Volunteering is time well spent until new job appears

By Sean F. Driscoll

BusinessRockford.com

ROCKFORD -- As part of our periodic series of profiles on the unemployed in the Rock River Valley, we’re checking in with some people we’ve profiled.

Name: Deborah Robertson
Age: 53
Hometown: Rockford
Family: Divorced; her mother lives in Belvidere

In August, Robertson had been out of work 13 months and was volunteering at Rock Valley College and the Rockford AirFest. She’d worked for 14 years at Greenlee Textron, then was laid off in July 2008. In late August, she was hired as a marketing coordinator for a local construction firm, working 32 hours a week.

How did you find out about your job? I was looking up jobs online in the Rockford and Janesville areas and found it there. I sent in my resume, had two interviews and, 2½ weeks later, I got the job.

How did you react when you got hired? I was very excited, very humbled. I had a feeling I’d had a good interview with them, and I was feeling positive when I walked out.

How has it felt to work again? It’s been crazy. When I started, I was just thrilled to be in work traffic. I was just grinning all the time — people probably thought I was nuts. I still have lingering fears because the last one hired is usually the first one fired, but hopefully the economy will (strengthen). It’s still tight budget-wise, but it’s a job, and it’s wonderful not having to take money from the state.

What are some lessons you learned about being unemployed? Have people around you to talk to, laugh with and have fun with. Take that little bit of money, save it and go out for a meal. The problem is, it’s hard to appreciate yourself. People are rejecting you left and right, so being around people who want your company is very important.

Was your volunteer work helpful? Yes, find something to do to keep a schedule. You’re not being paid, but you’re doing something where you’re out with people who are happy to see you. Don’t get in this little world of your own and not interact with people.

Reach staff writer Sean F. Driscoll at 815-987-1346 or sdriscoll@rrstar.com.

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