I woke up this morning and realized it was exactly four weeks ago that I was let go by the Register Star. Honestly, it feels like it was a lot longer than that.
I haven't posted this week because things are a little slow right now. Next week, I have two second interviews and I'm optimistic about both. I have kind of decided in my head which way I want to go if different options open up -- the hard part is the waiting.
One avenue closed yesterday. I'd applied for an economic development job, knew several people on the board and finally got in touch with the board chairman on Tuesday. It was a short but good conversation. He promised to call me back and set up a meeting for next week.
Instead, I got an email saying the organization decided to go in another direction. I wasn't too upset. I'd heard there possibly was a viable candidate when I put in for the position.
Catching up on the week. On Monday, I had to send in a bunch of income verification for one of the promising leads. I also stopped in to talk some more to a representative from the company.
On Tuesday, I stopped in to see a friend at the City of Loves Park. He suggested going for an economic development job in another nearby city. I have good contacts there so I sent an email and am waiting for a response.
Wednesday, I had lunch with the director of a nonprofit in town really just to get his input on the various things I'm pursuing. It was also to get out of the house.
Today, I'm working on finishing a book project that I really need to get done because now it'll be a conflict of interest.
I'm still waiting for a determination from the unemployment office. That's agonizingly slow. I can't imagine what it was like in 2010 when no one in the world was hiring.
Otherwise, I hit the YMCA a couple of times this week and finally got clamps for my body pump bar at home. Even though I had four weeks of vacation at the Register Star I always took them with my daughters so there was rarely any just me alone time. This is probably the longest stretch of time I've had to go for walks, hit the YMCA, make phone calls, rearrange the house since ... when I first got married and I was working nights at the Register Star while my ex-wife worked days.
So I'm kind of enjoying that right now even though I'm ready for it to end as well.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Keeping old stuff going
My Rockford University meeting was good. There's a position they'll be posting in a couple of weeks that I'll apply for. I'm not sure where it fits/ranks with the other opportunities out there, but it's another avenue.
The meeting with Mike Schablaske of Transform Rockford was fun. In this case, I wasn't looking for a job, I was wondering how I could help. Mike and I talked numbers. I tracked a lot of stuff at the Register Star that we stopped using as the paper got smaller and the demands got larger.
It's all sitting there. I'm sure some of it may get used, but most of it is just going to sit there until someone in IT decides they need to clear server space. Mike and I talked about perhaps rebuilding the work I've already done for use by Transform or the chamber or the RAEDC.
I want to stay involved and I want the work I started to continue. It's just a matter of how.
Nothing scheduled for today except busy work. I have the girls this weekend and the 15-year-old has a full schedule. Plus, I plan to spend some time watching boxing with old co-worker Jeff Kolkey.
One of the avenues continues to move along. I now have a second interview on Sept. 24. The other avenues I have to follow up and keep my name in the mix.
The meeting with Mike Schablaske of Transform Rockford was fun. In this case, I wasn't looking for a job, I was wondering how I could help. Mike and I talked numbers. I tracked a lot of stuff at the Register Star that we stopped using as the paper got smaller and the demands got larger.
It's all sitting there. I'm sure some of it may get used, but most of it is just going to sit there until someone in IT decides they need to clear server space. Mike and I talked about perhaps rebuilding the work I've already done for use by Transform or the chamber or the RAEDC.
I want to stay involved and I want the work I started to continue. It's just a matter of how.
Nothing scheduled for today except busy work. I have the girls this weekend and the 15-year-old has a full schedule. Plus, I plan to spend some time watching boxing with old co-worker Jeff Kolkey.
One of the avenues continues to move along. I now have a second interview on Sept. 24. The other avenues I have to follow up and keep my name in the mix.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Follow up stuff
I have two afternoon meetings today. One at Rockford University and another at Transform Rockford. I'm not sure what to expect at either.
I believe yesterday's telephone interview went well. As many of you know, when I get excited about a subject I tend to over talk and I might have done that in a couple of questions.
There was one question -- name an instance where you saw an opportunity and you just went for it -- that I didn't answer well and then once the interview was over I came up with a better answer.
I feel like emailing the person and saying I thought of a better answer. Can you do that? Should you do that?
Anyway, the company asked for some follow up information on my ending at the Register Star and another matter from 2012.
There's not a lot of other things to report today. Some little things to do and some follow up phone calls and emails to make and send out.
I believe yesterday's telephone interview went well. As many of you know, when I get excited about a subject I tend to over talk and I might have done that in a couple of questions.
