After 6 long months, I finally secured a full-time job! I will be working at a large international non-profit in DC, doing web communications work. The first step will be managing the re-design of their website, and eventually working to integrate appropriate social networks (because I am no proponent of “shiny object syndrome”). There will be a large education portion from the top down on how and why to use social networks, and I’m excited to bring my experience to really help an organization shine. I’m looking forward to it!

I wanted to take the time to give a shout-out to the many people who helped me through this time. I’ve always been a big networker and have a weird ability to remember people and places. I know that social networks allow us to interact, communicate, and access communities. Never before has this been more clear to me than with the aid of Twitter and my online community.

jobhunt A quick timeline, I was laid off in November and quickly picked up some consulting work with a local PR firm that carried me through the end of the year. From there I picked up another PR firm in January, some project work in February, and another communications firm for March and April. I definitely identified with @bostonmarketer juggling the job search and consulting work. I’m greatly indebted to those people who were able to give me work even as they experienced rough times and will continue to recommend them as stellar places to work.

Over 6 months, I accumulated over 360 conversation threads tagged “Job 2008-2009″ in my inbox. I went on 5 informational and 15 real interviews from Baltimore to Canada, some of which I went back to multiple times. I managed 2-4 clients at any given time and applied to over 100 jobs. I hustled. I went to temporary employment agencies, I even applied to wait tables. Thanks to my consulting work and a little other help, I never had to do either of those, nor did I collect unemployment (which was partly the fault of the hoops you have to jump to get your $378 a week). I’m proud that I worked hard and further developed my skills, that I was able to basically support myself, and that I got the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. Many of the places I interviewed were not able to hire me, but passed my resume on to others. In fact, that’s how I secured the job I’ll be starting in a couple of weeks.

thankyou Family and friends were always there for me. I’d especially like to thank my boyfriend - who gave me countless hours of advice, support, editing, financial help, a good kick when I needed it, a shoulder to lean on and a smile to celebrate with. My best friend who supported me, kept it real and told me when something was ridiculous. My parents for their support (and worry), and all my friends for their help and for lending an ear.

It really does take a village. In no particular order, I’d like to give thanks to the following people from my “online network”. Without you, I could not have done this. From providing job leads, serving as references, getting me in touch with their connections, sending along my resume, checking for job openings at their company and generally offering their support; these people (and many more) should know how much I appreciate their help. I’m very lucky I had these people on my side.

@geoffliving @marinel @beautifulthangs @michael_nelson @eliz2shea @barryreich @lkthrock @dcjams @jterrill8 @tdbacon @sseawright @thorpus @swhitley @technosailor @kamichat @rmoede @tjohns06 @shonali @annagabbert @mindofandre @mpranikoff @colbcox @stephstad @rdweatherly @shashib @socialbttrfly @ericldavis @dallaslawrence @sradick @bradlevinson @cdorobek @leslieann44 @strategicguy @maiakg @johnny_mac @phillyberg @hautepjones @wamurray @rachellelacroix @noreaster @mixtmedia @sverde @sarahwurrey @fletcherprince @hey_love @kristiewells @mobilediner @jillfoster @stephmurillo @carlynkelley @immunity @thinklynsen @sliqviq @xiobhan @kathymbaird @taradunion @queenofblogs @pamelaspunch @janetdmiller @prjobs @dcconcierge @tdefren @melaniephung @melaniemitchell @sraak @tmn_inc @erinwest @taylortb @jtnt

jobhuntfists

I always believe in paying it forward. That said, I’ve helped pass on strong job leads to four of my friends in the past few days by sending great job opportunities that I was not able to take and motivating my own networks to help others. I think it’s especially important in these times to help each other, and that is evident in the huge number of blogs, Twitter feeds and newspaper articles on everything from how to interview to where to find a job. This recession has been tough on everyone from business owners to employees. The more we can stick together and help one another, the better off we’ll be.

As a final note, I’d like to share some links that I found were helpful and/or interesting.