Six Things You Will Miss About Unemployment

There are a lot of people without jobs out there, and there are not a lot of openings. No matter how anxious you’re getting about your unemployed state, about a stalled career, about running out of money, just trust me–when you land a new gig, there are things you will miss about not having a job. So enjoy it while it lasts.

Here’s what I miss most:

Eating healthier

I ate way better when I didn’t have a job. I had more time to shop and cook and less stress-induced sugar cravings. Plus, there’s no vending machine in my house. I miss taking my time at the health food store and farmer’s market, hunting down healthy bargains and cooking up dishes that were good for me.

Being fitter

Less money for transportation means more walking and biking. More time on your hands means more time for the gym.

Naps

No explanation needed…

How to Sniff Out Your Talents

Whether you’ve been laid off, hate your job or just have that uncomfortable, it’s-not-really-me feeling at work, you’ve probably faced this question recently: What the $@%# do I do with myself?

You might even feel like you haven’t managed to unearth your most special abilities. If that sounds familiar, check out this post we recently found at Skelliewag. The gist of it is that you have hidden talents, “things you could do that would make you happy. But you don’t know it yet.”

Skelliewag is talking about skills that aren’t necessarily practical, but isn’t it a great start for thinking about a career? I mean, there are people who manage to build careers out of things that my conservative grandparents would have deemed totally useless. (Personal stylist comes to mind.)

To find your new passion, write down a list and then just try stuff out. Seriously…

What I Learned About Jobs in 2009

Last year was the biggest learning experience I’ve had. In 2009 I had to learn how to stay positive when almost on a daily basis I was interacting with candidates who were losing their homes, savings and any sort of self respect. And I had to be flexible when we saw our own company’s recruiting efforts become fruitless because there were so few jobs to fill.

After all, last year drove home that people who are able to change and adapt to the changing economy were the most successful. With zero experience in radio, we launched a web radio show, landing interviews with Keith Ferrazzi (author of Never Eat Alone), Michael Port (author of Book Yourself Solid), and the brash Jeffrey Fox (author of How to Become a Rainmaker). We put up their bios and shared the interviews with our talent pool. Did it make us a single penny? No. But we learned (some more) and were able to give back.

I think 2010 is going to be an interesting year–and it will be more successful if we use all the lessons we learned in the last 12 months:…

Your Be-Happy-about-Your-Friend’s-New-Job Guide

The good news: the unemployment rate finally appears to be falling and people you know are getting jobs. The less great news: you aren’t one of them, and even if you’re enjoying your funemployment, this shift is creating a bit of a rift.

Whereas it was easy to find camaraderie amongst recently laid off friends and colleagues at the beginning of the recession, that unity is becoming strained for some now that more people are finding jobs and leaving their unemployed buddies behind. Without anyone to commiserate with or take part in events like the Unemployment Olympics, the prospect of funemployment becomes a lot less, well, fun…

Holiday Parties for the Unemployed

For once you get to lord it over the Goldman Sachs suckers, my unemployed friends. Sure, they’re getting record bonuses this year, but do they get a holiday bash? Uh-uh.

Meanwhile, around the country, people are organizing company parties for the company-less. (In case you missed seeing your co-workers get drunk in totally inappropriate clothing choices and then clumsily grope each other.)…

Life Lessons from a Laid-Off Lawyer

Earlier this year, just out of knee surgery, with a wife in school and just a few thousand dollars in the bank, David Koller got booted out of his job.

That night, the Philadelphia lawyer asked himself the kinds of questions that (we’ve learned) bubble up after you’ve been forced out of a job: Was he happy? Did he really see himself choosing the traditional company for the long term? Was what seemed so impressive to other people — a good salary, a respectable company — actually satisfying?

On Law.com, Koller explains how he turned around and started his own law firm. Sound snoozy? I can’t remember the last time I read every single word a lawyer wrote. I’ve been asked several times how someone who has just been get kicked out of a job can have the confidence and pluck to start a business. Well, here are a few lessons from his account…

Lemonade Maker: April McCray, from Real Estate to Cardboard Houses

Two years ago, April McCray, 38, got the feeling it was time to change careers. She’d been helping sell homes for a real estate developer in Palm Springs, California, but the market was fizzling and sales were getting scarce. She and her husband took their savings and started Color Me House, which makes cardboard forts for kids. She talked to us about how she came up with the idea, why they moved in with his parents, and how she got her products into Costco.

Did you quit your job or were you laid off?
My job pretty much quit itself. The builders were letting everyone go. People weren’t closing. I knew in three months there would be nothing left to be made. I’d left the office and was looking for a new place to go, but everywhere I went there was nothing. I knew that I was not a desired commodity any more and I was going to have to recreate yourself…

Why that Headhunter Won’t Call You Back

Recruiters can be like cads: They lead you on, pretend to be interested, and then never call you back. Lots of people have horror stories about recruiters who reach out for their resumes, interview them in-office, and then never speak to them again.

There’s a reason. And, it’s not pure malice. Generally. But I might need you to thicken your skin for a moment.

1. They Don’t Have Anything For You Right Now. The simplest answer is often the truth. Why, you ask, would they waste everyone’s time if they don’t have any positions for you? It’s in their interest to find out what you’re all about so that you’re good to go when a position does arise for your background…

16 Questions for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

We’re entrepreneurs. We like entrepreneurs. We are especially fond of what we call New Entrepreneurs — the countless people who, having been downsized in the downturn, were inspired to start businesses for the very first time.

Last week we interviewed Lori Chalmers, who started her handbag company, ChaCha, after being laid off from her graphic design job. Her one piece of advice for those looking to follow in her footsteps: Plan, if you can.

Enter David Ronick’s 16 questions…

Could Blogging Cost You Your Unemployment Check?

A laid-off lawyer’s personal blog, which brought her a total of $238.75 over the course of months, prompted the geniuses at the New York State Department of Labor to cut off her benefits.

Seems the DOL had conflicting opinions over whether the money she “made” from her blog about meal deals constituted residual income (money made from past work, like royalties from a book) or self-employment income. So they put her checks on hold while they investigate her “business,” according to a story at Forbes.com.

Blogging isn’t the only hazard the unemployed face. A friend of mine who was laid off in November is fighting the DOL over her charity work…