There was one question -- name an instance where you saw an opportunity and you just went for it -- that I didn't answer well and then once the interview was over I came up with a better answer.
I feel like emailing the person and saying I thought of a better answer. Can you do that? Should you do that?
Anyway, the company asked for some follow up information on my ending at the Register Star and another matter from 2012.
There's not a lot of other things to report today. Some little things to do and some follow up phone calls and emails to make and send out.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Some strategery
I finally got some professional help today.
Not that kind, although that wouldn't be bad. I talked to the head of a staffing agency for some tips on what to say and not to say in interviews as well as how to follow up. I feel I've done a good job of setting up initial meetings, but I don't really know what's next.
She had several ideas on the follow up. In general, she said I'm handling the initial interviews well although I have to sell myself more and be a little closer to the vest with a few of my priorities.
That can be difficult. Part of the fun of being in journalism was the fact you weren't beholden to anything or anyone. Your job was to ask tough questions and not worry about feelings. Now, I have to worry about feelings and read facial cues to know when or if I should ask questions.
And I have to be persistent. I think the number one adjustment I'm going to have is the fact that people don't HAVE to call me back anymore. Leaving a message won't cut it. I'll have to call multiple times until I get a meeting and then I have to nail the meeting. That's a different mindset.
Well, it's noon and I'm supposed to have a telephone interview any second now. Perhaps I can put some of the advice into practice.
Not that kind, although that wouldn't be bad. I talked to the head of a staffing agency for some tips on what to say and not to say in interviews as well as how to follow up. I feel I've done a good job of setting up initial meetings, but I don't really know what's next.
She had several ideas on the follow up. In general, she said I'm handling the initial interviews well although I have to sell myself more and be a little closer to the vest with a few of my priorities.
That can be difficult. Part of the fun of being in journalism was the fact you weren't beholden to anything or anyone. Your job was to ask tough questions and not worry about feelings. Now, I have to worry about feelings and read facial cues to know when or if I should ask questions.
And I have to be persistent. I think the number one adjustment I'm going to have is the fact that people don't HAVE to call me back anymore. Leaving a message won't cut it. I'll have to call multiple times until I get a meeting and then I have to nail the meeting. That's a different mindset.
Well, it's noon and I'm supposed to have a telephone interview any second now. Perhaps I can put some of the advice into practice.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
And another one out
Yesterday went well. The unemployment insurance telephone interview went as several told me it would. They just wanted to make sure I didn't show up to work drunk and punched somebody.
My 2 p.m. meeting ended with me being asked to submit a resume for a position that's being created. That talk was really going well when I mentioned that part of the reason I stayed so long at the newspaper was the flexibility to pick my daughters up from school. That cooled things a little. The position they are creating is definitely a 9-5 thing.
That's something to keep in mind. I'm trying to maintain as much home-work flexibility as possible. Depending on what is offered that may not be possible.
Today, I just have my court time to temporarily reduce child support. Then I can spend the rest of the day on other projects for my sister's business in Minnesota and trying to wrap up a book project that I now need to get off my plate.
It's also unemployment certification day. I haven't done that yet so that's something new.
Keeping score now: I have my resume out to five different places and to one person who promised to keep me in the loop if he hears of anything.
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the leader of an employment placement firm. I want to pick her brain to see if I'm missing anything. Then I have a telephone interview with one of the five places I've sent my resume. So that's moving along well.
I made it up in time for Brian Leaf's spin class and he asked if I was doing OK. Basically, looking at Quicken, I have until October 15 before I start getting nervous. If nothing has happened by then I'll have to readjust my thinking.
Today's also a day to refocus. My youngest daughter had a rough night last night so I had to spend some time at my old house. That always stirs up a lot of stuff and it usually takes me a day or so to settle down.
My 2 p.m. meeting ended with me being asked to submit a resume for a position that's being created. That talk was really going well when I mentioned that part of the reason I stayed so long at the newspaper was the flexibility to pick my daughters up from school. That cooled things a little. The position they are creating is definitely a 9-5 thing.
That's something to keep in mind. I'm trying to maintain as much home-work flexibility as possible. Depending on what is offered that may not be possible.
Today, I just have my court time to temporarily reduce child support. Then I can spend the rest of the day on other projects for my sister's business in Minnesota and trying to wrap up a book project that I now need to get off my plate.
It's also unemployment certification day. I haven't done that yet so that's something new.
Keeping score now: I have my resume out to five different places and to one person who promised to keep me in the loop if he hears of anything.
