Having a problem getting an interview is another example of yesterday's people in conflict with today's world.
The standard action is to a)write a resume, b) stick in envelope or attach to email or include in form online, c) send to company and d) wait for phone call or email requesting an interview.
The problem with this method is it no longer works. This is sort of like watching television and yelling at the talk show host about their opinion; they aren't listening.
The world is two-way and you are still an observer.
Today's Web 2.0, globalised, connected world is not about paper resumes and interviews. It is about advertising your particular skills, abilities and accomplishments online, networking with appropriate people and creating a personal branded platform with your name on it.
The trick to getting the right person to notice you and get the interview, is to be found. In the old days, the right people depended upon a recruiter, headhunter or employment firm to find them candidates.
Today, the "searcher" will more likely use a search engine (Google for instance) to find who they are looking for first.
Now, when a searcher searches, they use keywords like "wireless sales director, technology marketing professional, experienced Java programmer" to locate web sites related to the people they are looking for.
A word about web sites.
Web sites are not limited to the traditional, "this is my company" web site. Web sites can be blogs, profile pages and even resumes if done right.
You, your skills, experience and accomplishments can be located on the internet by search engines if you create your web site with the same keywords and phrases the searchers are looking for.
Here are some keyword friendly tips and actions you can take today to increase your "findability".
a) Complete your profile on LinkedIn, Ryze, Xing, etc. Include key phrases and words. Search for your profile on Google. Does it appear?
b) Register your name as a domain, put up a web site with your resume (CV) and include a link to your industry related, personal blog.
Build that blog.
Make both sites keyword friendly. That means making the header tag searchable, (the header tag for Marketing Me is "Market Me First - The Positive Career and Work Action Plan Market Yourself | Make Money | Be Happy").
Blog regularly. Create an RSS feed for your blog. Enter it into Google reader or your Yahoo home page. It will get indexed immediately by the search engines and start appearing in web searches.
c) Besides your blog, start writing articles about your industry. what you do and what you contribute to the industry. Make your articles keyword search friendly. Post them on the hundreds of free article sites on the web. You are spreading your name as an expert.
d) Build a lens on Squidoo. Include keywords about what you do, what you want to do and what value you bring. I receive dozens of hits on my Squidoo lens related to my industry daily. All of that traffic belongs to me and not my employer.
e) Start "pinging" your blog using sites like Technorati. This creates more links to your site and pushes you up the search engine ladder. Higher rankings means more searchers will find you. [Note: Do not submit your web site or blog to search engines or use a company which promises to do this for you for a fee. This is a waste of time and money].
Get busy with these few simple actions and you will start seeing traffic in a short time to the branded platform called you. This takes time. And has to be done right. Next, I will show you some great resources which I use to brand myself on the internet...
Closing:
How many hacks have you heard about getting your resume noticed? Stick a post-it note on your resume. Include a gift. Write your resume entirely in white colored font and repeat key words repeatedly in case your resume is scanned electronically. Who thinks this stuff up?
Tuesday
Marketing Me! Goodbye email at work, Seth Godin and farewells
From the great Seth Godin on his blog..
It seems to me that you ought to say goodbye with the same care and attention to detail and honesty you use to say hello. You never know when you'll be back.
So remember, when leaving the job, skip the blame, accusations, gossip and rumors. Stay positive, be real and be prepared if you have to come back!
It seems to me that you ought to say goodbye with the same care and attention to detail and honesty you use to say hello. You never know when you'll be back.
So remember, when leaving the job, skip the blame, accusations, gossip and rumors. Stay positive, be real and be prepared if you have to come back!
Friday
Marketing Me! Travel notes and Shoemoney
Welcome Shoemoney readers! After my comment on Shoemoney, I have had a number of visits from Shoemoney. Thanks for stopping by and please visit again or add Marketing Me! to you reader!
Am on the road at a trade show. Yippee.
Here are a few worthwhile suggestions for those who have not traveled in awhile.
1) Keep printed copies of where you are going (directions, address), how you get there (flight numbers, car rentals), where you are staying (hotel res and address and directions), who you will be meeting (names and phone numbers!) and what you will be doing there (agenda, itinerary).
