The Joys of Job Seeking

I have to confess. Not everything about job-seeking is awful. There's a certain amount of excitement that goes into checking out jobs and seeing how well you match up with them, and visualizing yourself working for that company.

But, sometimes, it's a little less enjoyable.

I'm not just talking about those positions that you're summarily rejected for -- even though you match up completely with the duties, you still don't even get an interview. In one case, I was told, "You haven't worked for a large company." So, I explained, I've been an editor of magazines with readerships near 70,000, and I was writing on a monthly basis. To which, the response was, "yes, but that wasn't communication." Huh?

(I've decided to simply write off companies like that ... there are companies that will look at what you *can* do for them; and companies that only want to see what you *have* done for others. I suspect, we'll see far fewer of the latter, as they go out of business. Today's marketplace doesn't reward standing still.

It's like dating. If a girl asks, "What kind of car do you drive?" and you say, "Yes, I have a car." and she asks, again, "OK, but what kind of car *is* it?" She's probably not the right girl.)


Tuesday was a pretty good day for me -- I got three phone calls for prospective jobs. One was for today (Thursday); one will happen in a couple of weeks; one was a preliminary phone screen.

I was excited about the position today; but predominantly because it was so close to my home. In fact, I hadn't even applied for the role yet (it was on my list to apply). The HR Director had found me through a resume search online. As I read through the role, I realized that the position title (manager of corporate communications) was a bit misleading -- this was a pretty hardcore marketing job. Still, I did some other research and saw some opportunity so I headed to the interview.

We began talking about my background; good conversational pace. Things were going well. We talked about my previous positions, and I outlined my accomplishments, my strengths and what I bring to the table. And then, she started asking about marketing responsibilities.

The long and short of it is that they weren't looking for a manager of corporate communications. They were looking for a marketing director. But, even more interesting, they weren't looking for just a strategic marketing director -- they also wanted someone who was an expert graphic designer. And a world-class writer. And who could manage the company intranet. And handle trade show responsibilities. And manage/update the company's internet pages.

She realized I wasn't the right candidate for this Superman-type position (I don't really know *anyone* who would be able to do all these tasks), and she apologized for wasting my time.

A few thoughts on this:

1. The company is larger than either of my previous two companies (my last two companies -- at their largest -- were about 160 and 250 people respectively. This company has more than 300 employees). The marketing and communications departments at those previous companies totaled 10 and 15 respectively. At this company, the department was comprised of ONE person.
2. I explained that they were looking for at least two people, probably more, because of the varied skills they were looking for. She seemed non-plussed by this.
3. I then asked who handled their internal communications functions. A company of 300+ surely had need of that. She explained those responsibilities were *also* handled by this position (at this point, I think I may have wondered if the company provided a boxspring and mattress for the person to simply reside in the building). I explained how internal communications is a vital part of the business; and -- having checked out the company on Glassdoor and Indeed, there surely was a need (comments there were somewhat damning of the company culture). I also discussed the company website (they're a b2b company with ZERO interaction with the public/consumers. In my opinion, the only thing that should be on the website is a company history, contacts and a way for prospective employees to learn about the culture (without having to head to Glassdoor). She sat there and nodded at me; but never commented nor did she ask me for more information. Again, this is the HR director - the person who should be most concerned with employee engagement, morale and securing the best possible workers for her company.
4. Finally, and most puzzling. This person searched for my resume, found it, and called me! Nowhere on my resume does it intimate that I'm skilled in marketing, let alone graphic design work. Why was I even called in? I explained she should change the title to "Marketing Director" - not simply because it's unfair to communications professionals who might apply; but, quite honestly, because the people she DOES want to have apply, won't be applying when the title is "manager of corporate communications." Those are two completely different skillsets. I received a blank stare back, to that suggestion.

I'm not disappointed. The culture of the company seemed to not be a good fit (on their reception window, is a sign proclaiming they have a "No friends or family" policy. I inquired as to what that was, and I was told -- if you know anyone who works there; you will not be hired. If you *do* work there; you are not able to recruit people to come work there.

So, basically, *everything* I preach about creating an engaged workforce would have been like Kryponite to this organization. Yes, it would have been nice to work so close to home; but it's far nicer to have a job that offers challenges that are at least surmountable. I don't have any interest in being set up to fail at a company. I've been down that road, and it's far from fun.

