The Smart Communicator

Washington Redskin Fans Remain a Mystery

2009-10-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

I’m not from the D.C. area, so when I relocated here in 2002, there were a lot of things I had to get used to.

The number one thing was the traffic. In West Virginia, where I’m from, rush hour lasts about 15 minutes, unless you’re on the Beckley By-Pass near Wal-Mart. But the Capital Beltway is an anomaly unto itself. And now after 8 years, I have to admit that I’ve learned some shortcuts and ways to keep my sanity.

The next thing I had to get used to was how expensive everything was. When I moved here, I was told that Montgomery County, Maryland was one of the more expensive counties in the nation and it just happened to be the county that my family and I set up residence. Though I wondered how I had landed in this zip code, I learned ways to stretch my dollars.

Finally, the last thing I had to get used to was the Washington Redskin fans. Being from the southern coalfields of West Virginia, I cheered on the Blue and the Gold, the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Of course, when I moved to Huntington I cheered for the Marshall University Thundering Herd. I was even fortunate enough to live in Huntington during the Randy Moss/Chad Pennington/Byron Leftwich years – and it was truly an exciting time.

I don’t understand that much about the game of football – and you would think that I would. I was in the marching band and played at every football game from middle school all the way to my junior year of college. I can pretty much tell you when my team is winning and losing, but I’ve never understood downs, penalties, safeties – or any of that stuff. My son has played football since he was six years old and is now on his high school JV team and the best thing for me is seeing him in that football uniform.

One thing I strongly believe in is that you must love your team regardless of whether they’re winning or losing. I learned that from my husband, who is a huge New York Yankee and New York Giants football fan. There have been years when he caught heck for wearing NY Yankee hats or t-shirts – especially when we were in West Virginia. But he did it anyway, because he was born in Harlem, New York and cheered for those teams early on. Each season he’d proclaim that this is his team’s “year.” And if they suffered a disappointing loss, he’d always say, “That’s okay, there’s always next year.”

I admire Redskin fans who always kept their spirit about them, even if I found their behavior a little obnoxious. (Come on, “Hog wear??”) But that was how they supported their team and I gave them that. But since I didn’t grow up in this area and a part of the exciting Washington Redskin legacy, I was always – and forever will be - disconnected.

Recently, I heard that some Redskin fans booed their team after an anemic win over a team they should have crushed. And after a loss to Kansas City yesterday, ‘skins fans seem to be dropping like flies. Some have said they’re not going to root for the team because they’re so frustrated. I get that it hurts and it's even embarrassing to lose when you feel you have the talent to pull out a win. So continue to root them on, after all they’re YOUR team, and you stick with them.

Redskin head coach Jim Zorn apologized to the fans and said that he felt bad for them. If I were a Washington Redskin fan, the last thing I’d want to hear from my team’s head coach is an apology. I’d want to hear him saying that everything is going to be okay. That we would live to fight another day! That victory was in reach! Motivate me, man!

Every time I return home to West Virginia I’m always greeted with Blue and Gold hats, shirts, jackets and sweatshirts. The ‘eers don’t always have to be winning for us West Virginians to show our support and pride. They’re no NFL franchise – and sure, we like those Steelers – even the ‘skins, but one thing is certain – the Mountaineers are our team – no matter what.

Practicing restraint

2009-09-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

We all know that feeling. It's usually brought on by intense frustration, driven by an emotional build up. We want to scream. We want to punch something. We want to punch someone -- but we don't. We get our emotions in check and we move on.

However, Rep. Joe Wilson (R) South Carolina did not pause before letting his emotions get the best of him. Instead, during a speech to Congress, the nation -- and yes, the world -- Rep. Wilson called the President of the United States a liar. Well, not quite a liar, he yelled to the Commander-in-Chief "You lie!" I could split hairs here and dissect syntax, but you get the idea.

Almost immediately after Rep. Wilson let the words escape his lips, he was apologizing. Campaign dollars in support of his opponent in a pending election have also poured in and political pundits debated what was behind Wilson's outburst.

Frustration, was how the right decided to explain it all away. The right had been fighting a hard battle during the summer months engaging in heated town hall meetings about health care. The meetings had gotten out of hand in some states with extreme shouting matches from conservative supporters who feared that the Obama Administration's plan would provide a socialist run health care system that would bankrupt the country.

The summer had been a long hot one in which conservatives exposed the Obama campaigns plan to euthanize the elderly and hand out health care to illegal aliens. People who had health care plans they were happy with would be forced to accept the health care plan that the government would create for them.

The Democrats were losing ground and fast. They had to do something. So the President stepped up in a special address to Congress to hopefully close the gap between the right and left. His address on Wednesday night was supposed to clear up some misconceptions about the proposed health plan. He took on the main charges of the left and attempted to allay fears.

Americans who were happy with their current health plan could keep it, said President Obama. That took down the notion that you would be forced into a plan you didn't like. There were no death panels, there never was such a thing. Okay, so nix-ay on pulling the plug on grandma rumors. And illegals would not be covered under the proposed plan.

And that's when Wilson lost it shouting, "You lie!" at the President.

He just couldn't hold his tongue. He'd taken enough and he wasn't going to sit there and listen to the same rhetoric that he and his fellow Repubs had been busy dispelling all summer long.

It appears that practicing restraint doesn't always get the best of politicians, but musicians as well.

During the MTV's recent Video Music Award, rap artist Kenya West rushed the stage when country crooner Taylor Swift won Best Video for a Female Artist. Taylor, who is relatively new on the music scene shared the category with heavy hitter Beyonce Knowles, Pink, Katie Perry and Kelly Clarkson. So Kanye couldn't restrain himself. He had to say something on behalf of Beyonce'. She was being robbed after all! Her hit song, "All the Single Ladies" had become the theme song of single ladies everywhere! The disbelief was so evident on Beyonce's face when West stormed the stage, taking the microphone from a speechless and helpless looking Swift who stood by while West told the crowd that Beyonce' had the best video of all time.

Surely, there were plenty of people who shared West' sentiment, but they remain seated. Sure, there are times when someone has to stand up and be counted. To go where no man had boldly gone before. There had to be a first time for everything -- was a phrase I often heard during my childhood. However, I also remember my grandmother saying was that there was "nothing new under the sun."

