Success can come from some strange places August 19, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in Job Searching, Job Searching.Tags: attitude, career search, Job Search, jobs careers job hunting
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I have a friend Nick Iandolo who is a screenwriter and fellow WIND member. Nick is a high energy person who is fun to be around as it is contagious for one thing and to watch him shutter trying to release his pent up energy is just fun to watch.
So what does Nick have to do with the topic? Well the story goes like this. Nick wrote a book “Cut the crap and write that damn screen play” , great book go to Amazon and buy it it is worth the read. ANy way in the process of getting his book published he needed a cover. The cover needed artwork or pictures. Nick gets the crazy idea to enlist his friends in role model playing. I played McKee a pretentious author of book on writing who has you do more writing about writing than actually doing the writing. I hope you followed that because I can’t do that twice. So we set up outside B Goods at Legacy Place in Dedham, MA, Great burgers and thick strawberry shakes! Anyway we are outside using the patio furniture and I play McKee and Nick jumps in my face screaming the title of his book. The people sitting around us were either amused or in shock it was hard to tell.
Anyway cut to scene two:
Nick lands himself on Money Matters radio. This is cool he can push his book. Yes that is me on the back cover at the top! Anyway Nick promoted the hell out of being on the show.
I do not have an AM antenna on my stereo so I am forced to go online and watch the streaming video and audio. I realize that they are only focusing on a niche market for the book …screenwriters. Wait! I have read the book and I am not a screenwriter the book is for everyone. So I do the right thing. I call into the show to tell them this!.
Nick the host and I have a good laugh when I reveal that it is I on the back of the book. I tell her that Nick’s book has inspired me, a business person, to write my first book. My book will be title LinkedIn screwdriver or power tool?
Scene Three:
I get invited to do a show, Ah! Networking at its finest! So I go and do my show and push my new business Evolution Career Business Leadership. I get a mention in of my branding statement; “You train dogs you coach athletes We develop people!” Denis Vaughan was a great host and made the show very fun.
Is that it???? You got your own time on the show. How melodramatic for this topic.
Ah but here is scene 4: Fade in!
They sent me the wrong audio files. So in trying to get the right files I receive an email from the station that the Program Manager liked my “On Air” presence and wants to talk to me about further shows.
I have an appointment Monday so I will have to add a comment as to the conclusion of this.
But if you look at the sequence of events you can see that you never know where your success will come from.
From a crazy friend having a crazy idea for a book cover to getting on radio.
Always keep your options open you never know where they may lead you.
My comment could be that I am just going to do a series of shows or it could be that I get my own show. Whatever the outcome it has been a wild ride getting there. I am enjoying the ride while it last.
What ride is coming your way or is starting to brew for you?
Reality check time! August 14, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in Job Searching, Job Searching.Tags: attitude, career, career search, careers, job hunting, Job Search, job seeking, jobs careers job hunting, starting a business
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The stock market was down again for the fourth day in row Wednesday. The great recession continues. National unemployment is still over 10% despite what the media quotes.
So what is the reality check your preaching to the choir!
Here is the check!
If you are still devoting a lot of time to job boards then you will be out of work for a longer period.
If you are not getting out of the house and networking you will be out of work for a longer time.
If you are not using social media (LinkedIn Twitter Facebook) effectively you will be out of work a long time.
If you have lost your focus and drive for what you want to do then you will be out of work along time.
If you are using the shot gun approach well good luck to you.
REALITY CHECK!
Learn what the hidden job market is! Research make a list of target companies and then form your strategy, your game plan to land a position there. It take work and determination.
If you want the job and you want to work there, then do the work. The pay off is better than sitting there reading this.
If you have or others around have convinced you that you will never get another job doing what you have been doing, then what?
What is your passion? Is there a market for it? Can you develop a business plan for it? Well then just do it! You will probably be happier doing what you have a passion for and working for yourself. Then if it takes off you can hire other people to help you.
As Nike says Just Do it!
