Meet Leo Markel, Chicago area resident. In December 2009, Leo joined the ranks of the unemployed.
- Leo Markel
After an extended job search, Leo’s back at work. In April, he landed a position as the Controller for Skokie-based Midland Manufacturing.
How did he find the opportunity? The company contacted him through LinkedIn.
During the 39 months of Leo’s search, he stayed busy. Take a look at what he did.
· Set up 257 job agents with a variety of companies
· Attended 38 networking groups
· Worked with 187 recruiters
· Gained 965 LinkedIn contacts
· Drove 57,319 miles to a variety of job related events
· Used 14 boxes of copy paper
· Spent $1,825 on postage
· Received an average of 125 daily emails, amassing 36,000 overall
Leo’s interview statistics are staggering as well.
He interviewed with 142 companies in six states: Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Nebraska, Washington and Oregon. More than 83% lasted four rounds, with most going seven. It took close to 60 days to learn the outcome for most of these opportunities. To top it off, Leo wrote 415 thank-you letters.
Regarding his job search experience, Leo says: “I hope my search encourages people who’ve been out a long time. There’s always hope at the end of the tunnel. Like, I tell everyone, you have to look forward, not backwards. If you start looking backwards (wondering why you didn’t get a particular job), the job search process will eat you up.”
Job search isn’t easy and some days the prospects may seem bleak. However, take it from Leo Markel, tenacity pays off so keep moving forward. The right job will come, just like it did for Leo.
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About the Author
Pam Waits has more than 20 years of experience in human resources with 10 years in the top HR spot for mid-sized companies. She currently works as a Human Resources consultant. Additionally, she holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Pam is also a writer and humorist, defying the perception that human resource professionals lack a sense of humor. She’s a leader who believes humor is an important part of a healthy business culture and a necessary part of life. If you’re too busy to laugh, you’re too busy.
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