Sox Rock

I know, I know...my peeps have been clamoring for a new entry for a long while....I apologize for being so un-committed to my blog. But I am back at it now and have A LOT to tell all of you.

Okay, so first the jobby, job. Well, it's good. I have been there about six weeks now (since about the date of my last post) and it's an interesting place. The firm is small (about 21 people total on site) and most everyone either buys, trades or sells municipal bonds. So while the bond market is open, there is very little interaction with those folks. That is not to say I mind...it's just a different environment than I have worked in before and it takes a little getting used to. In my department, there is one other woman and a woman who works part time (in addition to me). My full-time co-worker is very cool and laid back...makes for a nice working relationship since I tend to be the opposite (Type-A). But word on the street indicates that I seem to be fitting in well and my co-workers enjoy my sense of humor (always important). A funny story from my first few weeks...I had worked there roughly 5 days and caught my heel in the carpet (I guess this is why none of the women there wear heels) and completely fell and busted ass. Luckily that day I was wearing a skirt...I thought I had broken my forearm, but it appears to be functioning. Given my probationary period has not yet expired, I am sure I would have been fired on the spot if I had really been hurt as no employee on probation could qualify for worker's comp. Ah...Good times, but of course I wouldn't be me if I didn't take a good spill once in awhile.

A perk of the job is that my boss has season tickets to the Sox. He has five and they are awesome seats. Last week he gave them to me and my co-worker to use for an afternoon game. So I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of baseball...but it was so fun! Baseball is WAY more interesting in person when you can see the huddles (just kidding...I know it's called pitcher mound discussions) up close and personal and view the anguish on the face of the pitcher who is getting kicked out of the game for allowing too many hits. Plus, the polish sausage and beer weren't too bad either. I have yet to attend a Cubs game (as I think the eye candy will be exponentially better), but look forward to doing so before the season is over.

Other than working, I have been traveling a lot during July. I was able to go to the beach over the 4th in Florida. Who knew north Florida has nice beaches? Okay...maybe lots of people knew that, but not me. I guess I always think of the beaches in Florida as being Miami and the Keys. I also had the opportunity to go to NYC! My bestie and my friend Jamie (who lives in Chicago) and I went together. It was fun, but it does make me appreciate my little ol' city of Chicago. I usually feel overwhelmed in NYC and I was curious if the city workers were on strike given the amount of TRASH there was on the street. I mean huge, ginormous mountains of trash. In addition to the trash, we went to a rooftop bar at a hotel in the Meat Packing District...I kid you not, it was like an MTV video. Guess which one didn't look like the other, yep...you got it...me. Holy cow! Everyone looked totally exotic and European and I swear we saw one of the Olson Twins. It was a cool experience because it was an environment I didn't ever think I would witness or participate in, but I was also very uncomfortable, which meant I slammed three very expensive drinks in the space of a few minutes. I thought being tipsy would make it better...I am pretty sure I was wrong about that. But it was nice to see my BFF and see a part of NYC that's hip and happening. I am good now for another few years before I have to go back.

This weekend I am off to Dallas for about 36 hours. I love Southwest Airlines, but using a free ticket limits flight availability in a MAJOR way. My BFF's daughter is turning 3! I can hardly believe it. I am anxious to see how big she's gotten since I have been gone and I hope she enjoys the princess stuff I got her. Apparently when you are 3, princesses are very cool. Heck, they are kind of cool when you are 35, too. I still like to think I am a princess (not a snotty one, but one that likes to wear chiffon dresses).

So I am looking forward to August and spending time in Chicago. I have sort of missed exploring here during the month and hope that friends and family will still continue to come visit. Please come, because if you wait too long...you might freeze to death.

Nervous and Excited

Today is officially my last day before starting my new job on Monday. I am excited as I am tired of having conversations with the cats "hey guys, what do you think about this outfit? and I wonder who Ellen will have on today." But it will be an adjustment for them too, as I won't be home all day to poke them while they sleep in the sun and whine "pay attention to me!" I know...what has my life come to?

Anyway, I am also very nervous to start my job. I am pretty sure I can handle the responsibilities and hope that I will live up to the expectations that they have for me...but, it still freaks me out. I hate to fail (okay, so I am not sure who likes to fail...but you know what I mean). In addition, in 13 years since my graduation from college, this will officially only be my 5th job. I worked for the state of Missouri between undergrad and grad school and then only had three jobs after grad school (including the one I left prior to moving to Chicago). I know some of you might be thinking "Wow, get over yourself." But there is always something frightening about starting a new job. New people, new systems and applications to get used to, finding the right mix of being friendly but not looking like I am trying too hard. Because quite honestly, I have always wanted people to like me...and it scares me to death to think my new co-workers might not! It's a small office and if one person says "Whoa, she's weird..." it might permeate throughout the organization. So keep your fingers crossed that my weirdness will only show itself after I have won their hearts.