Update on "The Grudge"

So, I posted earlier about an ex-supervisor who had been forced to lay me off from a job 16 years ago. I bumped into him at the Department of Labor, and he seemed to not know who I was.

I sent him a message on Facebook, and extended an olive branch. Told him there were no hard feelings, and I offered to even get him into the job-seeking class I was teaching. I offered to share contacts, etc. I was, absolutely, the bigger person (remember, I had done nothing wrong to 'offend' him; I was merely let go).

I then noticed that he'd checked out my LinkedIn page (which means, clearly, he remembered me). Today, I saw I was now "blocked" on Facebook.

My conscience, obviously, is clear. I not only forgave the indiscretion; I also went out of my way to try and assist someone else who was in need.

The response I got has helped convince me that, sadly, some people are beyond help. They simply deserve their outcomes. It's sad (because, as cynical as I am, I also have great compassion for those less fortunate than I). However, it's clear, in some cases, those less fortunate have willingly put themselves in that position. I guess the "everything happens for a reason" mantra really is true.

Double Shot: Customer Service Oops and Grudge, Much?

As many of you know, I had knee surgery last November. Minor stuff - meniscus; but still, it takes some rehab to get back to 100 percent.

So, my health insurance doles out a specific number of visits, and -- when those run out, the physical therapist has to petition for more.

The latest petition was denied (which is something I had expected). However, what makes it so amusing was the correspondence, I received back from them.
At the bottom of the letter, was an explanation for the decision.

Your request for additional visits has been denied, for the following reasons:
1. Your pain level is severe
2. You are experiencing improvement through continued physical therapy visits
3. You have reached the maximum amount of visits allowed through our plan.

These factors were considered in arriving at this decision.

Really?

So, the fact that I'm still in pain *and* I'm getting better, is the reason for the denial? Why even put those things in there? Just simply say, "If you continue to go to physical therapy, we will stop being profitable in your case; so we're going to just cut you off now."

There are few things more annoying than others having the expectation that you're stupid.

******************

Many years ago, I worked as an editor in the trade publishing field. In fact, at the time, I was the youngest editor ever named to the highest post of a magazine (although, I know at least one person beat my record).

In any event, I ended up being let go from the company, for what was, quite honestly, an extremely capricious reason. I ended up taking on another start-up magazine, made it quite profitable; left for another magazine, and then found my way into corporate/internal communications, where I've actually won awards for my work.

So, effectively, being let go was a pretty good thing, in retrospect. I enjoyed the company; liked many of the people, so I definitely would not have been looking for other opportunities. 

Fast forward to today, and many of the people I worked with, who never wandered away from the company, are out of work; their only marketable skills are from being a trade magazine editor and writer. So, again, in retrospect, I'm happy; even relieved; that I moved on.

On Thursday, I was at the Department of Labor, taking a class, and who should walk in but my former supervisor (who also had been a friend of mine at the time). We haven't spoken since that day, 16 years ago. I recognized him instantly. I cannot imagine he didn't recognize me.

The course ended, and he took off ... literally. The second the class was over he was the first one up and the first one out the door. I followed a few minutes later, and caught sight of him leaving the restroom and even a little later, after he'd meandered through the building a few minutes. I was curious if he'd approach me, but he seemed intent on avoiding me at all costs.

I ended up walking out behind him, and I felt like a hunter tracking a wounded deer; and I felt sorry for him (which is probably why I don't hunt). I easily could've called out, "Mark!" and forced the issue; but I elected to let him walk away.

I sent him a message here on Facebook afterwards, saying -- maybe he didn't recognize me; but, in my eyes, bygones were just that. If he wanted to exchange contacts, etc. - I was cool with that; and I invited him to my presentations next week on job seeking. No response.

And, then I thought to myself; how incredible sad is this. By all accounts, *I* was the one who was wronged. I was the one who was let go without cause. And yet, SIXTEEN YEARS later, he's still the one carrying a grudge? And, rather than being mad or angered, I found myself pitying him quite a bit.

If there's anyone out there with whom I haven't spoken for 16 years, due to a perceived slight; seriously, email me .... life is too short to hold a grudge that long (and, it's hard work, too).

On the other hand, if it's only been 15 years, don't bother me til next year.