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the leader of an employment placement firm. I want to pick her brain to see if I'm missing anything. Then I have a telephone interview with one of the five places I've sent my resume. So that's moving along well.
I made it up in time for Brian Leaf's spin class and he asked if I was doing OK. Basically, looking at Quicken, I have until October 15 before I start getting nervous. If nothing has happened by then I'll have to readjust my thinking.
Today's also a day to refocus. My youngest daughter had a rough night last night so I had to spend some time at my old house. That always stirs up a lot of stuff and it usually takes me a day or so to settle down.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Official stuff week
I have my unemployment insurance phone interview this morning. I am not sure if I am supposed to call them or they are supposed to call me. I've been told it's no big deal, but I am a worrier.
At noon, I am meeting a YMCA acquaintance at the county administration building to help her protest her taxes as well as turn in a protest for Karen. I have to fill out another protest for Mike, the owner of my house.
At 2 p.m., I meet with another bank president I've known for more than 10 years. Then I pick up the girls.
So that's a pretty full day. The excitement of doing something new wore off a bit this weekend. I realized that wherever I go there'll be no guarantee of success -- and that was a bit terrifying.
I did move another step along in the process of one of the avenues I'm pursuing. The company required a list of all of the places I've worked the past 10 years. That included any part-time jobs, so it took a couple of hours to look up all the dates and earnings of my various side jobs since 2009.
Running through it I couldn't help but wonder if it helped me or hurt me. I'd like to think it shows I'm a hard worker willing to do what it takes to succeed. But it also showed that I essentially made no upward progress in my journalism career since 2003. Being in the industry I know there was no where to go once the recession hit in 2007, but someone reading an application in another state may not realize that.
I was reasonably confident when I began the application, but by the end I could see why this company might not want to take a chance on me. It just means I have to keep pushing ahead.
At noon, I am meeting a YMCA acquaintance at the county administration building to help her protest her taxes as well as turn in a protest for Karen. I have to fill out another protest for Mike, the owner of my house.
At 2 p.m., I meet with another bank president I've known for more than 10 years. Then I pick up the girls.
So that's a pretty full day. The excitement of doing something new wore off a bit this weekend. I realized that wherever I go there'll be no guarantee of success -- and that was a bit terrifying.
I did move another step along in the process of one of the avenues I'm pursuing. The company required a list of all of the places I've worked the past 10 years. That included any part-time jobs, so it took a couple of hours to look up all the dates and earnings of my various side jobs since 2009.
Running through it I couldn't help but wonder if it helped me or hurt me. I'd like to think it shows I'm a hard worker willing to do what it takes to succeed. But it also showed that I essentially made no upward progress in my journalism career since 2003. Being in the industry I know there was no where to go once the recession hit in 2007, but someone reading an application in another state may not realize that.
I was reasonably confident when I began the application, but by the end I could see why this company might not want to take a chance on me. It just means I have to keep pushing ahead.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Ho hum Friday
Just one thing on the agenda today, lunch with Eric Wilson. Eric was out of work for seven months and I want to talk to him about how he approached unemployment. Were there opportunities he passed up waiting for something better?
Other than that, I am trying to set up more meetings for next week and then spend some time on the IDES job site. I've been told repeatedly that the state tracks that closely. I'm skeptical there's really anything on it for me, but I'll play by the rules.
The first two days of next week include my telephone interview for unemployment benefits and then a motion to reduce child support while this plays out. I'm not overly concerned about either, but of course nothing is guaranteed.
The weird thing so far is how quickly each day seems to be going by. The clock draaaaggggeeedddd the last couple of years at the newspaper. I'm not sure what that means, but so far there's been enough going on each day that 3:15 p.m. seems to come quickly. That's when I go to pick up the girls from school.
Today is my last payday from the Register Star. It wasn't direct deposited. I thought it would be. I really don't want to go down there and pick it up. I'll send an email asking if it is going to be mailed. I don't think I've missed the actual work at all the past two weeks. I had a boss once tell me he knew it was time to be an editor when he didn't feel like there were any more stories to write. I guess I was very nearly to that point. There were maybe two stories left I wanted to tackle. They would have involved lots of research and numbers, stuff I loved to do. The most fun stories were the ones where I went in with a question and could work to answer that question.
The rest. No. I was tired of it. I've been much more energized the past two weeks figuring out what's next.
Other than that, I am trying to set up more meetings for next week and then spend some time on the IDES job site. I've been told repeatedly that the state tracks that closely. I'm skeptical there's really anything on it for me, but I'll play by the rules.
