One step back, two steps forward.

This “quote” has numerous versions. The order shifting sometimes – reversed- to emphasize a positive or negative feel to give the point of view its power.
As stated above, it represents some in the job market (myself included). There is a time for some where the need or desire to move to a different industry comes to the forefront. The reason why are too many to list or go into here, so I will speak to me and my own thoughts.
My last employer was hit by the economic woes seen across the country bad enough to close EVERY LOCATION in the U.S! Job searching for me has had some aspects of evolution over the course of time. Compiling the top lines for job descriptions has made me REALLY look back at each position I had to see what I enjoyed and what I excelled at.
Targeting these positions means (mostly) looking to a new industry. As a result of looking to transfer skills – I am willing-expecting to take a step back in position level in order to accomplish this. It is something I am willing to do to re-establish myself in an area I can not only succeed or thrive in, but offer skills to the employer.
Easier said than done.
Example: a recruiter contacts me, having seen my resume on a job website. He says he likes what he sees. He gives the job description (and pay). He asks IF I’m interested; please send a current resume and availability to speak with me.
I reply~ YES, Emphasize a couple of points that match my experience, give a time to speak, and send a resume (the SAME resume that was on said website).
His response- “you’re obviously overqualified …what do you think?” Despite my explanation of transferring skills and acknowledging all the above….NOTHING.
Ironically my daughter (early in the job market) is also a job seeker and recently said to me about an entry level position she was declined for – “How do you GET the experience if they won’t hire you to GET it?”
As a former hiring manager, I can only imagine the landslide of applications that could come in. It is disappointing; however, I DO think of all the talent that I could speak with and possibly add to my team. It seems many employers (&/or recruiters?) are wearing blinders, not willing to mine for the gems thru an interview.
When I send an application, my letter makes it clear why and how I can bring benefits to the company. All I ask is for the chance to speak about the details and take 2 steps forward.

Job Hunting and The Lottery

I was flipping channels and came across the movie “DAVE.” It’s about a “down to earth guy that looks like the President & is put into place when the President is incapacitated.” (Fun movie- catch it if you can). ANYWAY; He’s giving a speech and says (paraphrasing-something to the effect) ‘Have you ever seen the face of someone when they get a job… a purpose... they can look themselves in the mirror knowing they’ve accomplished a day’s work…they look like they could fly.’
It made me think about myself and friends, ex coworkers who are (still) searching for work; searching online, networking, making calls and knocking on doors. Playing our numbers as it were.
Here’s the thing- have you ever known someone who played the lottery? They kept playing their ‘lucky number’ because they ‘knew’ they would win soon? WHY? “They were due.” Or because- “it was going to be their turn.’
Yeah…Uh--huh.
Well, you see, it doesn’t work like that in real life. Neither does job hunting.
It is like a lottery in that you keep on ‘playing’ – crossing your fingers that today’s your day. But- you only win when the stars align, - “the numbers match” (i.e. your skills outmatches the other guy or gal’s in regard to the needs of the company).
Not because it’s your turn. Not because you’re due. The Wall St Journal says that 59% of those unemployed have been so over a year.
So wish me luck, I’ll keep playing until my numbers come in.

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.

Customer (Dis)Service:

I grew up in a small family business and was taught to take care of the customer- make them ‘happy campers.'
It seemed really simple- the “golden rule” approach. Treat customers with the courtesy, respect AND POLITENESS that you yourself would want to be treated. “Please”- “May I help you?”- “Thank You”
I was somewhat surprised a couple of years ago to find that others I knew were SO happy if the kid at McDonald’s (or wherever) actually said thank you when handing you your change. (Side note another pet peeve is when my change is slid across the counter=????)
Why should people have to be impressed like that, or satisfied if the service is neutral/non-offensive??
I say they shouldn’t!
Customers usually only speak up to complain (yeah, I do); to let management know if someone is rude, evasive about getting you an answer (“Let me speak to your supervisor!”) etc, etc. HOWEVER- I also speak up when I get good service! I let the manager know his employees are good workers, that I had a good experience in his establishment. If he has worked to accomplish that, GREAT- he and his employee can feel good. If he was not behind it- maybe give him an idea to see “why did the customer appreciate THAT employee?” Either way it can only grow and advance the process.
Going out to eat I have had good service and bad service. In more than one case, I have told the server not only through a tip, but also directly, that they had made the meal enjoyable with attentive service and a great personality (Heck- I even tried to hire one!).
My father-in-law taught me something while working for him: You can’t buy enough advertising to get you what GOOD word of mouth does- and- You can’t spend enough money to overcome BAD word of mouth! So true. I’ll be an ambassador for the business where I had a good experience. A bad experience = I am a company’s worst nightmare!
Too many companies don’t ‘fight the tide’ and TEACH customer service. I will go OUT OF MY WAY to not give them my business. Still others realize the simple- basic lesson, the one that has guided me as a manager WHEREVER I worked. I learned through asking myself and my team a question whose answer means success and growth. –
“How do YOU want to be treated?”

Ethics and Responsibility: Don't Leave Home Without Them

I was always taught that “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” - meaning know what matters to you, what you stand for (what you know as right or wrong. ) I (we) were told to take those values- those beliefs, and speak them proudly. MORE than that – LIVE THEM in your life; DEMONSTRATE what you believe through your actions. In doing all those things, you also needed to have some defense of your position. Sometimes it may be based on religion (Thou shall not steal). Other times there may be based on experience (I manage & lead people as I would want my ‘boss’ to treat me). Maybe it’s more historical (‘…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”). But NEVER was I told it was good to take a stand purely because ‘it was all about me’ and forget how it affects the rest.
To me the basis of my values- philosophies, was really about not doing harm to others, but rather how this position could help more than just you.
Sadly in my life, I have seen too many times where others either have ignored these teachings or were taught very differently. Too many people look at ‘what’s in it for me?’ Too many times have I seen those that care only about their outcome regardless even when others are harmed. Still worse is that with my own ears I have heard them justify rather than defend why they acted that way. The sounds of the two are most definitely different. Despite being confronted with this repeatedly in life- in school, at work, from celebrities or politicians; (are you nodding in agreement?); I still hold onto what makes me- well, me. So even when the odds are against me, I know I only have one choice.
Stand up.