Today I received my daily email from ERE.net–the electronic recruiter’s thought-provoking newsletter. Several times a week this one piece of email makes me take a minute to sit back and think about trends and truths in job seeking. Continue reading
Hey Blog,
It is a beautiful Sunday where I am south of Houston. Got up very early this morning to head out and catch the last of the morning stars. Quite the view. Have recently gotten in the habit of taking my flashlight with me to shine into the surrounding trees. Little green eyes come reflecting back at me. Deer. Lots of deer. Very cool.
Now…onto business.
rg
I have been giving a lot of thought lately to what I should call myself professionally. I’m seeking a title.
So, you might ask, what could this drivel have to do with me? Why am I wasting my time reading this. Stay with me–especially if you are job seeking–and you’ll see the value in this post. Continue reading
Dear Blog,
Happy New Year! Once again I have been away. My apologies. Moved into a new house and as a result I have been busy providing everyone with my new contact information.
Had a really nice Christmas. Living out of boxes but at least the quiet was good. Continue reading
I want to wish anyone dropping by the very best of holidays and, as the title of this post says–Happy All-Your-Days!
Job search is tough. To that end I wish you great success that you may have Happy-All-Your-Days!
Good (Job) Hunting!
RG
When it comes to employment and job search I am almost continuously in a ‘rage’–at job search coaches. (Bear in mind that in order to become a coach all you need is a pencil and the nerve to claim your ‘coachness.’)
I want to throw rocks at the TV when I hear so-called “job search experts” tell us, once again, to watch out for typos, yada, yada. This helps no one. The true job seeker is waaaay past such ‘pertinent’ advice.
I regularly speak on panels with other JSE’s (job search experts); pay attention and listen to HR professionals and professional staffing folks to see if I can latch onto something new.
It ain’t happening. So if anyone reading this considers my statements akin to throwing down the gauntlet–so be it. Continue reading
Dear Blog,
It’s been a while since I have been here. I apologize. I have been working on–and just finished–the first draft of the new book. I was really jazzed–thought I had nailed it. My editor called to tell me the first draft was amazing — until she got to the last two chapters. I think her words were ‘they suck.’ She is a lady of few words and an absolute master of clarity don’t you agree?
She provided me very specific critique and you know what? She was right. So I’m going to put up the following ‘contrarian’ post and then get back to work and do those last two chapters justice.
After that I’m headed east to present at one of the most prestigious universities in the country (I’m looking forward to it!) so some time may pass before I get back.
rg
Contrarian? Who Me?
A week ago a professional woman (C-Suite) I had been working with dropped me a line to say that she might have a client for me. Here is a part of that email:
By the way, I had a conversation with another person I know in search mode who I told I planned to work with you. I was telling him all the reasons I thought it might be a worthwhile exercise. He knew of you and was aware of you already–and of the somewhat contrarian reputation--which, I pointed out, might be basis for a value proposition if you are already doing all the conventional stuff.
At first I was a little taken aback by the ‘contrarian’ statement. But the more I thought about it the more I have come to appreciate the perception. I’m pretty powerful when I speak. I pull no punches. And who the hell would I pull them for? Of what value is information when all you hear is what you want to hear?
When it comes to job search counseling I have always warned clients that “I take no prisoners and accept no whiners.” I tell people what they need to hear. I preface individual clients by warning that I will “probably knock their teeth out” but ”promise to put them back straighter than they were before.”
This is because I refuse to be the job search guy that will tell you to ‘avoid typos.’ Come on! Do we really have to go there?!
I absolutely confess to being a stickler and require my clients to do great work. It pays off. “It” would be the professional and personal achievements inventory that I call the Accomplishments Worksheet (Step 1 of my 3 Step Process.)
Those that complete my 3 Step Process find great success in their job search regardless of what stage they may be in their career.
I refuse to waste my clients time with the same old crap they will hear at the local networking job shop. I have no respect for job search ‘experts’ who continue to promote job search tactics that may have been valid in 1985.
So is it contrarian or adamant?
I’m adamant in presenting contemporary job search tactics and techniques that work today.
“Those who say it cannot be done should get out of the way of those doing it.”
–Chinese Proverb
But you can call me contrarian. I Love It!
Rick Gillis
Forgive me but in the interest of tooting my own horn, I received an exceptionally pleasant surprise last week when Salary.com listed my book, The Real Secret to Finding a Job, in their newsletter’s Recommended Reading list. This was a total surprise since I have done no promotion for the book since last year. Organic recognition is best and I am pleased to have been found. Thank you MySalary.com.
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We all see/hear/read wonderful, life affirming/motivational quotes every day and, if you are like me, you often think ‘that’s one I want to remember.’
I was speaking before a business group recently when someone presented me with just such a quote—a Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today.”
That really got me thinking and I find it applies to job search/job creation. Continue reading
This video (link below) is not employment related but–Hey!–it’s my blog and I want to share. In light of today being 9/11/11 the message speaks a little bit louder. At least for me. Regardless — the song is timeless.
Enjoy.
Stand By Me¦Playing For Change¦Song Around the World from the Concord Music Group
I came across a great article in Smart Money by Kelly Eggers that I would like you to look over if you might be interviewing anytime soon. Even if you aren’t interviewing its still a great, real-world article. It’s smart (pun intended) and on point.
I have always said that the interview begins in the parking lot.
You know that GREAT parking spot you just nailed by the elevator–you know, the one that you got by cutting off that little red car that was pretty much in line for the space you nabbed? Invariably, you will be interviewing with the driver of that car in 20 minutes or so. And, yeah, she did make you out behind the wheel. Continue reading
I was speaking before a group this past week–actually not formally presenting but an open Q & A & More forum. It was for the most part good time spent and informative . I really think it’s important for job seekers to ’round up’ their local job search experts–particularly those in an employment related field (staffing/recruiting/HR, etc.) to talk about the real-world job search issues instead of just presenting “be sure you don’t have any typos in your resume” banalities. Continue reading