It's been over 2 months since my official departure date from Verizonbusiness. After working at the same place for nearly 20 years, you don't really think that much about YOU possibly being laid off. And, how many "networking relationships/contacts" that you have built up during those years.What I first did was get a Google Gmail account and to start and build a list of all my "networking" contacts that might be able to help me. Granted, these are folks that I consider friends and not just people that I would try and contact to say, "hey.. I need a job" and please help! I think that networking is going back into your memory bank and remembering those "key" contacts that you have or have not stayed in touch with and figure out if they might be willing to help you. It's these type of contacts that I consider folks that are genuinely concerned about trying to help you. It's amazing how many contacts that you might have that when push comes to shove, they aren't really a big help at all. It's like a chess game trying to figure out what/where/when and why you are going to contact someone that might be able to help.
I have tried to contact many of my so called "networking friends" and have had some luck - however, still no job yet. That old say, "It's not what you know... It's who you know" is still true to this day. I have tried to rely on that and for some strange reason do feel confident that I will be landing a job before the end of this month. I am thinking that T-Mobile looks promising and I left two messages for the recruiter at Verathon today as well. That was voted as one of the top places to work in WA State.
Oh yah.. the painting continues - all windows/doors are taped shut and it's muggy in the house! I
hope I can sleep tonight as I like to have the windows open and fan running. However, my wife doesn't like the fan going and usually shuts it off as I am already a sleep. My bedtime is usually around 9pm and get up at 0445 to 0500.Brian
I am having my house painted today. Yesterday, the did the pressure washing with the Clorox Bleach and today they are doing the taping and caulking, with the chance of actually starting the painting as well. It's been almost 10 years since this house (bought new) has been painted and it's overdue.
to get my 35 (PDU's) classroom hours of experience. At the same time, I am still reading my book, and speaking of books, my PMBOK guide is supposed to be in at the bookstore today. I had called them yesterday and they said that they had one for me and it would be on hold. I got there and there was a book on hold, but not for me! It turns out that they had a "used" one at their main store and instead of the $50.00 for the new, I am getting the used for $20.00 and I just had to wait one day!
I started out today playing my usual 0530-7:00am doubles. My partner and I won this morning in 3 sets. I had a piece of my garage door trim that I need to replace, so I took the board with me to Home Depot this morning thinking I'd replace it there. As I entered the store, I walked by 2 cashiers that didn't even acknowledge me. Then, I went back to the wood section and for 15 minutes going up and down the isles tried to find a matching piece. The entire time, not a sign of a HD employee. After, almost 20 minutes, I walked out the same entrance, by the same cashiers... again, not even a "good morning" or "can I help you find something" at all. The time was around 7:00am-7:20am that I was in their store.
Ok.. With my piece of wood in hand, off to Starbucks to get my morning cappuccino. Prior to today, I was on a streak of 5-5 with the Starbucks at the local Top Foods. Since the Starbucks near Lowe's was close by, I decided to give them a try. And.. I got the drink made properly. However, while the person was ringing me up, he asked me, "would you like to fill out an on-line survey" and gave my my receipt with how to fill it out on-line. What in the heck is Starbucks trying to do here? This a "major" phopah in my opinion. The fact that they are asking for a survey=something is wrong with Starbucks. And.. I agree completely. First of all, don't ask the customers, who just spent way too much money on a coffee drink to now take more time out of their day to fill out some random survey that has "zero" affect on the service that they will get from Starbucks or the drink that they make. If you want "real-time" results, have the customer fill out a quick 5 question (check the box) questionaire and drop it off in a "suggesstion box" versus trying to get them to fill out and on-line survey. Starbucks is in a lot of trouble now with their "lack of attention to details" and are having to close a ton of stores. Their main problem is this: 
I had my interview with the recruiters at F5 Networks today. They were very classy and professional people. I loved the building that F5 is in and the few folks that I met, I thought were great! (that's the Chineese symbol for Wisdom). I gained a lot today about how to find a job.
I learned another valuable lesson today about applying for jobs and that is, don't apply for too many jobs across too wide of an area - it just means your fishing for anything and the recruiters don't like to see that. It weakens your position and it's so true - I was guilty of trying that approach and learned form some constructive criticism, it's not the best way to get a job with a company you REALLY want to work at. Also, don't bombard the recruiters either with emails asking for "anything new that fits my qualifications" or "keep me posted" as those things only weaken your position as well.