Breaking Brick Walls

A Psuedo-Brick-Wall: Add Another Social Network?

2011-07-14T16:24:00.000-04:00

I'm flattered that I've had people asking my thoughts on this…so, Google+. It’s here to stay, and here’s why (in my humble opinion).

Few of us (as in, those reading this post) were around when the first tv channel was on the air, but there was a time when there was only a channel or two, and if you had a television set, that’s all you had the option to watch. At that time, if you had said that one day there will be hundreds of channels available and that each channel would be profitable in its own way, I’m sure you would have had some people laughing at you. Actually, a lot of people laughing at you. But that’s what we have today, hundreds of channels, because we have options. (I have to admit that I first heard a Twitter contact allude to this analogy, so it’s not my original concept, but I have expanded on it for explanation purposes.)

I believe there will one day be many social networks, and that they will eventually all serve a specific niche. Take Myspace for example. Once it was THE social network, and now its niche is music. It’s not that Myspace has disappeared completely. It just has a different niche. Now, whether or not they intended to that, that’s a whole different topic.

Amongst my contacts, Facebook is no longer looked at as the unbelievable startup it once was. I’ve heard people say that it’s now become more “big brother” than ever, and Google picked the perfect time to introduce G+ to capitalize on all of the unhappy users. I don’t think Facebook is going anywhere, but I do think that people will start to figure out which social network fits their niche. So far, on G+, I see people in these areas: tech, social media, marketing and media.

Social networks should be about connections and convenience. Right now, the majority of my connections are on Facebook, but on G+ I’m seeing features that make things much more convenient. It also helps that I have an Android phone. What’s different? The stream, circles, photos, and of course the hangouts. There’s also a lot more commenting and conversing going on. I’m dying to see what they offer for businesses and brands.

In my profession, I have no choice but to be on all of the social networks. It’s a good thing that I kind of geek out on this stuff and enjoy it! We tend to forget that G+ is still in beta. Geeks like me can’t wait to see where it goes from here! http://glus.to/jennyweigle

*By the way, Google has announced that they’re going to be making changes to Blogger (the platform this blog is on). I’ve been interesting in changing my look here…would anyone be willing to exchange some design work for social media consulting?*

So you want to get into social media marketing, eh?

2011-01-25T23:32:00.000-05:00

Brick Wall: Breaking into the Business

This post isn't so much about MY brick wall, as it is about a very common brick wall for other marketing professionals out there. I am constantly being asked, "How can I get into social media marketing?" Perhaps this question is coming up more often now that I'm in my new role as the Social Media Manager at CareerBuilder. I'm quite flattered that people seek me out for this advice, especially since I still pinch myself each day wondering if I'm only dreaming that I have this job. *Am I awake? This is too good to be true!* Here is a list of resources that I recommend for anyone who wants to get started:

FREE certification in Inbound Marketing (add to your resume!): This was my introduction to social media marketing. These webinars taught me how to use social media, and other online platforms, for business. I still reference them every now and then, and honestly, I could probably use a refresher so I ensure that I haven't forgotten about some of the basic principles.
Books: Check out my reading recommendations below. This is just to get started of course. I could list a dozen more for you to read after these.
Podcast: - Hubspot TV: I have a reminder on my calendar to watch this every Friday. It’s only 30 minutes, and it’s a GREAT summary of the latest news in Internet marketing.
Newsletters: I recommend signing up for these newsletter/daily emails. Become a fan of their Facebook pages too...VERY informative and interesting!

          www.socialtimes.com

          www.mashable.com

          www.mediabistro.com

          www.allfacebook.com

          www.techcrunch.com (In order to stay up-to-date in this field, you need to follow technology and the
          latest apps, websites, widgets, platforms, etc. that are shaping social media today.)

The next question I get is, "How do I get experience in social media marketing if my company doesn't want to break into it?" Start a fan page for your church or a volunteer group. Create a Twitter account or start writing your own blog (or offer to start one for a friend's business). Whatever you decide to do, be sure to have a plan first. Think about your topic, audience, content. How often will you post? What's your ultimate goal? More fans? Engagement with your blog or website?

It's an exciting time to be in this new and growing field! I'm lucky to be a part of it, and I'd be glad to talk to anyone who has more questions about it. And to my fellow social media marketers, what other resources can you add to this list for someone who wants to "break into the business?"

The Jenny Update 2010

2010-12-11T18:50:00.002-05:00

Brick Wall: This is my annual update...you could say it's a recap of my brick walls in 2010.

Hi guys and gals! Here’s what I’ve been up to in 2010:

In March, I had the pleasure of joining a startup company, Visible Vote. It’s a political app you can download and use to cast your vote on the bills in Congress (just as your legislators do). The technology will send your vote to your elected officials (equivalent of calling or writing their office), and then it will tell you how often they agreed with you. This was such an exciting and unique experience in which I was able to practice new areas of marketing for me. Most important, it prepared me for an unbelievable professional opportunity, which is my new job as the Social Media Manager of CareerBuilder! Social media marketing had become a huge passion for me, and I’m thrilled that I have this chance to make it my career!

You all know how much I love the Florida Gators, and this year I was honored to be selected to the University of Florida Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council. I’ll be serving a two-year term advising the Board of Directors on ways to reach and serve young alumni. This is an amazing leadership opportunity, and you know how much I enjoy being a leader in Gator Nation! Thanks to the UFAA, I even got to go back to The Swamp to see the Gators take on USF in September. Go Gators!

This year has brought many new challenges, the first of which started in January when I decided to become a vegetarian. (I blame Oprah for this. I attended the filming of one of her shows that was based on the food industry.) It was a welcome change, and I liked that it also made me try things I would not normally have tried. When I began training for my first half marathon in the summer, I noticed something was “off.” After a visit to my doctor, she determined that I have food allergies to gluten, wheat and diary (yikes!). She also recommended that I work chicken and fish back into my diet because of my running training and because there is gluten in many meat substitutes. So the vegetarian life was good while it lasted, but I agreed with her that I should make the change, and what a change it’s been! This revelation has made an impact on every decision I make regarding food, but it’s also been a blessing in disguise since I feel 110% better each day! It also made a difference in my running, and I’m very proud that I finished the Rock ‘n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon on August 1!

The rest of the Weigle’s have stayed busy too…Mom and Dad were able to do some traveling this year and take a cruise throughout the Northeast. They continued to host many friends and family and also visited loved ones throughout the year. They amaze me with the way they are able to stay in touch with our extensive family (so that’s where I get that from). Amanda continues to work as a traveling occupational therapist. At the beginning of 2010, she was living in Raleigh, NC. Since then she’s lived in Austin, TX, and her current rotation is in Greenville, SC (Mom and Dad are loving it!). We had Weigle-sibling weekends in both Raleigh and Austin… sometimes we all just have way too much fun together! Adam continues an extended internship with USF’s Athletics Department while also networking for that first job in the “real world.” (If you’re looking for an outstanding entry-level professional, then allow me to introduce you to the one-and-only Adam Weigle.)