We could say that in both of these instances that the perpetrators of the behavior were squarely protected by their first amendment rights. Gun enthusiasts have said that bringing loaded guns to events in which the President was speaking this summer was just those who chose to do so 'expressing their right to bear arms.'

Civilizations will go through moments of their development in which they are raw and unbridled. They eventually evolve into a season of genteelness and learn to play nice. But even within those civilizations there still remains an undercurrent of brazen behavior. This group stands on the fringes of society, thumbing their noses at civilization, waiting for the right time to pounce. But even within that polite ring of civil structure, there remains discord. For instance, King Henry VIII was considered to be a part of the upper crust, cultured society, however, beheading was a common practice under his rule. Just as executions are a part of our societal makeup.

About 100,000 people marched in Washington, D.C. this weekend. They say they want to take their country back. However, I say there is no going back. And more importantly, how far back is back exactly? Would rolling back the clock 20 years satisfy them? The would put us at 1989. Or how about 50 years in the past? Which would put us at 1959. Perhaps they want to go back even further -- maybe 100 years. The thing about time is there is no going back. I don't care how many time you watch Back to the Future -- it just ain't happening. We can only press forward and look ahead. We can LOOK back, evaluate the way things were done and try to right them. We can learn from our mistakes.

Some mistakes that others have made is to act on impulse and emotion. Perhaps they didn't think things clearly before they reacted to something. Perhaps West and Wilson would take a different tack if given the same opportunities -- perhaps not. Not all actions are regrettable.

I do happen to agree with the 100,000 people who marched in Washington this weekend. There is definitely an eroding of our country's makeup. Perhaps the erosion I see is quite different than what they are seeing. When someone can speak to the President as if they are yelling their frustrations at a referee for making a bad call, maybe it does make us hearken to a time when things were simpler -- to a time when those actions could have landed a gentleman's neck at the sharp end of an executioner's blade.

Is your company’s phone greeting putting your callers to sleep?

2009-08-11T19:15:00.001-07:00

My husband, who is a general manager at a family restaurant and I were having a discussion about the restaurant’s phone greeting. I told him that it was too long. He agreed and went on to talk about other ways the restaurant could be more efficient and I tuned out. Are your customers tuning you out because your message is too long?

I’m finding that more and more companies are trying to plug so much into their phone greetings that I often forget why I called in the first place.

My husband’s employer, for instance, has a greeting that is just too darned long. It goes something like this: “Hi, this is Amy, thank you for calling McDonald’s Farms. May I direct your call to our take-out line where you can try one of our delicious summer salads today?” Yes, it SOUNDS quite nice, which is what I told my husband. A marketing person certainly had a hand in scripting that phone greeting.

When I answer my phone at work I say, “It’s a great day at Company B! How may I help you?” It usually gets a chuckle from my cube mates and fortunately we have caller ID at work, so I only do this when my good friend calls me. But I actually got the idea from a realtor who had her receptionist and sales team to answer the phone in that manner.

No one cares what kind of day you’re having do they? No! They call because they’re wanting something from you, and unless you’re the weather hotline, don’t give answer with, “It’s a great day!”

Here are some things that you should include in your greeting along with some tips for ensuring your callers encounter a professional individual on the other end of the line.

Keep your greeting simple. Make sure your greeting includes your company’s name and the name of the person answering the phone. When you’re part of a large operation, it’s important that callers know who they spoke with. This helps with follow up.

Remain professional at all times. There are companies that can “go there,” like novelty, recreational or other specialty stores and shops. But if your industry is banking, healthcare or education, no one wants to hear: “Thank you for calling First National Bank where we stash your cash!” Not cute.

Monitor your incoming calls. Listen to how people are representing your organization. For your customers, nothing is more irritating than calling a business and hearing the boredom emanate through the receiver. It used to be commonplace to smile while you spoke a company’s greeting so listeners could “hear” the happiness in your voice.

Streamline your messages. Is everyone answering the same way? If your company offers different promotions, make sure that everyone is up to speed on them.

Oh be careful little hands, what you type!

2009-07-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

I hadn’t focused my blog posts on social media because quite frankly, I think most of us are tired of reading about it.

I realize that many people don’t with social media that often unless we’re checking our Facebook accounts, which is totally fine. This is why this blog post is so relevant to a larger audience.

I recently posted, what I thought was an innocent question on my Facebook page. The question asked my friends to come up with a theme song for President Barack Obama’s departure from the podium after a news conference. If you haven’t noticed, that’s a long walk back to his office. Besides, I kind of think our President as some ‘swagger’ and should have some really cool theme music.

I added an important disclaimer to my Facebook question, noting that “anti-Obama” comments would be deleted, as I am a fan of our 44th president. The responses started out innocently enough and eventually snowballed into a 32 response thread that debated healthcare. Not at all what I had envisioned when I posed the question. There are a lot of passionate people on both sides of this debate, but I didn’t particularly care to rehash the pros and cons on my Facebook page.

Facebook is about connecting with old friends. Sharing pictures of your kids in Halloween costumes and other family-friendly events. Or at least that’s what I use it for. I appreciate that there are major corporations, non-profits and other entities that use Facebook as well.

But once something is out, it’s out. You can remove it or delete it, but if anyone saw it – even for a second – it’s hard to reel that back in.

One important lesson to learn about social media – and Facebook, is that you could be letting the world into a private part of your life. I’ve noticed that many people opt not to tell all the little “dirty details” – such as their political party affiliation, their employer, or religious preference. And they are within their right to choose what they will and won’t share.

Another thing I learned from this experience is you really have no control over social media messages. Once you post something, you can’t control who responds or sees it. One friend told me that she had posted something about the President’s health care proposal right after the news conference and awoke to a litany of anti-Obama remarks on her Facebook page.

In my case, I’ve decided to play editor. I deleted all of the comments to my question that weren’t directly related to the question. I also de-friended someone who I felt was only going to be a pest. Don’t believe me? He sent me an e-mail after I block him that basically said, ‘I know you blocked me.” Yikes.

I’m for a good debate and even sharing ideas, but I don’t have to contend with content that I may deem snarky or rude. One of the posters did apologize if he had offended anyone or ‘gone too far.’ His apology showed he wasn’t making things personal. And maybe that’s what the problem was on my part.

I had taken the comments personally. I assumed that the comments were not fairly measured by our President’s ability to lead, but rather they were being made by people who saw only his race.

