Day 29 - Getting Focused

Today I went to my outplacement firm for back to back training in Stage 1 and Stage 2. The outplacement group is located in a building that houses some good companies like SAP, GE etc.. So riding up the elevator I tried to act like I was just going to work or visiting a client. There were 2 guys in the elevator. We spaced ourselves out as we entered the booth. One guy went to left, I went to the right and then the third person stayed in the middle. I felt like I was wearing my cover well as the elevator started moving up the floors. The first guy got off and the second guy moves to my side. So now there are two of us on the left side (it was kind of weird). In these situations, the middle person had the obligation to move to the right and balance the elevator space. No he moves to my side and then asks the dreaded question "What company is on Floor 15?" Aah... I thought I pulled this off. I quickly replied the name of the outplacement firm. He said "oh" and the conversation was over. Back to reality for me - I was going to floor 15 with all the other unemployed to desperately learn how to find a job.

STAGE 1
This session was focused on some of the work I had already completed. The training included practicing our elevator speeches and learning how to look for a job through the Internet, external recruiters and job databases. I walked in a few minutes late (my usual subliminal rebellion I think) to the most awkward situation. This poor guy is asked point blank by our aggressive teacher why he left his company? He began rattling his speech which included that his company was purchased and his departments back office work was being moved to another state. So far he is doing well.. then he is asked "were you asked to move with the work?" then the himming and hawing began. It was a good exercise to reinforce that we need to have this speech down and not to let the interviewer see you sweat it out.

I was totally dreading the time he was going to make me an example. Luckily he asked me about my positioning statement. I replied with false confidence - I am a Human Resources Leader with a focus in talent acquisition, development and employee relations. My speciality is to improve the cost, quality and delivery of HR processes. Phew... he did not even heckle me. But you know what... it sounds so stupid really!!!!

THE SPIDER
As I am writing this blog, I see kind of a gross spider on my printer. I thought I will just take care of it with a Kleenex and get rid of it with no drama. Wouldn't you know as soon as I get it in the tissue a few baby spiders fell from it and they got mushed on my paper tray. Now I am scrapping off legs and it is green. Gross... I may burn in hell.. I just took out a mom and her babies. Sorry g-d, did not know...

STAGE 2
The second half of the day was dedicated to developing our market plan and how to track our productivity. This was actually really good. There is a little chart that tells us we should spend 20 hours a week filling our job pipeline, 10 hours closing the deal (interviewing etc) and 5 hours managing the process. We were then given about 8 hours to screw around and do what we want otherwise called maintaining balance. I took a look at my last few weeks and I think I have spent about 30 hours on me time and 8 hours looking for a job. Yikes... I think I have this whole thing in reverse.


REALIZATION
I still am struggling with my identity as an unemployed person - not sure I am ever going to be comfortable accepting this new reality - I hope it is temporary. Realization 2 - I need to start tracking my activities and spend 8 hours on me time and 30 hours on finding a job. I am hoping this blog will be coming to an end soon. Then I can start the working girl blog..