It ended up that it was more of a strange experience that I’ll leave at that.

Needless to say, I’ve moved on. I’m freelancing 100% now. In fact, the tax return that I filed an extension on will be all 1099, freelance teaching, blogging and social media income. I’m looking for a full-time job. However, now I’m torn between wanting to pursue freelance work 100% and, well, the security and built-in network of people that you get when you have a full-time position.

However, there is something nice about getting up at 6:30am and working from home, working from the library or from a coffee shop. Because I put a lot into what I do, freelancing works well for me. I can get up early and work for hours. I can get a second wind in the evening and keep going until I decide it’s time to stop. Full-time work is more regimented as you’re on a schedule.

How I’m making the compromise is I’m only applying for jobs that read like a close to perfect fit. The time it takes to craft a targeted cover letter means I don’t want to fire off applications willy-nilly because that just eats up my time.

I’m also networking a lot. Being new to New York City is a huge strike against me. Having close to no family or friends around makes it even worse. The one thing this experience is doing is allowing me to dig deep into myself because it’s all on me. That’s both empowering and terrifying.  However, I’m going to make it simply because I have to.

It’s more of a freelance position than traditional full-time work, but I get more flexibility and more income potential.  I think it will work out. Plus, it’s a company that’s doing fun work. I’ll get to do what I love – working with people and social media.  I feel both blessed and incredibly lucky.

For those who are curious, you can click over to my Twitter page.  I’ve linked the company’s site there.

Over and out

When you’re working, life is pretty structured.  When you’re looking for work, structure completely depends on you.

I’m a person who likes structure.  I get up fairly early and wind down by writing or reading something.

However, how do you keep yourself up to speed when you’re not working?  How do you keep the neurons firing?

I’ve been trying to stay active through learning.  It’s not out of character for me.  Just click on my LinkedIn.com profile to see my education; it’s pretty clear I like learning.

That’s great for the challenge I’m facing now.  Not only is this a job search, it is a formal switch into work that I’ve been doing for awhile as a freelancer: web editing, writing and social media.  The Catch-22 for me is I’m very experienced but I’m competing against tons of laid off writers and journalists in NYC.  I started a blog. Through the effective use of social media and good writing, it was one of the most popular blogs in its category (K-blogs).  From that, tons of opportunities came my way including a newspaper column, freelance writing and work on other blogs. That’s great.  It’s a sound base from which to start working.  But this is an economy where an opening generates tons of resumes, so the trick is how to get to the “yes” pile.

What I’m doing now is taking classes.  It’s real easy through sites like MediaBistro.com. Also, I’m taking something fun, a stand-up comedy course.

I’m focusing on sites that talk about social media, writing and editing.  Reading those help keep me sharp.  I’m also discovering a wealth of resources that I can use when I do finally get work.

Here are some specific posts and blogs that I’m reading now:

• Read Write Web: New Study Finds Correlation Between Social Media and Financial Success (therefore you need to hire me as your social media manager )
• Mashable: HOW TO: Use Social Media for Enterprise Business
• Mashable: Social Media for Business: The Dos & Don’ts of Sharing
• Tech Crunch: Twitter Cracks Down On Spam Accounts, People Lose Followers
• EZBlogger: Blogging for an Audience (basic, but a good review on how to start)
• Copyblogger: no specific post – I’ve just discovered this blog, so clicking around is fun.

It’s a start.  Hopefully, staying engaged will guide me to a job soon too.

View my

• My Posts

• Facebook
• Twitter

Social Media for Business: The Dos & Don’ts of Sharing

When you’re unemployed you have to be thankful for the little things.

I was thankful that I had a really gung-ho attitude.  I got up and applied for a job right away.  I’m taking a break right now from writing one more cover letter.  When I send that in I will have submitted applications for, let me count, ten jobs.

And, that’s work because I crafted targeted cover letters for all of them.

Maybe one of them will be the one

I also took the time to follow-up with some employers.  I KNOW they’re getting tons of applicants but I really do think that most HR people are just rude.  Acknowledge receipt of applications and let people know when the position is filled.  That’s just good manners.

I don’t have a full-time job, but happy and productive.  I’m taking classes, I’m volunteering, and I’m even getting some part-time and freelance assignments.  However, the economy is just so bad now that part-time and freelancing making the cut.

I’m still on a quest for full-time work, so the catch is getting someone to start paying me to be productive full-time.

Unlike most people though, my story differs slightly.  I chose to move home after living abroad.

Why couldn’t I just wait it out another year?  I felt it was time.

Clearly, I’ve got a crap sense of timing!

However, now that I’m in this cycle of churning custom cover letters for all of these jobs and hoping for interviews, I’ve got to talk about this experience.  If I don’t I’m just going to snap.

This is cheap therapy.  I mean with being unemployed it’s not like I have health insurance, so a girl has to do what she has to do

This is new for me. I’ve been really lucky because I’ve always had a knack for getting a job quickly.

I’ll say what I expected and you can flame me in the comments if you’re so inclined.

I figured it would take a bit longer.  I just had no idea that it would take this long.  For the sake of full disclosure, I’ve been back since early March, but, as I said, I started looking in early May when I took a leap of faith and decided to move back east.

Well, here I am, unemployed and in a new place.  Lovely, just lovely.

So the goal of this?  To share my story.  To talk to others.  To offer support and to get support.  To laugh and maybe, at times, even to cry.

I’ve also been blogging for awhile now, so I’ll share helpful links, tips and video.  Hopefully, by sharing information I can help myself as well as help others.