You never know when electronic copies might go AWOL....
2) Charge your phone/PDA before you go, in the car while you are going and whenever and wherever you can find an outlet, even for only five minutes.
And if your device is not charged, there go those electronic travel plans!
Many planes have chargers equipped in the middle seat where ever you see a lightning bolt on the bulk head. Amazon has a neat charger for taking advantage of this power source for your phone or laptop.
3) Use the restroom as often as needed and whenever a clean location is available. O also carry some anti-bacterial wipes with me for cleaning certain parts of public facilities, (if you know what I mean).
4) Keep antibacterial wipes or gel with you. There are small bottles available in the travel or sample section at your favorite retailer for less than a buck.
Travel is a dirty business.
5) Drink water. On the plane, ask first for water. Since the cups are small, ask for two. Tell them no ice (it defeats the purpose of bottled water!). I also pick up a large bottle once in the terminal past security.
6) Pack some sort of snacks. I always carry a few certain things like nuts, hard candy, a protein bar or two, dried fruit. Avoid cheap candy bars and junk food. They will only provide a brief sugar rush and bad health.
Shoemoney recommends protein shakes, but those cannot be brought past security in carry on luggage. Otherwise, they are a great purchase once at your destination.
7) Know how to get on the Internet wherever you are. If your PDA supports Internet access, all the better. Otherwise, have a HotSpot account or Freedom Link, Boingo, you get it.
8) Eat when needed. I had the worse headache today because I skipped meals.
9) Use insole pads if you are on your feet. I tried those Dr. Scholl pads once and found they provided some comfort. My best recommendation is to have high quality shoes when traveling.
10) Book a good hotel. Once in Vegas, I booked an off strip hotel recommended by a well known friend. What a mistake. The hotel was loud, dirty and full of tourists not associated with the trade show I was attending. I checked out after the first night and paid extra for a centralized hotel.
10.5) Purchase a smart phone with email and web capability. You will be glad you did. Also, bring along that back up phone. I carry one phone on T-Mobile and another on Verizon. My Verizon phone has email and web available. My customer's and friends can always find me!
Also, book at the conference hotel if possible! At last year's NADA show I stayed at the Hilton next to the convention and took full advantage of the proximity and convenience of my choice.
My feet are killing me from standing all day long. I can't wait to get home.
Thursday
Marketing Me! My New Phone
I ordered this phone the other day and am quite excited about it.
My phone.
What started this was a recent trip I took a few weekends ago with my son. We went camping with his Y troop and naturally, were in the middle of nowhere.
Our guide had a T-Mobile phone and service like me. We had no signal to speak of. Checking the network, I found a Cingular network, but could not register my phone.
Another camper had an ATT phone which could connect to the Cingular network. He let me borrow his phone to call home the first night.
The next day, I borrowed one of three Blackberries from other fellow campers. All were using Verizon and all had excellent coverage and capabilities including Internet access.
I was sold.
When I returned home, I researched the options and made my choice. My new phone is on the way as we speak.
Marketing Me! Arguments with customers, bosses and interviewers
We all like to be right. And none of us likes to feel wrong when we know we are right.
Most of all, as competitors, none of us like to walk away thinking we let the other person win. Especially when we know we were right.
Here are some examples of when to just let the other person win.
Customers
You cannot win an argument with a customer and expect them to feel good about buying from you again.
If a customer says you did something wrong, listen. Try hard to understand what the customer is saying and feeling. If an apology works for the customer, give it without reservation.
If you need to save face, stick to the point of contention. If the issue is a missing shipment or invoice, ask the customer "You are right. How soon do you need a corrected invoice?". Over deliver and let the customer feel vindicated and good about their decision to do business with you.
Interviews
You cannot win an argument with a prospective employer during an interview. Don't even bother. It makes you look like a problematic candidate.
If the employer brings up a point of contention with you, learn to let it go. If it persists in bothering you, end the interview when possible and leave. if anything, ask for a break, step outside, count to ten and take a deep breath.
Boss
You cannot win a real argument with your boss. Keep documentation which clears your name and let it speak for itself. Don't argue, listen, make your point and shut up.