Thank you 2010 for another wonderful year. I found myself in Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville, NYC, Austin, Raleigh and DC. I made amazing new friends and celebrated special moments with old ones, like when I surprised my college roommate for her 30th birthday (love you Heather!). I helped my dear friend Mike plan a surprise proposal to his girlfriend Brie while they were in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend (oh, that was so much fun! Can’t wait for your wedding Mike & Brie!). I finally found a spiritual home when Urban Village Church started services in the spring. While I still love being in Chicago, the hardest part remains being so far away from many loved ones and not getting to see people enough. And you wonder why I’m on Facebook so often (yes, for work, that’s one reason)…it’s a great way to keep in touch.

What will 2011 bring?! Hopefully, I’ll FINALLY get to do some international travel at some point ( one day…one day). In January, I’ll be moving to a great new apartment on the edge of Old Town and the Gold Coast. The Weigle Family Reunion will take place in August. I’ve got a handful of weddings coming up for close friends. I plan on training for the Chicago Marathon this summer. I will be in Gainesville in March and September for more Young Alumni Council meetings. And I hope I can prove myself to be a rock star in my job and in the world of social media! Oh yeah, and there’s a milestone birthday around the corner for me, too!

I hope 2011 brings you and your family many many blessings and many many many smiles. I’m thankful for people like you in my life! And for the fact that you actually read this until the end (haha)!

Happy holidays and a blessed New Year,
Jenny

E-mail me
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On the Other Side of the Brick Wall (Week 1 at CareerBuilder)

2010-11-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

Want to know what my first week at CareerBuilder was like? Check out the video! And here are just a few of the accounts I'll be working with as Social Media Manager:

Twitter
@CareerBuilder (for job seekers and general info)
@CBforEmployers (for hiring managers and companies looking for talent)
@workatcb (careers at CareerBuilder)

Facebook
www.facebook.com/CareerBuilder (for job seekers and general info)
www.facebook.com/CBforEmployers (for hiring managers and companies looking for talent)
www.facebook.com/workatcareerbuilder (careers at CareerBuilder)

Now THIS is Social Networking at its Finest

2010-11-04T12:37:00.000-04:00

Brick Wall: A job seeker once again

I'm on the job hunt again. Great changes are happening for Visible Vote, which I am not at liberty to disclose, but unfortunately these changes mean that I'm back on the market. I will always be friends with the guys leading that company, and I can never thank them enough for the career highlights I had during my time with them. Let's just say this...I've worked too hard to get to Chicago, and this is where I want to stay and build my career.

When I came to this realization, my emotions were all over the place. "Am I really a job seeker AGAIN?! Will people get the wrong idea about me and assume I hop from job to job? What will people think?!" This mindset got the better of me for a little while as I struggled to decide how to move forward with my job search while, honestly, I was embarrassed to be in this situation again.

Then, I took a chance. I tweeted something directly to a potential employer, something I had never done before! I knew that people would figure it out once they read my tweet, but I'd have to come clean some day. After all, I have to use social media for my job search if I expect to land a position in social media marketing! Within a few hours, I had a reply from the hiring manager herself, and we took the conversation offline from there. My goal was to get noticed, and I achieved it! That was step one for me.

For step two, without making any kind of formal announcement through social media, I decided to put something out there about an upcoming interview I had. That was all. Just a simple short line. So I typed, and upon entering each letter I felt like I was about to place myself directly in front of the firing squad. I was preparing for judgement and questions, and I envisioned the smirks on all those who had doubted that I could move to Chicago (in a recession) and start my career here. And that is when I saw social networking at its finest...

The response to my status update was that of motivation and inspiration. No questions. No judgement. No worries. Just encouraging words from great people, words that I needed to hear at that time. Seven "likes" and 21 comments. "Go get 'em!" "Good luck! You'll do great!" It was then that I realized that it was silly to be embarrassed. Yes, I was back in the job search, but I'm still proud of who I am and what I've accomplished. People find themselves in the job search for all kinds of reasons. I'm lucky to have people in my life who will support me no matter what. Thanks to social networking, I'm able to stay in touch with these people, and I hope to support them if any brick walls get in their way.

My brick wall didn't deal so much with social networking, or even how much I was revealing about myself online. It was about being comfortable with who I am and where I am in my life. Hello, I'm Jenny Weigle, and I'm a job seeker. And, by the way, I'm a killer marketing and social media strategist as well.

Wall After Wall After Wall...

2010-10-22T14:49:00.000-04:00

Brick Wall: Too many brick walls!

My, how so much can change within two weeks! I've had a number of brick walls come up since my last blog post, and I'm not going to go into detail about them. There's been enough complaining on my part recently and it's time to turn the attitude around! I debated on whether or not to even blog about this, but then I thought, "Isn't this the ENTIRE point of my blog? To share my challenges and hope my experiences will inspire others?" YES!

What I really want to focus on in this post is what to do when you're feeling overwhelmed. You may be facing one brick wall, and another after that, and then another. It's so easy to fall into a rut about the entire situation (trust me, I've been there). I'd like to share some things that are helping me get through my rut:

The wonderful people in my life
I'm so blessed to have friends and family I can turn to. It's not easy to tell the people you love that you are in an extremely stressful time of your life. For me, admitting this was like admitting defeat. I'd like to think I'm the kind of person who can handle anything, but no, I need people who will help me get through it. I've been given some great books (for previous occasions) that I've pulled out again recently (listed at the bottom of this post). For the people who gave me these, you have no idea how much it's meant to me. And for all of my friends and family who have taken the time to just listen to my problems...I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Prayer
I feel so fortunate that I have found a reconnection with God thanks to my new church. I've been reminded of the power of prayer and of the importance of taking the time do it. Thank you to those who have kept me in your prayers.

Positivity - in every aspect
This is the MOST important time to surround yourself with positivity, in every part of your life. (I should be taking my own advice and engaging in this more often.) Complete a vision board. Put your favorite quotes up on your mirror or dresser. If you're going to watch television, watch a positive show (my favorites for this are Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition). If you're going to go somewhere, go to a place that inspires you (for me, this is going for a run on the lake path). Seek the positive in everything you do, and you'll be reminded of the things that you are so lucky to have in your life. Of course, my very favorite thing to do when I'm down is to rewatch "The Last Lecture", the very inspiration for this blog.

