When Living in the Era of COVID, Pack a Picnic

Everything I do now is premeditated.  If I'm planning to go to the store. I have to think about what hours are the least crowded, what I need, is there anything I need to stock up on, and do I have a mask?  If I want to go for a hike I have to think about things like when are the fewest people on the trail, do I need a mask, do I have a snack and water since any snack bar or kiosk may be closed?  And don't even get me started on public bathrooms.  I'm really tired from having to think through all these small details before I do anything.  It's enough to keep me home.  BUT I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!  

Being in the wine world, marketing has often shown beautiful people enjoying picnics in the vineyards.  Companies in wine country specialize in making and delivering gourmet picnic baskets for tourists to enjoy at the location of their choice.  Having picnicking spots has made some wineries hugely successful (especially this one in the Napa Valley).  

Reading Julia Child's autobiography, My Life In France, she and her husband, Paul, greatly enjoyed packing a picnic basket and a thermos of coffee before heading out over the French countryside for the day.  And their picnic was often accompanied by a nice bottle of wine.  Thinking of Julia and Paul relaxing along a waterway or near a beautiful old castle has been seared into my mind for years.  

Having worked from home for over 16 years now, during my lunch break I often watch cooking shows.  Years ago Michael Chiarello had his Easy Entertaining cooking show on Food Network.  I caught his Biking Picnic, and learned how to make a delicious grilled chicken sandwich to throw in my bike's pannier for a roadside picnic.  For years I made the sandwich, thinking of having a bike picnic.  When life gives me a pandemic, I pack my picnic basket. 

To GET OUT OF THE HOUSE I've been coordinating cycling trips with my pod posse.  My friends and I synchronize our watches and all show up at a predetermined spot early the next morning.  Unloading bikes, getting sunblocked and then clicking shoes into our pedals, we are soon exploring new areas.  This cycling posse has turned into a great group of friends who all enjoy getting out in the sunshine and seeing new sights.  They are also all good conversationalists, a bonus when pedaling together for a few hours.  

Cycling in the era of a pandemic has meant that afterwards we can't stop by the local cafe or brewery to grab lunch and a cold drink.  Here's where the picnic comes in.  We all bring something to contribute and bring out our coolers after the ride.  We've been enjoying submarine sandwiches, lavash rolled sandwiches, muffins, fresh fruit and cookies.  Washing those down with a cold local brew really makes the meal.  Being outside on a picnic blanket with friends, socially distanced, makes this pandemic a bit easier to digest.  

I'm finding that picnicking really scratches that communal dining itch I've been suffering from these days.  I hope you go get yourself a pic-a-nic basket sometime soon.   

COVID Career Casualty? Time to start the job search

Two months into the COVID-19 shutdown here in California, and things look a lot different than at the beginning of March.  After shelter in place orders were given and the need for some to self-quarantine, our employment situation is drastically different.  We are starting to chart a path to reopen the economy, but it may be a very bumpy ride for the next few months. 

The first few days and weeks of the pandemic response seem like a blur.  Businesses were forced to shut down and employees found themselves sheltering at home.  Workers who could work from home were, sometimes for the first time ever.  Other people whose companies closed were home, facing their future.  Many of us now had young children home, and we were navigating online learning.  And some of us chose to self isolate in order to avoid getting the virus.  Looking back, it was a time full of heightened emotion, uncertainty and fear.  Today, emotions can still run high, there is plenty of uncertainty, and some of us continue to have a good amount of fear of the virus, the future and our livelihoods. 

I think the uncertainty is the toughest part of this pandemic.  While I am fairly confident in how to limit my exposure to the virus, and prevent others near me from becoming ill, I'm not completely convinced the coronavirus will not cause harm to me or my family.  Having geared up to make hundreds of masks early on in our lockdown, I felt like I was making something that could help prevent contracting the virus, or prevent spreading it to someone unknowingly.  Hand washing is a new religion for my entire family.  Yesterday I even made my second batch of homemade soap.  But small projects will not keep me occupied or feeling rewarded long term.

Just like I need to keep myself active and engaged with my business, you may be facing an uncertain employment situation yourself.  Now is the time to plan your "get back to work" strategy.  Now that the future is starting to take shape, let's sharpen our focus on your job search strategy. 

