It truly is amazing how time flies... This blog is now 12 years old. Since its inception I have experienced the passing of my grandfather, gotten married, graduated from college, worked in management at Hallmark Cards, had my first born (Noah), was laid-off, hired as a Contract Admin at Sabre Towers and Poles, added two more to the family (Leah and Jacob), accepted a Purchasing position at Sabre, added a fourth to the family (Ezra), experienced the passing of both grandmothers, and saw my father retire from company he's been with for 38 years...

Life's crazy... I can barely keep up.

GOT IT!

So, I've accepted a job in Sioux City, IA. It's been hectic and I plan on updating again soon. However, at this time I am trying to move my family, transition into a new career, and expecting a new baby in mid-September.

I'll let everyone now how things are going once we've settled down.

T-Minus 4hrs and Counting

Like the July 15th launch of the space shuttle Endeavor, it is as if I am sitting in the cockpit wondering if I'm even going to even get off the ground. With bad weather behind me and a patch of clear there is a limited amount of time to launch before the weather becomes inclement again; destroying yet another of many earlier attempts. All I want is to feel the 3.5Gs of force slamming me into my seat as I am accelerated into space. That is how I feel about my job hunt. Today I hope that I will find out if I have had a successful launch.

If I successfully launch I’ll start my next career in approx. two weeks. Not a whole lot of time. I’ll have to pack up the family and move to Sioux City, IA. from Topeka, KS. Not ideal, but it is work and something that I need to do. I moved to Topeka when I started attending Washburn University in 2002. In 2006 I graduated with a BBA in both management and marketing. My junior year I married my beautiful wife Sarah and we purchased a home towards the end of my senior year. I’ve been working at a Hallmark Cards production facility for three years. During that time Sarah gave birth to our son Noah who is now two years old and graduated with her Master’s degree as a Certified Nurse Midwife. Today we are expecting another baby in Sept. Even though 7 years for me and 4 years for Sarah doesn’t seem all that long, a huge portion of our growth has happened here in Topeka.

What’s in Sioux City? Well, potentially work and most definitely family… It is where we were both born and raised. Both sets of parents still live in Sioux City, which is a mid-sized town in Iowa. Even without the benefits of family, it has a lot to offer.

Interview Landed!

Last week we mobilized the family and went back to Sioux City on Wednesday. The recruiter that I have been working with was able to land me an interview with a company in Sioux City that has been experience growth and looking at filling a few positions from individuals who were retiring from the company.

In my opinion, the interview went very well. I felt that at the end of the interview when the HR Rep. asks you if offered the position what would be the earliest that you could start must mean something... huh?

Regardless, I was told that I would find out early this week; however, yesterday I was notified that they wanted to meet up with one more individual regarding the opportunity. On the flip side, all other candidates have been notified that they are no longer being pursued. I’ve been told that I am on a very short list… I am hoping that it is between this other individual and I.

So, I’ve been told that I will find something out towards the end of the week. It could be possibly today, but probably tomorrow. I know that the HR Rep. will be doing some traveling next week. I would assume that the decision would have to be made this week.

To anyone who reads this – Please keep your fingers crossed, if you’re a religious person please say some prayers. This would be an excellent opportunity and a great chance to move the family closer to home. Thanks for the support.

I’ll let you all know what’s going on when I know what to say.

Job Hunt Statistics

My job hunt stats:

Jobs Applied for (since 6/29/2009): 33

To date, I have made contact with 10 of the 31

I have had to create 15 accounts required to apply for the numerous positions within organizations.

Random Places Applied To:
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) STRATCOM - Bellevue, NE.
KAPLAN - Omaha, NE.
Gallup - Omaha, NE.
FIDC - Sioux Falls, SD.

I have worked with 6 head hunters/recruiters.

I have had e-mailed correspondence with all 6
I have spoken on the phone with 4
I have met 3 in person.

3 of the head hunters/recruiters work in Sioux City, IA.
1 works in Topeka, KS.
1 works in Kansas City, KS.
1 in Omaha/Lincoln, NE.

Through them I have been referred to a total of 4 of the 31 jobs that I have applied for to date. (There are job prospects through them, but no resume has been submitted or application completed at this time).

My Resume is Online!

Hey,

Anyone interested please feel free and view my resume that is now currently online. If you would like to view it please feel free and
CLICK HERE!

I have also dedicated a section above blogger friends on the left menu bar which will also direct you to my resume. If you would like to contact me at the e-mail address directly below my Resume Header.

Thanks All
~Mike Bradbury

The Hunt Continues

I've still been on the circuit trying to hunt down and secure possible employment. It's been tough. It's hard to get motivated. It's hard to call people. It takes it toll and today was one of those days that I just wanted to relax. I probably spent about an hour all together on the job front trying to see what's out there.

I've got some good leads and just so happened to be selected to have my resume posted on a radio station in Omaha, NE. Take it this requires me to travel 3hrs 15 minutes for a 30 minute meeting, but if an opportunity comes out of it.... well, then it would be worth the 6hrs 30 minutes drive time. At this point I am planning on making it a simple day trip; however, I've been trying to get a hold of a publications company in Rock Rapids, IA. I'm planning on calling them tomorrow and seeing if arrangements can be made to meet. If that's the case, I'll plan on going to Sioux City for the night, driving to Rock Rapids 1hr 30min. Friday morning. Depending on if the family decides to travel north for this could make it a weekend trip; otherwise, I'll plan on driving back to Topeka from Rock Rapids.

Overall, there is one opportunity that I’ve really been striving/praying for and I’d love nothing more than to work for this company and support all that it does. At this time, I’m not going to give out details, but as I encounter more I’ll keep everyone and anyone who reads this updated.

In the last two weeks, I’ve put in for 25 jobs and I’ve made contact with about ¼ of them.

Cross your fingers and continue praying for us. It’s not a bad thing, it’s an opportunity… =)