Day 124

Hello all! Long time no post! I haven't given up by any means, I've just been really...really busy!

I've got the wedding coming up on 8/29 which is quite exciting, I've been applying for some really great jobs in different parts of GA (and the Nation) and I've been keeping up with other fun activities as well.

Since I've last posted, I got to have a lot of fun kayaking a river just Northeast of Athens, GA. The Broad River is a rather shallow river that has some class I and II rapids, nothing fancy. I went with a large group, through the Broad River Outpost. It was a lot of fun and I've found something else I really enjoy doing, so hopefully I'll get the chance to do it again soon.

I'm also searching for an NPO in Atlanta to get involved with while I'm unemployed. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

As usual, if you have any suggestions for jobs to apply for, or know of anyone hiring, please let me know. aducktohire@gmail.com

Day 100...

Well, its day 100. 100 days without working has been interesting. Still no good news, but I hope something is just around the corner.

I promised yesterday I'd put up a picture or two of my culinary endeavors of the night. I did in fact cook the papas con chorizo tacos with an avocado cream sauce and spanish rice. It was excellent. I forgot to put the tomatillos in the cream sauce like I wanted to, but it turned out great none-the-less.



I am still searching for jobs, so if anyone has any leads, I'd love to hear them. Hit me up at aduckforhire@gmail.com

Hopefully there won't be a day 200 post sometime! Until the next post though, adios!

Day 99...

So it is day 99 now, just one short of 100. It's really wild to think that it has been that long since I was laid off. I'm looking at just over 3 months now, and I've had my share of ups and downs. To be honest, there is the potential of something REALLY great coming soon. Like, a job above all other jobs. One that I know I would enjoy, and be able to really contribute to. I've gone through the interview process, and am now waiting on the final decision. Cross your fingers and say your prayers for me, this one is BIG.

So I have been blogging about different things I am doing to keep myself busy while I'm unemployed. In previous posts, I have mentioned book, charity work, and exercise. I have also had a little more time to do something I really enjoy. Cook. Yes, I deeply enjoy cooking. It's a lot of fun to create something that looks artistic and you can eat too. I suppose it's another reason I'm so into marketing, is that the creative side of me is just a lot of fun. One of my latest creations is actually an attempted rip-off of a GREAT restaurant here in Atlanta. Varasano's Pizzeria has a very interesting pizza called the "Chica Bella" with Ricotta & Mozzarella finished with Arugula & a Pinch of Lemon. It's a really interesting take on pizza, with no tomato sauce and all, so I decided to try it at home. Well, the first time I made it, I forgot the Ricotta... way to go. Since then though, I've tried a couple more times, and it has come out excellent. The only thing I can't get right is the crust, because Mr. Varasano has an excellent sourdough pizza crust that I just can't get.

Tonight I'm pulling from a Latin theme and going to try Papas con Chorizo tacos with an avacado cream sauce/salsa and spanish rice. I read a couple of recipes online, but didn't really like any of them that much, so I'm just going to throw things together and see how it comes out. I'll make sure to put pictures up for the next post.

Well, until then, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I wait to hear back from the latest company. It really comes close to my dream job, so hopefully I'll have good news soon.

Day 90...

Day 90 has arrived. I have an exciting opportunity coming up, and am really hoping that it works out.

Last week I went to my Church who was hosting a Crossroads Career Networking event. The event had a resume review, and then a speaker, followed by networking time. I was told that my resume was great, and that it didn't need any work. The speaker talked about keeping up your confidence in yourself during the hard times. Lastly, the networking time was great. I got to meet a few people, and I'm even helping on guy find a job now with my old company. I don't qualify for it (10-12 years experience needed) but he does, so time to extend a helping hand.

In the next few weeks I really hope to have a job. Unemployment is not only tough on the wallet, but the spirit as well. I know thousands of people are going through the same thing, and my only advice is chin up. Hopefully you can find the perfect job for you during this time.

Day 54...

So it has been 54 days now. Coming up on the 60 day mark. I really hoped I'd be employed within 60 days of getting laid off. So just 6 days left on that one.

I know the economy is bad, but there are a lot of companies hiring. I just interviewed with a GREAT company up in Charlotte, NC called Red Ventures. They have a high energy and passion level I haven't yet seen. The work is in online marketing and analysis which is great, so I hope this one pans out.