Your boss could make your life heck if he feels you won an argument at his expense. If you are right and your boss is a moral and ethical person, they will listen to your side and act fairly.
However, most bosses are human. If they are under pressure from customers or investors, they may not listen and may rush to a decision regarding your future with the company, i.e. you are no longer needed. As rash as your bosses' decision may be, they most likely will not recant their decision, ergo, you lose.
Don't argue with the boss with the goal to be right as the only acceptable result. You will lose.
Your spouse
In my case my wife. I can't win an argument with her to save my life!
But seriously folks, arguing may be your passion. Save it for the times and people where it may not take a professional toll on your life.
Most of all, as competitors, none of us like to walk away thinking we let the other person win. Especially when we know we were right.
Here are some examples of when to just let the other person win.
Customers
You cannot win an argument with a customer and expect them to feel good about buying from you again.
If a customer says you did something wrong, listen. Try hard to understand what the customer is saying and feeling. If an apology works for the customer, give it without reservation.
If you need to save face, stick to the point of contention. If the issue is a missing shipment or invoice, ask the customer "You are right. How soon do you need a corrected invoice?". Over deliver and let the customer feel vindicated and good about their decision to do business with you.
Interviews
You cannot win an argument with a prospective employer during an interview. Don't even bother. It makes you look like a problematic candidate.
If the employer brings up a point of contention with you, learn to let it go. If it persists in bothering you, end the interview when possible and leave. if anything, ask for a break, step outside, count to ten and take a deep breath.
Boss
You cannot win a real argument with your boss. Keep documentation which clears your name and let it speak for itself. Don't argue, listen, make your point and shut up.
Your boss could make your life heck if he feels you won an argument at his expense. If you are right and your boss is a moral and ethical person, they will listen to your side and act fairly.
However, most bosses are human. If they are under pressure from customers or investors, they may not listen and may rush to a decision regarding your future with the company, i.e. you are no longer needed. As rash as your bosses' decision may be, they most likely will not recant their decision, ergo, you lose.
Don't argue with the boss with the goal to be right as the only acceptable result. You will lose.
Your spouse
In my case my wife. I can't win an argument with her to save my life!
But seriously folks, arguing may be your passion. Save it for the times and people where it may not take a professional toll on your life.
Wednesday
Marketing Me! Them (slower) vs. Us (faster)
We:
Are connected. We carry laptops, cell phones and Blackberries. We have high speed DSL at home, WiFi accounts for the road and demand fast internet in hotels. Rather than complain about our constant connectivity (and that we are constantly tied to work), we demand whats next and faster.
We:
Work more: We put in long hours at the office and at home. We take one more call, one more meeting and the last flight home. We take calls in the car and home and are willing to sacrifice sleep to get a head start on tomorrow. We don't limit ourselves to work either. We put in just as much time on our families and causes we care about.
We:
Want to go faster and further. We put in time in the gym, the court, the course and in our running shoes. We eat organic, take supplements and avoid the doctor outside of checkups. We boost our endurance with Starbucks and energy drinks. We drown ourselves in bottled water. We train our bodies to go on less sleep yet dream more and bigger.
We:
Maintain a blog, two websites, an email list and check our keywords and web stats daily. We registered our children's names as domains the day they were born and thought nothing of it. We belong to six social networks and publish our thoughts and opinions online.
We:
Think global and live local. We Skype, blog, podcast and eat Thai for lunch, Indian for dinner and drink water from France. Our work forces are world wide and our audience spans the globe.
We:
Want as few restrictions as possible. We limit ourselves only. We can do more and exceed only our own expectations. We learn from failure and accept setbacks as opportunities. We work smarter, faster and think small is the new big.
They:
Want to regress. They want a 1950's style economy of 8 hour days, fixed coffee breaks, lunch pails and lunch hours. They want color-coordinated collars and the segregated work force.
They:
Want a centrally controlled rationed life. A fixed work portion. A mandatory vacation serving. A diet of mediocrity and low expectations. Top the whole thing off with 25 years of service, a gold watch and a pension for dessert.