The first two days of next week include my telephone interview for unemployment benefits and then a motion to reduce child support while this plays out. I'm not overly concerned about either, but of course nothing is guaranteed.
The weird thing so far is how quickly each day seems to be going by. The clock draaaaggggeeedddd the last couple of years at the newspaper. I'm not sure what that means, but so far there's been enough going on each day that 3:15 p.m. seems to come quickly. That's when I go to pick up the girls from school.
Today is my last payday from the Register Star. It wasn't direct deposited. I thought it would be. I really don't want to go down there and pick it up. I'll send an email asking if it is going to be mailed. I don't think I've missed the actual work at all the past two weeks. I had a boss once tell me he knew it was time to be an editor when he didn't feel like there were any more stories to write. I guess I was very nearly to that point. There were maybe two stories left I wanted to tackle. They would have involved lots of research and numbers, stuff I loved to do. The most fun stories were the ones where I went in with a question and could work to answer that question.
The rest. No. I was tired of it. I've been much more energized the past two weeks figuring out what's next.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
What is my mind telling me?
I had a bizarre and very vivid dream. I was visiting a friend of mine at his retirement mansion -- in Thailand of all places. This friend actually owns the home I live in now so there's that connection.
I was visiting with a very good friend from high school who I haven't seen or heard from since our last high school reunion. He's not even on FaceBook enough to keep in touch that way. So I have no idea why he was in my subconscious.
Anyway, I was laying on the couch in Thailand watching TV as well as watching the waves in the window. It reminded me of my trip to Lake Michigan this summer where I stayed at a house overlooking the lake. The mansion in my dream was on the ocean. Suddenly, a massive tidal wave rolls in. In my dream, I closed my eyes and felt the house collapse around me. When I opened my eyes, I pushed off a couple of broken boards and found myself surrounded by a washed out house in steamy sunshine. Weird.
I walked around and found my car. How or why I would have taken my car to Thailand for a vacation is beyond me. It was partially submerged, but I was able to start it up and drive it to some safe dry ground.
Then I decided to walk into town to call people and let them know I was OK. I got to the market where I found the friend who came with and then we ran into another high school friend who now lives in California. She just happened to be visiting Thailand as well. The last time I heard from her was a couple of years ago and she isn't an active FaceBooker so I don't know why she was lurking in my brain either.
Then I woke up.
After puzzling over that series of events I headed off to the YMCA for Brian Leaf's spin class. I struck up a conversation with a lady in the class about challenging your home assessment and now I'm going to help her fill out the form. I have time after all.
The only official thing I had today was a meeting with one of my banking contacts. Unlike last week's meetings, this one was with a decision maker, someone who actually could create and offer me a job. It was encouraging. Obviously, I don't have the finance and accounting background that many in banking have, but I do have a vast number of contacts and know how to ask questions and build relationships. So he's intrigued. This could lead to something.
It's similar to all the conversations I've had. I know a little about a lot and I can communicate. There are positions out there that I'd be good at. They all could lead to something, but I still don't have any solid offers and until there are offers I have to keep pushing.
So tomorrow I make more phone calls to set up meetings for next week until one, two or three of these things pop.
I'll send my resume to two more people today. Keeping track, I've officially applied for two openings. I'm sending my resume to a person who wants to have it on hand if he hears of anything and to another who perhaps could fashion a job for me.
I don't know if I'm track, ahead of schedule or falling behind in the unemployment thing. It's all new to me.
I was visiting with a very good friend from high school who I haven't seen or heard from since our last high school reunion. He's not even on FaceBook enough to keep in touch that way. So I have no idea why he was in my subconscious.
Anyway, I was laying on the couch in Thailand watching TV as well as watching the waves in the window. It reminded me of my trip to Lake Michigan this summer where I stayed at a house overlooking the lake. The mansion in my dream was on the ocean. Suddenly, a massive tidal wave rolls in. In my dream, I closed my eyes and felt the house collapse around me. When I opened my eyes, I pushed off a couple of broken boards and found myself surrounded by a washed out house in steamy sunshine. Weird.
I walked around and found my car. How or why I would have taken my car to Thailand for a vacation is beyond me. It was partially submerged, but I was able to start it up and drive it to some safe dry ground.
Then I decided to walk into town to call people and let them know I was OK. I got to the market where I found the friend who came with and then we ran into another high school friend who now lives in California. She just happened to be visiting Thailand as well. The last time I heard from her was a couple of years ago and she isn't an active FaceBooker so I don't know why she was lurking in my brain either.
