Here Comes Summer

At this moment, Summer 2012 has officially begun. What will it be like? From the perspective of June 20, it's a big question mark for me.

Being between jobs adds to the uncertainty. While I aggressively prospect for my next opportunity, and the mercury rises and the sun shines for 14 hours a day, I take some comfort in remembering how I've solved this dilemma effectively before.

The secret: Treat your job search like a job. Up at 5:20 a.m. At "work" before 7 a.m. Then, don't knock off until dinner time.

I remember this feeling every year as a kid. School was over and it was hot coming home with an armload of books. Then, in early June, it was suddenly over. I had long days to do whatever I wanted to do. But I squandered it--being a kid. If I knew then what I know now I would have appreciated that open time much more--and worked harder to become a better musician.

Hoping for success as the Summer Solstice begins.

How to Get a Job

On April 25th I start a new job at Luidia. Visit their website to learn about the amazing eBeam products that transform flat surfaces into interactive and collaborative workspaces.

How did I find it? I treated my job search like a job. I got up every morning just as if I was going to work. That means I was online by 6:45 a.m. checking things out.

I contacted everyone I knew. I made lots of new connections on LinkedIn (more than 350 so far)--all people I actually know, of course. I was on Facebook too--and emailing--and on the phone. But I didn't bug people.

I got some nice leads from my connections, but I checked various online job sources daily, including Indeed.com. I also looked at Monster.com but it was not very effective. If I saw something that seemed suitable, I applied for it. Then, I went to LinkedIn and found out who I might know who worked there--or someone I knew who knew someone. That expedited my resume being seen.

I tweaked my resume whenever I felt it needed it. I kept it simple, but included anything of value.

I kept a positive attitude. I knew it was going to work out. When the first three jobs I interviewed for didn't come through, I was unhappy for a half a day and then got right back to work.

I pictured the successful result. I visualized the phone ringing with my job offer, and on Thursday, April 14th, it did.

I'm grateful to all the friends and former colleagues who supported me in this effort. I'm happy to start my new tech writing job in a little over a week.

I am thankful for the great help I got from Brian Bocchino of Gravity People, who worked hard (and quickly!) to make it happen. Contact brian@gravitypeople.com.

It's certainly helpful to have job skills, but I think that concerted effort, focus, and a positive attitude are vital to being successful in your job search.

Job Hunting's Like Choosing a Mate

Looking for a new job is a lot more like choosing a mate than you might suppose. You want to like the person (company) and what they stand for. You decide based on your observations and feelings for the moment, but what you really want is something that works for the long term. But how can you tell?

You go on dates (interviews) to try to figure out how compatible you are. You ask questions--and answer them. You try to be honest, but of course you tend to talk up your accomplishments and avoid those moments you'd just as soon forget. However, tell outright lies at your own peril--I don't even try--because I can't and also because I believe that if you do, they'll come back to haunt you later.

So, you date (meet), you talk, and when you think you've found the right one (and they agree--a rarer thing), you make a legal agreement (paperwork) and you're together. If you're lucky--and work at it, it lasts.

A good marriage can (and should) outlast a lifetime of good and bad jobs, or even multiple careers. So far, I'm doing pretty well. Ask my wife.

Tested Electric Car on 56th Birthday!

Last week, I tested a Nissan all-electric prototype (see photo). Based on the soon-to-be previous generation Cube (the new ones are coming to the U.S. next month), the right-hand-drive little box drove just dandy. The real car, due late next year for fleets, will look completely different.

With a 100-mile range, the as-yet-unnamed car should serve the needs of most people for commuting and local driving, and you can charge it at home overnight. Nissan is working tirelessly to set up a charging infrastructure, concentrating on some areas first, including Sonoma County, California.

Nissan expects prices to be reasonable--in the same general range as a Prius, around mid $20's to low $30's.

Job Search
Week three of my job search, and a pattern is emerging. Top importance is who to have lunch with to break up the lonely day in front of the computer. This week, so far, is booked, but today's partner dropped out, so I'm open!

Besides checking emails, I'm working on my career assessment for a three-hour meeting at Right Management, my outplacement agency, on Friday morning. After that meeting, I'll be lunching (see the pattern) with a friend's referral--a guy at a company you know doing a job that I know. At this stage, it's all about networking.

Networking--I go on Facebook, but its awash in tests--"Who were you in a past life?" it asks. Well, it said I was Marilyn Monroe, but one problem--not only is my ex-wife ALSO Norma Jean, but MM and I were both alive from 1953 to 1962--that's definitely an issue. I believe that in my past life I was a guy with a fulltime job.

LinkedIn is another fine networking place online. I am now connected with more than 50 folks from my previous worklife. It's nice to see their names again--it brings back happy memories, for the most part. The problem is, I can't go back to my previous company now--they've got a hiring freeze, even though they are making money and are overworking their employees. It's not for me to say.

Today, I picked up poop in the back yard from my younger Boston Terrier's visits. I have a sense of accomplishment--it's almost as good as copyediting! I know that the dog didn't mean any of it personally, either.

But seriously, at times of unemployment, it's a great time to consider what you really want to do with your life. Seriously. But then I get distracted--that's the problem with searching online. But so far, in more than two weeks, I have taken only one nap!

As an optimist, I expect things to turn out fine, if not perfectly. So, if you have any leads, please let me know!