Sunday Blog Brunch: Corn on the Job.
(Ed.Note) Welcome to our journey into the world of recession blogs! The 405 Club wants to get personal via a handful of questions with our favorite fellow bloggers who are documenting the recession and unemployment firsthand.
This week we had the opportunity to sit with Rich over at Corn on the Job.
Be sure to visit him: http://www.CornOnTheJob.com.
Thanks for joining us Rich!
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Before we chat about the blog, what will you be having for brunch?
* Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (duh)
1. When were you laid off and what did you do? Or are you employed/self-employed? If so, what do you do now?
* I was laid off at the end of February. My company was acquired by Oracle, and me and the HR folks were let go. I went to Cancun to celebrate a week after my last day!
2. When and why did you start your site?
* The first few months of FUNemployment were definitely a great time and I was learning a lot about myself in the process. I traveled to Cancun, Key West, and spent time with family members that weren’t in the Philly area (where I’m from).
In July I realized that my mind was numbing a bit and to keep on top of my game I should start a blog. Corn On The Job was created sometime around July 12, 2009.
My blog looks at the lighter side of Career Advice, utilizing my HR and Staffing background to bring a fresh perspective.
http://www.CornOnTheJob.com
3. What is your motivation to continue blogging and/or running the site?
* People. The connections I’ve made are incredible. When I make one new connections it turns into 20. It never ends.
I’ve built a nice community of Job Seekers, HR Folks, Recruiters, and many Gen Y’ers like myself.
Corn On The Job is here to stay.
4. Do you think blogging or running your site helped you find a job?
* My blog absolutely helped me find a job. In January I’ll be starting with a company called MyPartTimePRO. My blog was noticed by the owner of this fairly new company, and much of my skills/knowledge were needed in an open position.
The company is a job posting site for Part-Time Professional work. I’m excited about the service it provides, and I look forward to build the company up. My title is Director of Operations and Business Development.
5. Was this job what you had in mind when searching while unemployed?
* I spent two years in agency recruiting and two years in corporate recruiting. I knew that whatever I ventured in next should be different than both of those.
I’ve found something that is different, but will also allow me to work with people hold the same titles/positions that I’ve previously held. I feel I’m moving into something that I’ll enjoy and I really do look forward to this next step.
6. How will your blog change when you rejoin the workforce?
* Corn On The Job will become an overall better place once I rejoin the workforce.
New experiences means new ideas. New ideas means more blog posts.
7. What’s new at your site and where does it go from here?
*I’m rapidly beginning to build up a community of “Corn Heads’, which is what I call my readers.
Starting sometime in January, my readers will be able to purchase a Corn on the Job t-shirt. This shirt will give them access to the Corn Head Community, where they can post a picture of them wearing their shirt and information about them. This provides my readers a chance to promote their blogs, business, job search, or whatever they feel like promoting. If you have interest, please e-mail me - CornOnTheJob@gmail.com.
Also, in February I hope to run a month long series called “Unemployed and in Charge”. Each day of the month a guest blogger will share their unemployment story and how they benefited from what could have been an awful time in their life.
8. Any final thoughts or words of wisdom for members of The 405 Club?
* Never give up on making yourself a better person. We all have a different path in front of us when we lose our jobs, but make sure you do at least one thing that makes you a better/stronger person when you re-enter the workforce.
Maybe for you it’s developing a new hobby, starting a blog, volunteering for community service, or just reconnecting with friends and family. Just do something that makes you smile and makes you a better person. You owe it to yourself.
9. Last but certainly not least, what is your favorite series/feature on The 405 Club?
* This Sunday Blog Brunch is an outstanding idea to bring people together and to show how people handle themselves differently when faced with this situation. Kudos!