I grew up in rural West Virginia and know first hand what discrimination and bigotry feels, looks and smells like. Most of my friends who were making these comments hail from the Mountain State, a state that made its decision early in deciding it would not be voting for the President. (I know, what about Iowa?)

When I look back on my educational years, which I shared with many of the same people who were attacking the President by calling him ‘anti-freedom’ and a ‘socialist’ it does make me wonder. What did I ever have in common with them? We shared a classroom or a bus ride. Was that all there ever was?

Was I judging them based on race as well? Was it really that outlandish to think a person could look past someone’s skin color and take into consideration their qualifications and abilities?

For this smart communicator, I would caution anyone from posting anything to a social media site, if you don’t want to deal with the repercussions and backlash. Use your privacy settings to communicate things to a group or keep others from seeing it. If social media has taught me anything, it’s that we all are going to need to grow some pretty thick skins to deal with our detractors.

Selecting the right marketing tool for your business

2009-06-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

About three weeks ago my next-door neighbor’s water line exploded and flooded the parking area of our neighborhood. Within hours a crew was on site digging up the concrete to repair the pipe beneath the ground.

Fortunately for our community, water services haven’t been interrupted that often during the repair period. Though when it was interrupted, the contractor decided to alert us by taping a half sheet of paper on our doors the day prior which provided the date and hours that the water would be turned off.

I felt the communication was very fitting and got the word out quite appropriately. The only recommendation I would have made is providing the message in both English and Spanish to accommodate my Spanish-speaking neighbors.

With his simple half sheet note, that contractor did something that many businesses don’t do very well: communicate with customers, employees and potential clients using the most effective means available.

These days, everyone is talking about social media and the role it plays in communicating with the public. Facebook is by far the most popular social media site out there. In fact, if you’re not on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter, others can make you feel like you just crawled from beneath a rock! But what is important to remember is that though there are more choices than ever to draw customers and reach potential clients, you have to make sure that you’re choosing the right marketing platform to fit your needs.

• Think about your audience. Social media tends to be more popular with audiences that regularly use the internet. If someone doesn’t use the internet on a regular basis, you can’t think that they’re going to log on just because your want them to.

The Yellow Pages is still the best place for people to find services-related companies like plumbers, carpet cleaners and even pizza delivery shops. Though I am seeing more plumbers, electricians and gardeners with their own web sites. In fact, real estate companies often partner with service-related vendors because more and more people use the internet when looking for their next house.

• Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. As a marketer or business person, your main objective is to sell your product or service. But there are times when your goal can overshadow your strategy. Think like your customer! How can you make their lives easier? How will your product change their lives for the better?

• If you have a lot of materials to share, social media probably isn’t the best place for you to reach out to your customers. I still find that printing information out and reviewing it later is how I’m able to digest complicated materials.

Though you can probably view your insurance policy online, most companies will still mail out your entire policy and declarations page. In addition to being able to print out this document and put it in a safe place, it gives the policyholder the opportunity to read and review the document at their leisure if they have questions or concerns.

• Don’t be afraid to diversity your marketing plan. For years, companies were limited by how they could reach their customers. But nowadays with so many tools available, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.

Marketing is not a one shot deal. You don’t just spend a lot of money on one television ad or one online advertising campaign and think that will be enough to attract thousands of new customers.

Think about how many messages the average person gets in one day through their TV set, car radio during their commute, in e-mails, on billboards, mobile texts – it’s overwhelming to say the least. So, when you have that opportunity to break through all of that clutter and noise to capture your customer’s attention, you’d better make it good. Choose your marketing tools wisely.

How desparate are you for work?

2009-05-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

I don’t consider myself a prude. But when my daughter told me what happened during a recent group job interview at a chain specialty clothing store, I immediately found the company’s corporate headquarters (Thanks, Google) and gave them a call.

Initially, I was so proud of my 17 year-old daughter Ava because she had taken the initiative and asked a store manager if they were hiring while her younger brother and I looked for him a new pair of sneakers. I actually had no idea that she’d taken the initiative to speak up and ask for a job. But my daughter's assertiveness had landed her a group interview that same evening!

It began innocently enough. There were about 20 applicants who had shown up for the group interview and each person was asked to give a 30-second shtick about themselves and they had to include information about why they wanted to work at the store, why they should be hired and a little something about themselves that not many people knew.

Ava talked about the fact that she had a good memory and was friendly and approachable. She said that she remembered, from being in the store earlier in the day, that they were having some special sales and even told what they were. Both VERY good responses I thought. (I would have hired her on the spot!)

Then she said that the managers turned on music and told all of the applicants to dance. At this point I grabbed Ava’s arm, because we were still walking through the mall to get to the car, to ask her if she was serious. I made her promise me that she wasn’t just pulling my leg.

“Really, as God is my witness, they made us dance,” she told me.

I asked her if she did it and she said no. But other applicants seem to put it all on the line by gyrating and doing what Ava called “corndogging” a pelvic thrusting motion that simulates a sex act, that guys do. I couldn’t believe my ears!

I suppose with the economy the way that it is and many Americans desperate for jobs, employers can require just about anything of job applicants. However, I don’t think that asking employees to perform a dance or do anything else that could get you sued is the appropriate approach for finding the perfect employee.

At 17, I don’t want my daughter to think that what this one store asked her to do is appropriate or the “norm” for job interviews. I thank God that she had enough sense to turn down an offer to do something that made her feel uncomfortable. Asking applicants to dance was out of line in my book. Though the intent of such a request may have been to see which applicants would be uninhibited and “up for anything,” surely there are other ways to uncover which applicants can handle just about anything thrown at them.

Out of the nearly two dozen people who showed up for the job, only 3 were selected to go on in the interview process. I for one am somewhat relieved that my daughter was not chosen. Maybe her desire not to “drop it like its hot,” hurt her chances. But, I can only imagine what this employer might ask of her once she was on the payroll and beholden to them.

New Survey Is First To Examine Nonprofit Industry's Use of Social Networking

2009-04-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

New Survey Is First To Examine Nonprofit Industry's Use of Social Networking

Navigating office politics

2009-04-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

Many promising careers have been badly damaged due to an inability of a good employee to navigate the waters of office politics.

I don't care where you work, there are politics. I'm a huge fan of NBC's "The Office" because I feel that it more than adequately depicts every office personality imaginable in every work place. Every office has The Slacker, The Crazy Overachiever, The Perky One and The Jerk.

