Taking the "Un" from Unemployed!

Greetings branding zealots!
Everyone who is unemployed and is doing whatever they can to get re-employed has certainly seen the lists of "must do's" created by HR professionals.  I am hip deep in a couple items from the list, specifically volunteering and working for the experience.

Volunteering: Most of you have heard of the "microloan" concept.  It is fully explained in Muhammad Yunus' book Banker to the Poor.  Dr. Yunus and his Grameen Bank won a Nobel Peace prize in 2006 for their efforts to amerliorate world poverty by applying microloans first in Bangladesh, then throughout the Third World.  There are several MFI's (microfinance institutions) out there, but I like sending my money to Kiva.  Kiva is a non-profit that works with MFI's across the globe to serve people with no access to traditional banking systems.  Kiva packages my, say $25 loan with your, say $25 loan until the goal of say, $1000 is reached.  The amount is then distributed through an MFI to an entrepreneur of your choosing.  I love this concept because it is social awareness on a grand scale.  I give up a venti soy latte a week, and I bet I never miss it. I was about to go all in with Kiva (i.e., donating a modest but regular amount) until the grim reaper called, so instead I applied for a position as a loan reviewer.  I would encourage anyone with a personal interest in making the world a better place to investigate Kiva.

Working for the Experience:  As I told a friend I have known since elementary school, this is the advice you do not want to take.  It has turned out to be a learning experience, however, so I continue.  I am working for a friend of mine who owns a small HVAC contracting business (3 vans, 2 technicians, plus her) and is struggling with cash flow.  She is an incredible technician, a good teacher to her technicians, great with customers, but lacks sales and marketing skills.  I have been helping her by running a few sales calls, building her website, and following up with customers, in an effort to try to build a revenue stream that is but a trickle.  The experience has sharpened my sales acumen and allowed me to build a website, and I would rate it a very positive experience thus far.  If you have the opportunity, give it some reflection.  It may work for you as it has me.

And now your brand includes: self motivated, shows initiative, high personal drive, excellent sense of self direction.

Thanks for reading!
SH