Job Seekers Need Community Support

Amazing, but true. Not many care about job seekers here in Buffalo Grove.

It's an enigma and we're stumped in our household as to the reasons. There is a reality gap here when people talk about getting the unemployed back to work as versus actually trying to do something about the issue in Buffalo Grove. It is somewhat like a 'hot potato,' where everyone just keeps passing on the potato. No one wishes to catch it and assume the role.

I am a Buffalo Grove resident since 1979 and retired. I translated some 30 years of professional consultative sales and marketing experience to Web marketing with over 10,000 hours of self taught study and application. I do presentations for the Chamber of Commerce, Indian Trails Public Library, the Buffalo Grove Park District and some small networking groups.

I offer pro bono work and teach FREE Web based tools, such as LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, etc., to a limited number of active job seekers I know. I started a LinkedIn Group to this cause and have a free tutorial site up on the Web instructing people how to construct and publish free resume or portfolio sites on WordPress.com. Tips and resources are also included, as well as links to articles and videos.

A side benefit to job seekers who learn the skills of social media marketing is an expanded knowledge of Web applications. Progressive companies face the challenge of recruiting people with the knowledge of using social media for marketing. A proficient job seeker appeals to a wider range of potential employers by differentiating themselves from those without such skills. Eager employers might lean to them more readily than to others.

Yet I feel as the child running around screaming: “The emperor has no clothes on! He is butt naked! Can't you see his privates?” I approached business groups, not for profit agencies, religious organizations, public organizations, even political representatives about this idea over the past several months.

I need an Internet equipped facility, preferably with computers, and some publicity and community support but will work myself in this effort without compensation. I have other companies willing to contribute free goods and services. I know a printer who will supply free resumes, a photographer for free updated head shots; I know others will join it, I am sure.

My goal is to conduct scheduled training on use of social media tools for job search. Yet those I approach have every excuse why not to do it now. Well NOW is when it is needed, not tomorrow, not next month, not later this year, but NOW.

I walked in the shoes of prolonged unemployment in the 80's double dip recession. My wife Judy and I, along with our daughter Ely, might have lost our brand new house here if I had not found a job. It took years to recover. So I personally know the burden of that stress and frustration. It was a depression for us, not a recession.

I find myself running around like Chicken Little quacking: “The Sky Is Falling! The Sky Is Falling!” And I am amazed I must turn to Lake Forest for someone to listen to the details.

Michael Yublosky

Buffalo Grove