How do you stay focused and positive after a year? March 24, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: attitude, career, career search, job hunting, Job Search, job seeking, jobs careers job hunting
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Well I have been unencumbered by employment now for 1 1/2 years. I have heard of people giving up, I have heard of people changing careers, I have heard of people loosing focus and taking anything, I have heard of people that have gone from focus to the shotgun approach.
They say desperate times call for desperate measures. Do they really? Or is that a cop out statement?
When they talk about people over 40 they always mention career transition like after 40 you have to seek a new career. What was wrong with the one I was in? It is still around and I still like the work so why do I have to transition?
I might be an enigma. I have worked in the same industry for a number of years. I still have a lot I can contribute. I still have the time to do it also. I really like my industry because it is constantly changing and you get to learn new things all the time. I have worked with some great people and I have worked with some real pain the asses.
I have hired people and I have fired people. It was just part of the job.
They tell you in these times to surround yourself with positive people who will support you. People who have been out this long have a hard time staying focused and being positive. I have my ups and downs but I try hard to have more ups than I do downs. When you start having a down day it can drag you down fast. You have to be aware and not let that happen.
How do you stay focused? I know what I want to do. I know that I can do it very effectively. I know there is a position out there for me. I just have to find it . So I keep looking for it and nothing else.
I know I have hurdles that I have to overcome. Knowing what these are gives me the advantage to address them in positive ways. This allows me to stay focused and up beat because I know that I can jump these hurdles with ease.
Staying positive is hard especially after all this time and then loosing my last 2 extensions because I worked a part time gig for a friend of mine. I have stopped watching TV there was nothing worth watching anyway except maybe the DIY and NAT GEO channels. Not listening to bad news everyday helps you stay positive. I would get my information online in daily emails from the business journals and the tech wires. This allowed me to be selective on what I read especially if it related to my industry. I could see if my target companies received a contract or bought another company or merged with someone. It kept me informed with what really mattered.
Getting into discussions and answering questions on LinkedIn helped a lot for me to stay positive because it provides a sense of worth. Especially when you get voted best answer or someone in a discussion gives you kudos for your part.
Writing this blog helps me stay positive as it has been my hope to help others who are job seeking. I have received good feedback from other seekers thanking me for it.
I guess what it really comes down to is the person character. Do they have the discipline to keep themselves focused and upbeat when the world is crumbling around them? Do they have that dogged determination required to go the distance to achieve what they desire or are they going to throw in the towel and take what ever and be miserable until something better comes along?
If you have been unemployed for a year or more please tell me here what you have done and what you do to keep focused and keep going. I would like to know and I am sure it may help others who read this blog.
Whats with Unemployment and Career Centers? March 17, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: career, career search, job hunting, Job Search, job seeking, jobs careers job hunting
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Here in Massachusetts there is a growing concern about a particular issue. That concern is about your UI benefits and extensions when you hit the one year mark in your endeavor to find gainful employment.
The career centers are encouraging you to find part time and contract work. They will tell you upfront that you can only make X number of dollars over your unemployment before it has an effect on your weekly UI check.
What they neglect to tell you is what effect it will have on your UI benefits if you are still unemployed after a year.
The eligibility amount is $3,500 to get UI benefits. I only worked a 3 week part time gig for a friends company and only made $2,300. When I went to file for my next to last extension I was told I was not eligible due to the fact I only worked 3 weeks in 2009 and did not make sufficient monies to collect. So now I am at zero income and no safety net left.
What others in Massachusetts are finding out is that there benefits are being greatly reduced because of their part time work. I know of a number of people who have gone from the maximum to $94/wk because of part time work. This places a further financial burden on these people and myself. It makes it many times harder for us to job search when we cannot afford gas to travel other than an actual interview. It hampers our ability to network as we cannot afford to buy the contact a simple cup of coffee much less the gas to get there.
So if you are starting or have been on unemployment and are working part time and /or contract I would suggest strongly that you go to your UI office and ask how this will effect your benefits down the road. The job market is going to be slow to recover and many of us will be unemployed or underemployed for years to come.