I'm sorry I'm not going to explain exactly what these brick walls are for me right now. They're deeply personal, and I think it's a big step that I'm even mentioning this at all on my blog. I'm sure I'm not the only one who goes through a very overwhelming time and to write about it is very therapeutic for me. I assure you I'm in good health and still freelancing for Visible Vote, in case you were wondering. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope it was meaningful for you.

From my sister:

From my former coworker and dear friend:

From a "newer" friend, someone I recently met who has an incredible heart:

Why My Job is Top Secret

2010-10-05T11:34:00.001-04:00

Brick Wall: Confidentiality & the Freelance World

You may have noticed that my last blog post was on May 3. I was excited, hyped, psyched to be in the app marketing world! And I still am! The only problem is...I can't tell you about my job. This is not something my client is ordering upon me, and no, Visible Vote is not a secret government agency of any type. This is a decision I came to on my own. Visible Vote is the first of its kind. Sure, there are some other apps that have just been released with a similar purpose to ours, but none of them have the following and features that we provide.

Visible Vote is revolutionary, and it's because of this that I've made the decision not to share any of our marketing or social media secrets on my blog. One day, there will be a time and place to do so, but right now, the landscape is just too competitive. In the meantime, I still love each day that I get to work with our dynamic team and enhance a product that will truly make a difference for voters and legislators.

With Visible Vote taking up 85% of my time as a freelancer, it's been difficult to bring on other clients to fill that last 15% of my schedule. And so I embrace my next brick wall...offering my services as a Freelance Digital & Social Media Strategist for small- to medium-sized businesses. Many businesses want to have a presence in social media, but they just don't have the time. That's where I come in. I will run and manage your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn accounts and provide you with regular metrics on these accounts. Some of you may be reading this and think, "Well, that doesn't sound too hard." It can be a real struggle for some businesses to find the time to do this. Plus, there is a strategy behind running these accounts for a business purpose. Luckily, for me, this is exactly the kind of work I can fit into my schedule. As much as I'd love to be taking contract jobs, it's just not realistic for me with my workload with Visible Vote. To get a better idea of what I'm offering, please check out www.jennyweigle.com.

So if you know of any businesses that may be interested in hiring a Freelance Digital & Social Media Strategist, then please send them my way! Also, I promise to be more regular with my blog posts from now on. Perhaps I'll sneak in one or two little app marketing secrets along the way, too. Stay tuned!

Created an app? There's Marketing For That.

2010-05-03T22:55:00.001-04:00

Brick Wall: A new area of marketing (for me)

Wikipedia defines a mobile app as "Mobile software designed to run on handheld computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), enterprise digital assistants (EDAs), smartphones or mobile phones." (And I felt comfortable enough with that description, even if you're not supposed to rely on everything on that site.)

The number of apps on the market grows exponentially each day. A recent news article stated that the Apple App Store has already exceeded more than 200,000. Some of these were created with a purpose and the end goal of making a profit. Some of these were created for fun, and grew faster than their founders ever intended to. In either case, these developers are essentially starting a business, and they may be looking for guidance depending on how quickly their app has caught on.

If you perform a Google search on "app marketing," you'll see very few listings on the first page dedicated only to the marketing of the application. If you perform the same search on Amazon, you'll get results of books published in the last few years. My point in all of this...I believe this is a new and growing area, and that's why I'm thrilled to be able to gain experience in it by working with Visible Vote.

Visible Vote is a free non-partisan application dedicated to bringing greater transparency to our representative form of government. It was released late last summer and now has more than 105,000 users. There is also a free portal for legislators and campaigns (at the federal level only at this time) to be able to access the app and communicate with their constituents. I'm fortunate that I'm learning and experiencing ALL aspects of growing this business from marketing to public relations to lead generation to cold calls to assisting with demonstrations to sales admin to strategic planning and more!

I've recently started following as many app marketing experts as I can on Twitter so I can learn from the best (recommendations are always welcome). So far, I have to say that this interesting blog article is right on par with what I've learned so far: 10 iPhone App Marketing Mistakes to Avoid.

This is certainly an exciting time in my career, and for Visible Vote! I look forward to sharing my experiences in app marketing with everyone as I continue to break through another brick wall. Stay tuned! And here's the highest-rated app marketing book on Amazon (currently) in case you'd like to dive into this subject yourself...in fact, I think I need to make this my next Amazon purchase!

My Social Life on a Budget

2010-03-26T14:58:00.015-04:00

Brick Wall: balancing the fun stuff with my checkbook

Every job seeker needs a plan, not just for their job search, but a financial plan as well. Even though I'm freelancing, I've got to watch every penny and be even MORE mindful of my finances. What does this mean? My social life is on a budget (a more disciplined budget than before at least).

My closest friends will tell you, I always seek out a great deal. My mother insists I have "the magic touch." She recalls times we have shopped together, picked up a few items, and they are magically on sale once we check out. There was no sign or tag to indicate so. As she says, it's my magic touch. Sorry to break it to you mom, but for the most part, my magic touch just comes from good planning.

In my efforts to seek out great deals, I compiled the list below of all of the group coupon web sites that I subscribe to for Chicago. Many of these are also active in other cities. These are the kind of deals that allow me to keep my sanity and my social life during times like this. And I'm not even including Restaurant.com on here because I could write a novel about how much I love that site.

Groupon: http://bit.ly/6xYEpO

Pricebunch: http://bit.ly/b307oq

YouSwoop: http://bit.ly/c3dg2N

ChitownDeals: http://bit.ly/azRe0m

SocialBuy: http://bit.ly/bQpZ1E

TownHog: http://bit.ly/dsWi5J

Specials Agent: http://www.specialsagent.com/

Two Buck Duck: http://www.twobuckduck.com/

WeGivetoGet: http://wegivetoget.com/

Living Social Deals: http://bit.ly/biwN5G

3oclock Club: http://www.3oclockclub.com/

You've Gotta Get It: http://youvegottagetit.com/

BuyWithMe: http://www.buywithme.com/

Foxling: http://www.foxling.com/

And here's a fantastic site/newsletter that I recently found:

http://chicagofree.info/

And for any women out there who are currently looking at options to review your finances/financial plan, I recommend a great book that I just read: Live it, Love it, Earn it: A Woman's Guide to Financial Freedom by Marianna Olszewski. I love her holistic approach to dealing with your finances. (You'll have to read the book to see what I mean!)

Enjoy saving $$$!

Extreme Career Makeover

2010-03-25T21:42:00.004-04:00

Brick Wall: My career path

Last week, I resigned from my job because it was no longer the right fit for me. I know what most people were thinking when heard about this, "What is she doing?! Is she crazy?!" Please believe me, this was the best decision for me and this time in my life. Don't worry, I'm currently freelancing and very much enjoying what I'm doing. For some time now, I've been evaluating my career path and realizing that I'm not very happy in it. I've been asking myself a number of questions. Is marketing the right field for me? Am I utilizing all of my strengths in this field? Am I even enjoying it anymore? Should I get my MBA? Should I be looking into a career change? Should I go into business for myself? Is this a phase everyone goes through or am I just the odd-ball-out?

