Networking is an important part of any job search. That's why we're all on LinkedIn, isn't it? As an introvert (INFP through and through), I never believed that I was good at networking. I thought that proper networking meant giving your job seeker's elevator speech to each and every person who you happen to run into during your day-to-day life. Note to self- I really do need to work on my elevator speech. I thought you had to be like a life insurance salesman, contacting every single person you know on a daily basis to check in and see if they've heard of any leads.
With this idea of proper networking in my mind, I was glad to read this article, where I found myself identifying much more with the tortoise than the hare. And so I present to you two recent instances where being a networking tortoise brought success:
I scratch your back, you scratch my back
During my the Entrepreneurship 101 class on economic feasibility, one of my classmates mentioned that he didn't know where to go for product development and sample sewing. He's starting a business that will sell travel and performance clothing and accessories. Off the top of my head I could think of three different companies that may be able to assist him. Besides that, I've studied product development at the Art Institute of Portland. It's exactly the kind of work I'm trying to get into.
When the class ended, I approached my classmate and shared with him the name of the companies that I knew. He was very glad for the information.
The next week, I again approached my classmate when the class ended. I asked him if he had researched the companies I told him about, and how it was going. We talked a bit about his business idea, where he is in the process of starting his business, and how his designs were coming along. I mentioned my studies at the Art Institute. At the end of our conversation, he asked me if I would be interested in freelancing the development of his line. Of course! Networking Success #1!
Networking with good networkers
One of my instructors at the Art Institute impressed upon us the importance of networking. You could tell that she was very good at it. Her network is vast and she knows how to keep in casual contact with everyone. She was the kind of instructor who cared very much about the success of her students.
After I graduated, I thought it would be a good idea to contact her to see if she could help with my job search. I was right! We met for lunch and she came prepared with a list of people she knew in the industry who she was willing to introduce me to for informational interviews.
Since then she's become a friend and a valuable member of my job search support network.
Recently, a friend of hers sent out an email asking for names of people who might be interested in an Assistant Patternmaker position at a company that I would love to work for. My former instructor instantly thought of me. After I gave my approval, she sent an email with an introduction and reference to the hiring manager. As a result, I got an interview!
This is the first time I have ever been able to access a job in the hidden job market. This job is not advertised anywhere. Networking Success #2!
The perils of unemployment
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Entrepreneurship 101- Part 2
I did attend the second class in the Entrepreneurship 101 series. I haven't written about it yet because, frankly, I'm still overwhelmed. I was so overwhelmed leaving this class that I couldn't even figure out how to respond to the end-of-class survey.
Here's my problem- When I see dollar signs, my eyes glaze over; the subject of this class was "economic feasibility." Why, you may ask? I blame my father (sorry, dad, I know you're reading this). My dad is a very accomplished small business owner. He's a CPA. You did not talk about money in our house because money matters were something that was kept confidential. I remember one of the most serious talkings-to I ever received was when I asked my mom in a public place how much our house cost. My dad lives by the concept of a client/professional confidentiality and takes it to such a level that anything involving money was kept secret and hush-hush in our house. You could say that I was sheltered from economics.
I've tried to get better at this- I took accounting as my business class, I tracked all our bills for a period of time, I've tracked our purchases over the course of a month. But it still comes down to dollar signs and in the end my eyes glaze over and I lose interest.
Therefore, what I learned in the second class in the Entrepreneurship series is this: I have no business being a small business owner. Not unless I spend SERIOUS amounts of time and energy to learn how to become financially competent and economically lingual.
The class was focused on The Three Numbers You Need to Know Before Starting a Business:
In the meantime- I networked with one of my Entrepreneurship 101 classmates (which could lead to some freelancing), I've been freelancing on some custom embroidery work (job found from the Craigslist Gigs section) and I have an interview coming up next week! So once again I can say, "if I don't get this job, that's it! I'm going into business myself!" We'll see if I come out of the next Entrepreneurship class feeling like I can do it myself.
