Blog Posts about Information Technology

A good friend of mine started his own accounting practice about 6 months ago.  A few weeks ago he invited me to dinner and told me that he had a project for me.  I graciously accepted, as I’ve wanted to do some consulting work. What he shared with me is that he wants to build his brand by having me build a website for him. Sounds good to me.

In my last blog I discussed “Getting Back to Basics.”  For me, that was reviewing my résumé, building my network, applying for more jobs and attending job clubs and workshops.  The first point of contact you’ll likely have with a prospective employer is your résumé.  If you aren’t getting the number of interviews that you think you should, it might be time to redo your résumé.

Last week, after coming as close as I have to receiving a job offer thus far, my hopes were dashed when the opportunity fell apart.  Once I lost out on that prospect, I took a pessimistic attitude for a couple of days.  When I bounced back from that funk, I decided that what I needed in my job search is what I’m calling “Getting Back to Basics.”

This post describes both the best and worst job search experience that I have had since losing my job almost six months ago.  I was asked to provide some consulting services for a client.   Then the client got excited and wanted to hire me.  Then they went a completely different direction and I got nothing out of it.  It took my emotions on a roller coaster, for sure.

If you have been following my blog for the past 5 months or so you might recall some posts that I have written about my recruiter friend, Andy.  Recently, we had lunch where he revealed to me that I have had some profound effect on his career.  Naturally, I was curious about what I could have done for him to decide to take his company in a different direction. 

You can work a little bit while looking for your next career and still collect unemployment.  Work too much, however, and you will begin to see a deduction from your weekly payment.  There is a limit to how much money you can earn from odd jobs before your unemployment payment begins to be reduced.  In today’s article I will explain what I’ve been able to gather.  I’m certainly no expert and this information isn’t intended to provide legal advice.

About five years ago I had the unique experience of being asked to be a contributing author in the first edition of the book entitled, “Project Management: On Track From Start To Finish.”  Now my friend and author of the book, Joseph Phillips, has asked me again to contribute to the third edition of his new book, which is coming out soon.

Expensive repairs never come at a good time.  When you are unemployed, as I am, big expenses could not have come at a worse time.  It reminds me of the old saying, “When it rains, it pours.”

Something that I wish I had put a lot more emphasis on at the beginning of my layoff was using the spare time to start a fitness program.  I saw my doctor this summer.  He and I both know that I need to lose some weight.  He told that he’d really like to see me use this extra time to drop a few pounds.  I took his advice, even if it was a couple of months late.  Hopefully, you’ll take mine.

People say that looking for work is a full-time job, and after awhile--5 months for me thus far--you get burned out.  It is a grind to search for new employment every day.  It is time to take a sabbatical.

OK.  Fan mail might be too strong of a statement, but I do get emails from people that tell me that my weekly blogs are encouraging and helpful.  I find it inspirational and motivating to know that I'm helping others.

After Meet the Teacher Night last week, our kids returned to the classroom this week.  This summer has been more different than any other because I have been home all day.  I have to say that the best part of my experience being unemployed is that I got to be home to play with my kids all summer.