We All Get Older, We Don't All Get Grown.

On my way to work this morning, I saw a guy about my age, standing on the corner of Jamboree and MacArthur. He was clean cut, dressed in a nice suit, and was holding a big white sign saying something like, "Hard working, recent MBA Graduate looking for work." Since my office is right by that intersection, I would have liked to walk down there to take a picture and talk to him a little about the challenges he is facing. Looking back, I regret not taking that opportunity.

I happen to be an Industry Manager at Jobing.com - the nation's largest, locally-focused provider of employment media. We are a unique online community that provides the forum, resources, and technology to connect employers, job seekers, and community organizations. Although, I'm not a recruiter/headhunter and my job description doesn't involve actually getting people jobs, my every day entails talking to to Hiring Managers, HR Personnel, and proactive job seekers. And it seems like just about every one around me is adversely affected by the current state of the economy.

Seeing that guy on the corner is the reason for this blog entry. He really made me stop and think. And so I did. Every day I hear the same stuff, just coming from different people: Best friends, who by association alone are obviously great people, can't find a job in the industry they want to work in. Newlywed friends with no consistent income. College graduates who recently stepped into the "Real World", but have to settle for jobs that they could have got without a degree and all the student loans. Companies that are on a hiring freeze or forced to layoff a huge percentage of their employees. Clients who were unfortunately part of those layoffs. Colleagues who have been laid off out of necessity. Even my stepdad, has recently faced his own struggles being in the Financial Services Industry. Even as I write this blog, a guy came into the office to check the fire extinguisher. He saw our company logo and said, "Well now after seeing your company name...can you get me a better job?" We shared a half-hearted laugh together, but I couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be some seriousness behind his request.

As some of you may know, my company offers a pretty cool benefit where they cover 100% of my fuel costs, as well an additional stipend, as long as I wrap my car to look a little something like this:


Driving around in a car like that obviously attracts attention, that's kind of the point. But my point is that, now more than ever, I can't go anywhere without meeting someone who needs some type of career-related assistance. Just the other day I pulled up to my gym and a lady leaving kept looking at me curiously as I was organizing my gym bag. Finally she worked up the nerve to ask me about Jobing. She was in the mortgage industry for the past several years...and that should pretty much explain the rest. Also, a couple weeks ago I was picking up my tv from BestBuy and had to park out front. While I waited, 3 different people came up to me in a 10 minute span to ask about my company and how I might be able to help them out. Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love that part of my job. In fact, I would say that my favorite part of my job is being able to help my friends, family, and even random strangers in any way that I can to help get their lives in order.

Its just that seeing stuff like this every day, some times brings me down. I find myself more often than I want to, agreeing with people who talk about how tough it is right now, and only offering up the generic,"Yeah, it really is tough right now. Things will turn around soon though. Just keep being positive." For the most part, all of that is true. Times are tough for both people with jobs and without. And you need to stay positive, because that's the only way to persevere. But the last part I can't say with much conviction...because honestly, who really knows when things will turn around? From what I am hearing and reading its actually just the opposite: Next month, things will get worse.

So Then What?

Well, that brings me back to the Title of this post and the jobless MBA grad. I was talking to my stepdad this morning about how my month has been from a professional standpoint. Its been just about my worst month yet, given my circumstance. And what makes it even worse is that my worst month followed my best months ever. That in itself is enough of a disappointment to rattle anyone. What makes it so difficult for me is that, I love to win, but I hate to lose even more...and I can't help to feel that i've been losing all month long. I know I'm probably making it sound much more severe then it actually is, but that's just me...all my life i've been harder on myself than anyone else. But Eddie(stepdad) broke it down for me, "You know, what they say really is true: tough times don't last, tough people do. You'll be alright Brandon, just do the best that you can do."

I don't know who "they" is, but the quote really made me think. Nobody knows how long it'll take, but things will EVENTUALLY turn around and get easier. And then things will get hard again at some other point in life. This has been the first time that a bad economy has actually affected me in a career. And for good reason. I think the last time things were difficult was in 2001...but luckily back then I was just graduating from high school and entering a new chapter at Vanguard University. These past several months have provided me with a very valuable lesson and has helped me grow more than I probably even know yet. In order to Last, People need to be Tough. The way I interpret that quote is that we need to be Mentally Tough. If you are struggling to find a job, don't just go through the motions. Sit down and think about how you can differentiate yourself from everyone else. Be creative. Be persistent. Be tenacious. Be consistent. Do what you have to do to stand out. And the same goes for those of us that have jobs that are more than just a 9 to 5. If you are in control of your own destiny, then be grateful for that. Many people don't have control on how their company performs and those very same people can't really do much to avoid company lay offs. But those of us that can measure our performance, need to absolutely be mentally tough. Its so easy to use the economy as an excuse, but I don't remember one time that I gave the economy credit for me doing well. If I can take credit for the good times, I sure as hell better take accountability for the bad times. All you have to do is your best...which sadly is a lot easier said then done.

Like the MBA grad on the corner, i'm sure he isn't the only person in his position without a job. But just look at the statement he made today. He was willing to do what it takes to stand out in a crowded sea of unemployment. He was up before I even was, ready to Do His Best that day. And you know what? I know many people took notice. I wouldn't even be surprised if he got a job offer today. In fact, I don't know if he knew this or not, but he was standing directly across the street from Priority Staffing. And if those girls were doing their best today, they would have already figured out the perfect client of theirs to make the placement.