Who Do We Blame?

Who's to blame for this mess we are in? AIG, GM, any number of banks, Wallstreet? I don't think we can point the finger at any one particular company or industry, but then there is plenty of blame to go around. What I find really disturbing is that these industry mongers just don't seem to understand the role they have played in putting the job market and the economy in the position we are in.

OK, the CEO for GM resigned. But how many CEO's have EVER been asked by the President of the United States to quit their job!!! How far do you have to run to ever escape something like that. My guess is that there is no hiding from that one! But keep your eyes open and remember his name, Rick Wagoner. Some other major corporation will snatch him up. He won't join any of us in the ranks of the unemployed. Of course the poor thing only walks away with approximately $23M in pension and close to $900,000 in stock and deferred compensation. How will he survive???

We are all well aware of the scandalous bonuses paid out to AIG executives - I just can't wait to see the list of names and the amount each person received. And yes, we have the right to see this information. We own 80% of the company. You better believe that the entire Board of Directors knows who got the bonuses and how much they were. It will be just as interesting to see which of these people returned their bonuses after the public lashing they took via the media. Do you think the CEO, Edward Liddy, returned his bonus? He only asked the employees who received these bonuses to return half of it. What was he thinking???

I actually read an article the other day from someone who supposedly understands Wallstreet and brokers, etc. The writer said the people who work in these industries don't make big salaries but instead depend on their annual bonuses to make up the difference. Their annual salaries - $75,000 - $100,000. With today's job market, I would love to find someone offering that kind of salary; but these people feel like they are struggling to get by. Well like we say in the South, "Bless their hearts!"

All is Not Lost

In times of crisis, people reach for meaning. Meaning is strength. Our survival may depend on our seeking and finding it. -- Victor Frankl

Check out this article. It will help you stay positive. All is not lost!

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-6_myths_about_job_hunting_in_a_recession-784

PROBLEM SOLVED!

This was an article from the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?" This article was one of the ideas submitted...


Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic retirement:
There's about 40 million people over 50 in the work force - pay them $1 million apiece severance with the following stipulations:
1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings -Unemployment fixed.
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They either buy a house/pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed/Banking fixed!
Can't get any easier than that!

Personal note from me - Let's have AIG pay that $40M!!!!

Fearless Networking

VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENT


Date: 3/20/2009
Subject: LinkedIn Event: Fearless Networking
Adrienne Graham found Fearless Networking on LinkedIn Events and thought you might be interested in going! http://events.linkedin.com/Fearless-Networking/pub/46784

Fearless Networking Sat, Apr 04 If you can't attend, pass it along to a friend!

This is a virtual event Keywords: networking, Adrienne Graham, webinar, webcast, social networking

You know what? It IS all about "who you know". Let's face it, this economy is on shaky ground. As witnessed by the collapse of some of Wall Street's powerhouse companies we never know when our job is in jeopardy. If your company collapsed tomorrow, what would you do? Do you have a solid network of key decision makers who could help you land your next job? Do you have a contingency plan like starting a business? Chances are if you haven’t taken the time to build a strong network, you don’t have many allies who can help you in a pinch.

Fearless Networking, based on the book written by Adrienne Graham, gives you the foundations of becoming a fearless networker. In this session, you will learn:

Branding yourself
Build, communicate with and tap into your network
Networking with top executives and key decision makers
Making a memorable impression on the people you meet
Positioning yourself as a subject matter expert and an asset
Being a fearless networker
Navigating and tapping into traditional and social networking
Using networking to advance your career or build your business
Building a proper Inner Circle (aligning yourself with power brokers)
Networking ‘Seasons’
Networking strategies
Don’t miss this dynamic session that prepares you to become a powerful and empowered networker. Your real networking experience begins at this seminar. Adrienne Graham gives attendees a look into her own networking journey, shares her experiences and best advice on building your own network from a position of confidence and strength, and gets the audience involved in interactive networking exercises.

Date: April 4, 2009
Time: 11 AM- 2 PM EST
Location: Online Webcast- must have internet and phone access

Cost: $69 USD (refer 2 friends who register & get $10 off your registration! Limit 2 referrals per person.)

Space is limited and advanced registration is required. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=s-xclick&hostedbuttonid=4000183

Drawing will be conducted for a $25 American Express Gift Check, a copy of the book Go Ahead, Talk to Strangers, and 1 free networking coaching session with Adrienne Graham.

Taking a Break

Spring is in the air! It is beautiful outside, the sun has been shining and the air is warm and comforting. My husband is on spring break from school - he is a full-time student at UNC Greensboro. What a great time for him to be out of school and me to be out of work. We took off last Friday and went to spend the night with my daughter and grand children which is always a treat. Then we left Saturday morning and headed to the beach to visit friends.

The good weather stayed with us all weekend! We drove with the top down on the car Saturday. We spent most of the weekend outside just sitting with Randy and Tracey talking and sipping wine. Life just doesn't get any better. Of course the water is still too cold to swim, but walking on the beach was great. We actually stayed an extra night and didn't come back home until Tuesday. Friends, Chad & Paula, checked in on the dogs and kept them happy with treats while we were gone so I owe them a huge thank you!

Wednesday the weather still held out and we tackled the back yard to get everything ready for spring. We uncovered the furniture under the pergola and moved some bushes to better locations and trimmed up others.

For a few days I didn't even think about looking for a job or the economy. The break was as warming as the weather. So now I am refreshed and ready to hit it again.

Once again, my network is busy working for me. I have a couple of friends who sent my resume to two different companies that were wanting to hire a controller. Thank you Laura and Vickii!

Via the Network

I am feeeling a bit more positive about potential jobs today than I have in the past few weeks. I can't stress enough how important your network is. By reaching out to my network I found a connection with a potential employer that I never would have thought existed, but it does. I have emailed my resume to my connection who will then forward it on to the hiring company via her network.

I had a phone interview yesterday that went really well. Again, someone in my network was able to get my resume in front of the right people. Now it is up to me to sell myself. I should hear back from this company by next week for a second phone interview. If that one goes well, I will be called in to meet the Finance Directors and do a face-to-face interview.

I have applied for a third job that has a lot of potential as well. Any of the three jobs that I have mentioned here would all be great jobs and they are in my field of expertise. What I like about each of these jobs is that they were all posted on the Internet directly by the employer, not by recruiters.

Tapping the Network!

I have just found a job posting on the Internet posted by the hiring company, not a recruiter. When I clicked on the details for the position, they even had a comment that they would not accept submissions from recruiters. This made me feel much better about my chances of at least being looked at for this position. Of course, I won't be the only one submitting a resume. I do have a lot of things going in my favor, though. I have years of experience with the accounting software they use, I have the degree and the certification, I have managed staff. I submitted my resume online, but am not confident that it will actually be seen. I need some reassurance here!

I have tapped my network to help me get the resume to the right people and hopefully, they will even be able to make a call to recommend me for this position. One of the people in my network sells the accounting software this company uses. They are the only reseller in this area. Another of my network contacts works for an insurance company that just happens to be in negotiations with the company that is hiring. (It is in the medical industry.) They have offered to make a call.

I have reached out to both and will know more Monday. You will know when I know!

Anyone reading this that is unemployed, feel free to contact me. I have designed a spreadsheet that will allow you to track your income and expenses on a weekly basis so that you know where you stand financially at any given point in time. I will be glad to email the spreadsheet to you.