EDITORIALS

With just about everyone in the ENTIRE world running around like their hair was on fire, I personally wouldn’t fault you if you too were feeling that way. Whether we are watching the news or reading the newspaper, it is impossible at the moment to find any escape from what is going on WORL...

A long time ago I received an email from one of our members comparing and contrasting the job leads he was getting from various sources.The quick story is that he was a subscriber to two paid services in addition to our newsletter. What I found disappointing was his closing comment which b...

As many of you know, in 1991 and 1992, I was unemployed. (Yes, two long years!)Hard to say exactly why it took so long to find another job, but suffice to say that it was a recession and after 9 years in the Advertising business (which was in the dumper) and no recent experience in Publish...

I was working on an assignment for The FECG a few weeks ago that generated a larger than normal response. I must tell you how disappointed I was with the number of members who failed to provide a meaningful cover letter with their resume. (Just so you know, assignments marketed by The FECG...

I never cease to be amazed how time stands still with respect to old friends.Several years ago one of my fraternity brothers was digging through some old photos in his basement and found a box from college. This prompted him to go to our national organization and get an email list. And so,...

If there is any complaint I hear more than any other, it is that those we send messages to about jobs opportunities are not responsive. Sometimes even when a company or recruiter has taken the time to interview one of our members, weeks and weeks later all that is heard is silence.If this ...

Some time ago a member wrote to me lamenting that although he was responding to a great number of opportunities, no one was contacting him about his credentials.It is a sad fact of life that the way job search works with regard to posted jobs is that it is atypical if anyone even acknowled...

One of the worst feelings you can have when you are networking is that you are drawing down favors from everyone you contact and you honestly have no way of repaying their many courtesies. Unfortunately, this is not your imagination.True networking is, of course, a give and take. Hopefully...

I am often asked how one should budget one’s time when conducting a job search. The easy answer is that it depends.I would suggest to you that the primary element of your search is, of course, networking, networking and more networking. The reason I say this is, it works best.That said, ju...

I often have been heard to joke that when I was in the Advertising business I worked with people who lied even when it wasn’t necessary. Their reason was simple. They didn’t want to get out of practice.In much the same way, you as a job applicant need to “stay the course” even when you may...

Job descriptions, especially the ones that go on for pages and pages, have to make you smile.That said, with my many years of experience in the Advertising business, I am a big fan of long copy. Long copy sells. In the context of position descriptions posted in our newsletter I believe it ...

Stop me if I am wrong, but I guess many folks find job search a painful process. Perhaps it is the lack of a steady paycheck, or the uncertainty, or the rejection. Just like beating your head against a wall, it sure feels good when you can stop. (Is this why we are having so much fun or wh...

I know we live in a world of email, text messages and Twitter, but I often times wonder if others realize what their messages look like on the receiving end?I have to assume that many of the people who write to me are very busy, too busy to take a minute and read their communications and s...

Since 1997 when I first became Chairman of The FENG, I have probably reviewed well over 250,000 resumes. (Gosh, I’m exhausted just thinking about it.)I would tell you that the biggest problem I see in resumes is the incredible clutter. Although some of the resumes I get are 3 or 4 pages, m...

Except for the Lone Ranger, none of us actually has silver bullets in our gun.I am frequently taken to task by members on the topic of networking. I suppose that to a very large degree I am guilty of touting networking as the ultimate silver bullet to the exclusion of all other methods.I g...

How often have we seen a speaker tap a microphone and say: Is this on?At least the person in question is preparing to speak. On the other hand, how often have we heard news reports about politicians saying things they shouldn’t have been saying (or thinking), not realizing that the microph...

There is no more important space on your resume than that first section after your name. Alas, I rarely see it used to good effect.Although cover letters allow you to “cover” matters perhaps not easily “covered” in your resume, more often than not your cover letter isn’t sent to the decisi...

One of the most disconcerting aspects of looking for a job is that you often get the feeling that people aren’t treating you with as much respect as you deserve.I could be wrong, but I think that those of us who have been senior level financial executives may have a tougher time dealing wi...

According to Google, double entry accounting was developed around 1300AD. Shortly thereafter, someone came up with the expression: “Just give me the bottom line.” No one ever talks about the middle line. I have often wondered about that. Haven’t you?I don’t know about you, but as good acco...

I am never surprised when a member tells me that he isn’t good at networking.As financial professionals, we tend to “come with the woodwork.” In any major corporation, the accounting department is usually where you will find most of the longest service employees.And, it is not only our sta...

One of the gag gifts that my wife got once was a “Stress Busters” calendar. Since she couldn’t find a place for it on her desk at work, she gave it to me. (I suppose it was one step away from the garbage pail.)Since I got it after the start of the year, I was able to fast forward through s...