Since taking my first job at the tender age of 19, I've learned many things about how to stay successful at work and here are the top 10 things I'd like to share from my various work experiences.

1. As much as you hate to, you will have to choose sides. If you think that you're keeping to yourself and sidelining, you're wrong. Even if you don't join in the office gossip around the water cooler, you're making a choice. The choice? Not joining in the gossip around the water cooler.

You can be noncommittal and at the same time give the impression that you're being empathic when co-workers grumble about the boss. I try to just ask questions. For instance, when your co-worker begins to complain about what an idiot the boss is because he always makes everyone work overtime, while he slips out early to play golf with his cronies, ask, "How long has he been here?" It causes the other person to shift and change direction. Even if you respond to their accusations with "Wow" or "Are you serious?" you're almost fueling the fires because it "sounds" like you're almost agreeing that this person has a right to gripe to you.

2. Watch and observe. There will be people who will take you to the side and give you the low-down. These people are often looking for an excuse to give the lay of the land, because he just can't help himself. Be careful not to add to any of what you learn. Try to focus instead on the individual. Ask them questions about what they do at the company. How long they've been there. How they came to work at the company. Again, this throws them off their game a little bit, but at the same time, people who love to talk about other people love to talk about themselves even more!

3. Be friendly and approachable when it comes to your fellow co-workers. A big mistake that people make when joining a company is to repeatedly turn down offers. Its true that people are often promoted based on their likability. If no one likes you, your boss isn't likely to promote you. Unless you work as a prison guard, seriously think about fraternizing with your co-workers.

Go to lunch with your team every once in awhile.

4. Don't be a whiner. Ever come into the office the next morning and find Betty Sue telling her boss how she stayed until 8 p.m. the night before? Do you feel jealous because you shot out of the door at 4:59 p.m. because you had to catch two buses across town to pick up your kid at daycare? Marcie is actually hurting herself. People who constantly stay late may be viewed as someone who can't properly manage their time. And they'll be regarded as someone who can't handle more responsibility because they obviously haven't mastered their current position. In addition to time management and possible job knowledge, if this person is spending so much time at the office they should be coming up with innovative ideas.

5. Don't believe everything you hear. I have found that people who have been tagged by impossible to work with have turned out to be individuals whom I've had the best relationships with. Give everyone an equal chance.

6. Make wise use of your time. Since most of my jobs have provided me access to the internet, it wasn't unusual for my boss to come into my office and find me online. With the rise of online media sites and technologies, it's not unusual to find workers with IM blocks, their Facebook or Twitter pages up at various times of the day. I think its still a good idea to have the courtesy to hide these when the boss walks by. Sure, you could easily be chatting with Phil in IT about helping you find a file on your desktop through that IM message, but bosses want to know that they're getting a good 8 hours of work out of their employees.

7. Choose what you're going to share with your coworkers, it may come back to haunt you. I'm very apprehensive about sharing facts about my personal life with co-workers. I've seen it used against employees more times than I can count. For instance, on Monday you tell your boss that your daughter has a huge soccer game out of town and you'd like to leave early Friday afternoon. Your boss says she really needs you to be in the office on Friday for a meeting with a client. Thursday afternoon you start to feel sick and by Friday morning you have a fever of 102 and call in sick Friday morning. When your boss makes the announcement that you've called in, don't be too surprised if she just "happens" to mention your early week dilemma with your daughter's soccer game and shares on suspicions about your illness.

Now, this isn't to say that you can't or form a great relationship with your boss. Some boss and their underlings do form bonds. However, revealing too much about your personal life can hurt you.

I'm always amazed about how co-workers have shared information about infidelity, domestic violence and other inappropriate information about themselves or their family members.

8. Take credit and give credit. If your boss recognizes you for an outstanding idea, be gracious. Women reportedly are less likely to take credit for their work than men. But it is important to take credit for your ideas, hard work and successes! How else are you going to get noticed? The flip side of that is to make sure that you spread the love. If you're the marketing director and the boss notices that your team generated outstanding revenues through a successful campaign, you have to give credit to all members of your team as well. If the opportunity arises make sure that your boss knows exactly which part each member of your team played in its phenomenal success.

9. Play by the rules. Though everyone appreciates a person who gets things done, no one appreciates someone who lies, cheats or deceives to make things happen. You will be respected more if you're respectful to other people.

As a customer service manager for Wal-Mart, I had a saying that I always used when assigning tasks to my cashiers. "I may not always remember to say please, but I never forget to say thank you!"

10. Attend office events. Of course you can't go to the birthday celebration every month, but it's important to attend at least one a quarter. Again, just like the hanging out with your office mates rule, you should be viewed as a team player if you want to advance your career.

Years ago, people kept their heads down, worked hard and that got them noticed. But the world is a different place. Companies want individuals who are well-rounded and viewed as someone the masses will respect and follow.

Everyone back in the pool!

2009-03-25T05:56:00.001-07:00

Well, the day has finally arrived. After almost seven months of being laid off from work, I'm starting a new job next week.

I can't say that I never thought this day would arrive, but my patience had begun to wear thin.

On Monday morning I will be starting a position as a Marketing Communications Manager for a public relations software management company. Fortunately for me, I'm very
familiar with the company's software platform and am excited about supporting the sales and corporate communications teams.

My new job opportunity could not have come at a better time since I was on my last unemployment check. I had actually started on the "emergency" benefits. As we say in the Baptist church, "He's an ON TIME God, Yes He is!"

Though I'm glad to be returning to work, I know that there are still a great deal of people who are enduring layoffs. A telling moment for me is when I realized that all but one of my pool of five references references is out of work. I feel that statistic is almost in sync with what we're seeing as a nation at the moment.

I wish I could provide the secret to landing a job. But I can only reiterate the importance of a good resume, having an active network of friends and professionals, effective use of the web and practicing a suitable response to "So, tell me a little bit about yourself!" It's also helpful to have a positive attitude and outlook about your situation.

The job market has gotten very competitive these days. It's become so important to separate yourself from the pack. A resume with any misspellings will be tossed out. When an employers calls for an interview, an annoying ring tone will get you a hang up. Showing up late to an interview guarantees two strikes against you, rather than the obligatory one strike of a year ago. In fact, most recruiters are advising clients not to merely be "on time", but to show up early. Make no mistake about it, things are tough out there right now. You have to shine.

