DISPATCHES FROM THE GHOST MOOSE

Seems like we're marching right into fall. It gets dark at 7:30 or so now. The fall weather is the nicest time of the year, but the winter is by far the lousiest. I continue to watch my contacts on LinkedIn, and still see people I know getting let go and seeking opportunity. Knowing these folks are quality people, I can see that this economy is a long way from recovery. When I see a colleague has been cut, I cringe, as I know the road they are probably about to embark upon. I usually reach out with a note, and offer what help I can. the lesson here is to keep active with your network at all times - join clubs on LinkedIn, or other networking sites. Unfortunately none of us are secure beyond our last paycheck. At the end of the day, it's just a job, right?

Summer marches on. Soon it will be 1 year since I was let go from my previous job. I suppose I dwell on that event too much, and getting one year of distance will probably be a good thing. I have been in my new job for 5 months, and it is going very well. I can't tell you how good it feels to go to a job that you actually want to go to. At my age, and at this point in my career, that has been the exception. I spoke to a colleague that was let go from my previous company a month before I was, and he is still searching. I can't imagine where my head would be at if I was off a year. Other unemployed professionals I know comment on the fact that there is still no professional courtesy in the hiring process - calls not returned, no rejection letter sent, nothing. that's too bad. I have been fortunate to hire 2 people that were unemployed. they know how important a job is, and take nothing for granted. My team is that much better having a few of us that have been though...

A week and a half since I last posted. funny how time flies when you are working. never enough time to get it all done. I had lunch today with a friend that was downsized not long after I was. Again the topic comes up about the complete lack of professional courtesy in the job search. You spend time getting ready, going to the interview, putting your best foot forward, and usually leave the interview with high hopes only to never hear a word back either way. absolutely no way to treat a person who is looking for a break. Back in January, I went to a party and told my tale of being downsized, of the search, etc. I went to a party Saturday night, and the song is the same, it's just different people who are apprehensive about their situation, or who the axe has fallen on. such a lousy time. but, on the bright side, my son has started football practice, and last football season was one of the bright spots in an otherwise crappy time for me. if there are folks reading this that ...

Today while driving to work, I saw a former boss of mine crossing the street while I was stopped at a red light. Because it has been 4 years since we worked together, it took me a few seconds to verifiy that it was him. I rolled down the window and called him (good thing it was him). I gave him a ride to his office - where we had worked previously, and we caught up in those few minutes. He had left the company, moved to MN, and was now consulting. I had left the company, went to 2 more jobs, consulted, and was now at another company. Small world, huh? Nice to know that I worked for someone that I can still relate to so well. I have also spoken to a few currently unemployed former colleagues in the last few days. They remain much more upbeat that I would be if I was still off. I guess I was in that group of people that take it way too hard. At any rate, it was good to catch up with these guys, and to offer what I could. I have had lunch with these folks, and others, as we mad...

Beautiful summer day today. It won't be long and we'll be seeing leaves on the ground. soon it will be a year since I was laid off and started my odyssey from the depths of frustration to back to work. I spoke to a colleague that was let go before I was and he is still looking. He remarked about the caliber of unemployed/laid off HR professionals he is competing with for interviews and jobs. I am lucky to have found a good job that meets many of my criteria for a great job. I have a few days off banked, and am getting involved in a number of areas within the company. I try to do the things that you read about: visability, having a positive impact and helping other departments, doing whatever it takes. None of these are new skills, of course, but during these tough times, you need to keep that mindset, lest you be let go again. From what the business pages say, we are not at bottom yet. at any rate, all I can do is all I can do. and I will keep doing it. enjoy the day,...

I played golf this morning with the friend that I played with shortly after I got let go from my previous job. We had a good time playing today, (I was horrible) but playing that day last fall felt like I was playing with a piano on my back - trudging around the course, distracted, wanting to climb into a hole and hide. Today I was trying to golf (unsuccessfully) but at least enjoying the day and the game. For me, things are so much different then vs now. As I have written before, I know I took that time way too hard - and beat myself up regularly, and made sure I was always miserable. but to remove that one thing - unemployment, makes a world of difference. must be a lesson in there somewhere. I have been listening to some cds that were given to me about the magic of network marketing. I am still trying to find that plan B - but the security of a job and a paycheck introduce a degree of complacency that is hard to overcome. at least I finally started running a few days each we...

The postings are certainly less frequent. During the unemployment days, I spent so many hours per day at the computer, the time I spent posting to this blog was a welcome respite from the drudgery of the job search. Very mentally cleansing as well. Now that I am working, I spend much less time chained to the computer desk. Certainly not a bad thing. I would surmise that so many professionals are at some state of the mental process of unemployment (anger, frustration, surrender, etc). When the president says that we have a "few more months of increasing unemployment", makes you wonder how many years he actually means. Well, at least the Goldman Sachs people will continue to get their obscene bonuses. I see through my Linkedin connections that colleagues continue to be downsized and starting their own journey into the abyss. I certainly wish them all well. In September, it will have been a year since I was downsized, and 6 months that I have been re-employed. Time sure...