As I found employment, I have learned that my good friend and former colleague has found himself "Gainfully Unemployed".
He will now take the helm and add his experiences and insights along his journey -
Aaron - I wish you well and I am confident you will find what you are looking for.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Day 24 - the offer letter
Today started like most others and I started the day:
As lunch was ending, my offer letter came in and a quick review showed it to be acceptable. High fives and handshakes later, we left to go and review the document more closely.
After a couple of very minor tweaks, we are agreed and I am about to be "Gainfully Employed". The company is First ROI in North Austin and I am very much looking forward to getting back to work.
General lesson learned...
To be successful in searching for a new position, one needs to take charge and engage fully in the process. There is not a firm or recruiter that is going to do this for you. Sure, a good recruiter will put opportunities in front of you and help you once you get into the process, but the real work is before that.
You have to figure out what you want, and be prepared for it when it comes along. Do not sit on the sidelines and wait for the phone to ring.
Network, network, network.... Make those connections - new ones. Get out of your comfort zone. People you already know will likely hear about the same opportunities you do - you need to get past that and learn about other opportunities.
Use social media - LinkedIn, Facebook, & Twitter just to name a few.
Lets take this opportunity. This one came along and a person who knew both my recruiter and me saw it. The third party mentioned "hey, this sounds like something for Will". The recruiter agreed and if you have been following along, you know the rest.
If I had just been sitting like a hermit at the house moping along, I might have missed this. Tell everyone you know and even those that you do not --- "Hey, I am a great person with great talent and I am looking for a job"; and tell them often.
Be ready with a catch phrase when you are asked that question "what do you do". I came up with "I manage IT people who fix broken things". It is corny I know, but this is what will get a conversation going so you can elaborate.
I want to thank all of the people who have supported me through all of this. Hearing "you will be fine" & "I am sure you can nail it" helps.
Keep this in mind as friends and colleagues go through this; they need your support.
I hope my little trip through the land of the unemployed has helped - good luck out there!
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
As lunch was ending, my offer letter came in and a quick review showed it to be acceptable. High fives and handshakes later, we left to go and review the document more closely.
After a couple of very minor tweaks, we are agreed and I am about to be "Gainfully Employed". The company is First ROI in North Austin and I am very much looking forward to getting back to work.
General lesson learned...
To be successful in searching for a new position, one needs to take charge and engage fully in the process. There is not a firm or recruiter that is going to do this for you. Sure, a good recruiter will put opportunities in front of you and help you once you get into the process, but the real work is before that.
You have to figure out what you want, and be prepared for it when it comes along. Do not sit on the sidelines and wait for the phone to ring.
Network, network, network.... Make those connections - new ones. Get out of your comfort zone. People you already know will likely hear about the same opportunities you do - you need to get past that and learn about other opportunities.
Use social media - LinkedIn, Facebook, & Twitter just to name a few.
Lets take this opportunity. This one came along and a person who knew both my recruiter and me saw it. The third party mentioned "hey, this sounds like something for Will". The recruiter agreed and if you have been following along, you know the rest.
If I had just been sitting like a hermit at the house moping along, I might have missed this. Tell everyone you know and even those that you do not --- "Hey, I am a great person with great talent and I am looking for a job"; and tell them often.
Be ready with a catch phrase when you are asked that question "what do you do". I came up with "I manage IT people who fix broken things". It is corny I know, but this is what will get a conversation going so you can elaborate.
I want to thank all of the people who have supported me through all of this. Hearing "you will be fine" & "I am sure you can nail it" helps.
Keep this in mind as friends and colleagues go through this; they need your support.
I hope my little trip through the land of the unemployed has helped - good luck out there!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Day 23 - ready for the weekend
The week ends, and no official offer from the company I have been working with. When you are the one waiting, this can be stressful, but having been on the other side of the fence as the hiring manager, I can tell you sometimes these things just take time. There is more involved than just one person saying "ok, lets do it".
So I am patient, and I continue to work my other options.
