Start of week 3

It's the start of my third week on the unemployment line. I have a few irons in the fire, enough to keep me encouraged. However, still no offers of serious employment at this point.

I find it interesting that every person who has ever owned a business or product is willing to let you go out on your own making sales for them on a strictly commission basis. Of course they don't want to pay mileage or expenses - you make a sale - you get paid a percentage of that sale. I guess if I found that magical product that everyone wanted or if I didn't have to travel 60 miles one way to sell, then this type of arrangement would be OK. However, that is not the case with these types of offers.

So I will continue my job search for something a little more stable - something a little more 8-5'ish if you will (although it doesn't have to be 8-5 - I am willing to work any hours, to an extent).

I have a couple of social meetings this week. One is a networking effort being organized by a local entrepreneur who does marketing for small companies that can't afford to pay for a full time marketing person. Gee, that sounds familiar, doesn't it?

The second meeting is being sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, who is presenting a so-called social media "expert," who will discuss FaceBook and how it can relate to a business. I am on FaceBook as a personal endeavour, and I must say it can be addicting. When I was at my previous job, I tried to talk the boss into letting me start his own business FaceBook page, but he was always nervous about it. I also wanted to Twitter and Blog for his business, but again, he shot the idea down several times. It will be interesting to watch in the future as my replacement (his young daughter) will probably be able to convince him of the need.

Anyway - the two meetings will at least allow me the opportunity to sneak out of the house and away from my computer, where I usually spend about 6 hours a day researching companies and looking at job boards such as CareerBuilder, Monster, Craig's List and a few others. I am looking forward to face-to-face contact with people.