Looking for work and needing support

[lurtsman]

I still have my current job, but I'm working 20 hours a week at a library making 8.24 an hour. It's not exactly a dream job, but was okay for a while.  One of my co-workers is returning and our relationship soured before she left for maternity leave. While she was gone everyone got along very well, and I even came to enjoy my job. I'm trying to use her return as fuel to search for a job more fitting with my abilities. (Vending won't cover all my bills for another year and a half at my projected growth rate)  I'm looking for a job as an HR assistant, and I'm terrible at networking. Around here there are no advertised openings, or if a position is advertised it will be swamped with hundreds of applicants. (90% of whom will never heard back, not even a no thank you)

So I'm starting another book on job hunting. I'm making a focus on learning how to network so I can find a good job. I've finally accepted that good jobs are only found on the hidden job market, and if any ever break through to being advertised, they will be swamped by hundreds of people, many of whom are over qualified and willing to do anything to get the position.

Now I have to learn how to network effectively. Since I'm not at all social, it will be a challenge for me. I could use all the support I can get. (I'm much more social on forums) I do have my bachelor's in HRM, and graduated dean's list. However employers around here couldn't care less about schooling. I suppose I would've been more prepared if I had listened less to the college hype about the value of getting an education.

Thanks for the support! It helps to know there are people wanting me to succeed

[Quarter Master]

Lurtsman,

You may have heard this before,but to shine up those networking skills,ask around to friends,relatives,neighbors,stores you visit,etc.I have learned in the job market,it's not what you know,but WHO you know.Reference to "the good ole'boy network."Good luck to ya!

[davidsurvz]

I have no college training. I have a great career in the electronic security industry. I was very blessed and fortunate to stumble into this field about 14 years ago. The key to advancement was to learn about all the aspects of the industry on my own. I did a ton of reading and asking questions and a ton of research online. My field is always changing in a lot of ways and fortunately I've worked on everything from High end custom security (access control, intrusion alarms and CCTV)to little "plug and play" installs to industrial facilities also high rises, etc. I tried as many different things as I could related to my field for each company I've worked for. the best approach is to keep a good reputation with everyone you work with so you know people in your area. I have gotten 3 jobs in the last 12 years because people I used to work with at one company went to another company and they recommended me to their new employers (that fortunately always worked out to mean more money also.) The key is to work well with and be very personable with the people you work with currently. I always try to be helpful to people from other companies in my industry as well. If you can really start to build up a good reputation with people in your field (or the field you want to get into) that is a great way of networking. Ideally you need to try to make yourself an asset to the field you are in (or you want to get into.)

We all wish you the best.

David

[G-man422]

Lurts, keep your head held high.  Something will come up.

[BluePlate]

Lurts,

This may sound funny, but you took a step in networking by posting on this board. 

I would suggest - NO DOWN TIME.  Wake up every morning by 6AM like you have 4 jobs. Keep yourself busy busy busy.  Look for comission only jobs to fill your time.  You may not be good at them, but it will increase your networking skills.  I sell ATMs and Merchant processing (accepting credit cards).  While I have been thrown on my butt for some businesses I've walked in, the majority of people have been nice.  Just talking to business owners you find there is opportunity out there

Try doing some freelance work. If you are able to solve a problem for a company, you become valuable.  The first thing I can think of - there is a huge shortage of nurses and medical people.  What if you could come up with a creative system to harvest new nurses - you would be an HR hero. 

"If you help enough people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want" - Zig Ziglar.

For more answers send a consulting fee via PayPal to..................

Best of luck to you!

[lurtsman]

Does anyone on here use linked in? It seems like a good idea, however I question the effectiveness. It seems the bigger case will be finding friends and learning how to be social. (Edit: If people do use it, I was thinking it would be a quick way to build our networks between business owners)

[nam]

lurtsman,

Have you ever thought of working in this field as a locator? You know the business and you have the network here with tons of people wanting machines located. You've read the threads about these locators being so far behind they can't keep up. How many locations would you have to get as far as making more than you would working somewhere else? I haven't searched the forum but you can probably find different phone pitches to use right here. You're good at posting and talking to people. I think you could do it.

nam

[lurtsman]

When I went out locating I had a VERY hard time getting into quality places. Of course,that was before I had a charity. I'm not sure I want to be in charge of doing my own locating, and had figured as I grew I'd do a mix of finding my own and supplementing with kickstart.

I have the utmost respect for people who make their living in sales, and that is because I can't stand doing sales myself. I worked in a sales position for a few months, and it drove a huge wedge into my marriage because of the stress I was constantly dealing with. We still struggle for lack of funding, which is what brought me to building a vending business. It's the low pay that really grates on me, I figure I'll be dealing with incompetent leadership 99% of the time when I'm working for someone else.

I do believe if posting was a job I'd be quite good at it until carpel tunnel destroyed me

Unfortunately, I excel at forums compared to daily face to face interaction. If I was self diagnosing I would expect it had to do with the rejection I faced as a child and learning to spend time with computers instead of friends. I would consider the ability to work with computers (not writing code, but general trouble shooting) an asset in the work place.