Volunteer work while unemployed. What does it get me? March 14, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: career, career search, job hunting, Job Search, volunteering
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Volunteer work will provide you some benefits that may or may not advance your career.
One it provides a sense of worth that you lost when you lost your job.
It allows you to keep your communication and interaction skills honed for that interview.
Then there is the networking aspect of it as it broadens your network and allows you to meet interesting people.
Depending on the work it can maintain, enhance, or hone your skills. It may add new skills also.
Where do these volunteer opportunities come from?
You can search them out or they may present themselves in chance ways.
My latest work is based on a chance encounter at the local Post Office. It was based on my former volunteer work and the fact that I was wearing an old uniform jacket with embroidery.
I ran into Al who is running the Ram Island Restoration Project off of Mattapoisett, MA.
The project is to fly dirt out to the island to fill in 2 erosion spots, add planting and make it ready for the nesting season of the Common tern and the Roesetta Tern (endangered). 1/4 of each population nest on this island to breed.
The project uses 3 helicopters to fly the dirt out using mud mats that carry 750lbs of dirt at a time. so it takes many flights. We have moved 650 yards to date. We have another 3 -4 days hopefully to finish the dirt move.
The pilots requested a water safety aspect in case they go into the water. This is where I come in having performed underwater recovery for 20 years I have the experience to train, plan and execute such an operation.
So my leadership and operation skills are in use once again. The operation provides me a feeling of great worth and responsibility. It has put me back on my game. Something that I have been missing this last year.
It has also provided me with a new skill — navigation. I navigate us out through a narrow and obstruction avoidance from the marina to the island and back. I also have to select the anchorage point daily for optimum response.
I hopefully have 3-4 more days of doing this before my part is completed.
This has helped me exercise my leadership skills and get me back on game.
I hope that all those volunteering are finding it helpful. To those who are thinking about it I hope this gives you that push to go for it. It is rewarding and will help you in the short and long term.
Seekers we still need humor! February 26, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: career, career search, job hunting, Job Search
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I was establishing a network contact today. It is a stretch in that I am trying to go to a 4th degree.
My 1st degree knows his 1st degree ( my 2nd) knows someone (my 1st 2nd and his 1st 1st) at a company that I am interested in. Did you follow all that?
So my 1st send me a note about the introduction to his 1st about his 2nd. Then he tells me to be patient.
Here is the funny part;
I reply that I learned patience from my volunteer work performing underwater recovery.
He replies, “That’s funny it is a trait that I was born with”
I reply, ” Then I guess I have a weakness to talk about in an interview”
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Okay! since I am loosing my mind about loosing my last 2 extensions my mind has warped!
So I am thinking about misleading job postings. You know the ones that get you excited them let you down.
For example here is the title of the job: Engagement Manager or even Sr. Engagement Manager
For us who know what that is it is a really good job and position.
Now here is the company: E-Harmony.com
Now just think of your own ad here! It could be hilarious!
Responsible for ensuring that our matches based on 39 points of compatibility get engaged to boost our standings in the matchmaking industry. Allowing us to grow market share and put Match.com out of business.
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I saw this on Twitter today it is a cute one.
What would you have if everyone bought a white car?
You would have a white car-nation!
I told you I was loosing it didn’t I warn you. LOL
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I know why Obama has big ears! It is from his parents and friends grabbing him by the ears and banging his head into a wall to get his attention!
Do I hear any takers America????????
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Add your jokes to this post to help us keep our sense of humor during these trying times.
JOB BOARDS Need to be revised February 20, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: careers, job hunting, Job Search
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Job boards! We all now them Monster, Hot jobs, Careerbuilder, Dice and the others.
They are like the relative you can’t stand, but have to invite to the party to keep the family happy.
Are the effective? I guess that depends on the position you are seeking. But all in all they only represent about 5- 6 % of the jobs being landing. If I turned in numbers like that at work I would be fired.