Connect with people you know:  Being isolated from people we see regularly can be very hard on us, and reconnecting with those people may seem daunting.  Right now, people enjoy hearing from friends and colleagues.  Pick up the phone and call your old friends.  If you have lost your job, call your old co-workers.  And call your old boss.  We are all going through this together, and right now connecting with those we care about is important. 

Don't be afraid to express your emotions--within limits!  If you reach out to an old colleague right now, don't be afraid to say you have been scared or lonely.  Those are natural human emotions, and most people are feeling them too.  I would say it's best to avoid putting yourself in a situation where you can't communicate because you completely lose your composure.  And while emotions may be high, don't bad mouth your old boss or employer--many people had to make tough decisions on the fly in the first few days of the pandemic.  Remember that the relationships you have are very important now, and keep them strong. 

There is no shame in having lost your job:  During this lockdown, many high performing people found themselves unemployed for the first time in their life.  If you are still reeling from the fact that you lost your job, you are not alone.  Many people are in the same situation, and can commisserate with you.  Face the fact that you don't have your old job, and present your situation honestly when talking to others. 

Get in touch with people who can help:  Right now many people I proudly helped find a great job are facing shaky employment prospects.  I want to hear from you.  Recruiting can feel like a role that is all about making the placement and walking away.  But it really doesn't stop at the placement.  We want to continue to hear from you, help you on your career path and connect you with a great job again when you need it.  Put a quick call into anyone who has mentored you with your career and let them know you are looking for help again.  Knowing you need help often allows others to assist you. 

Take some small steps in your job search:  Looking for a job can seem like a Herculean task when you are sad and sheltering at home.   Breaking up the task into bite-sized pieces will make it much easier.  

Here are some things to do now to get your job search on track, (with resources where appropriate):

• Update your resume (for tips, click here)
• Create a generic cover letter to use when sending in a resume
• Update your LinkedIn profile (tips, click here)
• Get in the habit of scanning job boards for opportunities
• Talk to friends about what they are hearing out there, job wise.  
• Connect with old bosses and co-workers 
• Have a game plan for taking care of children or family members if you need to do a phone or video interview
• Follow up on any job leads, interviews or networking calls to see how things evolve over time.  While a job opening might be on hold, when it reopens you want to be one of the first people the employer thinks of.
• Make sure you can do a video interview, professionally (tips, click here)
• Get an interview outfit ready, in case something comes up quickly.  The interview may be by video or in-person, and having something ready may save you precious time.  
• Clean up your social networking feeds--if you have a social media presence and are job hunting, now is a good time to have positive posts up and not political, silly or distasteful posts.  

Figure out what works, and keep doing that:  This job search may be quite different than your previous ones.  There may be many people vying for the job.  Some people may be leery about the role based on the potential for exposure to the coronavirus.  The future of the employer may be questionable.  As you put one foot in front of the other on your job search, see which steps work best, and keep doing those as much as possible.  

Reevaluate your career plan:  Does your employment history skew towards industries that are the hardest hit by the pandemic?  Is the type of position you've had before put you too close to potential danger?  Do you need to factor in family care responsibilities differently now?  This new world we are in may make a profession pivot necessary.  Look at reports on what industries are hiring and poll your friends and family for where they think the jobs will be.  If you can repackage your skill set to a new, thriving industry, do it.  Or if you see an opportunity to provide a needed product or service in this environment, figure out how to make that happen and do it.  This dynamic time can be the perfect time to create a whole new career for yourself.

Hang in there:  This is a tough time for all of us.  We are all in this together, apart.  Soon we'll be in this together,  together again.  Find ways to find happiness in small things, and keep a long view for where your career path leads, not simply on this bump along the way.  

Lessons From My Grandma: Ways to Stay Healthy Today

When I was young, my maternal grandma lived with us.  She and I shared a bedroom.  Every night I would ask her to tell me a bedtime story.  My favorites were stories about her growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, picking wild blueberries for the summer solstice, and the time she was stung by a bee.

My grandma also watched over me during the day.  She was a very sweet woman.  She was also very protective of me and my siblings.  A healthy snack was never denied, and she was quick to give me a fresh glass of water.  And she always asked me to take a sweater with me when leaving the house.  I would often run out the door, not listening to her.  Returning home, cold and shivering, she'd immediately scold me, saying I'd catch a cold, and then bundle me up and serve me hot tea.