Here's what I have found works:

BE INTERACTIVE
Don't just sit there and answer an interviewer's questions. Be interactive and take notes. This shows the employer that you are interested. I took notes during the interview and asked a lot of questions about the company structure. Were they secure in this economic downturn? How long had the folks at the company been there? What were some objectives for this position? What did my boss want this person to do? With each of my questions I tried to think of how my skills and experience could provide a solution and I voiced this to my employer.

DO YOUR RESEARCH
There are very few companies that don't have a web site these days. Visit their press room. If there are pictures of the management, check it out so you can see what your new boss looks like. I'll never forget an embarrassing moment at a previous employer when a gentlemen asked me what I did for the company and I told him. Then I asked what he did. He smiled and say, "What do I do? I'm the CEO!" I could have died. But no one had introduced me to him and I didn't know what he looked like. So I strongly advise getting a look at the CEO's mug, so you don't embarrass yourself.

Also visit the company's social media pages to learn about them as well. More and more companies now have their own Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace pages. Linked.com is another site I LOVE because you can reach out to so many people, particularly the higher ranking individuals like VPs and senior executives.

GO ABOVE AND BEYOND
In securing this last position, I found that it does help to go above and beyond the call of duty and expectations of your potential employer. Anyone can send a thank you e-mail to everyone they interviewed with. But employers still say that handwritten notes is still the best way to impress.

My new employer wanted a writing sample. I gave her three. I wanted to show my versatility and diversity as a writer. The recruiter told me that the three writing samples were a hit with my new boss.

SAY WHAT IT IS YOU'RE GOING TO DO
It's important to be in a position to provide real solutions to your employer. After all, you're not only filling a job position, but they have contacted you because you provide a solution to a problem. Your skills are what they are seeking. They need you as much as you need them.

When they discuss challenges the company is facing. Use that as your opportunity to show how you can help them.

LET YOUR REFERENCES KNOW HOW THEY CAN MAKE YOU SHINE
I called my references up and told them about the job and why I wanted it. I tried not to dwell on how long I had been out of work. I talked to them about how the skills needed for this job were the same ones I had used when I worked with or FOR them. Needless to say, I'm following up with my references with a Starbucks gift card to show my appreciation!

As I dive back into the workforce pool, I'm grateful for this time to reflect and to learn about myself. I'm also excited about beginning this new chapter in my professional career.

This blog will continue as I feel its importance is greater than ever as the number of workers who are losing their jobs expands. Besides, a job can't keep me from my duties as a writer. After all ... IT'S JUST A JOB!

No Means No

2009-02-23T07:59:00.001-08:00

I'm often amazed -- and overwhelmed -- by the negative messages that businesses send their customers. "No Eating," "No Drinking," "No Children," "No Cell phones."

It's a known fact that after awhile, customers don't even tend to notice these warnings. We are often flooded with so much information, thanks to modern technology, that messages are often lost.

Is there a way to politely remind customers of common etiquette without sounding condescending or downright rude? You bet.

First of all, I find it just downright tacky to post anything on the wall of a business. If you can't put the document inside a frame and display in on a coffee table, counter or other side table, I wouldn't display it at all.

I realize that there are certain warnings that businesses are required by law to share with customers, such as no smoking in the building, handicapped parking and the like. But signs that warn: "No Talking on Your Cell Phone" though may be welcomed by those of us are easily irritated by those who talk on their cell phone in the doctor's office, there is an easier way to tell our clients we want them to be respectful. Someone could be waiting on an important telephone call -- someone is sick, or a child is supposed to call when they arrive at home.

How about posting, "Thank you in advance for putting your phone or mobile device on vibrate. Please feel free to step outside the waiting area when taking a call." I noticed that one business had posted a sign on the glass partition warning patrons not to talk on their cellphone while at the counter. Is there a better way to say it? I'm sure, but their message was more succinct: don't talk on your cell phone while waiting for assistance. Needless to say, I don't see very many people doing this.

I usually put my phone on vibrate and check my phone to see who is calling. If I'm in a waiting room, I see no reason why I can't go out into the hallway or outside to take a call that is important.

Though it's a given that people shouldn't eat food or bring drinks into an office, it certainly doesn't stop people from bringing their cup of Joe with them and placing it on the coffee table and leaving that nice ring.

Perhaps telling customers: "A receptacle is available to your right for your use to dispose of any food or drinks upon entering our office. Thank you very much for your cooperation!" I don't find that universal sign of a circle with the line drawn through it covering food and drinks too awfully offensive either.

Your customers don't want to be bombarded with messages of "No". Try to use more collaborative language when addressing them.

"Thank you for helping us to keep our office clean by disposing of your trash and recyclables," would be better received than, "Your Mother doesn't work here! Clean up after yourself."

Once your show respect to your patrons and clients, they will return the favor and welcome a collaborative atmosphere.

Managing your money after a layoff

2009-02-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

After a layoff, it's certainly natural to lie in a state of denial.

We continue the Thursday evening happy hours with our friends, the spa treatments, dining out, Starbucks trips -- among a host of other frivolities. But soon after the severance pay ends (if you're fortunate enough) and the emergency funds dwindle, the reality of living on a fraction of your prior earnings sinks in. This is followed by flashing red lights and palm-sweating fear.

Here are 7 time-tested ways to stay financially fit after a layoff.

1. Write down and track your expenses. As simple as this may sound, there are a host of people who don't realize how much they spend each month. They either pull out the credit or debit card to pay for purchases and rely on the paychecks to replenish their spending sprees.

2. Think realistically about what you can do without. Do you need 300 cable channels? True, you're going to be home a lot more these days, but changing your cable subscription could save you $300 each year. Look for other subscription services you can switch to a lower plan, including your cell phone, newspaper and movies. Though bundling services may seem like a great way to save money, getting behind on the payments could mean the end of all three!

3. Spend with cash. We all hate to break a $50 bill. "It goes so fast!" We often exclaim. There's something psychological about breaking a large bill. Try carrying around cash and you'll immediately see how hard it is to give up. Using a debit or credit card keeps money in a never-never land. But having cold hard cash in your hands, quickly brings home the reality of your finances, and can make you think twice about parting with your greenbacks.

4. Call up your creditors! Yes, that's right. Don't hide from the bill collectors. Surprisingly, creditors are more likely to work with you after a layoff, particularly in the present economy. They, like you, are reading and hearing about what's going on with the economy. Merely ducking your creditors will make things harder for you if your layoff extends beyond a period that you had envisioned.

