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.

The “Gifts” of 2009

As the holidays approach, the out-of-work jobseeker could easily fall into a gloomy cloud in the midst of the festivities. If you see yourself sinking into this mood, stop now and look back on the gifts, small or large, that you have received and given in the past year. “Gifts?” you ask. “Is she crazy?”

Well, maybe, but I know that since my own layoff I have learned a lot and met many great people I probably never would have known. For one thing, I became an active social media participant and a blogger, now with more than 80 blog entries posted. My professional community grew because I participated in LinkedIn groups and local organizations, attended countless networking events, and tweeted. This year, through webinars, seminars and workshops, I expanded my knowledge on such topics as web analytics and search-engine optimization. I volunteered my expertise as a judge in a professional awards program and as a career advisor. To bring in some cash, I began freelancing as a writer, editor and marketing pro and spent the last four months filling in part-time for someone out on parental leave, learning a whole new field for me—international development—and gaining new friends.

Sure, I’ve had my moments of fear for the future, but learning, growing and sharing have lifted me so that I can look ahead with hope rather than back with regrets.

My suggestion to you is to make your own list of “gifts” during 2009. Everyone’s list will be different, but, unless you have totally isolated yourself, you are likely to be surprised by all that you have gained this year, even if you lost your job. The gifts can be prizes as small as a hug or a phone call or as large as learning a new skill. They can be family-based or in your wider professional community.

Special Note: During the holidays, I will post two more entries on this blog before launching head first into 2010. You’ll find these on December 22 and December 29.

Approaching Your Job Search with an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Taking an entrepreneurial approach to your job hunt is a way to stand out in the masses of jobseekers now on the market. People have been known to stand on the sidewalk hawking their availability with sandwich boards or to buy billboard space. These people reached a point at which they will do anything to get a job…and their tactics reek of desperation.

What are some ways to show your enterprising spirit without seeming weird and crazy? Here are some ideas to jump-start your thinking:

• Make your 30-second “elevator speech” less conventional. Spotlight a remarkable success you had rather than your laundry list of skills or jobs.
• Create unusual business cards. They could be a unique shape, have a fold-over flap, come in an electronic format…use your imagination.
• Start a blog and submit articles as a guest blogger—use every online opportunity to promote your blog (and you), without being pushy.
• Become an active blog commenter on popular, influential blogs in your field. Get noticed by sharing your expertise.

Instead of your resume, prepare a Qualifications Statement as if you are a consultant for hire and send it to the companies where you would most like to work. Sometimes you can get in the door full time after showing off your skills as a consultant.

Since this is Global Entrepreneurship Week, use the occasion to launch your own branded, entrepreneurial job search. Within professional parameters, you can have fun with it and demonstrate your creativity. It can’t hurt!