How often do you have a chance to give away $200 to a perfect stranger? It sounds odd, but it was rewarding, and it gave me a chance to meet Melinda Webber of Plymouth, who was the winner of our Jobmatchme.com contest.

Melinda won because she was chosen at random from close to 4,500 people who submitted resumes to our new online help-wanted site. When I called her with the news, she first thought I was a prank caller, but soon realized that I wasn’t joking. The day after Christmas she happily stopped by The Bangor Daily News to pick up her winnings. I asked if she planned on using this money to do some shopping at those after Christmas sales.  Her response was similar to what one would expect in these tough economic times, she smiled and said she’d be using the money to pay bills. Her gratitude showed in her smile and I knew in my heart that I would have to give money away to a perfect stranger again.  Hopefully the BDN will sponsor another jobmatchme.com contest on 2009!

P.S. If you weren’t the lucky winner of the $200, hopefully you will become the lucky winner of a new rewarding career!  Helpful hints and job lead ideas soon to follow…