I followed up on the previously mentioned lead. I made sure that my contact knew that I was serious about perusing this position. She is checking into it for me. This position would fit me very well and it is at a great firm - I am hopeful I can get a foot in the door here.
I have a pretty full "activity" calendar next week. It is important to be out and about whenever possible. Remember, this is a Marketing exercise, you need to keep yourself exposed as much as possible. I have lunch set or tenative for four days next week - would have been five, but I am taking the kids to the Dr. to prepare for shcool.
I rounded out the day checking off my usual tasks of:
So I am patient, and I continue to work my other options.
I followed up on the previously mentioned lead. I made sure that my contact knew that I was serious about perusing this position. She is checking into it for me. This position would fit me very well and it is at a great firm - I am hopeful I can get a foot in the door here.
I have a pretty full "activity" calendar next week. It is important to be out and about whenever possible. Remember, this is a Marketing exercise, you need to keep yourself exposed as much as possible. I have lunch set or tenative for four days next week - would have been five, but I am taking the kids to the Dr. to prepare for shcool.
I rounded out the day checking off my usual tasks of:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
Day 22 - settling in
I started the day like most:
As promised, I took a little break and hit the golf course today. It was nice to get out even though it was 101 by the 18th hole.
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
As promised, I took a little break and hit the golf course today. It was nice to get out even though it was 101 by the 18th hole.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day 21 - back at it full steam...
First thing this morning, I got a call from my recruiter on the position I have been interviewing for.
She let me know that the company had in fact decided that I was the top candidate. We are working through the details of the offer now and I am hopeful a decision can be made this week.
While it all sounds good, I am not willing to simply wait for the ink to dry - anything can happen. I am a firm believer in keeping all options open and moving forward on those options until the point I have been offered and have accepted a position.
As I have said before, the companies have back-up plans; we as candidates should as well. This does two things:
It puts me in a stronger position for all negotiations which will show in interviews. I never want to go into a negotiation of any kind feeling weak.
It prevents time from being lost. If something goes off the rails in the final negotiation, I will not have lost valuable time to setting up the next interview. If I were to sit on my hands, and this drags out for two weeks then falls apart, I may have just missed that "other opportunity".
So, after the call from my recruiter I hit the ground running. Of course, I went through the usual routine of:
On one of the leads, all I had was the company name and the job description. I contacted my recruiter and she had a few contacts and is working on getting the door cracked open for me. It is better to wait for a personal point of contact than to just send a resume "into the pile" with the others.
As I investigated this lead further I discovered it was actually a better fit for a former colleague and good friend. I reached out to him. He actually had already heard of the position and it had peaked his interest. I had found a path to a couple of contacts into the company, so I shared them with him. I have not taken this position off my radar by any means and do intend to pursue it further.
With the other, I actually had a contact at the company; she is the one who alerted me to the oppoertunity to start with. She got my resume directly to the HR lead today. I will follow up on this and make sure I stay near the top of the pile of resumes.
I also found a third potential lead. I will review the company and position further tomorrow and try to find a way to "get my foot in the door".
I do not want this to sound like I never send out a resume without someone walking it over to HR for me -- that would be optimal, but it is sometimes not reasonable. I have a good resume and cover letter, sometimes you have to pull the trigger and let those documents stand on their own as the first impression.
I will keep you posted on where these go.
Tomorrow I am going to take a bit of a break. I have a tee time at 9:00; kind of late for this heat, but I can stand to lose a couple of pounds anyway...
I will still follow up on things, and run through my daily routines; I will of course have my cell and be that annoying guy yabbering away while you are trying to make a 12 foot down hill put with a cross grain.
The club I am playing at will also give me an opportunity to network in person outside of my comfort zone of contacts. You never know who you will meet when you hook one into the wrong fairway or at the bar after 18...
I look at it like this: Until I am Gainfully Employed, I am marketing myself every time I walk out the door. I always take my business cards and dress a little better than the typical "day at the lake" appearance I love so much.
All in all, a good day....
She let me know that the company had in fact decided that I was the top candidate. We are working through the details of the offer now and I am hopeful a decision can be made this week.
