With Apologies to the Rolling Stones.

You can’t always get what you want.
Over the last week or so I’ve been reminded of this wisdom in more than one way. Is it frustrating? YOU BET! We have all had a disappointment of the kind that made us feel ‘cheated’ or ‘robbed’ I’m sure.
Some are obviously harder to get over than others but, there is normally little choice- Time passes and drags us with it. Now, I have no magic spell to ease that pain- (Boy do I wish I did!!), we all have to find our own way through it. Sometimes it feels like you’re trudging through molasses, sometimes it’s a sprint. While some of my recent experiences are more like the former, one over the weekend reminded me of another line from the same song “you get what you need.”
Over the weekend I made a choice based on not only ‘gut instinct’ but on principles. Some others made a choice swayed by what it would look like to others (I feel -knowing what they’ve told me prior). I am in no position to criticize or condemn, by ANY means. I just had to do what I felt was the right thing, for ME.
One more quote to sum up my decision (not musical, but literaryinstead this time): “to thine own self be true.” With thanks to Shakespeare.

Hidden job market?

My opinion on finding the "hidden job market" is it's about luck. Luck of the "right" contacts who know before a job is posted or a need that could be solved by your hire/position creation. The other possibility is a cold call or well timed 'application'.
I had these happen twice. The 1st was when I applied to a job posting, and was called for an interview. At the end of the interview, I was told the job I applied for was filled, but there was just an opening created when someone quit. "Would you be interested?" led to a 2nd interview and hire. No ad was ever placed.
The Second instance was because of the fact I had stayed in touch with a former boss. He was aware I was looking at a possible move and asked to meet with me. He recruited me back- creating a new position in order to bring me on board. Sadly that company is now no longer with us. Closed up. Gone.
Man would I LOVE to recreate EITHER of those now!!!! So far I haven’t timed the cold call right, and friends either tell me there’s NOTHING on the horizon or worse, they are just trying to hang on to their own jobs!
But, I’ll keep plugging- keep trying. Polls, reports, and news stories show I’m far from alone.
hiredrake@yahoo.com or http://www.linkedin.com/pub/b/264/545

Hoppy Easter!

To many this Sunday is a religious milestone. A time of renewed faith. To others it is another step toward (actual) Spring. A rebirth of the outdoors. To sports fans it’s also the start of a new season. A time to ‘Play Ball!’ To still others it means chocolate bunnies and marshmallow ‘Peeps.’
Well, call me an “everyman” I guess. I vote for all of the above.
Happy Easter.
Happy Spring.
SWING Batta!
And brush your teeth when you’re done.