So tonight some of my friends and I are going to celebrate my return to employment. I know it will be fun and it will be my last big hurrah for awhile. July will be filled with many travels including a trip back to Dallas to see my Bestie and celebrate her daughter's 3rd birthday (I can hardly believe she's 3!) Because of the planned trips, I need to re-hibernate my credit card after tonight. It has reappeared in celebration of my job - we've celebrated A LOT. I am looking forward to trying some new establishments in Chicago tonight and am going to try to control myself so I don't spend the evening praying to the porcelain god or worse yet, fall down, which I tend to do a lot of when I have been imbibing adult beverages.

Enjoy the weather and good friendships, Nora

Back in Heels

So...this past week I applied for a job at a small, regional broker dealer that exclusively handles municipal bonds. The firm is family owned (by Italians...who I don't think are part of the Chicago mob) and has been in existence for 25 years. Anyway....the job is working in their municipal credit research department. This is the unique thing about the firm, they provide their clients with ongoing surveillance of their holdings to ensure they are still suitable and that the underlying entity won't default on the debt service payment. The intent of the role is to supervise the department in about 12 months. The head muni bond trader (also Italian although not part of the family) currently supervises the department and is interested in relinquishing the role.

So I applied and was contacted right away...quite unique given that I had previously only been contacted for one other of the many positions I had applied for. The firm wanted to send me some documents to analyze and send back my analysis (a pre-test, if you will...which I had read was becoming more and more common to weed out unqualified candidates). I put my analysis together and sent it back....I subsequently interviewed on Monday of this week and Tuesday and was offered the job on Wednesday! The interview process was fairly rigorous, but I had the opportunity to meet the other people in the department, the head Italian (the president of the firm) and several others that work there. To be honest, I think I might be somewhat overqualified. But I think there's potential to impact the department and learn a lot while being able to contribute to the entire firm, not just the department. Plus, I think there will be a good work/life balance and the best part, I can walk to work! Kidding!

Actually, the best part is that everyone I met with was impressed with my skills and my experiences. Which sounds like I am saying "Wow, I am glad they realized I am awesome!" But that's not what I am saying (no, really, it's not)...I think the hardest part of being out of work is remembering what you bring to the table and that any company should be proud to employ you. Uncharacteristic of other times of economic stress when many firms are eliminating "dead weight" or employees who might not be performing up-to-snuff...right now, anyone is at risk of a being involved in a lay off. Most of the people I have met that have been laid off are smart, well educated, professional, great experiences....it's so strange. It's completely contradictory to what our parents and mentors and friends have told us when we were going to school or taking jobs..."hey work hard, get an advanced degree or certification, prove yourself as an asset, keep your nose to the grindstone...and your career or job will be safe."

The best thing I learned about this stint in unemployment is that I can survive. I know I am lucky that it didn't last as long as I expected it to...I know people who have been out of work longer who are just as talented and smart with great experiences and education. However, prior to this point, I was always scared that if I left a job, I would never get another (a somewhat irrational fear, but my neuroses -- I own it.) Luckily I have loved nearly all the jobs I have had, so it's not been too much of an issue, but most recently I knew I needed to leave a job for my own mental health and I stayed longer than I should have because I was paralysed by fear that I wouldn't find another or hired for another.

So here's my two cents....don't ever sell yourself short and think that you have to stay somewhere you are unhappy because you think no other organization will find your skills and experiences valuable. In addition, if you are facing unemployment (either voluntarily or otherwise) you too will find a job. I lucked into the job I found and thank goodness I think it's going to be a great fit for me. Believe me, my patience (of which I have very little) was tested, my professional history and education was tested and all the decisions I have made in my life were tested during this time period. But don't stop believing in yourself. I am so lucky to have people around me (my family, my bestie, good friends in Dallas and ones I have made here in Chicago) that never stopped telling me "Nora, you will be okay...believe in yourself." When I doubted myself, they were there to say "Why you being so crazy!"

I will get off my Beaches soapbox and wrap this up. Even before becoming gainfully employed I never regretted taking a risk and moving to Chicago. However, now that I have a job, I can take advantage of everything this great City has to offer.

I am not sure what I plan to do with this Blog...as I had planned to have to Blog about my job hunt much longer...so maybe I will keep it going and you can hear about my experiences. However, that seems sort of strange and self-centered. But I would like to expose others to Chicago...so maybe I can sway more Texans to move here - you don't have to leave the Union! There are so many wonderful things here (sans state income tax and winter). And even if you don't want to permanently take the plunge, I hope you'll come visit. I will even change the sheets on my bed.

