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Man's Unique Job Search Is Sign Of The Times

Tribune photo by JAY NOLAN

While seeking a new job today at the corner of Ashley Drive and Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa, Aleksei Feliz got an offer for one in Brazil.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2009

On a not-too busy street corner in downtown Tampa this morning was a sign of the times.

Aleksei Feliz, 43, who said he is from the Sarasota-Bradenton area, stood at the corner of Ashley Drive and Kennedy Boulevard, holding up a large poster board with the heading, "Unemployed."

But the normal heavy flow of traffic into downtown was off today, Presidents Day, with many of the offices closed.

"I'll try again tomorrow," Feliz said. "I guess I picked a wrong day today, being a holiday."

Still, he did get one man to stop and hand over a business card. The man said he was hiring for a sales position in Brazil.

Feliz said he was willing to go wherever the job was to get back to work.

The poster board pretty much concealed most of his body, passers by saw only his head poking above the sign, his feet below and his hands on either side.

The resume said he has a bachelor's degree in economics and management and has 22 years experience in operations, project management, customer service, sales and human resources.

"Team player, good work ethic, bilingual," the poster said. "Think outside the box," was just below Feliz's cell phone number at the bottom.

Feliz said the company he worked for closed down in November and that Monday was his first day taking this unusual stab at landing employment.

"Over the weekend, I was trying to come up with different ideas," he said. "You cannot really look for a job using Monster.com. There are hundreds of people applying for the same job there. I had to try something different."

He said he will stick to this method until he finds employment.

"I will be back out here tomorrow morning," he said. "I'll try again and then go from there."

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