I always thought she was just a worrier.  But maybe she knew a lot more about how to stay safe and healthy than I previously gave her credit for.  She survived many epidemics.  Tuberculosis was prevalent during her early life.  Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever and the Spanish Flu were just a few of the diseases she weathered.  There wasn't the knowledge of what caused these diseases, let alone how to effectively eradicate them.  People were often following guidance on how to avoid getting sick, and then how to take care of someone if they did get sick.  During my grandmother's lifetime she witnessed the advent of vaccinations and modern medicine that eliminated many of these illnesses and created advanced treatments for many ailments. 

While these horrific epidemics were largely a thing of the past by the time I was a child, my grandma still made sure I took care of myself to avoid getting sick.   Many of us have never dealt with an epidemic, and have been able to go to the doctor to get help when feeling ill.  The coronavirus is a novel virus for the world's population, and until we have effective vaccinations and other treatments, we need to keep ourselves as safe and healthy as possible.

Right now, while we are all working to avoid getting the coronavirus, or to get ourselves through it as quickly as possible, here are some recommendations that have some science behind them.

Wash Your Hands:  Returning home, my grandma always sent me to the sink and made sure I lathered up.  Turns out, now everyone's encouraging us to wash our hands, with soap, for 20 seconds.  Well, I'll gladly sing "Happy Birthday" to myself twice while lathering up, so that I make it to my next birthday, and can enjoy the birthday parties of my loved ones.

Don't Worry So Much:  While my grandma was a worrier, she never wanted me to stress out about things.  Right now while our minds are swirling with worrying thoughts, it is a perfect time to not panic and try to minimize stress.  Recommendations include engaging in activities you enjoy and possibly trying meditation.

Get Fresh Air:  Grandma always enjoyed a nice walk outside, and would often shoo me off the couch to get some fresh air.  Getting outside, enjoying nature and gaining a new perspective are all recommended right now.

Stay Hydrated:  Water is good for you.  Plain tap water is great.  And if you get sick, you need even more water.  So keep yourself hydrated.

Exercise: Getting a good workout in right now can help lower stress, bring down your cortisol levels and help your immune system function.  30-60 minutes a day is recommended.

But Don't Overdo it, Right Now:  Going into this pandemic, I was training for a half marathon.  Great, kept me active and I had a goal to work towards.  Well, my race was the weekend my Governor shut the state down.  No big gatherings allowed and sheltering in place was prescribed.  I was bummed out that I couldn't do my race, and kept running.  But I didn't overdo it.  Overexercise can weaken your immune system.  It has been shown to suppress immune function and increases the chances of contracting an upper respiratory tract infection.

Get Enough Sleep:  Right now it is a great time to get enough sleep.  For help quieting your mind and getting the best sleep possible, here are a few tips.

Get Your Vaccinations!  After putting a bar of soap at every sink in the house, I'll climb up on the soapbox right now and tell you to get your vaccines.  Make sure your vaccines and your family's immunizations are up to date.  And get the flu shot.  Every year.  
My doctor reviewed my chart last year and ordered the pneumonia vaccine for me.  Yes, please.  Why?  Because I have mild asthma, and want every advantage to keep myself breathing easily.

Be Pro Probiotics:  I'm a huge fan of yogurt and especially kefir.  These, along with other probiotics help support the good flora and fauna in our GI tracks, fighting off the bad germs.  If you can, avoid antibiotics.  But if you are fighting a bacterial infection right now, take your antibiotics!  Other foods that can support your microbiome are garlic, onion, ginger, sauerkraut, whole grains and fermented foods.

Watch Your Diet:  While you may be eating "for the end of days" right now, put the junk food down.  As my grandma would say, eat your fruits and vegetables, and whole grains are your friend.  A healthy, balanced diet is your best bet right now.  Nuts and berries, green, leafy vegetables:  Yes.  Junk foods with lots of sugar, sodium and fats:  No.

Limit the Libations:  Yes, my wine industry friends, a glass of wine can help relieve some stress and is full of great flavonoids that have been found to have health benefits, but too much of a good thing can tax your immune system right now.