I think I will start going to the HR meetings again. I know one of the leaders and they agreed to let us bring our resumes and have them on the table in the back (I think near the snacks). I had struggled before with introducing myself "Hi, I'm michael ..... what do you do? That sounds like really interesting work.... what do I do? Oh, I'm looking for work." Finding work at the library didn't fix it, but building my own business did because now I can tell them about how I founded my own business. It gives me something to talk about that I am very excited about (and becoming more knowledgeable), and demonstrates my ability to create profits. If I can do it with some metal and a bag of RPs, I should be able to do it in their company also.

Good idea forum! I will start looking into that. I shied away from it before because of the membership cost, but it really is quite cheap compared to not going. The meetings are in the morning, and I'm working on becoming a morning person. (Made it to bed by 9:45 last night, usually a 1-2am guy) Aiming for 9:15 tonight. If all else fails, and I'm unable to find new friends, network to any positions, or place machines, I can always show up hungry and try to eat my membership costs in muffins and OJ...

[nam]

lurtsman,

What I was suggesting was not locating in person. I was thinking in terms of locating on the phone where you aren't looking anyone face to face. It is very hard to go to businesses all day and hearing "not interested" or "no" over and over. It can be hard without practice to constantly have to introduce yourself to new people all day. Again, with practice, it gets easier. Locating on the phone isn't easy either but at least you're not face to face with them. You can work at home in your shorts drinking tea, it doesn't matter. It's generally easier to handle the no's on the phone as it is less personal. It's almost anonymous! You'd be calling businesses in other states that don't know who you are or where you are. A certain number of those people you'd call will just hang up. You could start doing nothing but charity locating as that would seem easier for you I think. You're working in conjunction with XYZ Charity. I've read your posts and you can explain your self very well. This is anonymous and so is working on the phone.

Just trying to give you something to consider even though it might be a bit outside your comfort zone. It isn't really sales - you're helping your friends and a charity and you're helping yourself. You can call when you feel like it as you can call different time zones according to when you want to work. You should just try it for yourself and see if you could locate a few machines in Coralville or Iowa City. Check the forum and find some scripts to try and give it a shot. If you could do it for yourself you could do it for your friends here in the forum. Instead of going on in person trying to locate, try it on the phone. It isn't nearly so bad as in person. Still gonna get a bunch of nos. No gettin around that but wouldn't take many saying "ok" to make your day.

nam

[lurtsman]

Interesting Nam. The way you've explained it does seem more possible. It sure wouldn't hurt to try a few of them when I get my next machines ready.

I'll sleep on it.

[Beer980]

Just so you know I checked with my company and we don't have any HR positions open right now but I can PM you the web address so you can fill out your info. They will contact you if a position becomes available in your area or if you want to mave anywhere in the country that has an opening you can do that. We hired a guy here in Florida that was going to work in west Texas. If you are interested in some part time work for a national company I can get you that info as well. I just started with them and will be making some good extra money I can tell you about.

[lurtsman]

Sure beer, I'd love to know more.

[lurtsman]

Went to an HR meeting this morning for a chance to network. Talked to a few people and learned that my networking skills need some serious tune ups. Once person I spoke to was the VP of a marketing company. Having researched their website I'd bet it's a two person operation. She did an incredible job of introducing herself to people, and their website tracks when and where networking events are, as well as who puts them on. That could be a valuable resource to me.

Now I have to learn about going out to coffee...

I've never bought coffee at a cafe...

(Not joking, had my coffee at home or once in a while a java chiller from sonic. I'm super cheap and trying to loosen the strings with my networking events so I don't come off so cold.

[Beer980]

In time it will come to you.

[lurtsman]

Update on job search:

A position that fits my skills perfectly has become available. I'd be working in the recreation center (Attached to the library), as a site supervisor and concessions manager, in charge of hiring and training my own staff to run the concessions stand over the summer. The work is almost entirely evening shifts, so I'd still have mornings free to work on my vending, and because it is evening I would not have to work with the fairly obnoxious director and assistant director. Obviously inept management is never a good sign, however I know how much I enjoy working in a gym, and I've seen how much time their employees get to spend reading books/watching tv/playing solitaire. This would get me out from under the tyrnical rule of an assistant librarian turned "shift supervisor" who harasses me all day and keeps me from being able to work effectively, then refuses to answer my questions and insults me when a patron asks a question that is completely outside my job description. (On the upside, I have learned how to handle my temper with an incredibly stupid co-worker, however due to her connection to management, complaining about her actions will not lead anywhere except putting me in hot water)

If I don't land the new position, I will plan on moving into something mediocre soon because there will be no value to working for the city. The original idea was that city employees are given first shot at city jobs. There were only a few applicants for this position, though it sounds like one of them has a few friends in management despite his lack of qualifications. If I'm passed over, I can't see a reason to continue helping the city for any longer than I have to.

[Beer980]

The good ole boy network reaches far and wide. Good luck.

[drink vending]

You need to market yourself better.  It's just like marketing product. I sell the same product as everyone, but I charge more because I market better than the competition.  So if you are looking for a job, try these 3 vehicles.  Monster.com  Craigslist & careerbuilder.  Use craigslist if you are looking for a small to midsize company. Use this to find related keywords for you job title.  https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

AND USE those keywords in your title.  Also some shady tactics, use multiple email address and start new accounts at the aforementioned search engines.

[whaletail116]

Lurtsman, which part of Iowa are you from?  Anyways, I'm in the Iowa City area and if you want to give locating a try, I'll give you a shot.  I've got two 1800 machines ready to go..

= )

Send a message my way.