Keep on keeping on, Nora

Uh...grocery store, please?

This weekend I am taking a life insurance class...I am take my pre-licensing requirement so that I too could hang my shingle out and sell insurance to all you good folks. I am pursuing this option as a backup plan to my "find an employed spouse" goal (please refer to previous entry.) Anyway...regardless of why I am taking the class, the class is located in what us Chicagoans call the "South Loop." As a point of reference, The Loop is pretty much the financial district and the major employment center of the City. Chicago, as one of the smartestly (is that a word?) planned cities in the Country, is set up on a grid system. It's actually one of the easiest cities to navigate once you get the hang of the grid (my friend Jamie has memorized it...she's also in Mensa.) Anyway...moving on. So, State street runs right down the middle of the grid, so anything to the east side of State (or for those of us that are directionally challenged, mother)...that would be the lake side. The west side is the other side (obviously.) Now...anything north of Madison has a "north" address and anything south of Madison is south. For example Monroe is 100 South (it's one block south of Madison.) The street I live on is 500 North (5 blocks north of Madison). Okay...so now that you have the hang of it, my class is located at 2100 South Michigan. The Shedd Aquarium and Grant Park are approximately located at 1000 South Michigan...so roughly a mile further south of that area is the destination of my class. I know, I know, some of you might be thinking "wait, the south side of Chicago is scary, it's where all the crime occurs! What is she doing taking a class down there?" Well, you would be correct, the bulk of the crime does happen on the south side...but you have to go pretty far south and I am still in a decent part of the south Loop. No worries (but I have to admit, I was a little nervous myself when I was taking the cab there this morning.)

The south Loop, for those of us unemployed people looking to purchase property, is still a relatively economical place to live within the City. Developers are also orienting the new development to people in my age bracket (ages 21 to 25, right?) There are a number of LEED certified residential developments in this area and you can still purchase a 900 square foot one bedroom apartment for less than $200K (I think the lowest I saw was $198,900.) But, my biggest issue with the area, is the lack of a grocery store! I mean, there are probably 100's of residential units for sale and for lease and where do these people purchase food? Do they grow their own on communal farms? Are they all super skinny and special order liquid diets on the Internet? (If so, maybe I should move there.) There are a few pubs and a Dunkin' Donuts not too far away, but seriously....I am not lugging groceries all the way from the Target located at 1200 south Roosevelt! Furthermore, I didn't even hardly see any convenience stores! Where does a girl go to get a candy bar when the need for chocolate hits her?

Developers of grocery stores will say a critical mass is necessary before a grocery store will locate itself somewhere...agreed. I believe I even remember from my one urban planning class that I think it's like 6,000 people or something before there's a critical mass. And judging from the success of the Urban Market in downtown Dallas (for those of you not familiar with the Dallas, the Urban Market is really only surviving as a lunch place, not so much as a grocery store)...the more peeps the better when it comes to a grocery store's survival. However....in my mind, I believe the two have to go hand in hand. If a realtor said to me, "Hey, maybe you should think about buying in the south Loop." I would say "For sure! However, let's reconsider when I don't have to lug my 50 pounds of groceries the length of a marathon back to my house" (Ok, I am exaggerating.) But ya know, if there were a grocery store close to these new residents of the south Loop, the prices of their homes would probably shoot up by $10,000. Huh, maybe I should purchase now, get really big muscles from all the grocery lugging, and then sell and make a bundle. Ah-ha! I knew I didn't need a job.

Keep on keeping on, Nora

Deeps Thoughts with Nora

I have been somewhat uninspired to blog recently...we had a week of rain and the job hunt has been slow...I did apply for a job at a big bank/financial services firm. The job was slightly out of my ability realm, but through Linked In, I had some insiders that could maybe help me get my resume in front of the recruiter/hiring manager. So, one of my insiders reported back and said "well, the bad news is, 600 people submitted resumes for this position." Holy cow, I couldn't even believe it. Well, needless to say, I didn't make the cut. Normally I would feel depressed about not making the cut, but really...the population of a small town applied for this job. I wasn't upset. On the flip side, my insider told me the recruiter indicated another position would be posted soon that might fit my skill set better...so she's suppose to keep me in the loop. Jackpot. Networking is paying off.....