They:
Want collective bargaining, employment offices, secretarial pools, want ads and guaranteed employment. They want a "lifetime of service" in exchange for unconditional servitude, a cost of living adjustment and rewarded tenure.
They:
Want mile after mile of plain drab factories, office buildings, rows of desks, adding machines, and rotary dial telephones with cords.
They:
Want tariffs, high taxes, a thrifty working class with two rooms and a bath. They furnish their lives with fees, lines, clerks, and endless triplicated forms. They want a government fixed retirement plan and a passbook account.
They:
Want four television channels, AM radio, the corner bar with two beers on tap, meat and potatoes for dinner, a bus pass, one pair of sensible shoes and everything else which is "good enough".
It is an Us versus Them world. We have a choice to make. Should we take the temporarily safe route and step backwards or should we keep going forward?
What will you do and when do, will there be work waiting for you when you get there?
Happy hunting,
Are connected. We carry laptops, cell phones and Blackberries. We have high speed DSL at home, WiFi accounts for the road and demand fast internet in hotels. Rather than complain about our constant connectivity (and that we are constantly tied to work), we demand whats next and faster.
We:
Work more: We put in long hours at the office and at home. We take one more call, one more meeting and the last flight home. We take calls in the car and home and are willing to sacrifice sleep to get a head start on tomorrow. We don't limit ourselves to work either. We put in just as much time on our families and causes we care about.
We:
Want to go faster and further. We put in time in the gym, the court, the course and in our running shoes. We eat organic, take supplements and avoid the doctor outside of checkups. We boost our endurance with Starbucks and energy drinks. We drown ourselves in bottled water. We train our bodies to go on less sleep yet dream more and bigger.
We:
Maintain a blog, two websites, an email list and check our keywords and web stats daily. We registered our children's names as domains the day they were born and thought nothing of it. We belong to six social networks and publish our thoughts and opinions online.
We:
Think global and live local. We Skype, blog, podcast and eat Thai for lunch, Indian for dinner and drink water from France. Our work forces are world wide and our audience spans the globe.
We:
Want as few restrictions as possible. We limit ourselves only. We can do more and exceed only our own expectations. We learn from failure and accept setbacks as opportunities. We work smarter, faster and think small is the new big.
They:
Want to regress. They want a 1950's style economy of 8 hour days, fixed coffee breaks, lunch pails and lunch hours. They want color-coordinated collars and the segregated work force.
They:
Want a centrally controlled rationed life. A fixed work portion. A mandatory vacation serving. A diet of mediocrity and low expectations. Top the whole thing off with 25 years of service, a gold watch and a pension for dessert.
They:
Want collective bargaining, employment offices, secretarial pools, want ads and guaranteed employment. They want a "lifetime of service" in exchange for unconditional servitude, a cost of living adjustment and rewarded tenure.
They:
Want mile after mile of plain drab factories, office buildings, rows of desks, adding machines, and rotary dial telephones with cords.
They:
Want tariffs, high taxes, a thrifty working class with two rooms and a bath. They furnish their lives with fees, lines, clerks, and endless triplicated forms. They want a government fixed retirement plan and a passbook account.
They:
Want four television channels, AM radio, the corner bar with two beers on tap, meat and potatoes for dinner, a bus pass, one pair of sensible shoes and everything else which is "good enough".
It is an Us versus Them world. We have a choice to make. Should we take the temporarily safe route and step backwards or should we keep going forward?
What will you do and when do, will there be work waiting for you when you get there?
Happy hunting,
Friday
Marketing Me! Screens are for doors!
A friend confessed that he screened every call to his work and cellular phone with voice mail. He never answered the phone when it rang unless the call was from home.
Some calls naturally go to voice mail - we cannot answer them all. However, if your best customers, employers and contacts only talk to your voice mail, you are sending a dangerous message out instead - your call is not important to me.
Use call screening sparingly.
Also, here is another tidbit.
How many times do your customers, employers and contacts here this when they phone:
"I am sorry, he/she is in meeting right now and not available".
Think about it. If YOU were calling and upset, what would your response be? I bet it is along the lines of "well interrupt and drag him outta there, toot sweet!".