5. Look for free services and offers! It's normal to want to continue in the lifestyle that you're accustomed to. But the truth is, few of us will be able to do so. If you're at an executive or senior management level, it's tempting to want to take advantage of that expensive headhunters. I had a headhunter to call me before my layoff and offer to help me find another job for about $1400. I turned her down. I just don't think it's necessary to pay someone to find me a job. There are a host of job and employment agencies. Make appointments to meet with recruiters and pick their brains. Join an online media group like Linkedin.com, Facebook, or Twitter and network with other professionals. This will save you tons of money down the road. If you have a strong network already, logically you will start there in looking for your next opportunity. However, you may find that many of your friends are like you and looking as well.

6. Find ways to cut your utilities. Inspect your home or apartment. Look for ways you might be wasting money. Check your thermostat. Is it set too high? Look in your fridge, I recently gave my fridge a good cleaning and immediately noticed how much colder things were after the clutter was moved away. Now that you might be working from home, you may find that you're using more electricity, heat and eating more food. But you're probably going to spend less at the gas pumps and eating out. Make sure that lights aren't on in rooms that aren't being occupied. Can you rearrange furniture so that heat is better dispersed?

Pick up your laptop and go to a mall, restaurant or the local library. This gives your utilities a rest and gives you some fresh air and a change of scenery.

I saw a special on Oprah recently where a young lady actually unplugged appliances tha weren't being used -- TVs, radios, can openers, coffemakers and saw a huge decrease in her electric bill! Try it!

7. Continue to save. If I've learned anything after a layoff it has been that living on less money is possible. I'm fortunate that I have a spouse. However, there are things we've had to live without.

Though you may not be able to save at the rate that you did before your job loss, keep up the practice of putting away a few dollars here and there. ING offers great savings products online with a better return than most banks.

I've learned to get creative when it comes to cutting costs. I'm convinced that the layoff will only better prepare me for dealing with an even larger salary than the one I had before!

If you're fortunate and are currently working, make sure that you have money for a rainy day. Debt experts recommend having savings for three months. Forgo the expensive lunches and lattes for a few days to make sure that you're stashing money into your rainy day fund!

If you're not there yet, don't fret. It's just a job!

Is this an interview?

2009-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

I've been on countless interviews. Which is why when I received a "worst interviews ever" e-newsletter in my inbox recently, I thought, "I could write one of those!"

I immediately thought about titling this entry: "Are you Freaking Kidding Me?" but chose to stay above the dramatics and simply chose "Is this an interview?" instead. (Though I did want to add "Or are you just happy to see me?")

Everyone knows when they've nailed it in an interview. Maybe the interviewer lingered just a little bit longer making small talk. Or maybe she'd started using phrases like "your team," "your office," or "when you start next Friday." There's no denying it, when you hear that Rocky theme music in your head after exiting your new boss' office building, you're already imagining what your new business cards are going to look like.

The flip side of that is when the interviewer's handshake is weak and he averts his eyes or worse yet, doesn't even give you the office tour.

Of course, even more puzzling is when you feel that everything clicked and they're still not that into you! There is no exact science to interviews - you can do everything right and still not get the job. But what you certainly don't want to do is tip the scales in favor of another applicant by doing everything wrong.

I'm going to share some experiences that I've had in hopes that you either don't repeat them or help shed some light on why you're not getting that job.

1. Be careful of those "out of the box questions." Many companies are trying to ask questions that may sound like they're trying to find out how creative or daring you are, but can result in you giving up more information than you should. I'll never forget this one company that asked that question that has now become famous: Who, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with and why. Now I SHOULD have chosen folks like: Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, and Nancy Reagan. I say "should have" because of the make up of the panel interviewing me. They were all women probably ages 25-40. Those three people would have been safe choices. I don't know what I was thinking when I said, Jesus -- not a bad choice, then Oprah - again, I'm okay here, because what woman doesn't like her, right? Also, they're not likely to vote against me for liking her. But then I really blew it by choosing, Nicole Brown Simpson, the murdered wife of OJ Simpson. What was I thinking?

I began telling them the "why" of my choices. I said I'd ask Jesus about his family life. What was it like being so perfect? Did your other brothers and sisters resent you? (I use humor to diffuse uncomfortable or difficult situations) Fortunately, for me, the panelists did giggle a bit. I said with Oprah I would just like to ask her to adopt me. Again, they laughed. So you see now I can't really make a joke about Nicole. So I attempted seriousness by adding, "I think I'd ask her who really killed you?" Now everyone woman in American KNOWS who killed Nicole. (Yes, I'll admit it now, I was holding out hope.) At that point in the interview, there was nothing I could do. I was basically telling them that I was siding with a psychotic killer and who really wants to work in an office with someone who doesn't share your innate beliefs?

Lesson learned? No matter how tempting it is to "go there" -- don't. Keep answers on track and try to relate everything to your own skills, qualifications, and abilities.

2. Take a dry run if you're not familiar with the area. I arrived in Silver Spring, Md. in January of 2002. I came from Huntington, W.Va. where the rush hour lasts about 20 minutes. So I've had to get used to the traffic patterns in the Washington, D.C. area. Whenever, I have to drive into D.C., I almost always opt to use the train because I get so nervous about driving. I can't tell you how many times I've been either right on time or about 5 minutes late. In those instances the interviews seem to start particularly slow because the interviewer had already perceived that either I thought I was a prima donna or didn't care much for the job. And you know what? Subconsciously, I probably didn't give a rat's patootie. If I had cared, I would have made every effort to be on time.

3. He's just not that into you. I'll never forget an interviewer walking me to the door after the interview and saying "Well, thanks and good luck to you!" Most people probably would have taken that and ran home and waited for another call. But I heard it all in his farewell greeting: "Keep looking!". If he were going to hire me, he may have said, "We'll be in touch" or "We'll be making our decision soon." But by wishing me luck, he absolutely meant good luck in my job search.

A company that is interested, wouldn't have to wish me luck. I wrote him an e-mail, thanked him for his time, but added that I wouldn't be pursuing the job at his company any further. I told him that I just didn't feel the chemistry was there. It felt good, because I finally got to dump a guy before he dumped me! Which brings me to my next point ...