Stop Smoking:  Your lungs will thank you.  If you are smoking or vaping right now, stop.  You'll reduce your chances of serious illness and complications from coronavirus.

Don't Forget Your Jacket:  While my grandma always urged me to bring a sweater, there isn't strong scientific evidence that proves this is true.  But grandma saw her share of bad illnesses, and how people survived them.  Taking a jacket with me will make me feel better, and remind me of my sweet grandma.

Keep Warm:  Cover your head, wear a scarf, gloves and keep your feet warm.  Yes, grandma!  If you are headed out into the cold, make sure you have a hat on, your muffler around your neck, your hands glvoed and keep your feet warm.

Warm Up If Chilled:  Grandma always bundled me up and gave me hot tea if I did come home chilled.  While I don't know the science of this, after cold water swims I've always been advised to bundle up and drink something hot.  Never hurts!

Grandma's wisdom sure feels comforting right now.

Stay Healthy My Friends.

If you want more information about any of this, here are my sources:

• Protect Yourself from COVID-19:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Wash Your Hands;  CDC
• Science of Soap: from MarketWatch with best pictures, and from The Guardian which might cause you to lather up.  
• Build Your Immunity:  The Wall Street Journal  and Mayo Clinic  (used throughout this post)
• Stay Hydrated:  CDC
• Overexercising:  Livestrong
• Sleep Tips:  Mayo Clinic
• Bring a Sweater:  Harvard Health
• Keep Warm:  National Institutes of Health
• Vaccinations: CDC
• And, a worthy read for anyone is "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"  both for the role Henrietta played in modern medicine and the advent of a new vaccine.  

The newshound in me is keeping up on things with these sites:

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• John Hopkins University & Medicine
• And a great site put up by high schooler Avi Schiffmann:  https://ncov2019.live/data
• And don't even tell me we've been through 18 other coronaviruses.  This is why it is called Covid-19:

Help for Employers and Employees Affected by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant impacts on companies and employees throughout the US.  If you are dealing with this right now, there is help for employers and employees. 

State and federal governments are stepping up to the plate to assist businesses and employees facing financial difficulties in light of COVID-19.  Here are some links to helpful information:

For Employees:

California’s Employment Development Department has posted information on how to apply for online unemployment benefits and tips for securing such benefits due to a child’s school closure or other COVID-19 issue:

Here is the link:  https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm.

For Employers:  

President Trump just signed the Families First Corona Virus Relief Act.  The Act provides paid emergency sick leave for employees out of work due to the virus.  It entitles businesses to seek full reimbursement for such payments.  Here are helpful links on the paid emergency leave program:

From the Department of Labor:  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions.

From the IRS:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-and-labor-announce-plan-to-implement-coronavirus-related-paid-leave-for-workers-and-tax-credits-for-small-and-midsize-businesses-to-swiftly-recover-the-cost-of-providing-coronavirus 

Special thanks go to Barbara Cotter, Partner at Cook Brown LLP law firm for keeping us up to date.  As Cook Brown says, "Let's Keep the Workplace Working"
www.cookbrown.com

Now is a Perfect Time To Polish Your Video Interviewing Skills

With businesses around the world grinding to a halt due to Covid-19, things are quite uncertain for all of us.  Many of us are suddenly laid off, working from home or dealing with the specter of the virus affecting us and our loved ones.  With many of us sheltering in place, we are experiencing personal and professional disruptions and upheaval.  The recruiting business has definitely been affected by this shut down.  I'm seeing positions getting filled with start dates several weeks off, people putting off their job search to care for their families, and new positions being put on hold for the short term.

But many positions are essential, and require people to continue along the recruitment process. Companies have terminated any non-essential business travel and many are not having people come in for interviews.  If positions need to get filled but you can't interview in person, this is time to perfect your video interviewing skills.

Video conferencing has come a long way in the last few years.  Colleges in California are now planning to offer all of their next classes via Zoom, Google Classroom, or other video platforms.  Many clients use Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype or FaceTime to do video interviews.  Here are some pointers to be ready to sign on to the video interview and be camera ready.

Get the video conferencing application:  When scheduling your video interview, find out what platform the interview is going to be using and download that application onto your computer, tablet or smart phone.

