EMPLOYING TECHNOLOGY OUT-OF-WORK HUBBY TAKES CHANCE AS EBAY 'MERCHANDISE'.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

SHERMAN OAKS - Times are tough for Dean Edwards and his family. So tough that Edwards' wife put him up for auction on eBay because he doesn't have a job.

The first and only bid: $1, ``and that was out of sympathy,'' said his wife, Sherri.

Sympathy levels are running high as the recently unemployed look for more-creative ways to land a job. Edwards' wife thought posting his resume on eBay would spark some interest.

With 3,423 companies announcing layoffs in the first half of 2002, sending nearly 700,000 people to unemployment lines, experts say the need for more-creative approaches to job hunting has become increasingly necessary.

``It's a challenging job market out there and some creativity is certainly in order,'' said John Arany, a career counselor at California State University, Northridge.

Edwards is getting a lot of attention, but so far he hasn't gotten a job offer.

``We've had about 1,000 hits, but everyone just wants to vent about their own job search and how difficult it is right now,'' said Sherri Edwards, 37. ``It can be quite frustrating at times.''

That frustration has driven Edwards' wife also to seek employment. After staying home for about two years to raise their 21-month-old daughter, she's going back to work in property management.

It's not uncommon to have two working parents these days. But Edwards winces when he thinks about sending his daughter to day care.

``I feel terrible,'' he said. ``Now my wife has to start working again, and the idea of putting our daughter in day care is scary.''

Indeed, sacrifice is essential when hard times hit. Adele Scheele, director of the career center at CSUN, understands this notion.

``But posting your resume on eBay is almost as good as putting a bag over your head,'' Scheele said. ``It gives you the illusion you're doing something, though the impulse is understandable.''

Edwards' objective: To find a challenging senior-level position within marketing or product marketing in a high-tech environment. ``I do have a degree in engineering, but I enjoy the creative side a little more,'' he said. ``I like being involved in advertising and public relations.''

Versatility is key to prospective employers. Scheele said that along with persistence, adaptability is always attractive in a competitive job market.

Edwards, who lives in Sherman Oaks, was laid off three months ago from Westlake Village-based Nomadix. Originally from England, he has held several marketing-related positions at a variety of technology companies along the 101 Corridor.

Arany said it's difficult to foretell what the future holds for Edwards. ``But he sounds aggressive with his job search. He's only been out of work for about three months and he's already had some interviews,'' he said. ``It's taking our grads three to six months to find work.''

Arany notes several characteristics that would improve job prospects. They include geographic flexibility, paying for relocation fees, having ambitious goals about the job search and staying focused.

``My message is that if people stay focused and continue their job-search efforts, they will be successful,'' Arany said.

Other helpful tips: attending the CSUN job fair Monday at the student union and visiting the weeklong Comdex conference and exhibition at the Las Vegas Convention Center beginning Nov. 17. The conference features new products that are being launched by various technology companies.

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(color) Sherri Edwards of Sherman Oaks put husband Dean's resume up for auction on eBay, hoping to help him find a new job. One bid so far: $1.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer