Recession Proof

Back in middle of the '08 recession, I was let go from a job I just started out of nowhere, literally months before I was to get married. Swine flu was a thing too. We had moved to Buffalo and left behind a job I loved going to everyday with Rochester Business Alliance, leaving behind an amazing mentor and team I still talk to this day. To make matters much worse, the sale of our house in Rochester fell through on the very last second. Cant make this stuff up! Luckily my in-laws had room in their house for us and our dog. What a mess right?

COVID19 has turned a roaring economy upside down. Here we are in the midst of what looks like a possible recession, and lately I've been connecting with candidates who too had their lives turned upside down because of this out of thin blue air. Twelve years later, I suddenly remember the pain some of your are enduring. Applying for jobs, no responses, no new jobs on the boards, connections going nowhere, etc.

Going back in time, I recall the pain in the search and worked hard with only a few connections in Buffalo. My goal was to have a job before the wedding date, so about 2 months. Was willing to take any type of job really, recruiting jobs were scarce so I interviewed for sales, program management and account management. I interviewed everywhere, no dice. Superior Group was a company I had my sights on. Applied there once early on and got rejected for what looked like a perfect role. Weeks later a similar job was posted and I reapplied. This time I leveraged a connection and luckily I landed a final interview right before my wedding.

The interview was awful. Oddly enough being a recruiter, I'm a terrible interviewee. I was sweating, just nervous, and nothing came out right. That Wednesday night before the wedding, I drove home felling crushed and defeated.

Somehow, someway I received a generous offer on that position that next morning. The weight was off my shoulders. That opportunity by the way turned into a very long, prosperous career at Superior Group (now known as Aleron), I experienced a whole new level of what staffing organizations can provide, traveled the country and Canada, and made the best connections and friends here and beyond including India. That would have never happened if I didn't get canned from that little hometown firm I was with! What a blessing in disguise. Im still grateful for that opportunity Superior Group gave me back then.

For those who are in a rock and hard place, keep at it. I get the burnout. Trust me, every connection counts, one at a time. Remember, I reapplied for that job. I got turned down initially and saw the same job reopen a few weeks later. Had a connection with that company through a friend and they put in a good word. Good people do good things for people here in Buffalo and beyond, and people like me remember that and will do whatever it takes for you.

Also - this is a great time to start a business vs trying to find another job. I've started a few and so have many friends. Click here to Join the WNY Startup Slack Community

If you need anything on your search then let me know. Myself and my team at New York Technology Partners will open up years of connections to help you out. [email protected]

In this together.

Best wishes to you. Stay healthy, sane, and positive my friends.

Scott Fiege

(716) 880-5358

[email protected]