Walking My Talk

Tony is talking straight at me!

My daughter and I just completed another workout.  My hero is Tony Horton.  He transforms people in a mere 90 days.  After completing the "Sweat' work out my daughter and I jump on the scale.  Not because we think we think we drastically shed enormous amounts of weight while working out, but just to monitor our progress.  After all... we are on Day 14 of our transformation.  My daughter has lost 1 pound and have managed to maintain my weight.  Let's hold the celebration on that for now.

Well the skinny of it (yes, pun intended) I was hoping to have seen at least a couple of pounds of a difference, but I get this ticklish feeling just thinking about that.  Seriously-how can that happen if I pretty much eat all that I want?  Lately I've been in "I deserve that and more" mode and not really focused on Tony's transformation eating plan for me.  I generally eat healthy, so it's not the type of food I'm eating that's keeping me from really seeing my transformation--it's my portions.  If I like something- I have more and that translates into seconds which probably isn't going to get me "transformed" anytime soon.

So tonight I ponder.  Can I walk my talk?  Tony preaches the 70%-30% rule.  30% of the transformation is the working out.  I continue to press play and I'm there.  Now as for the 70% rule that's going to be the challenge.  So as of today I promise myself to do two things things for the next week:  Drink my water and green tea like it's going out of style and no more seconds.  Yes-only one portion per meal.  I immediately run to my beloved grainy bread bag...as I suspected-one slice of bread is a portion.  So that's where it starts.  I have to re-educate my mind.  Food is fuel and only the best fuel will do...and that means watching quantity as well as quality.

I'm not going to beat myself up for not addressing my food pyramid.  Life is too short for that, and plus wasn't ignorance a wonderful thing?  I've enjoyed every morsel, but now I know what I didn't know--or perhaps kind of forgot!  This isn't about self deprivation...oh no, I won't have any part of that.  This is about learning moderation and continuing to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Are you having the correct portions?  Your guess is as good as mine.  The good news-I will go back to tracking everything I eat and perhaps the next time you read my blog I will share with you all the other discovered inflated portions I have been having-and now don't have.  A summer beach body is in my future, so let's get this beach party started.

Being a contingent worker (temp for hire)

Finding a full time job is challenging in this economy in spite of all the wonderful news articles informing us of the market rebounds in recent months.  Finding a full time and exciting job is even tougher!  As I peruse job listings in search of my dream job I've come across temporary opportunities.  Now, who would think of taking a short term opportunity that only lasts 3 or 4 months?  I used to think that, but again there are lots of folks with interesting circumstances that would raise their hand in a New York second to be considered for such an opportunity.

I'm one of those folks now.  I love the idea of trying on a company for 3-4 months.  It meets all my basic expectations--it generates a revenue stream and most importantly exposes me to a different industry if not a different world.  Let's face it--no one ever said you had to stay home and wait while the opportunity of your life came by.  Why not have some fun to kill the time before that great opportunity comes by?

But don't go crazy signing up with every temp agency in town.  Interview them---sure they will be interviewing you, but take notice on how they return your phone calls, their preferred mode of communication, and most importantly take note on how they are seen in your industry.  Are they reliable? Are they personable?  All these factors count because this will also predict the success of the temp opportunities they will have for you.

Being in the HR industry I looked around...and just like I wouldn't go to Mexico for a hamburger....or go to Germany for a bowl of spaghetti...I'm not going to sign up with a financial, accounting, or administrative staffing firm for hot HR leads.  I chose HR Solutions.  I loved the people there.  Personable, candid, and very professional.  They found me a couple of assignments, and I'm currently their HR Solution for one of their clients that just experienced a maternity leave in their HR Department. The experience has been delightful so far and I love the time spent while I'm in waiting mode for my dream job.  It helps that I'm doing what I love to do---making the world a better place--one HR activity at a time!

Who said you couldn't have fun while you're waiting for your dream-boat to arrive?

Unemployment appeals

Time is a luxury even though I often say I have more time than money!  I have been really busy these last few weeks and I feel that I may be neglecting my blog.  So remember that unemployment claim I made several weeks ago?  I am now appealing the decision.  Obviously the decision was unfavorable for me, but keep in mind that the decision was expected.

If you read the news you will quickly realize that the EDD (Unemployment claims processing unit) is very busy and probably is running behind.  Patience in processing an appeal is the key to a successful appeal.  If you don't like their decision you can always appeal, but as with anything if it's worth doing--then let's do it 100% right the first time.

I appealed my EDD declined claim because I firmly believe I have a case that needs to be re-examined.  I wrote a letter, completed the appeal request form mailed to me, and I continue to certify the weeks I believe I am entitled to per my claim starting on 1/28/2012.  So let me tell you when you send off that appeal notice, make sure that the EDD sends you those weeks of unemployment certifications to you.  You must certify your eligibility for those weeks while your appeal is being processed.  If you don't you could win the appeal, but be paid no benefits for missing the deadlines on those certifications.

The certifications are those remittance notices reflecting that you did not work during the dates shown on the notice.  Fill in the boxes (no check marks) and mail those back within the timeline given to make sure you don't lose out on any paid benefits once your appeal is squared away.

Honesty is the best policy--and organizing all your information in a chronicle fashion is the best.  I had an attorney buddy review my information, and he gave a few pointers which I carried through in stride.  But remember patience is the key.  I am now in week 3 of a waiting game waiting to hear for when my appeal will take place.  The employer has 20 says from the date I announce my intent to appeal to submit information before I can be granted an appeal day.  Luckily--these days I have patience and I have time.

I'll keep you updated and share more particulars with you once the case is decided.  I believe in CA and I will be at peace with whatever decision is made at the EDD Appeals department.

The un-posted job market

While there are job leads on Craigslist, CareerBuilder, and Monster there really isn't any guarantee that the postings are real jobs, or even timely job leads.  Don't get me wrong-not all job postings are bogus and certainly one can obtain a job using these leads, but in this kind of market I think it would be prudent to try to unlock the mystery of the un-posted job.  That's the job that gets filled by word of mouth and never gets on that job board, newspaper, or recruiter requisition form.

Monster and CareerBuilder will try to sell you services such as resume blasters and other tools to get your resume in front of a high number of recruiters across the board.  I've never bought into these services, but I have listened to the feedback from people that have used these services. Some feedback was positive, but some feedback was not positive, so I came to the conclusion that finding un-posted job leads may take a different approach.

In this mindset I'm convinced that the M.O. is to get your marketing materials out to your desired audience.  I know this sounds crazy, but the last thing I want to do in this scenario is send my resume to the HR Manager or the HR Director of a targeted company. I know-I know-sounds crazy.  This week my goal was to identify at least one lead that could generate an opportunity to interview for a job in the un-posted job market.  I wrote out a plan and this is what I came up with:

Industry (Research)
My first step was to identify an industry.  I decided to go with the 3rd Party HR related vendor industry.  This is very broad, so I narrowed it down to companies that provide payroll/HR services to mid size companies.  Pick whatever interests you.  I picked this industry because I have friends in this industry to help me carry out my next step...finding trend/activity/newsy resources to tell me what is going on in the industry.  Get in touch with the industry. Pay attention to the news and read smaller local magazines (if your search is local).  The goal is to identify business trends.  Look for the acquisition of new contracts, changes in laws pertaining to the industry, or even when a non-profit lands a grant for a new project.

Contact (Networking)
This isn't about acquiring a list of every CEO in the county.  This is about finding out who in the industry is responsible for developing or executing the plans that resulted in some sort of movement in the industry that is now being showcased in your resource reading.  Who was just named the new business development manager? Who just opened up a new of business in your target region?  Who was just promoted?  Who just retired?  With every business action there is a name or a set of names associated with that business action.  I don't want phone numbers-I want names and email addresses.  Remember: the M.O. is to get your marketing materials to the right audience. Call the front desk of the company, and just ask for the person's email. They will provide it, and if they don't pay the company a visit.  Most companies list a directory or have business cards out on the reception office.  If that's not available...do a Google search or a LinkedIn search.  The information is out there waiting to be found!

Show your knowledge (Anticipate needs)
After doing your reading you should be able to identify a trend or a new development.  Sit back and think--can you anticipate the company's need resulting from this new development. Monitor the competition.  What is the market doing and what is the competition doing as the company you are researching is rolling out their new initiative or new business model.  This is the hard part---to see the relationships and to perhaps even anticipate the business need before they do!  It sounds unlikely, but sometimes companies move forward and don't fill in the gaps of details needed until much later.  Once you have identified the need (which you can fill), you now need a cover letter and a customized resume of your skills and background that will communicate your proposed solution (you being hired) to the key players in that organization.

Outcome
After going through these steps I sent out 5 cover letters and resumes to various contacts. The research and extra leg-work paid off.  I have secured an interview for an un-posted job lead. Mission accomplished.  If it doesn't pan out--then back to the plan. I'm sure results can be duplicated. This plan works!

Unemployed: Week 3

Being unemployed has its advantages and disadvantages. The top disadvantage of being unemployed is an obvious one---a shrinking savings account.  The advantages are the blessings because I get to spend more time than I've ever spent with my daughters and I'm there to see their smiling faces each day when I meet them after school.  The other advantage is that I'm able to work out regularly and can do it when most people are at work. With that being said, week 3 of being unemployed took an interesting turn as I participated in more phone screenings and face to face interviews.

I saw two offers come my way, that were hopefully just a fluke and not a sign of things to come.