As you can probably tell, it's time to do some serious reflecting on these questions. Luckily, I have a great circle of family, friends and mentors to seek advice from. Some of them I've already reached out to, and some of them I have yet to. One of my mentors recommended that I make a list of people whom I admire and have been successful balancing their careers (something they have passion for) with their personal life. The people on this list are all very special to me, and just to have them in my life is a blessing. So far, the few I have reached out to have offered incredible words of wisdom, most of which all have a common theme...take the time I need to think this through thoroughly.

So for the next two months, I look forward to working with Visible Vote in my freelancing role, examing my career path and future, fine-tuning my time management skills, training for my first 10-mile race, finding a new spiritual home, updating this blog more often, learning to cook more vegetarian dishes, and falling in love over and over again with this city as the warm weather sets back in.

This is quite a large brick wall to overcome, but you know me...that's never stopped me before! Stay tuned for more great info on overcoming your obstacles (brick walls) and more advice for fellow job seekers!

Attempting to Flirt

2010-01-26T19:52:00.007-05:00

Brick Wall: Going vegetarian? WHAT?!

My boyfriend and I are doing our own Biggest Loser competition. We weighed in on Sunday, January 10 to start...oh, when I think back to that day now it literally makes me feel nauseous. We knew we would only be going down in weight (hopefully) from that point, so we loaded up on all kinds of things that day; cinnamon rolls, Ghirardelli milkshakes, McDonald's french fries and more. Yep, bad stuff.

Sunday night, we weighed in again (we're doing it every two weeks), and I had not lost a pound. I was so upset. The last two weeks I have put in more effort than ever to eat healthy and get to the gym. I didn't understand why I didn't lose any weight. Then I couldn't help but wonder...maybe I'm not REALLY eating healthy? I mean, I'm watching my portions and sugar intake and eating more fruits and vegetables and protein, but maybe I should be doing something more? Not just to win this competition and lose weight, but for a greater purpose perhaps.

For a long time now I've been curious about a vegetarian diet. I've been interested in a "beginner's" approach to a plant-based diet for some time now, but I just didn't know where to find it.

Last Thursday, I found it. I got The Kind Diet book, by Alicia Silverstone, thanks to the Oprah show! (I was in the audience for this episode about food.) I remember seeing Alicia talk about the idea of "flirting" with going vegan and how she described it in her book. I leaned in to my friend and said, "I have a Borders gift certificate from Christmas, and I think I'm going to go buy her book!" But thankfully, I didn't even have to do that. After seeing Alicia on the show, and seeing the film Food Inc, I feel like I've had a revelation to make some serious changes in my life, and more importantly, I feel confident that I can actually do this!

Today was my first trip to Whole Foods where I didn't just run in to get a meal and run out. Today, I had pages 84 and 85 of the Kind Diet in my cart in front of me and I tried to find 10 items that I could start flirting with. It turns out I have a very small Whole Foods next to me. I was only able to find 5 of the items, but I supposed it's still a good start. I'm very eager and excited to try the flirting stage, though I already know it will be a real challenge for me to get off of dairy, but something about this just feels right. Maybe it's the fact that I haven't had meat since Saturday night and I'm already feeling better about myself? Maybe it's the excitement of trying something new? Maybe it's what I'm supposed to be doing with my life...and now I've finally realized it. Stay tuned!

The Jenny Update 2009

2009-12-16T15:14:00.011-05:00

Brick Wall: "hmm...what should I put in this year's update?!"

Greetings to all of my family and friends! Hope you enjoy the 2009 edition of “The Jenny Update”!

“My mama always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’”
A few years ago, who would have thought that the 2009 “Jenny Update” would be coming to you from Chicago?! Oh, what a year this has been! After kicking off the year with a fantastic girl’s weekend in Chicago with my dear friends Leslie and Mel, I returned to Tampa feeling different about things. It was a difficult decision, but in May, I resigned from The Bank of Tampa to pursue a career in the Windy City. With the support and understanding of my family, I knew I had challenges ahead...like finding a job and an affordable place to live in this economy. Before making the final journey to Chicago, I spent a week with my parents in Greenville, SC. I’ve come to view their home there as the ultimate-relaxation-spot. It was just the week I needed before facing the big city. In Illinois, my cousin Keith allowed me to stay with him and his family while I looked for a full-time job. There were many ups and downs in the process (which you can read all about on this blog), but luckily, I reconnected with an old friend from Tampa who had also relocated to Chicago. He got me an interview at his company for a marketing opening, and I’m proud to say that today I am the first-ever Director of Marketing for RKON Technologies!

I am living the life I had always wished for here in Chicago. My roommate is a friend I also knew from Tampa, and he has a wonderful apartment that he graciously welcomed me in to (only 7 blocks from Wrigley Field!). My family roots run deep in Chicago so it’s easy to feel like I’m at home, especially with so many relatives nearby. I sold my car, so I guess that officially makes me a city girl. Also, my boyfriend, Jeff, was a huge help in getting my life started up here (thanks Spartan). Thankfully, I’ve come to know an amazing group of women, and I already feel so close to them that it’s hard to believe that I’ve only been here for a few months. Life is good!

"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."
My life in 2009 truly has been extraordinary. I have found a new passion in running, and in the spring I found myself participating in numerous 5Ks and even my first 10K race. I’ve become so passionate that I am officially registered for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon on August 1, 2010! My training begins in the spring...wish me luck!

This past year, I also had an extraordinary Labor Day weekend in Las Vegas with my boyfriend Jeff! This was my first visit to Vegas and I felt like a kid in a candy store. We saw shows, casinos, tourist attractions and impersonators. But sadly, we didn’t return with any more money than we came with. Guess that means I got the “true” Vegas experience!

“Close your eyes and tap your heels together three times, and think to yourself, ‘There's no place like home.’”
Here’s the update on the Weigle family...today, we are all more spread out than we have ever been. While that has been a bit different for me, I also believe that it’s brought us closer together. Amanda and Adam just visited Chicago the first weekend of December, and I was thrilled to be able to show them my new home! Amanda is now a traveling occupational therapist and lives in Raleigh, NC. Her new job allows her to move to a new place every 13 weeks, and hopefully, she’ll be moving to Chicago sometime this summer! Adam is graduating from the University of Florida on Dec. 19 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management. He just finished an internship with the University of South Florida Athletics Department and is ready for the real world! Mom helped start up the chapter of the Upstate South Carolina Gator Club and has enjoyed meeting UF alums and Gator fans in the Greenville area (I’m so proud of her). Dad has converted their basement into his own personal heaven, and it is glorious! He has a bar, ping pong table, gym, music studio and woodworking room...and still somehow manages to fit all of my belongings from Tampa into a separate storage room. Thank you, Daddy!

