Why forwarding me your resume won't get you a job...

Here is a shocker...I don't hire a resume. I don't even hire from a resume. If I do look at a resume, it's reluctantly.

Honestly, when is the last time you saw a resume that absolutely knocked your socks off? It was so clear and compelling and targeted to you, that it was all you could do to keep yourself from picking up the phone and calling for an interview?

For me, it has been the very rare exception. I wonder how many other CEO's are different than me?

Now, when I have people who have lost a job, and are looking for help, I don't ask about their resume...I ask if they know where they want to go. Have they targeted potential employers by name? Or at least an industry? If not, I can't give them meaningful help.

If they tell me they are looking to get into a commercial facilities management position (like someone asked me recently), which is as far from my industry as it gets, I have found that I probably won't have a single contact. However, I almost always can think of someone I know who will know where they need to go...or to whom they should go. In this case, I called Bruce Dodge of Jones, Lang, LaSalle. He has represented us in our last two relocations with our company. They have been exemplary. When I asked Bruce if he could help a friend of mine who was looking for a facilities management position, his answer was simple and refreshing and supports this post's conclusion: "Yes. I will brainstorm with him, and together we can figure out who I can introduce him to."

This is genuine and meaningful help. And it keeps the monkey from jumping off of the back of the job seeker on to yours. In short, if you need help, or you are asked for help, skip the resume, pick up the phone, and make the call.

Avoiding the self-pity paralysis of the job hunt

I have a number of friends, family and acquaintances who have found themselves unexpectedly 'available to the market' (laid off - RIF'ed - re-sized right out on their tuckus). After the initial shock, most have resolutely set their jaws with a fierce determination to get back up on their feet.

It doesn't seem to last very long.

Many call me for help. I am so happy that they feel like they can do so. (I'd be disappointed if they didn't.)

However, I have watched most of these superbly talented people hit two potholes. These failure points seem to be terribly debilitating, and sometimes more devastating than the initial shock of getting laid off. Worse, they drive a self-pity paralysis and a self-defeating doubt-fest which is a lousy attitude to carry when looking for a job.

Pothole #1. They are afraid to ask for the help they really need
Now, it’s easier to call people you know. You have the calm, non-chalant, "I am so in control of myself" conversation. You let them know you’re looking. They say, “hey, send me your resume, and I’ll pass it along”, or “I’ll keep my eyes open...” You happily comply, thinking you just got something done.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

That’s not the help you need. How do I know? I’m the guy you’ve sent your resume to. Sure, I’ve passed it along. I’ve got friends in high places that have the jobs you want, but I am batting zeros with this approach. I've learned better, and I'm doing better. I'll share that in a future post.

Pothole #2. They think they are a nobody…all over again
The years they spent gaining relevance and prestige and goodwill with their current employer, their supervisors, and fellow co-workers is certainly portable, but marginally relevant to the new employer. You have to rebuild and reestablish the trust ALL OVER AGAIN. (However, this is completely avoidable, but that is another post). Somehow over the years, they mistakenly identified themselves with their job. No job...no status...no self-esteem.

There are ways to avoid these points of failure, but they demand more than a freakish will…it requires some common sense, a low need for approval, and a structured effort to help a lot of people.

Let me recommend a book by Keith Ferrazzi called, "Never Eat Alone". Poor title. Great book. Copy and paste this link for information on it. http://bit.ly/HPBIl

Why in the world would you buy a $545 parking pass?

Why would I attempt to sell this? Well, my friend, this is no ordinary parking pass...

This would be the world’s most expensive, one-day, one-time-use VIP parking pass to the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. It is valid only on Sunday, June 21, 2009. Such a transaction might garner the consideration of the Guinness Book of World Records - for the buyer AND the seller.

How can I do such a thing? How can I accomplish such a feat? How dare I be so bold? What strategy might I employ?

Simple: I will give you “four” very good reasons to park there.

While you employ the power of your new parking pass, leaving your shiny vehicle parked in the unattended care of VIP Lot A, I have made special arrangements for you and three of your best friends (for a total party of four) to enjoy the musical styling’s of Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood…absolutely FREE OF CHARGE.

That’s right, with your VIP LOT A Parking pass, you will receive, not just one, not two, not three, but FOUR; yes, FOUR (4) lower bowl tickets to see Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 8pm.

Ticket Details:
Section 122
Row 14
Seats 13, 14, 15, 16

[To see a map of the Pepsi Center, copy and paste the below URL into your browser's address window. It will take you to a ticketmaster site - scroll down, and you'll see the map to which I refer - http://bit.ly/ycyo3]

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