They offer some advise and it is the same advice you get everywhere else. Then on Monster every time you click on a posting you have to go through the DO YOU WANT OT FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION screen. Which I find highly annoying. I wold like to see a box that I can click on that says never show this page again.
I did an experiment the other day. I went on Careerbuilder and updated my resume. Low and behold with in minutes I started receiving those form letters. You know the ones, We have read your resume and wish to invite you to be an insurance salesperson or a financial advisor. Really because I have been an engineer most of my life and my resume says right on it that I am looking for and Engineering Manager position. I have no sales experience nor I have I ever worked in either industry but they think I am highly qualified for a position when other companies would think I am under qualified. I know these are probably automatically generated and I feel sorry for the ones that actually have someones name and email address on them because I do send replies of thanks but no thanks and can you comprehend what you read.
The other problem I see with job boards is that the let recruiters post non jobs so as to build up their data base. They also let companies post adds for positions that do not exist just because they want to go fishing or is that phishing to test the waters for when things turn around. So we as job seekers deligently do what is required to apply only to never hear from anyone.
Then there is the issue of a real job gets posted and then it gets filled but it remains on the boards because the company paid for 30 days and by god we are going to give them their money’s worth. So again they waste our time. I guess they think like others that we have all this free time on our hands (see my post “Since your not busy SAY WHAT!”).
Lets talk about job alerts on the boards. What a joke these are! I received an alert today that I have set up for engineering manager positions. I am gong through the list and what do I see an opening for a cook! Now in my book that is a heck of a stretch for the criteria that I placed. Maybe I should have looked at the posting to see if it was a chef/cook for an engineering manager who negotiated it as part of his compensation package.
I have a job alert on Twitter called TweetMyJob. It provides me with engineering manager positions. The only draw back that I see is that it does not allow me to be industry specific and engineering title cross many industries. Therefore, I have to sift through the posting for other industries. At least I am not wasting my time sifting through cook ads.
So when people ask me if I use the major job boards I tell them yes but I do not put a lot of effort on emphasis on them. I have found that my best placed energy is on LinkedIn and Twitter for opportunities and to research target companies and network.
So if job boards want to be helpful they need to update and refine their job alert search engines so that we only see the jobs we are qualified for and want to apply to and not the plethora of anything that remotes matches any word we have in our search.
The other thing is if you are going to provide resume critiques, they should be done by people who understand the industry and language of the industry that I work in.
Job seekers if you want to have fun, I mean we aren’t busy right?, send your resume to one job board for a free critiques. Makes the suggested changes and then send it to another board for their free resume critique and look at the results. Ok don’t it is a waste of time. I have already performed this task and it was fun for me. It is like asking three recruiters to comment on your resume and getting three totally different answers. Sorry to spoil your fun.
Volunteer Work and your resume February 16, 2010
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: career, job hunting, Job Search, resumes
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This question gets asked a lot. Should I put my volunteer work on my resume?
Your volunteer work shows that you have interest outside of work that is considered life-balance. It shows the type of person you are by what you volunteer for. It shows that you can handle certain things better than others.
I was at a networking meeting the other day and this question came up. I was discussing how I have been told that my volunteer work (underwater recovery) should be on my resume. I was saying how I leave it on there. I am the Assistant Dive Chief and help run the operation or I am in charge of the operation. Since I have been on the news a number of times I asked when you see divers on the news do you know what goes on when they are there? No one had a clue.