Determine the right tool to use:  Think about which device is the best one to use for an interview.  If your desktop computer is located in a busy kitchen, you may not have the privacy you need during the interview.  If you are going to use your phone or tablet for the interview, prop it up somewhere that gives you good light and privacy.  Don't plan to just holding your phone up for 30 minutes or more.  As you grow fatigued, you'll drop the phone down, not thinking about it.

Check your set-up:  Before you start your interview, do a dry run with a friend.  Try to have him call you through the video interview application, and critique your audio volume, your visual presentation and possibly your interview outfit!

Minimize distractions:  When you are gearing up for your video, get yourself in a quiet spot without distractions.  Your friendly feline may just try to steal the show by jumping in front of the camera.  She may have to be put in your laundry room for this call.  That puppy dog may just have to be outside your room during the call.  Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and possibly turn off any alerts that may pop up on your device.   If you are working from home with family there with you, alert them to your impending video interview, ask for their help in minimizing distractions, and if at all possible, lock the door to your interview spot.  I go even further, and post a sign that I'm on a video interview and to not disturb.

Ready for your close-up:  Now you need to think about what the camera will see during the interview.  Dress for an interview.  Remember that simplicity often is the best plan for your outfit.  A simple blazer or button down shirt almost always projects the image you want for a professional interview.  Note:  Avoid prints, including stripes.  On video interviews the visual elements may not be as sharp as they are in person.  Prints, especially optic prints can read really poorly on a video interview.  Small pinstripes on a shirt or blouse can do the same thing.  They can attract the eye of your interviewer, and distract them during the interview.  Keep it simple.  Simple business clothes, minimal accessories, good grooming and a welcoming smile can be all you need.

Pay attention to your surroundings:  When you prep for your video interview, look at what the camera will capture in your interview.  If you can tidy up your background, do it.  If you can switch your camera's location to something that has a very subtle background, do it.  Also look at the camera angle.  If you have your computer set up to shoot up, is the camera going to be focusing on that lazily turning ceiling fan?  Is it going to be shooting straight up your nostrils?  If the angle is bad, fix it.

Lighting:  To put your best face forward, have some light on besides just the glow of your device.  Having a small lamp directly next to your device that casts warm light on your face is helpful.  While it is nice to have a ray of sunshine brighten your day, it can wreak havoc if it hits the camera or casts strange patterns on you or your surroundings.  Keep that in mind when planning your call, and remember sunlight shifts during the day.  You may want to see how the light is at your interview spot before you have the call.

Have what you need within reach:  This is an interview.  Have your resume, the job description and anything else that would be helpful at your interview spot in advance of the call.  For me, seasonal allergies are kicking in right now, causing my throat to dry out.  This is the worst thing to have happen during a video call.  Having water, coffee, tea, etc. at the ready, as well as a cough lozenge is a must have for me.  A box of tissues can also be good in case you need to sneeze (or if sweat is beading up on your brow due to interview nerves).



Be ready:  Once you have gotten yourself ready for the call, be ready to start the interview at the time scheduled.  Don't be late.  Be at your interview spot 10-15 minutes early.  Just think of all the time you saved by not having to travel to the interview.

Technical difficulties happen:  This may be the first time your interviewer is trying a video interview.  Understand if things take longer to get started, if there are interruptions, or if you need to reschedule the call.  If all else fails, often video interviews revert to phone interviews to make the best use of your time together.  Roll with the punches, and be understanding that everyone is trying their best in this situation.

Don't forget you are on camera:  When you are normally sitting in front of your computer, you may gaze around the screen, click on notifications, close screens, etc.  When you are on a video interview, it is very easy to forget that you are on camera.  You may start scratching your head, rolling your eyes or get a glazed look on your face.  Don't do this!  You need to remember you are conducting an interview, and make sure you stay engaged during it.

End the call:  With video interviews, you don't have the same social cues that you'd have if it was in-person.  Your interviewer won't reach out to shake your hand or touch your elbow.  Your interviewer probably won't stand up to leave the interview room.  The interviewer should signal that the interview is concluded, and then disconnect the video call.  This time can be a bit awkward, but just sit still and let the video disconnect.  Then as a safety measure, I put a cover on my camera and avoid saying anything until I'm sure the call is over.

And for some levity, here's a cute meme I saw yesterday