While it all sounds good, I am not willing to simply wait for the ink to dry - anything can happen. I am a firm believer in keeping all options open and moving forward on those options until the point I have been offered and have accepted a position.
As I have said before, the companies have back-up plans; we as candidates should as well. This does two things:
It puts me in a stronger position for all negotiations which will show in interviews. I never want to go into a negotiation of any kind feeling weak.
It prevents time from being lost. If something goes off the rails in the final negotiation, I will not have lost valuable time to setting up the next interview. If I were to sit on my hands, and this drags out for two weeks then falls apart, I may have just missed that "other opportunity".
So, after the call from my recruiter I hit the ground running. Of course, I went through the usual routine of:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
On one of the leads, all I had was the company name and the job description. I contacted my recruiter and she had a few contacts and is working on getting the door cracked open for me. It is better to wait for a personal point of contact than to just send a resume "into the pile" with the others.
As I investigated this lead further I discovered it was actually a better fit for a former colleague and good friend. I reached out to him. He actually had already heard of the position and it had peaked his interest. I had found a path to a couple of contacts into the company, so I shared them with him. I have not taken this position off my radar by any means and do intend to pursue it further.
With the other, I actually had a contact at the company; she is the one who alerted me to the oppoertunity to start with. She got my resume directly to the HR lead today. I will follow up on this and make sure I stay near the top of the pile of resumes.
I also found a third potential lead. I will review the company and position further tomorrow and try to find a way to "get my foot in the door".
I do not want this to sound like I never send out a resume without someone walking it over to HR for me -- that would be optimal, but it is sometimes not reasonable. I have a good resume and cover letter, sometimes you have to pull the trigger and let those documents stand on their own as the first impression.
I will keep you posted on where these go.
Tomorrow I am going to take a bit of a break. I have a tee time at 9:00; kind of late for this heat, but I can stand to lose a couple of pounds anyway...
I will still follow up on things, and run through my daily routines; I will of course have my cell and be that annoying guy yabbering away while you are trying to make a 12 foot down hill put with a cross grain.
The club I am playing at will also give me an opportunity to network in person outside of my comfort zone of contacts. You never know who you will meet when you hook one into the wrong fairway or at the bar after 18...
I look at it like this: Until I am Gainfully Employed, I am marketing myself every time I walk out the door. I always take my business cards and dress a little better than the typical "day at the lake" appearance I love so much.
All in all, a good day....
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Day 20 - I am not patient...
I was hoping for the offer to come through today - but alas, no word.
I am not good at waiting around for decisions - 4 days can seem like a long time.
So I went through the day:
I am not good at waiting around for decisions - 4 days can seem like a long time.
So I went through the day:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
Day 19 - it is Monday
Started the day like any other:
I sent my follow-up e-mails to the folks that participated in my second interview - nothing long and wordy, just a basic Thank You. I got a reply which is always nice.
I spoke to my recruiter and shared my interview experience from Friday. I also learned that I should have their final answer sometime on Tuesday. I remain positive here; as I stated on Friday, the interview went very well.
I will post the final answer as soon as I have it.
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
I sent my follow-up e-mails to the folks that participated in my second interview - nothing long and wordy, just a basic Thank You. I got a reply which is always nice.
I spoke to my recruiter and shared my interview experience from Friday. I also learned that I should have their final answer sometime on Tuesday. I remain positive here; as I stated on Friday, the interview went very well.
I will post the final answer as soon as I have it.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Day 18 - the second interview
I started the day like the rest, handling the basic tasks:
Today I met with the Executive team and the developers that I would potentially be managing.
I started with the executive team. They were also prepared. Each had specific questions and thoughts to share. The interview really got going when we "went off-book" and they started creating scenarios - they wanted to know how I would approach the "tough spots". I was glad when the CTO went to the white board. It gave me the chance to do the same. This is where the interview turned more to conversation and the examples went from theoretical to real-world issues they are facing right now. My answers and thoughts seemed to line up with theirs, they were smiling and nodding as the discussion went forward; I even got a few laughs.
The CEO and I then met 1:1. He gave me a deeper vision into where he wanted this position to go and more background on where it had been; again this was all positive.
