I am likely dating myself here but does anyone remember the Shake N Bake commercial where “Mom made shake n bake and I HELPED!”?

I do.

When I decided to come back into the HR and Recruiting Space and once again toss my hat into the ring, it was not easy. It was a simple decision because this is what I love to do, I enjoy the people in the industry and I have a strong grasp on some of the things that need to happen. In short, this is what I’m supposed to be doing. That being said, it was hard to change my LinkedIn status, hard to write the blog post, hard to ask friends for help and hard to go out on a limb waiting for the perfect position.

So I got busy. I called up friends who needed help and helped them. I worked on press releases, media kits, marketing strategy, social media efforts, consulting, you NAME it. Not only was I determined to ensure that everyone remembered my name, I was also determined to keep busy. Sharpening my sword, waiting for the just the right thing to come along.

And now, lots of great opportunities have opened up. I will tell you about them in the next week or so. (I will also get to tell you about my various job search stories which are AWESOME). But not today.

Today I am going to tell you how I helped. How I took every project that came my way, did whatever I could and how good it made me feel and how fast my job search seemed to go because of it:

What I did: I made a new logo for TalentNetLive and helped Craig Fisher design a new rate card, media kit, and contract.

What I learned: That Craig works his butt off to make TNL happen for over 200 recruiters at least once a year and will stop at nothing to keep his sponsors happy.

What I did: Created a site design, logo and infographic for an emerging firm in Minnesota.

What I learned: How to take the best of two merging companies and create a new brand, look and feel.

What I did: Assisted my dad with the basics of social media so he could get his crowdsourcing page off the ground and fund his musical.

What I learned: That while business is important, to slow down and learn how social media can work for the fine arts.

What I did: In a fit of philanthropy, said yes to an acquaintance who needed help with his job search.

What I learned: That taking 2 hours out of my day to teach skills I thought were basic can end a man’s year long search for gainful employment and bring him to tears.

What I did: Worked with a smart young lady on her resume and answered her questions about entry level HR.

What I learned: That landing a position in a field you think you might love can turn someone’s outlook around.

But not every lesson was touching…

What I did: Agreed after a phone call, several emails and missed appointments, to be part of a professional panel of experts, for free.

What I learned: If I don’t value my time, no one else will.

What I did: In a moment of desperation, applied for a position that was local but not in any other way suited for  me.

What I learned: If you don’t care about the product or service, it will show through in your dealings.

What I did: Shared marketing ideas and tactics with potential employers before an offer was on the table.

What I learned: To keep doing that! It doesn’t always work in my favor but truthfully, every company (even in our industry) does and SHOULD have a different model, ideal, goal and strategy. I don’t want to recycle an idea from one “job search campaign” to another company.

Bottom line, helping people not only gave me the aforementioned “lessons learned”, it also gave me a ton of perspective and the ability to use my skills at a time they might have lain dormant. I know that my efforts will make me a better employee and a more empathetic one. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to some fantastic companies and learn a little more about where they’re heading in the next year, which only broadens my view of the landscape.

If I haven’t talked to you, tell me why. Or better yet, call me (402) 577-0760. I only have a few days of my job search left