Life in the Weigle casa has been blessed and happy in 2009!

"Roads? Where we're going we don't need - roads."
This year has been incredible and scary for me at the same time. I took a BIG risk moving to Chicago, but the rewards have paid off immensely. As corny as it sounds, I truly believe now that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. Many thanks to everyone who helped me in this major transition! I would not be as happy as I am today if it weren’t for you. To my friends in Tampa, the worst part about the move was the fact that I could not bring all of you with me. I hope we always keep in touch, and I really mean that. To my family members stretched out over many cities and states, I miss you and hope to see you soon! Consider a trip to Chicago in your planning for 2010! (I recommend sometime during the summer or early fall.)

After a year like this, I can’t help but be optimistic about 2010. I look forward to seeing where the year takes me in work, life and love. And I wish you a happy holiday season filled with many smiles and blessings!

All my love,
Jenny

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Did you guess all the movie quotes?!
“My mama always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’” – Forrest Gump
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." – Dead Poets Society
“Close your eyes and tap your heels together three times, and think to yourself, ‘There's no place like home.’” – The Wizard of Oz
"Roads? Where we're going we don't need - roads." – Back to the Future

Goodbye Brick Wall!

2009-07-22T22:29:00.003-04:00

As you may have already heard, I have formally accepted an offer to become the Marketing Director of RKON Technologies! This opportunity is exactly what I was looking for, and I feel incredibly blessed and thankful.

Tonight I was at a networking event and heard many job seekers introduce themselves. As a result of this process, the best advice I could give to them or anyone else in a job search is to make yourself truly stand out as a candidate.

Start a blog. If you don't know how, Google the phrase "how to start a blog". There are enough listings out there to help you, for free!
Expand your professional network by getting on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Again, if you don't know how to use these sites, you can access free tutorials on YouTube.
Create your own web site. I didn't get to finish mine (www.jennyweigle.com), but it was easy and cheap to start up. I recommend using the WebSite Tonight site builder from GoDaddy.com.
Network network network! I had four interviews during my job search, none of which were posted opportunities, so it's all about the networking.

I've met so many incredible people over the last two months, and I hope these friendships will only get stronger from here. My dream of living and working in Chicago is a reality. This brick wall may be down, but there will be others in my life. I won't stop here...this blog has been a great support for me and it always will be. Stay tuned for more on breaking my brick walls...

10 Quotes to Keep Job Seekers Inspired & Motivated

2009-06-25T15:22:00.009-04:00

Brick wall: The ups and downs of being a job seeker

It's a tough world out there, and as a job seeker, you will have times where things are looking up. It's the times when things aren't looking up that are the worst though. (Trust me, I've recently had a taste of this myself.) As an eternal optimist, I believe in having a positive attitude, no matter what life may throw your way. Sometimes, though, even I need a few reminders about staying optimistic. Behold, a list of 10 quotes that inspire me every day. Go ahead, print it out and tape it to your mirror (as I have done), or keep it somewhere you will see it frequently. Add your own quotes. And yes, the first one may look familiar, but I had to include the one that inspired this blog. Just don't forget to keep smiling and keep trying, job seekers!

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want something." - Randy Pausch's book and lecture, The Last Lecture
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." – Maya Angelou
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." – Serenity Prayer
"From the dark side, you can see the glow of something bright." – Dave Matthews Band song, Pig
"Get busy living ... or get busy dying ." - The Shawshank Redemption (movie)
"Everything you will ever want in life is just outside your comfort zone." - ???
"We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls." - Winston Churchill
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." - Thomas Jefferson
"The great moments of your life won’t necessarily be the things you do. They’ll also be the things that happen to you. Now, I’m not saying you can’t take action to affect the outcome of your life. You have to take action, and you will, but never forget, that on any day, you can step out the front door and your whole life could change forever. You see, the universe has a plan kids, and that plan is always in motion...It’s a scary thought, but it’s also kind of wonderful, all these little parts of the machine constantly working, making sure you end up exactly where you’re supposed to be exactly when you’re supposed to be there. The right place at the right time." – How I met your mother (TV show)

What it means to be "in transition"

2009-06-15T12:57:00.004-04:00

Brick Wall: Reality

I am finally in Chicago! And the reality of my situation has begun to sink in.

At a recent sales and marketing luncheon, the phrase "in transition" was used frequently as individuals made their introductions. It became obvious that these words meant different things to different people, most of whom were job seekers. As I networked around the room, some of them shared their job search stories with me, and some of them claimed that they had come to a dead end. With a world of online and in-person networking opportunities out there, how can there be a dead end? If you feel as though you're at a stopping point in your "transition" and things aren't moving forward, then take any of the suggestions below. They are sure to keep you busy with no dead end in site (at least, that's what I'm finding):

Regularly check the job-related web sites. This one seems like a no-brainer, but to save time, be sure to sign up for job alerts. That way, the jobs and keywords you are interested in will be e-mailed to you.
Regularly check the job banks for associations and professional organizations. Because many of these groups may not have alerts you can register for, this part may be more time consuming. Bookmark the sites into a special folder called "Job Search" or "Marketing Jobs" or something similar so that you can easily reference them later.
Look up volunteer opportunities. Volunteering=free networking. Some great web sites to check out are www.volunteermatch.org or www.idealist.org. If you are in marketing, you'll want to visit www.taprootfoundation.org.
Calendar networking events. Look up the dates of career fairs, luncheons, happy hours, seminars, etc. and add them to your calendar with all of the information necessary for registration. Then, take a look at the week ahead and what opportunities you have. Register for the events that make the most sense for you (based on location, cost, industry, etc.). Events are always being added, so again, this could be time-consuming but well worth it.
Utilize lists. Most major cities have a business publication that comes out with a Book of Lists each year. Talk about a jackpot! Look up the companies in your industry and research their individual web sites to see if they are hiring. Take it a step further and look up the lists of the "Fastest Growing Companies" in your area or the "Best Places to Work".
Get on LinkedIn.com, now! Spend some time getting signed up for and familiar with www.linkedin.com. Take the time to find your friends and professional contacts on it, and then a whole new world of contacts will become available to you. Just do some research by viewing your friend's connections. Who do they know? Who could they introduce you to? Perform a search for a company you have applied to, and when the results come up, look to see if there is a number next to the person's name. This could tell you how many degrees of separation are between you and that contact, and which of your friends may know him/her.
Network with specific interest groups. On www.meetup.com and even on www.twitter.com or www.facebook.com, search for groups in your location. For example, I would search on "Chicago marketing", or even one of my hobbies like "running Chicago". See what meetups and profiles come up and start connecting there.
Request a brief face-to-face meeting. Don't be afraid to blindly e-mail an expert in your area and ask for a networking meeting. Make sure that you do state where you got his/her contact information, but then ask for just 15 minutes of their time. Be sincere and to-the-point in your request. You won't always hear back from every single person, but once in a while you will come across a professional who may give you the 15 minutes, and when they do, treat it just like an interview. Don't forget to show the same consideration one day when you are a successful businessperson and a job seeker requests to meet with you.