Next up - the development team. I knew this might be a little awkward at first. You have to put yourself in the shoes of the interviewers - some folks are not comfortable interviewing their potential boss. This group was also prepared. They started with questions and concerns. I then engaged back at them; letting them know my basic style of leadership and what they could expect from me. We then also moved to some current and relevant issues and worked thorough some possible ways to make them better. Again, very positive feelings.
I believe I have sealed the deal. Like last time, this might be risky to put in print, but as promised, I am giving it to you real time.
The ball is in their court. I was told they will make a decision very soon.
Since the interview ended at 5:30 on a Friday so I do not expect any feedback until Monday from my recruiter.
I will follow up with a few e-mails on Monday thanking everyone for their time.
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
Today I met with the Executive team and the developers that I would potentially be managing.
I started with the executive team. They were also prepared. Each had specific questions and thoughts to share. The interview really got going when we "went off-book" and they started creating scenarios - they wanted to know how I would approach the "tough spots". I was glad when the CTO went to the white board. It gave me the chance to do the same. This is where the interview turned more to conversation and the examples went from theoretical to real-world issues they are facing right now. My answers and thoughts seemed to line up with theirs, they were smiling and nodding as the discussion went forward; I even got a few laughs.
The CEO and I then met 1:1. He gave me a deeper vision into where he wanted this position to go and more background on where it had been; again this was all positive.
Next up - the development team. I knew this might be a little awkward at first. You have to put yourself in the shoes of the interviewers - some folks are not comfortable interviewing their potential boss. This group was also prepared. They started with questions and concerns. I then engaged back at them; letting them know my basic style of leadership and what they could expect from me. We then also moved to some current and relevant issues and worked thorough some possible ways to make them better. Again, very positive feelings.
I believe I have sealed the deal. Like last time, this might be risky to put in print, but as promised, I am giving it to you real time.
The ball is in their court. I was told they will make a decision very soon.
Since the interview ended at 5:30 on a Friday so I do not expect any feedback until Monday from my recruiter.
I will follow up with a few e-mails on Monday thanking everyone for their time.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Day 17 - prep work
Today was pretty much "just grind through it".
I did the standard:
Tomorrow is the final interview. To prepare, here are some of the things I will do:
I am heading to the Flying Saucer immediately after the interview (should be about 5:30); figure I deserve a beer or two either way. Anyone reading this real time - come on out and say hey!
I did the standard:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
Tomorrow is the final interview. To prepare, here are some of the things I will do:
- plenty of rest
- read through my resume
- think about why I will be a good fit at this position and company
- prepare multiple copies of my resume and references
- prepare electronic copy of my resume & references (USB drive)
- take a positive attitude
I am heading to the Flying Saucer immediately after the interview (should be about 5:30); figure I deserve a beer or two either way. Anyone reading this real time - come on out and say hey!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Day 16 - burger Wednesday
I started the day like any other:
I met with a group of people from my last job for lunch - Burger Wednesday. It was good catching up. One of the folks there was another person who was laid off the same day I was. I am happy to hear that he is very deep into an interview process as well. I left realizing that I genuinely am going to miss those folks as I move on with my career. We all plan to stay in touch, but time has taught me that this is rarely the case.
They were all very supportive. This helped me to be in even more of a positive state of mind as I prepare for my final interview on Friday.
Tomorrow will be spent preparing for that interview.
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
I met with a group of people from my last job for lunch - Burger Wednesday. It was good catching up. One of the folks there was another person who was laid off the same day I was. I am happy to hear that he is very deep into an interview process as well. I left realizing that I genuinely am going to miss those folks as I move on with my career. We all plan to stay in touch, but time has taught me that this is rarely the case.
They were all very supportive. This helped me to be in even more of a positive state of mind as I prepare for my final interview on Friday.
Tomorrow will be spent preparing for that interview.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Day 15 - opening up my options
Next week I will be half way through my severance package; it is about time to start opening up my options.
The main thing I will do is to look outside of Austin. While a move is not really what I am looking for, I feel I need to have more open doors.