I still have really high spirits through this whole process, and can't wait to get to work for my next employer. I know I bring a lot to the table, and all my past employers would say the same. Only time will tell.

Day 43...

I'm going on day 43 now. I'm actually going to collect the first unemployment check soon. How interesting.

I've been applying for jobs here and there, whatever is actually open and fits my qualifications. There are a couple of really good leads right now, and I can't wait to see how they play out. Hopefully I'll be employed before the end of April.

Does anyone out there have any good tips/tricks/websites that they would like to share with me? Leave a comment and I'll give them a try.

Adios for now!

Day 31, 1 month to the date...

Well, its been one month. I'm hanging in there. At least its baseball season again, and the Braves are 3-1. I keep applying for jobs online, sending out resumes here, there, everywhere. I have a Atlanta recruiting firm trying to find me a job, but honestly, I haven't heard from them (checking in on me) but once in this entire month.

Which brings me to a new point. I wonder how 'effective' recruiting firms and staffing firms really are. I mean, they aren't really a waste of time, as I don't really do any of the work for them, but they interest me as a business.

As for now, I'm about to actually do a weekly 'certification' for unemployment, which is a little scary. I guess we'll see what happens in the next 31 days...

Day 26...

Well then. Day 26. I'm really hoping to have a job soon. I don't want to go on unemployment really. I want to be able to have a job before I have to. It sure would be nice... I really have great qualities and experience. I've worked in communications, event and database marketing, sales, and have 5 years of experience.

I'm still really not sure if anyone reads this. Can anyone comment?

Day....23

Day 23 now. A pretty long while since the fateful day. I've had good days, bad days... It's working out though.

I went through an interview process with a local Apartment company, got through all of the rounds, and then... nothing. Oh well, keep the head up, keep on going.

I've opened up a few new contacts, have a lot of hopefuls, but just don't know the best way to get out there these days. In the mean time, I keep checking online, keep submitting resumes, and keep hoping. I know there are companies out there hiring, and I know I'll get hired soon.

Day 9

Day 9. It's Friday, which is awesome. The weekend is ahead of me, and I try to relax some on the weekend. I met with a staffing/recruiting firm here in Atlanta today. I think that they are a good bet, they get my resume out to all of their clients and other companies, a lot more efficiently that I can.

I really have dream jobs though. Those jobs that I could see myself doing for a long time, there are only a few, but they would be great.

All of them involve a marketing position of some sort, so I'm going to list companies:

1) Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, or any major defense contractor.

Seriously, I love National Defense. I'm obsessed with the F-22, F-35 (JSF), or any other jet, weapons system, really... anything. I would love to work on something, anything for those companies.

2) Anything related to golf or baseball. Period.

3) Microsoft, Google, or any major Tech (including video game) company.

I graduated from Georgia Tech, come on. This one is self explanatory.

4) Disney

Disney is a great company to work for. Combine that with how much fun it would be to market for a company like them, and you've got a winner.

5) I'd love to work for a major restaurant chain. I'm not talking about McDonalds or anything, more like 5th group in Atlanta, or Buckhead life. Maybe marketing for a major Chef out there with a lot of restaurants.

And the list goes on and on and on. Realistically I would love to work in any industry. I really like marketing enough to adapt to learning a new industry, the same way I learned a lot about accounting and tax credits.

I'm looking forward to getting a job soon and making someone's company better. Until then, I'll keep searching and keep blogging.

Day 2...

I feel like I need a 24 clock sound on each of these posts.  If this is going to be an ongoing thing, I think that would be funny.

Anyways, on to the rest of the story.  

So, I think I'm safe.  I guess I was just naive, but I really didn't see this coming.  On 3/11/09 I was called into a conference room and told I was being let go because of the economy.  Great.  The economy caught up to me.  I had been careful in my spending, I had been cautious with my life, and it still got me somehow.

It turns out that 10% of my company was let go that day.  While I viewed my job as extremely important (I mean, who doesn't?), to the people at the top, I was nothing more than $$ on paper.

Now, I don't hold any bad feeling against my former company.  Rather, I thank them for the time I had to work with them, gaining experience and life lessons.  They are a great company, and had to do what they had to do to stay afloat. 

Doesn't change the fact that its rough on me though....