Speaking of networking, I have become friends with a woman who lives in my building. Her husband lived in Dallas for about 6 years and worked for a now-defunct public accounting firm (I won't mention any firms' names here, except the name was two words and each word started with A's). As it turns out, she and her husband actually know several people I do as a result of their connection to Dallas and his former employment at Arthur Andersen (whoops, I mentioned it.) I find it crazy! But the best news is, she and her husband are incredibly nice people and I am lucky to be able to call them my friends. In addition, each of them are very well connected and have vowed to help me find a job, so in addition to friends they may turn out to be co-workers, too. Fingers crossed!

On the whole, the people I have met thus far in Chicago, are super genuine and friendly. Or maybe it's just that most of the folks that live inside the City are around my age, single or married without kids....so there is a kinship between us. In addition, I have met a number of individuals who are looking for work, too, so there is a natural inclination to bond to these folks. One even suggested starting an unemployment club...where we would get together and have lunch and drinks everyday. This sounds great...but I asked how do you finance unemployment club? I was told it is a lot easier to be a member when you have an employed spouse...oh, there's the other shoe dropping. So I decided my next goal was to start "find an employed spouse" club.

On a final note, a friend came to visit this weekend from Dallas, who is herself in between careers. She used to work in technology for a big bank and when she realized she was unhappy in her job, she decided she would became a teacher. She is certified to teach history and will take her social studies certification exam this summer. Anyway, she was uncertain if she wanted to look for jobs outside Dallas, but I have become her success story. What?! Okay, so maybe not such a success yet seeing as how I am still unemployed, but her role model...well, maybe that's stretching it....okay, I have inspired....no, that might be too strong, too....let's settle on the fact that I am an indicator that she too can move from Dallas and survive. And in the words of President Obama "Yes, we can [survive]."

Keep on keeping on, Nora

Flirting my way to a job...

Have you ever noticed that there is a fine line between networking (i.e. selling yourself) and flirting? As a single woman, I have been set up on blind dates, I've gone speeding dating, and I have gone on dates with men I have only briefly been introduced to previously (read met in a bar when all brain waves might not have been fully functioning). Anyway, relationship experts have pointed out that when women flirt, they do some, if not all, of these things: tilt the head, lean in, twirl hair, smile, laugh....Interestingly enough, I have noticed that I do the same things while trying to network to find a job. And I do this with anyone...male, female, the cute dog of my neighbor.

But really, isn't flirting (letting your date know you are interested in going out again) just selling yourself on why you are more interesting and fun than the girl or guy he or she went out with the previous night? Doesn't someone looking for a job (i.e. me) want the person I just met to think I am articulate, smart, courageous, educated and interesting? I think so...

So, while I have never felt like I do a good job of selling myself to a potential employer, I can be a decent flirt when I want to be...and if it means a professional connection might remember our conversation and recommend me for a job in the future, I will continue to flirt. Who knows, I might end up with a job and because I have honed my flirting skills during this period in my life while job hunting, I might even end up with a date! Now that, would be a miracle!

Keep on keeping on, Nora

Family!

My brother, sister in law and niece arrived in Chicago last night. We spent most of today together and it was really fun! We ate at Lou Malnati's, walked along the Magnificent Mile and relaxed. Being closer to them, especially my niece who quite clearly is the most precious child who ever lived, is the main reason I moved to Chicago.

I also entitle this entry Family because I did have some feedback from my family regarding my initial post and my foray into the World Wide Web. My little brother, an extremely talented photographer and graphic artist, thought is was cool as he is a fellow blogger. My older brother, who's here visiting, thought it was funny (although he knew better than to say anything else!) My mother had no comment and my father stated that I must be careful what I post as potential employers could be visiting websites to see if there is any negative content out on the Internet surrounding a interviewee/potential new employee. I totally agree and his mindful warning is good to remember, although thanks for raining on my parade, Dad! I will refrain from posting my actual response as a potential employer might think I have a short fuse. Kidding!

But I should clarify, I know how lucky I am to be able to take this professional break and sabbatical from my career. Believe me, I have had friends, spouses of friends and my own family in an involuntary unemployed situation and I can't imagine the stress...my bestie and her husband are still concerned that before this recession is over, he may lose his job. So I get that my situation is unique from someone who is laid off....

In fact, I may take this time while I am not working to lobby our government to allow Americans to have lifestyles/work habits more like the European model where we go "on holiday" for a couple of weeks at certain times during the year or actually get to bond with our children before having to go back to work or have our government pay for health services...oh, wait -- is that too far?

Anyway, so let me give you some good stuff, the stuff I have had time to do (only so you can envy me). I have joined a really cool networking group for professional women. It's called the Step Up Women's Network (www.suwn.org). As far as I know, there are groups all over, but the main ones are currently located in Chicago, NYC, and LA. The coolest thing about this organization is that professional women are dedicated to mentoring teen girls in order to strengthen our communities going forward. This is something that is near and dear to my heart as these girls are the women who will run the world if we give them the mentorship and attention they need to succeed.

