice and late. Then I might make myself a healthy breakfast, do a yoga DVD and spend some time looking through the job sites online. Maybe I’d have lunch with a friend, send out a couple resumes in the afternoon, watch some TV, read a book, and then make a delicious and healthy dinner which would emit lots of yummy noises from my husband.

Yeah, none of this actually happened today.

After waking up to his phone alarm at 6:30 am, my husband must have accidentally ‘snoozed’ the alarm instead of turning it off. So, it went off every 10 minutes while he was getting ready in the other room. And it was really LOUD. In my half-asleep state I couldn’t figure out how to make it stop, so I gave up and got up.

With that wonderful start, here’s the good & bad from my first day at home:

In the Good pile:

• Did some freelance social media work for a consulting client. Love consulting!

• Was interviewed by a reporter for an article that will be coming out in about a month. Super excited about this and I’ll keep you posted with more details when I can.

• Prepared for an upcoming interview where I need to give a 10 minute presentation to their search committee on my ideas for marketing their program. After an initial brain-freeze moment (if by moment you mean multiple days), I finally found my zone and started scribbling down lots of ideas. Tomorrow I need to clarify everything and turn it into an actual presentation with visuals.

• Spoke to a recruiter about another potential job opportunity.

• Got in lots of snuggle time with my cute little dog, Potter. I even dragged his fluffy dog bed to a spot next to my desk, so that he could relax while still keeping his eye on me.

• A friend of mine informed me that one of my wedding photos is on a photographer’s flyer on the bulletin board at a local Starbucks. Besides adding “must visit Starbucks and look at their bulletin board” to my list, I took a minute to check out the photographer’s new website. There are probably 20 photos from my wedding (3 years ago) in her portfolio. Besides being totally flattered, I’m also feeling a bit weepy from reliving my amazingly wonderful wedding day.

In the Crappy pile:

• Part of moving means that I needed to purchase rental insurance for our new household. Apparently in order to cover my engagement ring, I need to get a new appraisal for their files. What I didn’t realize is how much it costs to get an appraisal! Of course, now that I’ve called around I found out that the price varies depending on which store you call.

• I had interviewed for a position last Friday and felt really good about it. Got a phone call this afternoon saying that not only did I NOT get the position; it’s going to someone I know. Ouch! What’s worse is that this isn’t the first time this has happened to me.

• Throughout the entire day, where I’ve been awake for about 12 hours so far — I’ve literally only spoken to three people*. My interviewer and two quick phone calls. I’m dying to chat with someone and will most likely launch myself at my husband like a hyper spidermonkey when he walks in the door.

So, all in all it seems like today was much more good than bad. I was certainly busy all day long, which was nice. I hate nothing more than to be bored with nothing to do. I’m disappointed about not getting the position that I interviewed for, but have to focus on the positive and hope that there is something better just around the corner.

* I’m not really including Potter in this, even though we’ve had many conversations throughout the day. For those who are curious about what we talk about (ok, I admit it is mostly one-sided) it ranges from: “Why are you licking your paw? Does it taste yummy?” to “Come over here and snuggle with me” and “Do you think I should include focus groups in this marketing plan?” No, he doesn’t actually talk back to me… but he has very expressive eyes.

Today is my last day at my job.

I’ve worked at this firm for almost exactly 6 years and have had many ups and downs over the years.

When I started, this felt like a whole different company. We were in a crappy old building with a small parking lot, mini golf green carpets and a shared office for both me and my marketing coordinator.

There was no marketing plan at all for me to work from, I was simply told to “look at the budget” to determine what the company usually did. However, the budget was one excel spreadsheet with random words/companies and amounts on it – not really much guidance at all. My marketing coordinator was nice to me at first, but then decided that she resented me for being her boss and started spreading rumors trashing me to everyone she could.

After a couple years of hard work, the marketing department finally started working like a well-oiled machine. I’d introduced an annual marketing plan and budget, which provided guidance for our department. Each year after, we added more and more tasks to the plan. The partner-in-charge of my department was able to become more ‘hands off’ as I took over more responsibility.

We moved into a new building – a much nicer place with an attached parking garage that made rainy and snowy days so much more tolerable. Of course, I still ended up in one of the worst offices in the place since marketing is the bastard stepchild of the firm’s industry. I was okay with that though (pretty much) because at least I had my own office.