4. Don't waste your time! If you have 8 years of experience in your current career, don't waste your time applying for jobs that are entry-level or require only 2-4 years of experience. Sure the economy has taken a turn for the worst in some sectors. But that doesn't mean you have to sell your soul to get a good job.

By taking a job that you are over-qualified for, you'll eventually get bored and will probably hit the road after a year anyway -- if you last that long. Most employers who have vacancies at the entry-level are expecting an individual to stay on for at least 2 years or more.

5. Can you use the term "crack whore" in an interview? Apparently you can! I interviewed with a company recently and the interviewer actually used the term "crack whore." I believe we were discussing my spate as a journalist and I was talking about covering trials and she began talking about watching the television show "Cops." She mentioned how she enjoyed watching "Cops" because she enjoyed seeing the "crack whores" get arrested. I just smiled.

But it was so very obvious to me that she was not prepared to interview people. She even asked me if I had kids! Later she told me that she had her Masters in English. Now, personally, I would think that a person with a Master's degree would certainly know what questions to ask in an interview.

A couple of lessons learned here. Sometimes I have this ability to put people at ease. Maybe I get too comfortable. Certainly, I could do a better job of remaining professional throughout the entire interview. And secondly, if a company is breaking all the rules in an interview, it's probably not going to get any better once you're on board. Run like the wind.

Interviews can be easy to pass, and if not don't sweat it. There are tons of opportunities. It's just a job!

Make that Networking Event Work for You!

2008-11-19T05:10:00.001-08:00

As a child in school, I was forever getting in trouble for talking in class. All through high school and college, my friends were forever telling me: "You should be a comedian." Even now, I've received e-mail from friends encouraging me to audition as a comedian or take a course in stand-up comedy. I once got an e-mail from a friend who wanted me to audition for a new "Wonder Woman" series. He said I'd be perfect because they were making over the Wonder Woman role. I never sent my information in. However, I may just apply for Oprah Winfrey's gig when she retires.

I'm an extrovert. I'm loud, quite funny, and have a knack for putting others at ease (or some I'm told). However, put me in a situation where I don't know anyone, and I quickly become the quietest most withdrawn person in the room. I don't know what it is that comes over me, but I nearly panic when I have to make small talk. I actually loathe it.

As a highly creative person, I believe I view it as tedium and getting wrapped up in the details. "Hi, I'm Jane Doe and I work for company ABC company. What do you do?" In Washington, D.C. everyone is a networker. Business deals, promotions, knowledge is all tied to networking in this town. Though I was able to land three very good jobs without networking -- knowing someone who knew someone -- I'm convinced that my next job will arrive in the more common form: networking.

Though sending out resumes has certainly helped me land jobs, I've started attending more networking-type events in hopes of making important contacts.

Advantages of networking events

1. A relaxed setting. You get to meet the hiring manager in a more relaxed environment. The feeling of being in front of an interview firing squad all but dissipates as you munch cheese and crackers and sip Merlot.

2. More opportunities. Instead of going to one interview where you have to wow one person or a panel you now get the opportunity to talk to different individuals and learn about more jobs.

3. Seeing your boss and/or new colleagues in a different setting. How many times have you walked through the office of a potential employer, met the staff, accepted their anemic handshake and fake smile, all the while wondering which one would stab you in the back? One thing I've learned from networking events is that competitor companies love to dish the dirt. So while you may think it would be awesome to work for the firm you've been wooing, you might be surprised to learn that your department head is a micro-managing lunatic who drives everyone away after about a year or two.

Disadvantages of networking events (yes, I found a few)

1. Keeping focus. It may be difficult to sell yourself at a networking event, say a bar for instance after your potential boss has slammed back 3 martinis. This is also a good time to remind you to watch your imbibing as well.

2. Having a lasting and memorable effect. During an interview you can at least leave a resume and your portfolio if appropriate. At most networking parties and events the most you can do is slip someone your business card and collect theirs in hopes they will actually contact you later.

There are certainly ways to make networking events work for you. Some people have a certain presence when they walk into a room. I don't think I have it, but I've always been fortunate that people tend to walk up to me. One trick, which just came to me (and it just might work) is making up a false name and then asking someone if they've seen that person. For instance, when you walk into the event, look over the room as if you're looking for someone. Tap someone on the arm and say: "Have you seen John Morris? I'm meeting him here." Just pray it isn't someone there by that name. Then you can strike up a conversation with the person you've tapped on the arm and introduce yourself. Hey, it's worth a try, right?

Take a deep breath the next time you attend that networking party. Everyone in the room is there for the same reason, that next opportunity.

Don't panic, IT'S JUST A JOB!

Something old -- Something new

2008-11-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

Recently, while watching Oprah (Yes, I do that in the afternoons now), something guest Will Smith said resonated and stuck with me. The box office star was talking about his new film "Seven Pounds," and described death in a way that I had not ever thought of it before. Though humans fixate on their own deaths, Smith pointed out that we experience death more often than we realize. Currently, many of us who have been laid off are experiencing the death of our jobs. And true to form, we experience the same emotions that a death triggers -- shock, denial, grief, anger, and finally acceptance.

But what Smith pointed out is that after death, there is a rebirth. He wasn't talking necessarily in the metaphysical sense of reincarnation, but how something must end or die for something else to be born or given life.

Here are three easy tips for "renewing" yourself after a layoff.

Stop trying to do the same thing. It's natural to immediately look for a position as a market researcher once you get laid off from your job as a market researcher. However, after six months of looking, maybe it's time to try your hand at something else. Work with a recruiter or resume writer to find another way to present your skills sets in a different light. Of course, if you've been a chef for 20 years, I wouldn't say it would be in your best interest to apply for a job as a veterinarian. I think you see my point here. If you have skills that could be used in another capacity, explore those opportunities as well.
Hone your skills. I enjoy hearing stories of how people started careers -- most of the time by accident -- even though they did something else for many years. The one thing a layoff does provide is time to think, time to read, time to meditate and certainly time to reassess who you are. You may find that you probably never really wanted to be the District Sales Manager, but were really meant to open your own consulting business. Maybe a temporary job from long ago or a volunteer stint allowed you to express yourself in a way you haven't thought about in a while. This may be the time to revisit that skill set.
Don't follow the crowd. Make your own path. As a journalist, I remember reading an article about the man who dug President John F. Kennedy Jr.'s grave. While most reporters were staking out the White House and the family compound, a sole reporter went to the graveyard and was able to get this poignant interview with the gravedigger. Sure there will be those jobseekers on Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, Hotjobs.com -- all of the biggies. But don't be afraid to try some none-traditional sites as well. One way you can learn about different job sites is to check out the drop down menus on the questions tab that asks, "How did you find out about us?" I was able to learn about sites like, "Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com, Jobfox.com and a host of others.