Depending on how long you've been "in transition", these suggestions may or may not be new to you, but the opportunity to meet new people will never end. As long as you are doing everything you can to consistently get in front of people, then you are making the most of your transition. Good luck out there!

My Finale, Part 2

2009-06-03T18:55:00.005-04:00

Brick Wall: Saying goodbye

Ironically, I'm jobless and technically homeless, and yet I am incredibly happy. It's a great feeling knowing that I'm doing exactly what I feel like I am meant to be doing. The hardest part of this was saying goodbye to my job, my coworkers, my family members, my friends, my sister and brother, and Tampa. It's not as easy as you may think to leave all of this. There are times when I feel like I'm letting everyone in Tampa down, but I know that I have to do this for myself.

It's never easy "making your exit". When you do, be sure to go out with respect and your head held high. Not only that, but also be respectful of those around you and closest to you. At my farewell happy hour, my friend Michele gave me a great idea...I took a picture with every person that came (but I started too late and missed some, so sorry!). Then, I emailed the picture out to each person and thanked them for coming. This is a great suggestion for anyone leaving a job, a city, or just a great experience. Capture the moment with the people who support you the most.

I'm blessed...so blessed, and I won't forget this in my new endeavors. Tampa, and everyone in it, has made me the person I am today, and I'll always be grateful. And now, it's on to Chicago. Thankfully, I'm taking a one-week break in South Carolina to relax and spend time with my parents before diving into the job search (as so many others are already swimming in). I'm ready to ride this wave, and I'm actually doing it. What a feeling...what a great feeling!

If you would like to see pictures from my last day in Florida, please CLICK HERE.

5 Best-Kept Secrets for Job Seekers

2009-05-25T18:04:00.010-04:00

Brick Wall: The search (continued...)

In an effort to continue documenting the details on my job search, I decided to share five tips that I believe will make you stand out in your search...or at least I'm hoping they will help. Good luck!

1. Job Angels group on LinkedIn.com: This "pay if forward" concept features professionals who have signed up to this group because they are willing to assist job seekers in their search. The main web site is still under construction, so for now, you can search the members of the group on www.LinkedIn.com and reach out to them. Just remember to "pay it forward" as a job angel once you are established as well.

2. Read up on industry trends: Being unemployed is not an ideal situation, but it is a great time to catch up on your industry's latest trends. Read books and blogs on industry leaders. Sign up for e-newsletters or RSS feeds. Don't know who your industry leaders are? Google it (for example, search for "Internet marketing experts"). This is your opportunity to educate yourself so that you present yourself as THE most informed candidate at your next interview. Currently, I'm reading David Meerman Scott and finding his marketing knowledge to be quite fascinating.

3. Utilize lists: Inc.com, along with many local business publications, publish annual lists of the fastest-growing companies. It may be time-consuming, but it would be worth it to research these companies to see if they are hiring. If they are still growing through these tough economic times, that's a good sign that they may have exceptional leadership in place, or they may be offering a truly unique product or service to their clients.

4. Stay positive using social media: So you may be having a bad day...don't take it out on your tweets or status updates. Employers don't want to see negativity. Stay positive! If you can't think of anything positive to post, look up a quote that has meaning to you. Keep the complaining to a minimum because your profile, posts, etc. are a reflection of who you are and speak louder than you may realize.

5. Personally AND publicly thank your contacts: Personal thank yous are due to anyone who directs you to a job opening, web site, article or even a networking contact. But you could publicly thank your source by mentioning their act of kindness in a blog post, tweet, status update, etc. In fact, I look back and realize that I should have done this for many people over the last few months, and I'll do my best to recognize them from this point on (many thanks to @richcilia, @simasays and Holly Tomlin for your time and advice).

These tips come from a fellow job seeker, but I hope they prove helpful in your search. Additional tips are appreciated!

By the way, this is a big week for me as I say goodbye to Tampa...My Finale, Part 2 coming later this week!

My Finale, Part 1

2009-05-15T21:06:00.006-04:00

Brick Wall: The announcement

For a long time now, I haven't been able to be completely honest with everyone in my life, and it's been killing me, especially at work. While I have known that this major change is about to happen, many people close to me had no clue. That all changed this past Thursday, when I gave my notice to The Bank of Tampa. It was tough, so tough. Words can't even describe the amount of respect I have for this company, how thankful I am for the opportunities they gave me, and how much I will miss the people. Not surprisingly, they were wonderful and supportive and understanding. I couldn't help but wonder if I will ever find an environment and a group of coworkers like this again. Fortunately, for me, I've experienced this twice now in my first job at Forizs & Dogali and again at the bank.

But I'm not just leaving my job. I'm leaving the city I love, my hometown. It's hard to explain why, but Tampa is not the place for me anymore. Still, I knew it wouldn't be easy to tell everyone that I was moving on. And yet, it's been bittersweet. After I made the announcement, I received phone calls, texts, messages and e-mails that I never expected. I've been quite emotional after reading the wonderful messages from close friends, acquaintances, and people I met just a few times. I am so blessed, incredibly blessed.

And there's no turning back now (not that I want to). Chicago, here I come. With nothing but the items I can fit in my little Elantra, I am coming and eager to be a part of your city. I want to contribute to the community and learn from your professionals. I want to research my family roots and reconnect with distant relatives there. I want to accomplish many thing...so badly, and am willing to give up the comfortable life I lead for this (leaving my "safe zone"). Man, I love Chicago. I pray that I am as blessed there as I have been here.

The series finale of Scrubs aired this week, and ironically, the main character was preparing to say goodbye and leave a place he had been for the last eight years. I can relate in more ways than one. Here are his parting words:

"Endings are never easy. I always build them up so much in my head that they can’t possibly live up to my expectations, and I just end up disappointed. I’m not even sure why it matters so much how things end here. I guess it’s because we all want to believe that what we do is very important, that people hang on to our every word, that they care what we think. The truth is you should consider yourself lucky if you even occasionally get to make someone, anyone, feel a little better. After that, it’s all about the people that you let into your life, and as my mind drifted to faces I’ve seen here before, I was taken to memories of family, of coworkers, of lost loves, even of those who’ve left us. And as I rounded that corner they all came at me in a wave of shared experiences, and even though it felt warm and safe, I knew it had to end. It’s never good to live in the past too long. As for the future…it didn’t seem so scary anymore. It could be whatever I wanted it to be."

