I started working at Starbucks yesterday. WOW!!! There's more training and materials to read for this than I've ever had on any consulting assignment.

Lots of free coffee on my first day of training. Talk about a caffeine buzz. I was there for 2 1/2 hours and had a grande cup when I got there, a coffee tasting, and, of course, a cup to go.

Two days of on-the-job training this week and then a 5-hour class on Saturday. It's all fun though.

Did you know that the art of coffee tasting is very similar to wine tasting?

Ciao.

Hi,

I'm off to a Career Fair at Drury Lane today from 11-6 sponsored by Q101 radio. It's a general fair but there will be some Tech opportunities so, I hope to get the chance to talk to a couple people at least. Click the radio station link and track down the list of companies for more information.

I found a great job hunting book....
What Color Is Your Parachute? 2003: A Practical Manual for job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Nelson Bolles. Check it out or click the link for more info from Amazon. It has some great job hunting insights and has been around for about 32 years ...updated yearly of course.

I'm off to the fair now....

See you later.
Woj

Hi all,

I just heard back from the Starbucks manager. I now officially have a part-time job as a Starbucks Barista. Should I add that to my resume??? LOL. JK....

It should be fun though. I will be able to supplement my unemployment income by up to 50% of what I make each week without impacting what I actually get. I need that because I've been cutting into my saved house money as of late.

Starbucks actually has a few perks to the job. If I maintain 20 hours per week, I'm eligible for insurance. I may do that to get rid of COBRA costs if I can. I also earn a free pound of coffee each week, free drinks, and 30% off merchandise in the store.

Training for Starbucks will be interesting as I have to go through 9 training sessions.

All kidding aside, I've actually wanted to be a Starbucks Barista for years. I've always thought it would be fun to do and the learning experience would be interesting.

I'll also use this job to help network with customers for a full-time job. I'll be working out of the Danada location in Wheaton Town Square mall. Come by and visit if you get the chance. I start next Monday at 1:30 p.m. Give me a chance to learn something before visiting though so I don't get in trouble.

Ciao,
Woj

WEEK 18...

This job market is really ironic. I went Friday to get a part-time job at Starbucks. I had an interview with the manager and that went pretty well. Afterwards, he told me he'd have to get back to me on Monday because he had to do two other interviews. LOL.

I think it is ironic that the market is so competitive that I have to be in competition for a job to pour coffee. The Starbucks manager was looking for someone who had the right chemistry to fit well with the team. OUCH!!! This market is crazy.

No news on the job front. My slew of interviews from the week before last has calmed down and I had none this past week.

The house is still holding but the builder called me today to ask about my current situation. we'll see how much longer they hold for me.

Kevin

Hi friends,

The questions of the day are..."How can I package myself better to get a job?" and "What skills should I focus on?".

The job hunt is slow. I've had interviews and such lately but nothing seems to want to close. What can I do better?

I'd like to thank Simon McClenahan, Tony Troup, Mike Duff, and Mya Anderson for their recent help which has gotten me some face-to-face interviews.

I fear my skills are too general to fully impress a potential employer. They seem to like me and all but, I don't have years of experience in one technology area. My skills are all scattered.

The .NET and C# seminar I went to on Tuesday was pretty good. I got a good idea that all of my skills are going to be really beneficial in a study of .NET. Unfortunately, looking for a job is consuming my time fully. I can't seem to pull myself away to study, eat, or even exercise. This feeling really sucks.

Well, enough for now.

Ciao,
Kevin

I HATE THIS JOB MARKET!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

I also hate hanging with divine friends and hearing about other divine friends who have recently lost their jobs. This is ridiculous! Another couple of really good people got axed from divine last week. I hope they have more luck finding a job than I have.

I've had several consulting firm interviews this past week but, alas, my future employment with them all pivots around them closing a deal for a project and me being selected as the candidate for the job. It's just really tough out there.

I'm heading out to IIT (Wheaton campus) on Tuesday for a breakfast seminar titled Overview of .NET and C# for IT Professionals. I'm checking it out to see what I really need to know about .NET ...PROBABLY EVERYTHING.

This is very frustrating. I WANT to work. I know I have good skills and experience but, I just can't seem to sell it the right way.

Someone ...please tell me what I need to do differently.

Thanks.

(Please excuse the venting...)