The following is a typical operation that I would run;
I get a phone call between 1AM and 4 AM that there is a drowning (usually in the quarry). I have to figure out the risk involved and then pick from 139 fellow volunteers those that have the skill set to get the job done. I also have to support personnel for each diver so I have to call others. I then have to get the truck and report to the scene. Once on the scene I have to secure an area for my divers, find the Officer in Charge of the Scene and get filled in on what the story is. I have to interview witnesses. Then after assigning a few tasks I formulate the plan and pick my first team of divers to get in the water. I hold a brief press conference for the media that has shown up. Then it is back to running the operation. I debrief the first team of divers as to the conditions they encountered. I call all divers to a meeting to let them know whats ahead for them. Then the next set goes in. Each team of divers get a debriefing on exiting the water so that I can revamp the plan if required. In the middle of the operation I call another press conference to update them and to let them know what conditions we are diving in and to give them an estimate of how long I think the operation is going to run. At the end of the operation I give the last press conference. I give a final report to the Officer in Charge of the Scene.
So to break that down into skills that I go through; team building, logistics, relations(public and media), planning, risk/benefit assessment, leadership, crisis management(at times), communications and politics(on occasion).
After explaining this to the group I was told by one person that I was running an Agile operation. I said we run as a paramilitary organization in that we have one person in charge and one voice to the outside world. They said that is Agile. So I guess you could say that I understand how Agile works.
You could also say that I understand LEAN also. Think about it! I have limited resources to work with( I do not call out everyone for a dive) and I have to do the best job I can and get results that lead to a successful completion of the operation.
You could liken an operation to a project; I have a start and end I have dependencies and interdependencies and milestones.
So you can see that my volunteer work needs to be on my resume as the skills that I use (all at once) are beneficial to the company that I work for.
I am sure that your volunteer work may not be as involved as mine but I bet you have some great transferable skills from yours.
The other thing about volunteer work is that you may interview with someone who also volunteers to that organization or is interested in it. It will provide a talk point and relax the interview as now you have a common point.
How do I research a company before an interview? December 8, 2009
Posted by jvmullin in 1.Tags: careers, job hunting, Job Search, research
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There are many ways to research information on a company. There are a number of places online to get information. Then there is the best way and that is to network person to person. You need to perform research in a number of locations to get a real good idea on the company before your interview. This is work but you need to put in the time.
This is also good information for researching your target companies also.
So lets look at a number of ways to find information;
Google:
Google the company name and look at the first 2 pages of search data that comes up. Take note on newspaper and magazine articles about the company. Visit the company website (I will get more into that in a minute).
Yahoo Finance:
Search Yahoo Finance for the company. If it is publicly traded the stock trends will come up and you can see how the stock has been trading.
Hoovers.com/free (remember the “S” or you will look at vacuum cleaners):
Hoovers free version will provide the name of the company, the address of the headquarters, the industry, who the top executives are, description of the company, the competition, the competitive overview, and sometimes it list jobs.
SEC.gov Edgar search engine:
This is for publicly traded companies. This is the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission website. This is where you want to search for a companies 10K and 15K reports. These reports are loaded with great information about the company. The information includes, where they are at, where they are headed, what the risks are to the business, who they feel are there top competitors, and there financials.
LinkedIn:
Perform a company search. Look for people that you have a connection to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree. Network to these contacts. Set up in person meetings. Just ask for information on the company do not ask for them to hand in your resume unless they ask you for it. See post on networking.
LinkedIn groups is another way to find people that work at the company. If you are in professional trade groups or industry specific groups then start a discussion and ask if anyone works for or knows anyone that works for the company.
Company website:
The company website will have a number of sections to look at.
About Us: This will tell a little about what the company does and what industry or market they are in.
Investor Relations: This will have the Annual Report if they are publicly traded. Latest News about the company (always good to know for starting conversation), and other information.
Careers: This will list the open positions in the company. I find that most companies usually do not keep this section up to date.
Contact Us: This section will have a single point contact or can have multiple points of contact. They are usually HR, Sales, and Customer Service email accounts. There are also phone numbers.
These are some of the best sources for finding information on a company before you interview there. It is also a good way to get information on your target companies so that you can have better informational meeting conversations. Either way you will go into the interview knowing about the company and be able to ask substantial questions and be better prepared to tell the interviewee what you can do for their company.
If you know of anymore good sources please add them to this post as it will help myself and others.
Job seeking from a hunters perspective Blog 