The Power of Inbound Marketing

2009-05-08T20:25:00.004-04:00

No brick walls for this entry, but I do want to share a link that my friend Nicole passed on to me. It's written by Dan Zarrella, an employee with Hubspot (www.hubspot.com). Hubspot is an outstanding resource for Internet marketing tips and best practices for social media. Hope you find it as enlightening as I have!

How I Used Inbound Marketing to Find a Job in a Recession
http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/4576/How-I-Used-Inbound-Marketing-to-Find-a-Job-in-a-Recession.aspx"

The Neon Green Titanium Steel Needle

2009-05-01T20:20:00.005-04:00

Brick Wall: The search

For most people, a job search is not easy. In this economy, "not easy" doesn't even begin to describe it. Not only is the perfect job hard to find, but in these times, it seems like you have to have experience for each and every responsibility associated with the position (instead of just the majority of them). And not only do you have to qualify for each task, but you have to have 10 years of experience in each as well. I feel like I'm looking for a needle in a haystack, but the needle isn't your typical one...it's one of those specialty sewing needles with a hook on the end, made of titanium steel, and comes in neon green. Does this particular needle (opportunity) even exist?

I have a list of web sites I check repeatedly for openings. Perhaps this list will help you discover a great opportunity to apply for...your perfect needle in the haystack.

Making the Most Important Investment, in Myself

2009-04-22T18:37:00.004-04:00

Brick Wall: Finances

"As a young professional, the best thing you can do for you career is to make an investment in yourself." - Dean Akers, CEO, Ideal Image

In today's economy, everyone's finances are stretched. Individuals, businesses and organizations are finding themselves having to make sacrifices, and it's no fun for anyone. As I review the budget I have set for myself over the next few months, I am recognizing my own sacrifices, and the words of Dean Akers keep ringing in my ears.

The largest part of my strategy in this job search is networking networking networking. This doesn't always come cheap. As soon as I arrive in Chicago, I plan on making it my "full-time job" to find a job. Starting with breakfast meetings at 7:30 a.m., all the way to a cocktail or dinner function into the evening, I plan on networking with as many groups/associations/organizations that I can. I've even identified some groups that I should probably join...it would look good on my resume, plus I would also receive additional membership benefits.

The cost of memberships and attending many of these events has led me to revise my original budget. I can still make it work, and although the situation may be tighter than I expected, I am hoping that the rewards will be great. I believe in Dean's advice. If I make this investment in myself, I feel confident that I will be moving in the right direction toward seeing my "payoff" in my career in Chicago.

Creating A "Wicked" Resume (Part 2)

2009-04-13T16:21:00.004-04:00

Brick Wall: The resume (continued)

Yes, you want to create a "wicked" resume that will amaze employers, but you don't want them to have a truly wicked reaction. This blog offers some entertaining resume mistakes...quite amusing to read, but not a site that you would want to aspire to be quoted on. The blog is called JobMob and it's written by Jacob Share of Share Select Media. Thanks Jacob, and enjoy!

http://jobmob.co.il/blog/funniest-resume-mistakes/

Creating A "Wicked" Resume

2009-04-12T19:26:00.005-04:00

Brick Wall: The resume

The 785th version of my resume is complete. I've had numerous contacts critique it, and I feel confident that it's a solid and strong representation of me. The brick wall isn't down yet though...for example, my address in itself is one of the bricks in this wall. A recruiter I spoke with recommended that I add a Chicago address to my resume, so I got permission from my friend to use hers. Yet, I don't want to remove my current address because I believe that would be misleading. Also, the name of the city I currently live in is part of my company's name, so it's obvious that I do not live in Chicago at this time. Therefore, my resume lists two addresses, with the one from Chicago labeled "local" and my current one labeled "temporary" (alright, perhaps it is a tad bit misleading). But implementing this suggestion only adds to the brick wall...

After submitting my resume to many positions, I haven't received responses from the majority of them. This is typical of a job search, I understand, but I suspect that one reason this is happening is because employers do not want to deal with someone from out-of-the-area. And so, because my "temporary" address is still listed I fear that all of the hard work, effort and hope that I've put in the two pages is ending up in the wastebasket instead of in front of the hiring manager. (sigh)

I won't delete my current address until I actually move. All I can do is hope and pray that they will get beyond the address and review my qualifications and experience. This process (the job search) overall can be quite time-consuming and disappointing along the way. That's why it's important to maintain a positive outlook no matter what. There is a song that's become somewhat of a personal anthem for me as I think about the major changes that will be taking place in my life soon, changes on many levels. It's "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked. I play it every time I am stressed out about my job search or the many drafts of my resume. In fact, it applies to many aspects of my life, and lifts my spirits each time I hear it. If you are also caught up in a job search, stay positive, and allow the words of this song to help you get through the tough times.

"Defying Gravity" (a shortened version of my favorite parts)

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincs, close my eyes, and leap

It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity, and you can't pull me down

I'm through accepting limits, 'cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change, but 'till I try, I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of losing love, I guess I've lost
Well, if thats love, it comes at much too high a cost
I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity, and you can't pull me down

So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky
As someone told me lately:"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo , at least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me,take a message back from me
Tell them how I am Defying gravity
I'm flying high, Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in, all of Oz, no Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down

Lifelines in a Sinking Economy

2009-04-07T17:15:00.006-04:00

Brick Wall: The economy

First, I know that I am blessed to have a job. I am also blessed to have a wonderful family that has offered to help me in my endeavors to get to Chicago. I admit that I did not pick the best time, economically speaking, to move to a brand new city and hope to get a job. This brick wall might not be so easy to get through.

Those who know me know that I am the eternal optimist. These tough times will end, and we will be a stronger country when they do. As much as I would like to stay optimistic, I accept the reality that the recession may last longer than I would like. Even now, it seems as if there is nothing to even apply for. Employers have their pick of candidates at this time. If I don't meet every single qualification, there is surely a candidate (or two) who does. Getting your "foot-in-the-door" is more difficult than ever before. That's why I'm counting on my strong networking skills to make connections, even if I'm not finding the job postings to apply for. There have been a few resources that I have come to use frequently in my search and regard as "lifelines" in this process:

http://www.marketingjobwire.com/; Sima Dahl has the marketing world of Chicago covered on this site.
@ChicagoWebJobs on Twitter; the best resource for Web jobs that I've found yet.
BNC_Chicago and LinkedInChicago yahoo groups; By joining these groups, I've been able to engage in intriguing conversations with professionals.
Christine Pietryla's Chicago B2B Public Relations site:http://chicagob2bpr.ning.com/; Although I haven't been as good about posting here as I should be, I've come to view Christine as THE public relations expert of Chicago.