If a person is answering your calls, make sure their standard response always is:
"I am sorry, but he/she is with a customer right now. May I have them call you direct when they are finished?"
Nobody minds if you are meeting with the people who pay your salary.
Also, return that call as soon as you complete that meeting!
Happy hunting,
Some calls naturally go to voice mail - we cannot answer them all. However, if your best customers, employers and contacts only talk to your voice mail, you are sending a dangerous message out instead - your call is not important to me.
Use call screening sparingly.
Also, here is another tidbit.
How many times do your customers, employers and contacts here this when they phone:
"I am sorry, he/she is in meeting right now and not available".
Think about it. If YOU were calling and upset, what would your response be? I bet it is along the lines of "well interrupt and drag him outta there, toot sweet!".
If a person is answering your calls, make sure their standard response always is:
"I am sorry, but he/she is with a customer right now. May I have them call you direct when they are finished?"
Nobody minds if you are meeting with the people who pay your salary.
Also, return that call as soon as you complete that meeting!
Happy hunting,
Marketing Me! Screens are for doors!
A friend confessed that he screened every call to his work and cellular phone with voice mail. He never answered the phone when it rang unless the call was from home.
Some calls naturally go to voice mail - we cannot answer them all. However, if your best customers, employers and contacts only talk to your voice mail, you are sending a dangerous message out instead - your call is not important to me.
Use call screening sparingly.
Also, here is another tidbit.
How many times do your customers, employers and contacts here this when they phone:
"I am sorry, he/she is in meeting right now and not available".
Think about it. If YOU were calling and upset, what would your response be? I bet it is along the lines of "well interrupt and drag him outta there, toot sweet!".
If a person is answering your calls, make sure their standard response always is:
"I am sorry, but he/she is with a customer right now. May I have them call you direct when they are finished?"
Nobody minds if you are meeting with the people who pay your salary.
Also, return that call as soon as you complete that meeting!
Happy hunting,
Some calls naturally go to voice mail - we cannot answer them all. However, if your best customers, employers and contacts only talk to your voice mail, you are sending a dangerous message out instead - your call is not important to me.
Use call screening sparingly.
Also, here is another tidbit.
How many times do your customers, employers and contacts here this when they phone:
"I am sorry, he/she is in meeting right now and not available".
Think about it. If YOU were calling and upset, what would your response be? I bet it is along the lines of "well interrupt and drag him outta there, toot sweet!".
If a person is answering your calls, make sure their standard response always is:
"I am sorry, but he/she is with a customer right now. May I have them call you direct when they are finished?"
Nobody minds if you are meeting with the people who pay your salary.
Also, return that call as soon as you complete that meeting!
Happy hunting,
Thursday
Marketing Me! The Termination
You are sitting in your office one day when the boss/supervisor/HR person asks for a moment of your time. They wonder if you can join them in the conference room for a few minutes.
Alert! You are about to get canned/sacked/fired/laid off! Get ready!
Now, this may be something as simple as a warning, or perhaps the meeting is to clear up an issue in the company. Regardless, you will not be able to run away and deal with it after lunch. You need an action plan.
Before you do, scroll down and read the caveats at the end of this blog post. You have been warned!
First, pick up a notebook, pad or paper of some sort and a writing implement.
Lock your computer or workstation.
Take your purse or other personal affects if they are on your desk.
Follow the company representative to their designated meeting place.
Let them talk.
If it goes like this:
"Bob/Jane, I wanted to speak with you today about your performance/a recent development/your work. It seems that you have been lacking/distracted/not doing your job and there are going to be some changes. We have decided to let you go today and wanted to go over the terms of your separation".
At this point, you are probably thinking about your family, car payment, mortgage, kids college, etc. Stop!
You should only be thinking about the following things:
Who is talking to you? Is it only your boss or supervisor? Is anyone else in the room?
(If not, insist that another supervisor or manager be brought in as well as a representative from HR immediately.
Has the person speaking with you provided documentation regarding the termination?
(If not, ask for it. This means a statement which says your job is being terminated, the date and possibly the reason why as well as terms for your serverance).
After the appropriate people and items have been produced, here is my advice as to what to do next.