Then I woke up.
After puzzling over that series of events I headed off to the YMCA for Brian Leaf's spin class. I struck up a conversation with a lady in the class about challenging your home assessment and now I'm going to help her fill out the form. I have time after all.
The only official thing I had today was a meeting with one of my banking contacts. Unlike last week's meetings, this one was with a decision maker, someone who actually could create and offer me a job. It was encouraging. Obviously, I don't have the finance and accounting background that many in banking have, but I do have a vast number of contacts and know how to ask questions and build relationships. So he's intrigued. This could lead to something.
It's similar to all the conversations I've had. I know a little about a lot and I can communicate. There are positions out there that I'd be good at. They all could lead to something, but I still don't have any solid offers and until there are offers I have to keep pushing.
So tomorrow I make more phone calls to set up meetings for next week until one, two or three of these things pop.
I'll send my resume to two more people today. Keeping track, I've officially applied for two openings. I'm sending my resume to a person who wants to have it on hand if he hears of anything and to another who perhaps could fashion a job for me.
I don't know if I'm track, ahead of schedule or falling behind in the unemployment thing. It's all new to me.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Keeping the ideas coming
Off to a slower start today. I finally slept in. For two weeks I've woken up around 6 a.m. and just felt like I needed to get going.
Today, since I don't have to be anywhere until 11:15 a.m., I slept until 9 a.m.
My two meetings yesterday were interesting. One was just an ideas discussion. What else should I consider? Who else should I call and I was given several new ideas.
The other was with someone in a particular industry. I wanted to know what the first year was like. What did she like or dislike about the industry? I was not discouraged at all by what she said.
This morning, I got a call back on a position I applied for last week and it reminded me I needed to keep pursuing that avenue. That position would be fun and it would keep me involved in the community and working with the people I've spent much of the past 17 years talking to.
So things are happening, although at a slower pace this week. I have to remember this may be a marathon and not a sprint.
I have two meetings today, back to back. One I'm seeing how a day works at a particular company. The other is more of a "how to get there from here" talk with an old co-worker.
And the beat goes on.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Keeping up the momentum
Five meetings this week. Two today, two tomorrow, one on Thursday.
Two meetings are with people in the banking industry and two are with financial advisors.
My thinking has been evolving over the weekend. I'm still exploring commercial banking and I'm waiting to hear about the economic development job that I applied for last week.
I'm worried I may have priced myself out of the economic development job, but then again my priority is to find a career where I can concentrate on one thing. As the years of no raises piled up at the RRS I kept taking on more and more side work. I love some of them (and will continue to do them), like some of them and wasn't all that fond of a couple. But I needed the money and it allowed me to stay at the RRS.
I don't want to get into something new where I'll have a big learning curve and have to prove myself and have to work around the various side gigs. So if my price was too high for that position so be it.
The discussions with the commercial bankers have been sobering. There is interest, but I lack experience. And then there's the vacation issue. Would I be able to get enough so that I didn't feel as if I was missing the end of my daughters' childhoods.
The newest path is perhaps becoming a financial adviser. Ironically, 20 years ago I was recruited for this profession when I felt stuck at my job at the Beloit Daily News. I eventually applied with a company but they took a pass because I hadn't really built up enough contacts to make me a good risk.
In the past few years, I've enjoyed writing about personal finance. Coming out of a divorce, I had to value every dime and it was interesting to learn the various tricks to earn more and spend less. One thing I discovered is that this is a very financially illiterate area. I know there are plenty of people out there who need financial advice.
I've never been a risk taker though. Growing up, I rarely tried out for teams I didn't know I'd make. I rarely asked girls out who I didn't already know were interested. I stayed at one job because I knew how much I'd make and that I was good at it rather than exploring other opportunities. I've always calculated odds and taken the safe route. Now, I'm considering selling myself and worry I could be a spectacular failure.
And that's exciting and scary at the same time.
I had lots of time to think about the possibilities. It was a relaxing weekend. I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy with one daughter this weekend. Had drinks with an old friend. Shuttled between two houses because my daughters were dog sitting for Karen. Took the younger daughter and two friends to Magic Waters.
I start this week with the strange feeling that it's been forever since I was working and looking at the schedule and wondering a bit how to fill my time. There are things to do. I have two months to catch up on in doing the books for my sister's business. I have more work I can do on a book I'm doing for a private individual. I have things to clean/fix around the house. I also have this need to make a decision, to get back out there. It's a very strange start to the week.
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