Not long after that, the marketing coordinator left her position and I was able to interview and hire someone who would be a better fit. I really lucked out too; I ended up hiring Jessie, someone who is now one of my closest friends. For the past 3 ½ years, she has been a total ray of sunshine every single day and much of the reason that I’ve stayed at the company through my unhappiness.

I can’t even let myself think of the fact that I’m not going to see her face every day. I talk to her about everything and each day we have ongoing conversations through my open door. I’m going to stop typing about that now because I’m trying really hard not to cry.

Anyways, I’ve made a lot of really great friends at work over the years, but it seems like so many of them have moved on to other companies. I didn’t really realize how many people had left the firm over the years, until I started thinking back on all the friends I’ve had that faded away.

And now it’s my turn.

I figured I’d just quietly fade away, you know trying to “keep it classy” and all. Because as great as some of my time at this company has been, the last three months have been pretty terrible. I’ve survived it by trying to think ahead to the future and not dwell on the present awkwardness of continuing to work at a place that decided it doesn’t want me.

Earlier this week I sent an email out to my co-workers. Surprisingly, a bunch of people responded with their well wishes and even more stopped by to chat. I say surprisingly, because I feel like I’ve been treated like such a leper that I really didn’t expect anything.

This afternoon, I invited a few of my friends to join me for a casual lunch. I was surprised again, and flattered, when they presented me with a really sweet card and present celebrating my last day.

So, I’m happy.

I’m happy that I can finally walk away from this purgatory – the awkward time between the day I found out I was losing my job and the day I could actually leave.

I’m happy that I’ve made friends over the past 6 years, especially Jessie.

I’m happy that I’ve had dozens of people tell me what a great job I’ve done and that they’ll miss me.

And I’m happy that I can now look back at this job with some fond memories, instead of just bitterness of the way things turned out.

So, it is with pleasure I will do the last thing on my work to-do list: “Leave work and never come back!”

When you change positions – whether it’s to move on to a new opportunity or to go sit at home while trolling the job search sites – you have a million and one things to remember.

I covered a few of them here, but now that I’m just a few steps away from the door it’s time for me to update my LinkedIn profile.

Many people only think about their LinkedIn profile when they get those pesky emails reminding them that people are trying to connect with them. However, there are so many more uses for LinkedIn that can be beneficial to you and your business.*

When you change jobs, your LinkedIn profile can be an easy way to let people know that you’ve moved on. You can link to your new job’s website, add in your new position description, and even connect with new industry groups that might now interest you. If someone in your business world is trying to track you down, this gives them an easy way to find you.

If you’re looking for a new position, your profile serves as a great platform to let your network know. By posting status updates on your job search, you’re reminding people that you’re out there looking. Also, by updating your “Summary” and “Experience” areas, you’re making sure that everyone has the most current information on the skills that you offer a potential employer.

Every contact you have – from clients, vendors, colleges, former coworkers, friends, and current & prior employers – can have the potential to help you find a new job. Also, many recruiters search LinkedIn for people with relevant skill sets and experience pertaining to specific positions available.

Quick tips for using LinkedIn to Find a Job:

1. Create a profile if you don’t already have one. Be sure to fill out all the sections (or at least as many as you can). It also helps to include a photo so that your contacts can easily recognize you.

2. When completing your Experience section, be sure to use keywords and skills that are relevant to your job and industry.

3. Grow your network by connecting with other members. Search for connections from all areas of your life; your alumni network from college, previous coworkers, vendors, etc. The more connections you have, the better chance that someone will know of an opportunity.

4. Ask for recommendations. Yes, I know I need to work on this one myself!

5. Post status updates about your job search.

6. Use LinkedIn’s job search page. It’s a bit clunky to use, but it shows if you have any connections in common with the company who posted the position. Speaking of connections, when you find any job take a minute to check LinkedIn to determine if you have any connections there.

So, on that note I just updated my own LinkedIn page to reflect my new job situation: click here to see my updated LinkedIn page.   

If you have any questions or comments, let me know. Also, if you’ve worked with me at one of my previous positions I’d love it if you’d write me a recommendation!

*I smell a new blog post coming…