Secondary to that, I will open up my specific job searches. Specifically I will take advantage of my knowledge in managing back office IT and not just focus on managing development teams. I can and have done well in both of these areas and at this point opening those doors is the focus.
When doing this, I need to remember to tweak my resume accordingly - adding accomplishments that line up with the job at hand.
To this end, I found a couple of jobs that looked promising and sent out the cover letter and the resume. Next week, I will meet with my recruiters and have them widen the search as well.
As always, I continued with the usual daily tasks:
While preparing for that is certainly a top priority this week, I can not operate on the assumption that it is a "done deal" even though I have high confidence that it is. Plan for the best but be prepared for the worst.
If I get a hit on one of the other jobs I might find before the interview, the worst thing that will happen is that I will have options. Employers bring in multiple candidates, we as candidates should always try to be looking at multiple employers.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with a bunch of folks from my last job; it will be nice to catch up.
The main thing I will do is to look outside of Austin. While a move is not really what I am looking for, I feel I need to have more open doors.
Secondary to that, I will open up my specific job searches. Specifically I will take advantage of my knowledge in managing back office IT and not just focus on managing development teams. I can and have done well in both of these areas and at this point opening those doors is the focus.
When doing this, I need to remember to tweak my resume accordingly - adding accomplishments that line up with the job at hand.
To this end, I found a couple of jobs that looked promising and sent out the cover letter and the resume. Next week, I will meet with my recruiters and have them widen the search as well.
As always, I continued with the usual daily tasks:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
While preparing for that is certainly a top priority this week, I can not operate on the assumption that it is a "done deal" even though I have high confidence that it is. Plan for the best but be prepared for the worst.
If I get a hit on one of the other jobs I might find before the interview, the worst thing that will happen is that I will have options. Employers bring in multiple candidates, we as candidates should always try to be looking at multiple employers.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with a bunch of folks from my last job; it will be nice to catch up.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Day 14 - back to it after the long weekend
Had a great 4th - spent time with the kids blowing up fire works and in general being lazy!
Today I was back at the usual:
This week will be slow. I do have a couple of lunches set - but other than that, I will work on being ready for my interview.
Today I was back at the usual:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
This week will be slow. I do have a couple of lunches set - but other than that, I will work on being ready for my interview.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Day 13 - more of the same
I continue to do my usual:
Have a happy and safe 4th!!
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
Have a happy and safe 4th!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Day 12 - I grind along
Not much exciting today. A lot of new postings (first of the month) so there was more work getting through them all. Unfortunately, not much that was a match for me.
I continue to do my usual:
Getting tired of seeing this part of the blog yet? I do this on purpose. Like any job, there are parts of it that simply must happen - every day. It is not sexy, it is not fun, it is just necessary.
It is time to move to more networking. I am going to look at some of the classes available to me through the staffing firm that came with my package from D&B. I may not be utilizing this enough. In addition, I need to set some regular 1:1 meetings with my "coach". I started that, but when I got the interview I kind of let that fall off to the side. This was a mistake - one I need to correct.
On the personal side of things, today was my mother's birthday. I got her a cake and I and the kids went to her house and had cake and root beer floats. My sister and her family along with a couple of my mom's friends were there too -- it was a nice little get-together.
I continue to do my usual:
- Check job posting alerts (and apply for any matches)
- Check e-mail
- Catch up on tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook
- Update blog
Getting tired of seeing this part of the blog yet? I do this on purpose. Like any job, there are parts of it that simply must happen - every day. It is not sexy, it is not fun, it is just necessary.
It is time to move to more networking. I am going to look at some of the classes available to me through the staffing firm that came with my package from D&B. I may not be utilizing this enough. In addition, I need to set some regular 1:1 meetings with my "coach". I started that, but when I got the interview I kind of let that fall off to the side. This was a mistake - one I need to correct.
On the personal side of things, today was my mother's birthday. I got her a cake and I and the kids went to her house and had cake and root beer floats. My sister and her family along with a couple of my mom's friends were there too -- it was a nice little get-together.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