Don't be afraid to try something new. The recent election coverage showed us one very important thing, it's good to switch things up a little bit. Change can be good! True your job has ended. You've mourned it and now must look forward to even better challenges and experiences.

It's just a job!

Three reasons you're stuck in neutral with your job search and how to jumpstart things!

2008-10-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's been two weeks since your boss called you into her office and delivered the bad news. You lead a whole division and brought in your firms biggest client. So why is it taking you so long to land your next job?

Here are 3 easy steps to get things going for you when it seems you've ran into a brick wall in your job search.

Do your homework. No one guaranteed a job. Anything can happen at anytime and it's best to always prepare and have a plan B. If you were one of the stars of your office and have suddenly found yourself looking for work, you probably gave 110% to your job. You should be lauded for not spending precious hours looking for a job on company time. But it wouldn't have hurt when you're online choosing your fantasy football team or shopping on eBay to take a gander at the job posts. But we can't change the past, we must push forward. Who do you want to work for? Do you now anyone there? Start doing your homework. You can check out all the usual places, WashingtonPost.com, Careerbuilder, Indeed, Simplyhired, for a start. But my all-time favorite site has become Linked.com. This site is not that heavy on job announcements, but lets say you want to work for HBO Inc. Just type in the company name and you'll get a list of employees -- who are on Linkedin of course -- and their contact information. Now some may give their e-mail address, but others can supply a phone number. So how cool is that? Try it!
Put together your game plan. Okay, so you've had your head down for the past 5, 10 or 15 years working and you've been let go. Don't just think that you'll be able to land another job because you've worked hard. Oh, no, it takes far more than that these days. Think about companies you'd like to work for. What are you bringing to the table? Are you resourceful? Are you a natural leader. Will your current clients follow you to your next gig? Are you fluent in Chinese? Write down your strengths and make that part of your game plan and how you are going to market yourself to your new employer.
Change your routine. You probably snagged your last job by going to the employer's website, completing an online application, they called you, you interviewed, they offered you the job. The end. However, today's jobs aren't always snagged so neatly. Networking has become the new vetting and often the first interview. Picture it. You're at the quarterly Web Developers of Greater Baltimore meeting introducing yourself. You let Betty Thomas, whom you've just met, know that you've been laid off. She asks what you're looking for. You let her know that you were director of your IT department and had oversight over building the company's portal. She sounds impressed and quickly introduces you to Ned Green who is looking for someone to do just that. Ned may ask you to key questions and you have this opportunity to ask Ned some pretty important questions to. He gives you his card and asks you to give him a call. See how much more fun that is than filling out an online application that may or may not get read at all by the hiring manager?

We all get stuck in ruts. So it's important to shake things up a little bit. Don't always expect to find only apples on your apple tree. Every once in awhile a bird builds a beautiful nest.

It's just a job!

The 5 things to do after a layoff to save your career (and your sanity)

2008-10-28T13:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, you've packed everything into that cardboard box. You've said your goodbyes and promised to "stay in touch." Now what?

You're among a growing club in America right now: Unemployed and Not So
Anonymous. Economists predict that by 2009 this club will continue to grow, making it much harder to find your next job. But what you do in the weeks that follow your layoff will determine your sanity and eventually your triumphant return to the workforce.

Don't burn those bridges! Maybe you never got along with your boss or a colleague, but don't use your layoff as a way to trash your former employer. Though the rule of the day once was not to trash your former boss in an interview, it now encompasses not trashing your boss in your blog, at Linkedin, Facebook and MySpace as well. Even at networking events, when someone asks who you used to work for, it's best to NOT to say, "Those idiots at ABC Company. I'm glad I'm outta there." Most people will respect you for taking the high road and remaining mature about the situation.

Update that resume. You might think this is a no-brainer, but a lot of folks don't realize the importance of doing this. Now updating your resume doesn't simply mean adding on your most recent employer. But truly go over your resume and find ways to spruce it up. Have a friend to look it over. Heck, send it to your Mother, who is more critical than she is? You can hire a professional resume writer, which can cost anywhere from $200 - $1,000. There are a host of books and sites available as well that can lend advice on your resume makeover. If you're working with a recruiter, ask for her advice as well. Ask them about the different kinds of formats that they are seeing coming across their desks.

Don't hide. It's normal to want to beg off from invitations for social events after your layoff. Most people define themselves by what they do, particularly in larger cities like New York, D.C., L.A, or Chicago. But your next job might be waiting for you at the gym, your child's PTA meeting, your church, or at the home association meeting. The other part of this point is to let others know that you're looking for a job. I sent an e-mail out to my friends and actually got some great leads.

Take some time for yourself. It's tempting to take the next job offer that comes along. And if you can't be choosy, then by all means, take a job so you can continue to meet your expenses. However, it is critically important to take some time to reassess and put together a plan of action. What is it that you really want to do now? You may find that you've always wanted to try something different. Now might be the time to explore other options. As trite as it sounds, take up a hobby, or re-engage in something that you used to do before you got "so busy." I find this keeps your mind from wondering about why you haven't received any offers of interviews in your inbox or why your phone isn't ringing with job offers.

Don't panic. Most people will hurriedly start sending out their resume for any job that remotely sounds like their last position. They will manufacture a generic cover letter to send along with their resume. Now that there are so many people looking, employers can be picky. If you're not going to take the time to read the job description and tailor both your cover letter and resume to fit the needs of the employer, they're not going to give your resume or cover letter a second glance. Any why should they? Clearly, these are actions of a desparate person. These are the actions of a person who is in panic mode. They're not taking the time to give their job search the necessary attention it deserves.

Depending on the industry that you were once employed with, finding your next job could take 4 weeks or it could take 6 months, some folks are having to wait almost a year. There are a host of support groups, web sites and resources available to you. Take advantage of everything available to you. If your former employer is giving job placement assistance talk to your HR manager about how you can get in on some free job location assistance. Visit your local employment office. Some offices offer free access to computers, recruiters and other workshops that can prove to be helpful.

Keep your wits about you. It's just a job!