On the Hunt: There’s a sense of promise
The job hunt hasn't been easy for anyone these days. But according to four local residents looking for work, there's still hope. The Beacon-News has been following Beckie Coakley, Andy Hilgartner, Leslie Sullivan and Joe Vagnoni in their trek to get out of unemployment, and today they tell us that things are looking up a little.
'Working my way up'
Beckie Coakley, 38, is looking to get back into retail management. Her experience includes 10 years at Home Depot in roles ranging from cashier to assistant manager. She most recently worked in the lumber and building trades industry. Last we heard from Beckie, she said her goal was to amp her networking and follow-up calls.
How have things been going in the past two weeks?
"I had an interview on Monday at Wal-Mart and a follow-up interview on Wednesday. If I get the job, I will probably start part-time and then go from there. I'm excited about it. I figure Wal-Mart is not going to go anywhere. I would be stocking shelves in the pharmacy department and then maybe move into the pharmacy. From there, I may get certified to be a pharmaceutical technician. Hopefully, they will have great medical benefits.
I've also been going in and talking to managers whom I've sent online applications to. I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and Meijer. Even though I was in their database, I went in and talked to the managers. Hopefully that will yield some calls and interviews. Other than that, I've been doing a lot of looking."
What have you learned in the past two weeks?
"I've learned that a face-to-face meeting is really important. You really have to talk to someone and not just rely on posting boards. Introducing yourself helps you stand out from the rest.
I have also realized that I am looking for a career, but am probably going to have to start over and work my way back up. I feel OK about that. I know I can learn new things. I have retail management experience, but if I get in somewhere and learn new things, that can be good for my future."
How are you feeling right now?
"I'm feeling encouraged right now. I just hope that all of these face-to-face meetings get me in the door somewhere."
Contact Becky at beckiec71@sbcglobal.net or 630-363-1172.
'When will it end?'
Andy Hilgartner, 51, of Aurora is looking for a sales manager position for a smaller manufacturer with unique products. He's been unemployed since January. Last we heard from Andy, he expressed optimism about a lead he got after attending an industry trade show.
How have things been going in the past two weeks?
"I've gotten some calls from recruiters and had some phone interviews, but nothing is really fitting at the moment. I still have one lead out of the show in New Orleans I went to a few weeks ago, but I'm waiting for 2010 budget approvals. If the job is created, it won't be approved until January. I won't know anything until Dec. 1. The lead I had from England didn't pan out, unfortunately.
"I'm basically focusing on networking with associations, the chamber of commerce and some other leads through job clubs to gain information and access other people in the business community.
"I'm now looking for a new business development position and I'd like to work for a small to midsize manufacturer who wants to expand to overseas markets. I also know that there are companies involved in turning around failed companies. That would interest me a lot because the people chosen for those positions are not there for a lifetime. It would be nice to bring my experience from the last 20 years and it would present a challenge, something exciting and new.
"I'm all about new business growth and introduction of new products. That is where I am going to be focusing my efforts over the next 60 days going into the holidays."
What have you learned in the past two weeks?
"I've learned that the blood-letting for major corporations — Fortune 200 and publicly traded companies — is not over. I attended an event last Thursday at St. Thomas Church and there were enough people there to fill up 29 tables. I've resigned myself that it could take until next April for many people in that room or myself to get a job.
"I am just going to continue networking and following up on every single lead."
How are you feeling right now?
"My biggest concern is my (unemployment) anniversary date is coming up at the end of January. I have the responsibility of two kids in St. Louis and my success or failure of getting a job affects them. I don't wish to hit the anniversary date of being out of work for a year. I'm trying to stay upbeat, but I'm also a realist. I'm wondering when the roller coaster is going to end."
Contact Andy at andy.hilgartner@yahoo.com, 630-450-7154 or 630-896-7796.
'People are excited to help others'
Leslie Sullivan, 25, of Yorkville is a recent graduate of Judson University. Leslie has been unemployed since July. She's looking for freelance editing and photography projects, or a writing job with a magazine or newspaper. Last we heard from Leslie, she was doing odd jobs for fast cash while networking and marketing herself at job fairs.
How have things been going the past two weeks?
"I've been in the process of moving, so things have been pretty hectic, but I have been able to do some job hunting.
"I went to Manpower in Yorkville. They help people find temporary work. I am going in to interview with them in a few days for temporary writing and photography positions — that way I will be on file to fill in when someone is gone. It isn't a permanent job, but hopefully it will help pay some bills.
"I also have several leads I've been getting started on. One is at the Kendall County Record. I've been leaving messages with the editor to see if there are any positions open. I hope to go in next week to speak with her.
"Also, a nice woman saw me in the paper a few weeks ago and sent me a link to a freelance writing Web site, so this week I am checking into that.
"I am also looking into work at Tyndale Publishing. They are a publishing company that put out a lot of Christian books. I plan to take a test for editing with them soon."
What have you learned in the past two weeks?
"I've learned that people are excited to help others. I was blessed to receive that e-mail from the woman with the writing blog. I feel that everyone is excited to see others succeed and I think that is really great."
How are you feeling right now?
"I am feeling hopeful. I am a little restless because when you go for months without steady income, you just get a little bit restless. I have continued with the occasional odd jobs, which has brought me a little bit of income. Now that I am settled into to my new home, I am looking forward to dedicating more time to the job hunt.
"I have faith that God will open something up for me."
Contact Leslie at lesliesullivan09@gmail.com.
'Up in spirits'
Joe Vagnoni, 36, of Aurora has been unemployed since February. He is looking for a job in financial services with firms that provide trading support or investment advice. Last we heard from Joe, he had signed up for a computer certification course and had been meeting with various hiring managers.
How have things been going in the past two weeks?
"I met with a hiring manager for the second time and unfortunately they didn't have anything for me, but they did give me some names of people to talk to. I've been following up with them, but it hasn't led to anything.
"I also spoke with the hiring manager at one of my target companies. That led to another meeting, which I had on Monday with the executive vice president of the company. They told me they don't have anything right now, but they are doing their budgeting for next year and said I am a possible candidate. They want me to stay in touch as we go into the new year. That is promising, but nothing is definite.
"In general, I am making more contacts with hiring managers. Every week I am meeting with at least one of them. I am getting lukewarm feels though. It is just promising that I am making contact with them at all. Over the past few months, they haven't been willing to meet, but now they are. I think they are trying to figure out who they are going to hire. I am keeping on them with phone calls, e-mails and being very persistent.
"I am also taking an online course to be certified in Microsoft Office products. After a month or so, I will be certified proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
"I've also been researching schools. If I don't have a job by the end of 2009, I am thinking about going back to school to get a graduate degree in computer science. I have my schools narrowed down to Elmhurst College and Rasmussen College."
What have you learned in the past two weeks?
"I've learned that perseverance is probably the more important thing during a job search.
It is important to have a goal every day. I try to contact at least one hiring manager by email or phone and actively try to build a bridge to take your introduction, what you can do for the company, to the next level."
How are you feeling right now?
"Physically, I am extremely happy and thankful that I am healthy and don't have the flu. Emotionally, I am up in spirits because hiring managers want to talk to me."
Contact Joe at joseph.vagnoni@gmail.com