Here's my problem- When I see dollar signs, my eyes glaze over; the subject of this class was "economic feasibility." Why, you may ask? I blame my father (sorry, dad, I know you're reading this). My dad is a very accomplished small business owner. He's a CPA. You did not talk about money in our house because money matters were something that was kept confidential. I remember one of the most serious talkings-to I ever received was when I asked my mom in a public place how much our house cost. My dad lives by the concept of a client/professional confidentiality and takes it to such a level that anything involving money was kept secret and hush-hush in our house. You could say that I was sheltered from economics.
I've tried to get better at this- I took accounting as my business class, I tracked all our bills for a period of time, I've tracked our purchases over the course of a month. But it still comes down to dollar signs and in the end my eyes glaze over and I lose interest.
Therefore, what I learned in the second class in the Entrepreneurship series is this: I have no business being a small business owner. Not unless I spend SERIOUS amounts of time and energy to learn how to become financially competent and economically lingual.
The class was focused on The Three Numbers You Need to Know Before Starting a Business:
- Your Personal Needs- how much money do you need to bring in every month to cover your own personal expenses?
- Your Business Needs- how much money does your business need to survive every month?
- Your Start-Up Costs
In the meantime- I networked with one of my Entrepreneurship 101 classmates (which could lead to some freelancing), I've been freelancing on some custom embroidery work (job found from the Craigslist Gigs section) and I have an interview coming up next week! So once again I can say, "if I don't get this job, that's it! I'm going into business myself!" We'll see if I come out of the next Entrepreneurship class feeling like I can do it myself.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tales From the Unemployment Office
My computer is broken, so I've been heading to the unemployment office on a way-too-frequent basis so I can use their computer stations for all my job searching needs. The unemployment office is not a fun place to spend your time. It's a lot like going to the DMV only more depressing and with more human interaction. Oh, the stories!
The unemployment office I frequent has about twenty-five computer stations for anyone to use for their job search. It is usually difficult to find an open station; the office is busy with job seekers. There are one or two staffers tasked with helping those using the computers with applications, building resumes, etc. You hear a lot.
Some people do not surprise me with their employment status, or lack thereof. For example, the blond Barbie-doll lookalike who sat at the next computer over. She was struggling with using the computer, and not just because of her long manicured nails. She needed help getting set up in the system because she had just lost her job. Simple instructions had to be explained to her again and again and again. It's wrong to stereotype people but I was having a hard time with that. The staffer asked her what type of work she was looking for... and she answered... "I'm a dentist."
Oddly, you hear a lot of yelling. People yell at the computers, they yell because they are hard of hearing, they yell when they see someone they used to work with across the room, and they yell into their cell phones. It is not unusual for people to be on their cell phones while at the unemployment office, but usually it is a phone call related to their job search. The staff will ask people on personal calls to hang up, especially if they are being disruptive. Most people get off their call right away. One unusually loud exception did tell his phone mate he had to go and why... but then continued... "OH YEAH, HOW'S RAY DOING? I HAVEN'T SEEN RAY IN SO LONG. IS THAT SO? WELL GOOD FOR RAY. I GOTTA GIVE HIM A CALL. OH YEAH? HAHAHAHA. RAY'S ALWAYS GOOD FOR A LAUGH. HEY DID YOU CHECK OUT THE GAME LAST NIGHT?" etc. The collective glares of everyone in the office were not enough to get this guy off the phone. Perhaps it would have been a good time to forgo the Oregonian politeness thing.
Another episode of yelling was both on the phone and at the computer. The guy was trying to be nice. He was there to help his computer-illiterate friend with his job search. The guy using the computer was on the phone with a third guy, who for some reason was the keeper of the passwords. Why? I have no idea. Anyway, the guy on the phone was relaying the password to the computer user but it wasn't working. He kept trying and trying but the password wasn't working and eventually the system kicked him out. This resulted in more yelling, which finally brought a staffer over to help figure out the problem. She immediately figured out the source of the problem. Caps Lock.
These stories only represent the first chapter in the stories I have collected during my visits to the unemployment office. You could subtitle this chapter, "OK, I get why these people may be struggling to find a job. But what's wrong with me?" Sometimes it is hard to stay up-beat.