The first event I attended was just comprised of professional women (they have joint events with teen girls as well). The featured speaker was a woman who wrote the book Me Before We, who is also a life coach and motivational speaker. She explained that women work so hard competing with the person who we intend to be in the future, that we forget to praise ourselves for the accomplishments we have achieved thus far and that we achieve everyday! I also identified with her because after working her tail off to obtain an awesome education, fantastic career and what all outsiders would consider financial success, she quit her six-figure salary job to pursue her dream of writing books and becoming a life coach and motivational speaker specially for women. Wow! I almost felt like I was meant to hear her speak that night -- it was fate! Not that I intend to become a motivational speaker (maybe a stand up comic), but it made me feel so much better that another person had taken the risk I did! I felt a little less crazy (at least until I decided to write this blog....) But actually, what I understood her to say is that it's okay to take a breather and re-tool your tool box, re-evaluate the direction of your career, take a risk, fly the coup, go off the deep end....ok, I'm getting out of control now. But I hope you get the picture.

I know I am lucky to have the financial stability to really consider my next job role, to have moved to the greatest City in America (my opinion and that of the entire Chicago 2016 Candidate City group), reconnect with old friends who live here and have embraced me with open arms, volunteer, exercise, sleep late, do all the things so many of us wish we could do if we could basically take a "do-over" or simply have another hour in our already jam-packed day. But I will not deny that I am scared, I am scared I will never find a job and after all my hard work to get to the point where I could take a breather, employers will essentially consider me a fossil and move on to the next best thing. So some of my blogs may make me sound frustrated or peeved or like I might need to be committed, but I have put myself through a huge change, which comes with a ton of fun and wonderfulness but also a lot of other emotions.

Finally, you may be wondering why I am blogging on a Friday night when I am young, hip and live in the 3rd largest City in America....well, in the words of the guys sitting outside the Gas-n-Sip coaching Lloyd Dobler on relationship issues..."Choice, man, complete and utter choice...."

Keep on keeping on, Nora

Why Read Another Blog?

So here goes...my official job hunt hits the Internet. For those of you who don't know me, I moved to Chicago April 2nd. My best friend came with me because I have two cats (Taos and Ella) and American Airlines only allows one animal per passenger. After being asked by a fellow passenger (who I also think got drunk on the 2 hour flight from Dallas) when we arrived in Chicago if there was a "cat convention" because she had never seen two cats on a plane before (sounds like a personal problem to me)....we departed O'Hare (along with the IOC) and headed to my humble abode in River North. Some of you familiar with Chicago might be thinking "wow, that's an expensive neighborhood for someone who is not employed." And yes, you would be correct. However, I had high hopes of having a job by the time I officially arrived in the Windy City.

Anyway...my bestie was able to stay for roughly an hour because she had to depart for a meeting in NYC (she is the queen of municipal credit ratings). So we grabbed a quick bite and a beer at my local Irish pub, and I sent her on her way to Midway Airport.

I moved to Chicago to be closer to my family who reside in eastern Iowa. Plus, I knew I was interested in finding a new job and was, quite frankly, needing to leave the Big D (Dallas for those of you unfamiliar with the acronym). No, I didn't have a warrant out for my arrest (I cleared them all before I left)...I just wanted a change personally and professionally. For those of you who may be reading this, I willingly became unemployed.

So I have been in this great City for roughly a month and I am already tired of job searching. It's a beating... Not to mention, to which I am sure my fellow job searchers can relate, difficult to keep up the momentum and the internal cheering squad when companies have completely let professionalism fly out the window. Today, I received 3 auto rejection emails from a company to which I only applied for 1 job....how is that possible? Did the recruiter at the company laugh in that evil way and say "I will show her!" Speaking of auto emails, I would like to further my rant on this subject. An applicant almost always receives this automatic response when you apply for a job....most of them indicate "thanks for your interest in our company, good luck in your job search, oh and by the way NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE." Literally in all caps. Now really, I understand thousands of applicants are applying for jobs that may or may not even eventually be filled by the company, but what happened to the ability to follow up, show you are still interested in a position, make your plea for why you are the best candidate? Okay, I am backing away from the auto email soapbox now...

I hope this blog is interesting and sometimes funny. I hope to maybe even post some tips for fellow job searchers when I find something that is helpful. In the end, it's really just something for me to catalog the events of what could be considered my midlife crisis (although I hope to live past 70).

Keep on keeping on...you can also find me on Twitter (Katie 1707) and on LinkedIn.