The internet is a beautiful thing

Happy Friday, everyone!

For those who are working, that has a much sweeter sound than those whose Fridays, Saturdays, and Tuesdays aren't that different. Despite the fact that I fall into the latter category, this is a happy Friday for me.

Let's run down the list of this week's successes:

1. Started the My HR Job Search blog and Twitter (www.twitter.com/myhrjobsearch).
2. Slowly but surely, I'm gaining followers. I'm up to 35 as I type this.
3. Started mentoring folks in my Alumni Job Club about the benefits of social media in a job search.
4. Had a couple rough appointments this week that I made it through, and as a result, I'm going to see my favorite local band tonight (3 In Counting - www.3ICmusic.com)
5. Had a phone interview today and did a kick-ass job, if I may pat myself on the back.
5a. Referred the interviewer to my LinkedIn page with all of my recommendations.
6. Was surprisingly featured in Melissa Cooley (@thejobquest)'s blog, in her "Job Seekers Edition." - http://melissacooley.com/2010/04/ff-job-seekers-edition/
7. Received several solid responses to my request for a resume review.
8. Had a very busy #FollowFriday on both my jobsearch and personal Twitters.
9. Starting to lose the ho-hum feeling of being "in transition."

So why is the internet a beautiful thing? Without it, items 1-9 on this list would not be possible. Or, would not be possible in such a short period of time. In this age of "I need it yesterday," I don't think I could wait a week or two to receive a response to a resume, and I certainly wouldn't be able to make instant connections with people across the country (and world) to build this fruitful, mutually-beneficial community of job seekers, job search professionals, and all around good people.

If you've had to go through the job search with nothing but classified ads, I'm very sorry. This is the way to do it.

There's my positive thought for this Friday afternoon. So if you're reading this blog, thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to join me on this journey. And if you're reading this blog because we've become connected by Twitter, then I have an extra big THANK YOU for you!

Off to enjoy a Mexican dinner and then cap off the evening with the aforementioned concert. Keep reading, and keep sharing this blog with all of your friends!

What's this all about?

I'm unemployed.

Let's call it "in transition." I've heard that quite often, and it sounds a heck of a lot better.

I'm in transition. There...better.

Regardless, it still means I have no job. Let me tell you the story of how that came to be. The summer after my freshman year in high school (age 15), I got a job. I actually had 2 jobs. That summer, I worked from 10-2 and 4-10 five or six days per week. Since then, I haven't stopped working. Even through college, I had a job. For a few years, I had 2 jobs. I was a busy guy. Most recently, I was working full time and going to grad school. You could even say that was equivalent to 2 full-time jobs. Then, on January 29 2010, after an overly hectic Open Enrollment season at the end of 2009 involving new implementations, lots of late nights, and East and West Coast travel, I was downsized. 2 short weeks later, I completed my MBA studies at Loyola University Chicago and was without a job of any type for the first time in nearly 17 years, thus beginning my HR job search.

Alas, with unemployment in Chicago over 11.3%, higher than the national average, I'm exploring - and exploiting - every method out there to find my next role. Facebook, Twitter, various types of networking, alumni associations, harassing family, friends, former colleagues, fellow students, and now a blog. 

So please, share my information with anyone and everyone you know. These days, it's not what you know - it's who you know. I'm happy to talk to anyone and everyone. 

A little about me:  I'm an MBA-level HR professional (with Beta Gamma Sigma honors), with over 7 years of experience in benefits, HRIS, outsourcing administration, consulting, and employee relations expertise gained through work at a boutique HR & benefits consulting firm and a nationwide Fortune 500 life insurance sales agency. My demonstrated skills include team and relationship building, project management, operations, and oral and written communication. I'm looking for an opportunity in HR with a growth-oriented organization that will offer challenges in a variety of HR facets - such as a Manager or Generalist role.  

Please see what others have to say about me on my LinkedIn site: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankrass

View my tweets at http://www.twitter.com/myhrjobsearch

For a copy of my resume, feel free to email me at MyHRJobSearch at Gmail.com

Stay tuned for the good, the bad, and the ugly as I soldier through My HR Job Search.