The unemployment office I frequent has about twenty-five computer stations for anyone to use for their job search. It is usually difficult to find an open station; the office is busy with job seekers. There are one or two staffers tasked with helping those using the computers with applications, building resumes, etc. You hear a lot.
Some people do not surprise me with their employment status, or lack thereof. For example, the blond Barbie-doll lookalike who sat at the next computer over. She was struggling with using the computer, and not just because of her long manicured nails. She needed help getting set up in the system because she had just lost her job. Simple instructions had to be explained to her again and again and again. It's wrong to stereotype people but I was having a hard time with that. The staffer asked her what type of work she was looking for... and she answered... "I'm a dentist."
Oddly, you hear a lot of yelling. People yell at the computers, they yell because they are hard of hearing, they yell when they see someone they used to work with across the room, and they yell into their cell phones. It is not unusual for people to be on their cell phones while at the unemployment office, but usually it is a phone call related to their job search. The staff will ask people on personal calls to hang up, especially if they are being disruptive. Most people get off their call right away. One unusually loud exception did tell his phone mate he had to go and why... but then continued... "OH YEAH, HOW'S RAY DOING? I HAVEN'T SEEN RAY IN SO LONG. IS THAT SO? WELL GOOD FOR RAY. I GOTTA GIVE HIM A CALL. OH YEAH? HAHAHAHA. RAY'S ALWAYS GOOD FOR A LAUGH. HEY DID YOU CHECK OUT THE GAME LAST NIGHT?" etc. The collective glares of everyone in the office were not enough to get this guy off the phone. Perhaps it would have been a good time to forgo the Oregonian politeness thing.
Another episode of yelling was both on the phone and at the computer. The guy was trying to be nice. He was there to help his computer-illiterate friend with his job search. The guy using the computer was on the phone with a third guy, who for some reason was the keeper of the passwords. Why? I have no idea. Anyway, the guy on the phone was relaying the password to the computer user but it wasn't working. He kept trying and trying but the password wasn't working and eventually the system kicked him out. This resulted in more yelling, which finally brought a staffer over to help figure out the problem. She immediately figured out the source of the problem. Caps Lock.
These stories only represent the first chapter in the stories I have collected during my visits to the unemployment office. You could subtitle this chapter, "OK, I get why these people may be struggling to find a job. But what's wrong with me?" Sometimes it is hard to stay up-beat.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Entrepreneurship 101- part 1
Since I can't seem to get a job to save my life, I keep coming back to the idea of starting my own business. But really, the seeds for this idea started before I was laid off from my last job. It all started with a pair of Fluevogs...
Last February Portland got its very own John Fluevog store. If you don't know what I'm talking about, stop right now and go to their website. Now that you're back and you've wiped the drool off your computer... I bought my first pair of Fluevogs the day the store opened. I was also the first person in the door when they had the official store opening party. My goal was to meet John Fluevog- and I did. I gushed all over him. It was embarrassing. I told him, "Meeting you is like meeting a rock star." He signed my shoes (now my most prized possessions). The next day I described him to others as someone who "oozes awesomeness."
This idea of oozing awesomeness stuck in my head. I decided I wanted to be someone who oozes awesomeness. I started thinking about other people who fit that description and what they have in common. In my mind, a lot of people who ooze awesomeness are people who make things or design things. And so I came up with the idea that I wanted to make shoes.
Making shoes is hard. And so is starting a business. That's two big hurdles.
I've told many people about my idea to make shoes. Everyone has been supportive. I've said over and over, "that's it! If I don't get such-and-such job then I'm done with the job hunting thing and I'm going into business myself!" And people have nodded their heads to that idea. I've done tons of research and informational interviews and everyone I've talked to has been very nice and helpful. But so far no one has been able to help me get over the fear of putting all my faith into a business venture of my own.
The only thing I could think of to get over this paranoia is to do what any over-educated individual would do; I signed up for a class.
