Unemployment, using social media to find your next job

As of August 2009, Wisconsin had an unemployment rate of 8.4 percent. As of September 2009, the U.S. unemployment rate was at 9.8 percent. And, our neighbor, Michigan to the east has a staggering unemployment rate of 14.7 percent. Depressing numbers to say the least. However, sitting around and looking at the numbers isn’t good enough.

Maybe it’s because I grew up during the recession of the 80s and witnessed firsthand the devastating impact a down economy can have on a family. During that time period my dad lost quite a bit. He ran a successful business with locations throughout the State of Wisconsin and then the recession hit. Much of my childhood was spent living in a home where the stress was palpable. There was never enough heat in the house, food in the cupboards or laughter.

Fast forward to today and I feel very strongly about doing what I can to help the unemployed. And today, more than ever, due to the advent of social media, people have the opportunity to use these skills to their benefit.

But, I also realize that social media can be somewhat intimidating or overwhelming for job seekers. We just wrapped up another session this afternoon for the Career Changers Network, a non-profit, all volunteer, job search network group—a great, available resource to have.

It’s exciting to not only help the participants use the online tools they have available such as Linkedin, but it’s also great to network with this group as well. From engineers to marketing professionals, the wide range and depth of experience is amazing.

I feel very strongly about each of us doing our part to help the unemployed when and where we can. Each of us has talents and connections that we can offer to help our neighbors here in the Fox Valley.

As an employer we all have the opportunity to meet with others and connect. Maybe it’s for an informational interview. Maybe it’s an introduction on Linkedin. Maybe it’s just simply taking a phone call.

I don’t know about you but I am not one for sitting around and watching the numbers or the talent leave our state. We owe it to each other to do what we can.

YouTube Social Media Revolution Video

Many people debate about the role of social media in how we communicate. Take a look at this video and let us know what you think.

Power (Red) Shoes

“What do you do when you wear a color that doesn’t go with red shoes?” I get this question all of the time. Because at work, we made it a requirement that all employees wear red shoes at all times during the week. So many people think that wearing red shoes day in and day out would present a daily challenge. But it doesn’t. Not at all.

 

My response is usually along these lines. “It doesn’t matter what color of clothing I wear. Wearing red shoes is more than color. It’s about being confident and comfortable in my own skin no matter what. I wear red shoes with coral, purple, ice blue, brown, you name it.”

 

I still remember my first pair of red shoes. I had purchased a crazy zebra print dress to wear to a wedding but didn’t have the right pair of shoes to go with it. I was out of town in Minnesota and my cousin (who is a shoe-aholic) brought me to her favorite department store and picked out a simple pair of red strappy sandals for me to try on. I was hooked. Those red shoes were the pièce de résistance when it came to pulling that outfit together. But more than that, I felt like I had arrived.

 

Fast forward three years and 20 pairs of red shoes later, we now have a company named Red Shoes PR. And it’s crazy the response we get from women (and men) everywhere about the red shoes. Women have commented to me that they thought of our company when they are pulling their outfit together for the day and are reaching for their red shoes. It’s not uncommon for women to show up with their red shoes purposely worn to meet with us. That’s powerful. But I like to think it’s more than just our company name that’s driving them to choose red.

 

I like to think red shoes are giving women that little extra edge. I put my shoes on in the morning and I walk taller. Now granted, my favorite pair happens to be 4-inch heels! But there’s something about wearing them that is a reflection of my growing confidence as a woman who is learning, innovating and reaching for new heights. After you wear a pair of red shoes with a coral dress, you’ll know exactly what I mean.