In a difficult economy, these are just a few of the people and outlets that I am thankful for to provide useful information and job leads. I'll take any help I can get to make a dent in this brick wall.

Please let me know if you have further suggestions or "lifelines" that I should look in to. I'm also looking for recruiters in Chicago who specialize in online marketing careers. Thanks!

Man in the Mirror

2009-04-01T19:14:00.007-04:00

...or in my case, Woman in the Mirror

Brick Wall: The career path

One of my favorite 80's songs, Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson, states "Take a look at yourself, and then make a...change."

It was an overwhelming feeling when I took a look at my current job and realized that I needed to change my career path if I wanted to be successful. I truly believe that the future of marketing is on the Internet, an area of marketing that I don't have any background or experience in. Seeing many of my friends lose their jobs in the last few months (I would call them "traditional" marketing roles), only confirmed my belief. I took some time to listen to contacts, small business owners and clients about some of their business concerns. One question consistently came up, "How do I have a bigger presence online?" I hear it at work. I hear it from friends. I hear it at businesses that I frequent. The answer was right in front of me! The Internet isn't going anywhere, and business owners HAVE to have a presence on it. It was clear what I had to do.

So to bring you up-to-speed...First, I decided that I will pick my life up and move more than 1,000 miles away, thus willingly entering the category of the unemployed. Then, I made the decision to search for career opportunities in which I have no experience whatsoever. If my friends knew what I was planning, they might officially label me as insane.

In my efforts to break down this particular brick wall, I've found numerous resources on the Web and through recommendations from friends. And the exciting but unexpected outcome of all of this is that I have found an extreme passion for this field of marketing and immersed myself into learning more about it. Now, I might have even found an opportunity to practice the skills I've been researching and reading about.

One of the best pieces of business advice I've ever heard was from Dean Akers, CEO of Ideal Image. Dean said, "When it comes to your own career goals, make an investment in yourself." In order to gain experience in Internet marketing, I've got to make some investments, like investing in the time it will take learn and implement these techniques so that I can add them to my resume. I need to invest in seminars, books, webinars, memberships, etc. to surround myself with the experts in this field. And the investment starts now as I have just agreed to take on an internship with a local marketing firm!

If I hadn't looked in the mirror to "take a look at yourself and make a change" then I wouldn't have discovered this new passion in my life. I haven't knocked through this brick wall yet, but I'm on my way there.

Time to Strategize

2009-03-30T18:00:00.006-04:00

Brick Wall: The job (continued)

My decision to move was made in July 2008. I spent a great deal of time creating a plan and strategizing my upcoming job search. In this economy, how was I going to make myself stand out as a candidate? How was I going to convince an employer to hire a girl from Florida? Here's the plan I created out, and that I continue to follow:

Be proactive and make regular trips to Chicago. The only way to get employers to take me seriously is to make regular trips (on my own dime) to meet them in person and make face-to-face connections. In the last five months, I've been to Chicago three times and even had a few interviews. Though they didn't work out, I am grateful for the interview experience. I'm also grateful to my friends and family that let me stay with them during these trips. I'm continuing my trips with one in mid-April and a week-long trip in July (before I make my move).
Accept the reality of the economy. What employer is going to pay moving expenses for someone who is 6 years out of college and has no management experience? Instantly, I realized that I would have to pay my own relocation costs and let companies know that I'm willing to self-relocate. This also meant that I had to make a financial plan to cover these costs.
Explore online networking. Through LinkedIn.com, as well as my university's alumni web site, I was able to make connections with other professionals in the city. I've met some of these contacts during my trips to Chicago, and each person has been kind enough to critique my resume and share their network of contacts. I can tell that these are people I will stay in touch with and continue to network with long into my career in Chicago.
Join online discussion groups. Thanks to a professional that I met through online networking, I was turned on to some yahoo groups about various business topics in Chicago. After joining these groups, I feel like I'm more "in the loop" (pun intended) regarding Chicago's business community.
Network with organization chapters in Chicago. There are a few membership organizations that I belong to with chapters around the country. What better way to make connections than to take advantage of these groups and attend their events? I've gone to a few gatherings of my university alumni chapter, as well as my sorority alumna chapter. At each one, I continue to make connections, and the best part is that we already share a mutual interest through the organization.
Utilize key contacts in my hometown. I'm fortunate to have an extensive professional network here, however, I didn't want too many people knowing about my decision in case word got back to my company. I sought out the people in my network that have Chicago offices or may know potential employers there. I've received a few job leads and had some productive networking meetings thanks to the connections made through this group.

Isn't it ironic that conducting this job search has been almost like having a second job itself? It takes time, energy and dedication. A friend once told me a great piece of advice, and even though he was giving me running tips, I've found that it pertains to other areas of life (as do so many aspects of being a runner). He said "If you want it badly enough, you will get there." I want this BADLY, so all of the time, energy and dedication to get there is completely worth it.

I know, this is crazy

2009-03-24T21:39:00.006-04:00

Brick Wall: This blog

I should have done this a long time ago. I've been thinking about it for months, but fear has gotten the better of me. Fear that my company will find out what I'm doing. Fear that I'm a poor writer. Fear that no one will care to read this. It's time I break down this wall.

I must be crazy. I work for a wonderful company and make decent money for my age. I live in a place where it's 70 degrees year-round. I'm surrounded by family members and friends. My boss has told me that there are incredible opportunities for me within the company, and I'm currently going through a unique training program to gain even more skills. But I am planning on leaving all of this to pursue a longtime goal...I want to live and work in Chicago.

After visiting family members in Chicago since I was a child, I developed a great passion for the culture and diversity offered in the city. I still have relatives there, and I visit them often. With every trip, I have felt more and more like I'm at home. I finally realized that this is the time in my life to make this change. This is the time to follow through with all of the "I wish..." thoughts that have gone through my head. And on top of this, I am also looking to change my career path. Yes, I know. I'm crazy.

Brick Wall #2: The job

In today's economic times, who would even think about leaving a good job? Who would think about moving across the country without a secured position in place? Is this the "smart" thing to do? I was incredibly inspired by Randy Pausch's lecture, and after months of prayer and reflection, I knew this was the right decision for me. Ever since I said the words out loud ("I want to move to Chicago"), I have never doubted myself. Never.

I've been in an active job search since November, and I have a lot of information/advice to share. That is why I created this blog. Perhaps the lessons I've learned will benefit others in their job search. I plan on sharing my "lessons learned", experiences, highs and lows...I'll reveal it all. The most important lesson I hope to share though is that anyone can break through the brick walls. Thank you Randy Pausch.