Parting Is Truly a Sweet Sorrow

A little more than a year ago, I parted with a job I thought would last a long time, one more victim of a wave of recession-induced layoffs in this country.

The following year’s journey turned out to be active and productive for me, despite occasional moments of fear. Three months later I started this blog and launched full steam into social media. I managed to keep my financial head above water later in the summer by doing freelance writing, editing and marketing. It didn’t replace having a job with benefits, but it was a good bridge. I became so busy, though, that I had to cut my blog activity from five posts a week to two.

Now that I am back in the world of the mostly employed, my focus has shifted to the matters at hand in my job each day. And, with a 3-hour round-trip commute each day, the time available to contribute my thoughts and expertise, as well as marketing efforts, to this blog has dwindled down to almost none. So, now I must part from this wonderful excursion in the world of blogging for my fellow post-layoff travelers.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed ideas, comments, kudos or complaints since I started One Tomato at a Time in June 2009. You have been great.

Please look for me on LinkedIn if you would like to continue the conversation. One Tomato at a Time will not disappear, but rather go into a dormant stage, since the information remains relevant and is completely searchable. I invite you to share the link and individual posts you found most useful with friends and colleagues who are struggling through the process of picking up the pieces after a layoff.

My best wishes to all.

Springing Forward and Finding a Job

It’s spring again, almost time to plant this year’s tomatoes and herbs. I might even pot up a pepper plant this time. Last year I planted tomatoes on my deck as self-therapy after being laid off without warning in the throes of a recession. This year it’s a celebration of renewal, as I see hope for the future of the job market, at least in the Washington, DC, area.

In the past few weeks, I have learned of several people who recently found jobs, not all in their original line of work, but nonetheless, jobs with salaries. These people, like me, had been out of work for months, if not more than a year.

Since starting this blog in June 2009, I have posted more than 110 entries. After writing about my tomatoes, the birds and chipmunk in my yard, and anything positive that came to my mind, I turned my lens on how to deal with life after a layoff. As I was working out the process for myself, I wanted to share what I’d learned from experts and my own experience as a hiring manager.

My goal was to get back on my feet and into a new job in the quickest, most efficient and painless way possible, and to help others along the way. Before letting panic set in—which, in light of gloomy media reports on the jobs market and a shaky time for my own profession of marketing, was a real threat—I decided it was better to be proactive and to stay active. I’m glad I did.

Along the way, I have found ways to keep my head above water. First, there were consulting and freelance jobs, then a small on-site contract job, and now a larger contract that could take me into the long run. It took me a year and a month to get where I am today, but persistence and a positive outlook helped me maintain momentum.

If I have one piece of advice for anyone who has been out of a job for a long time, it is: Never give up.

Interview Panic When You’re Rusty

Has it been a long time since your last job interview? Months? Years? How will you handle it if now an employer asks you to come in for an interview tomorrow?

After a long gap, despite all you’ve heard and read about interviewing, a sense of panic can set in when there is little preparation time. Maybe you thought you’d never reach this crossroad again. You’re gulping, breathing a little harder or worried you won’t sleep tonight.

It’s time to quickly oil up the rusty pipes and get ready. There are some techniques to stave off panic while preparing to put on your best self and win the job.

Start by mapping out your day, and then sticking to your plan. Your day could look like this:

9:00-10:00 a.m.—Review the company’s website thoroughly and read the job description again, taking note of key words. Check online for the latest industry issues that may be affecting the company’s business.

10:00-Noon—Review and practice telling your best success stories and answering potential tough questions. (Didn’t write any success stories yet? Now’s the time to make some bulleted notes you can use as talking points.)

Noon-1:00 p.m.—Take a full lunch break away from your computer. Eat healthful foods that give you energy and a sense of well being.

1:00-3:00 p.m.—Print resumes and compile your portfolio or other visual materials. Write down the address where you’re going and the phone number. Organize what you will bring with you, review it once and then set it aside in a staging area for your departure.

3:00-4:00 p.m.—Time for some exercise or a fresh air walk. Don’t skip this in your day. It’s important for your whole being, especially your brain.

4:00-5:00 p.m.—Pick out your interview clothes. Press or shine anything that needs it. Assemble your complete outfit in a convenient spot so you have no clothing decisions to make before you leave for the interview.

5:00 p.m.—Call it a day. Relax over a good meal and light evening activities, such as reading.

Get to bed early. A full night’s sleep of 7-8 hours can make an important difference in your energy level.

If you methodically plot out your time this way, adjusting for what works best in your personal situation, you will have covered all the bases and be as ready as you can be to win over the recruiter or hiring manager…and get that job.