Yesterday I became a student at the Chemeketa Community College Small Business Development Center. The Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry is part of a statewide program offering assistance to small business owners. There are also SBDCs at Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College. I chose Chemeketa because they priced the class series right (Free! versus much much more than free at PCC and CCC).
There were a few key points I took from the class yesterday.
Last February Portland got its very own John Fluevog store. If you don't know what I'm talking about, stop right now and go to their website. Now that you're back and you've wiped the drool off your computer... I bought my first pair of Fluevogs the day the store opened. I was also the first person in the door when they had the official store opening party. My goal was to meet John Fluevog- and I did. I gushed all over him. It was embarrassing. I told him, "Meeting you is like meeting a rock star." He signed my shoes (now my most prized possessions). The next day I described him to others as someone who "oozes awesomeness."
This idea of oozing awesomeness stuck in my head. I decided I wanted to be someone who oozes awesomeness. I started thinking about other people who fit that description and what they have in common. In my mind, a lot of people who ooze awesomeness are people who make things or design things. And so I came up with the idea that I wanted to make shoes.
Making shoes is hard. And so is starting a business. That's two big hurdles.
I've told many people about my idea to make shoes. Everyone has been supportive. I've said over and over, "that's it! If I don't get such-and-such job then I'm done with the job hunting thing and I'm going into business myself!" And people have nodded their heads to that idea. I've done tons of research and informational interviews and everyone I've talked to has been very nice and helpful. But so far no one has been able to help me get over the fear of putting all my faith into a business venture of my own.
The only thing I could think of to get over this paranoia is to do what any over-educated individual would do; I signed up for a class.
Yesterday I became a student at the Chemeketa Community College Small Business Development Center. The Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry is part of a statewide program offering assistance to small business owners. There are also SBDCs at Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College. I chose Chemeketa because they priced the class series right (Free! versus much much more than free at PCC and CCC).
There were a few key points I took from the class yesterday.
- Of the three roles of a successful entrepreneur, I seem to be stuck in the Visionary role. I've got all kinds of grand ideas about making shoes, playing a role in a more local-based economy, all that good touchy feely stuff. This means I'm going to have to get assistance with the other two roles: the Deck Swabber and the Manager.
- Since I don't know exactly what I want to do with the idea of "making shoes" I may need some one-on-one business advising.
- I need to use my library for more research.
- Book recommendation- E-myth by Gerber.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Weekly Job Hunt Routine
Way back when I graduated from the Art Institute I set up a weekly list of websites to visit. If you are also searching for jobs in the apparel industry in the Portland area, you may find this list useful. Add a comment if you think I've forgotten anyone.
Monday-
Thursday-
Monday-
- Craigslist. I check Craigslist every single day. Also, about once/week I'll go to the Seattle and Salem pages just in case there's something out there for me.
- iMatchSkills. A requirement of unemployment, and one I have yet to find useful.
- 24Seventalent. 24Seven is a recruiting agency, a little like Kelly Services.
- Fred Meyer. Did you know their corporate offices are in Portland? One of my internships was here in their Apparel Product Development department.
- Doc Marten. Their US headquarters are in Portland. How cool is that? It is my dream to work in footwear.
- Craigslist.
- Danner. Known for their hard-working work boots. Not only are they headquartered here, they make the boots here, too.
- File for a week of unemployment benefits.
- Icebreaker. New Zealand merino wool. Love their stuff.
- Craigslist.
- Columbia Sportswear.
- Pendelton.
- Hanna Andersson. High quality childrens' wear.
Thursday-
- Craigslist.
- Adidas.
- Keen. I'm outdoorsy, therefore I have Keen sandals.
- Merrell. Merrell is owned by Wolverine Worldwide. I am outdoorsy, therefore I own Merrell hiking boots.
- Oregon Employment Department job listings
- Craigslist.
- Nike.
- Nau. Probably Portland's most famous "green" apparel company.
- BikePortland. No, I'm not looking for a job as a bike mechanic. I'm just hopeful that someday Showers Pass will post on here looking for an entry level designer/developer. You never know.
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