In each scenario a certain pay range was introduced but not followed through when it came down to receiving a written offer.  I was very disappointed that in both offers the pay rates were significantly lower than the pay scales we had conversed about in earlier meetings.  In one case, the budget has been adjusted and changed from the time that they did the posting of the opportunity and from the time when the offer was finally extended.  In both cases I couldn't make ends meet with the offers on the table.  Fuel costs, childcare, and my basic need to pay my rent pretty much dictated my having to decline the offers.  I'm in disbelief that employers in San Diego County would offer such low paying wages.  I mean, how exactly can someone live in San Diego on the wages they were offering?  I was sort of taken back because I don't have a very high cost of living arrangement currently, and I'm debt free and I don't have a car payment.  The one thing I do have is a child care cost, but it is very reasonable and would not be an issue if these employers would have offered a competitive salary.

This week I also received some follow up emails from employers that will not be considering me further in their recruiting process.  That was brutal feedback, but it was much appreciated, because it's nice to know which interviews are actually viable.  Of the original 6 positions I originally interviewed for.....2 gave horrible offers, 2 disqualified me, and two remain viable.  I'm grateful that I continued to send out resumes, since now I look forward to seeing if any of my new submissions will become phone screenings.

I'm keeping my head up and not letting these two negative offer experiences and the 2 rejection notices impact my morale.  There are other opportunities and I have to focus my energies on those and not dwell on the failed attempts of other opportunities.  I have to look to the horizon and believe that an offer that makes sense is just around the corner.

Se Habla Español?

I mentioned in an early blog posting that San Diego's job market appears to be very dynamic.  In stating that I realize that I also have to place into perspective the amount of job postings given San Diego's workers population.  I don't have statistics or research to tell you how more dynamic the job market is in comparison to Riverside or San Bernardino's job market.  All I can tell you is that I see new job postings on a daily basis on the three job boards I am routinely checking for the two geographic areas I am monitoring (Temecula and the San Diego area just North of the I-8 freeway.)

The job postings I am mainly focused on require bilingual skills in Spanish.  It appears to be the niche for HR and Benefits positions in the San Diego area.  The compensation rate for these positions is generally a little higher and normally recruiting managers require testing to prove your bilingual skills.  I was a little nervous initially about these tests, so I took a free online assessment of my Spanish skills to figure out where I rated.  I took my assessment at:  http://www.gostudyspain.es/Spanish-Level-Test.htm.  This site allowed me to rate my Spanish and provided an excellent review of spelling and grammar.

Once I was able to identify my weaknesses in Spanish grammar a trip to the local library was called for.  I came across a couple of books that helped me prepare for my Spanish assessment testing. After my studying I felt very confident and scored very well with potential employers. I'm very pleased that I was able to find these tools to improve my writing in Spanish and actually add quite a few words to my Spanish business vocabulary.

Unemployment benefits (EDD)

I was very impressed with how streamlined the process of filing for unemployment benefits has become. The website was easy to locate (www.edd.ca.gov/) and the online claim form took approximately 10 minutes to complete. Within 5 business days I was sent a letter notifying me that I had a scheduled call with EDD on a specific date and I was provided a 2 hour window of time of when the EDD representative was scheduled to call me.

The letter contained information relaying my estimated benefits to be paid if benefits were granted and also had a section on the back that listed the questions I was most likely going to be asked pertaining to my claim. I took a few minutes to complete the questions on the back even though this isn't required, just to make sure I presented all the information I believed was pertinent to my claim.

EDD claims are usually denied or approved based on the circumstances of the termination. If a termination is involuntary claims are usually approved as long as you did not participate in gross misconduct on the job. If a termination is voluntary then the circumstances are evaluated to see if you left your former job for good cause.

Good cause might include:

• Change in travel time or distance
• Moving beyond reasonable commuting distance with a spouse or registered domestic partner
• Being required to care for a seriously ill child
• Protecting yourself from domestic violence
• Leaving an employer that did not address serious harassment or safety issues
• Going to school

According to EDD the following do not generally constitute good cause:

• Leaving due to increased child care costs
• Looking for another job
• Demotion or change in job duties
• Moving with a significant other that is not your spouse or registered domestic partner

My call from EDD was on time as scheduled and the EDD representative was very friendly. Upon hearing the details of my separation from my last employer the representative asked me the questions that appeared on my letter. I answered honestly and offered to provide documentation, but the EDD representative indicated that was not necessary. She shared that I would have an answer on my eligibility within 3-5 business days.

EDD now offers the ability to set up a 4 digit passcode via their automated telephone service. By setting this passcode up you can then by phone complete the continued claim form and save a stamp on returning those forms by mail. EDD benefits are being paid out through a debit card system. Since I have not received my first unemployment payment I cannot share how that new process works for me.

I am just very grateful that employers pay into the Unemployment Fund to provide unemployment benefits when you are in between jobs. While the payment is only equal to a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $450.00 per week, this cash flow does help a family survive during periods of unemployment.