Wow, I'm a bad blogger

Okay, so it's been over a month since my last blog entry! Geez. I guess it's partly a reflection on having nothing to report until now. And now it's definitely looking up, although I am officially in a quandary that I have to resolve by Monday. So - - I am open to advice, as long as you realize I might completely disregard what you have to say. But I do listen to all input and take it into account (you know me, the analytic)!

The good news is, I have a couple of options. The bad news is, neither are full time (which may be just fine) and they are both contractor not employee (again, fine because that is what I am accustomed to). Although stability and benefits would be nice. . .

Oh, and I should mention that interestingly enough, both roles are in the realm of business development (read: sales and consulting)!

First option: Highly regarded leadership assessment firm (in business 25 years), 30 hours a week, requested to work most hours in the office (downtown Mpls), primary responsibilities to learn their assessment center process to be certified and to develop 4 new client sales proposals in 4 months. Contract to be renewed after 4 months if mutually agreeable, anticipate full time employment in 2010 if conditions are right.

Second option: Highly regarded recruitment advertising and services firm (in business 40 years), undetermined amount of hours yet, work virtually, primary responsibility to take one of their new lines of business into other industries (it has been successful in healthcare so far) and develop 2 new client sales proposals in 3 months. Note - there is immediate or long-term opportunity to be a full time, virtual employee.

Pay for the first one is low, given what I normally bill hourly. In fact, it's about 1/2 my typical rate, but I recognize there are discounts for a committed number of hours every month. However, it's a monthly set fee for the 30 hours per week worked. The commission rate is 5-15% of new business brought in (I need to clarify if this is calculated on project income or revenue).

Pay for the second one is yet undetermined in terms of number of hours and hourly rate (I should hear by Friday). The commission rate is 5% of revenue, and they have an established 60% overhead calculation for the service I'm selling because it's labor intensive. Thus, if I sell a 100k project, revenue is 40k and my commission is 2k.

My additional concern, however, is the structure the assessment firm is imposing on where and how I work. They have asked that I not work with any other assessment firms (which of course legally they can't ask, but I understand their concern about conflict of interest and intellectual property and such). Further, the amount of hours in office greatly reduces my ability to engage other clients and raise my overall income.

What I wonder, and I really welcome thoughts on this, is whether my background and expertise in both areas could actually be a huge benefit to clients in terms of understanding and resolving needs they have in both recruitment and assessment processes. I could thus leverage contacts on the recruiting side to develop business for assessment, and vice-versa. Obviously recruitment and selection are two sides of the same hiring coin, and most companies have a need for both at some point. In this scenario, I would continue to be an independent consultant and represent the recruitment firm and the assessment firm, ideally working 1/2 time for each. By the way, they do not offer any of the same tools or services, so there is no conflict of interest.

I am leaving for SIOP this afternoon, heading south to New Orleans. I doubt greatly that will clear my head and provide me illumination on my dilemma, but at least it provides more chances to network and stay visible and credible!

Starting another month of boredom

Okay, so it's March 1st today. The mortgage payments (1st and 2nd) get pulled from the checking account this week. Should be interesting to explore what else we could possibly cut out of our existence given how little money will be left after that. . .

I've had continued "great" conversations with various folks regarding consulting, contracting, employment, etc., but no firm arrangements yet. It is soooo frustrating and quite boring!! Not since I was on maternity leave have I had so little on my schedule. At least then, someone really, really needed me!

I know I shouldn't complain about all this free time, me time, but geez. . . be careful what you wish for is such a true sentiment. Let me just confirm again, I could never, ever, be a stay-at-home mom full time. And, I can definitely see how some get hooked on soap operas. I personally can't watch them, but I have been known to watch some pretty pitiful reruns (ER from when I was in grad school) and reality shows (America's Next Top Model, anyone?) in these long, languorous afternoons.

By the way, that word (languor) is PERFECT for my life lately - it means a lack of mental and physical energy, or oppressive quiet and stillness! Well, I do get bursts of energy now and again for housecleaning and gym workouts. Thank God, I haven't become a big fat slob, at least.

That's it for now. Off to re-write my resume once again, this time to fit a USDA HR Officer job. Yup, government job - it may be the only stable place to work anymore, dontcha think?

First foray into blogging - my foul Monday mood

Wow. This sucks. No income, feeling unwanted, useless, and plain lonely. When will it get better? I'm starting to wonder and worry. It would be nice if people you email would simply respond. How rude to not give a status to someone who is desperately looking for an update, a smidgen of hope, light at the end of the unemployment tunnel. I hate this.

I talked with an executive recruiter a little while ago. The conversation was underwhelming. I get the sense that I am out of my league. . . it's all about marketing yourself, that's for sure. He asked about the interviews I've had - whether they were from my resume or from my network. I said the latter and he clearly wasn't surprised! My resume needs a complete overhaul. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Well I better get to it. Packaging, positioning, and primping my past. . .