1) "If you do not want me, I do not want to be here".
If the company wants to get rid of you, then do you really want to fight to stay? Listen to what they have to say. Point out any inaccuracies if appropriate. Then make your statement "Clearly I am not needed here any longer. I do not want to stay where I am not wanted. So now all we have to discuss is my separation terms".
2) "Your offer is not acceptable".
Sometimes, a company will offer a great exit package. Typically, this happens during a mass layoff or cost savings move. A good package may include 3,4 or 6 months salary, retraining, resume and job search assistance, full extended health benefits beyond your last day of employment, bonuses, stock option payouts, and unused vacation time, take them and thank them.
However, if you get a bum deal, call it what it is. This could include a termination package of salary only for hours worked or two weeks pay. Unacceptable in any circumstances short of company bancruptcy.
I submit my suggestion:
"I have been here X amount of time during which I have never been formerly reprimanded. In addition, I have been a top performer and revenue generator for this company. Finally, as you know, my aged mother recently moved in my family. While I appreciate your offer, I feel it is not enough for the service and contribution I have made to this company. My couter offer is six weeks pay, all unused vacation and personal time, my company end of year bonus prorated upon time worked and medical insurance for three additional months after termination".
What is the worse that could happen? They say no? If anything they may negotiate from your vantage rather than start at theirs.
3) "No autographs today"
If your employer will not negotiate any of your requests, you MAY have one more ace up your sleeve. The employer, as part of the exit process, may ask you to sign a waiver absolving them of any future litigation or claims. Depending upon the company position, not signing that form could make their lives slightly miserable. After all, you have just left an unturned stone to deal with down the line. Remember, this is not a suggestion, just a possibility.
YOU MAY WANT TO offer to sign the document conditional upon their delivering some of your requests. It cannot hurt.
Caveats
- If you deserve to get fired, none of the above applies.
- If the company has documentation which backs their case, you will most likely get nothing.
- If you are broke and have bills due, that two week offer may be the best you can afford to take today. All bets are off.
- I am not an attorney and have no idea what the labor laws are like where live. Information here is my point of view, for entertainment purposes only and not meant to be legal advice. Consult a lawyer for more options.
- Terminations vary from location to location, check your local labor laws before applying this or any other unsolicited advice found on the internet.
Alert! You are about to get canned/sacked/fired/laid off! Get ready!
Now, this may be something as simple as a warning, or perhaps the meeting is to clear up an issue in the company. Regardless, you will not be able to run away and deal with it after lunch. You need an action plan.
Before you do, scroll down and read the caveats at the end of this blog post. You have been warned!
First, pick up a notebook, pad or paper of some sort and a writing implement.
Lock your computer or workstation.
Take your purse or other personal affects if they are on your desk.
Follow the company representative to their designated meeting place.
Let them talk.
If it goes like this:
"Bob/Jane, I wanted to speak with you today about your performance/a recent development/your work. It seems that you have been lacking/distracted/not doing your job and there are going to be some changes. We have decided to let you go today and wanted to go over the terms of your separation".
At this point, you are probably thinking about your family, car payment, mortgage, kids college, etc. Stop!
You should only be thinking about the following things:
Who is talking to you? Is it only your boss or supervisor? Is anyone else in the room?
(If not, insist that another supervisor or manager be brought in as well as a representative from HR immediately.
Has the person speaking with you provided documentation regarding the termination?
(If not, ask for it. This means a statement which says your job is being terminated, the date and possibly the reason why as well as terms for your serverance).
After the appropriate people and items have been produced, here is my advice as to what to do next.
1) "If you do not want me, I do not want to be here".
If the company wants to get rid of you, then do you really want to fight to stay? Listen to what they have to say. Point out any inaccuracies if appropriate. Then make your statement "Clearly I am not needed here any longer. I do not want to stay where I am not wanted. So now all we have to discuss is my separation terms".
2) "Your offer is not acceptable".
Sometimes, a company will offer a great exit package. Typically, this happens during a mass layoff or cost savings move. A good package may include 3,4 or 6 months salary, retraining, resume and job search assistance, full extended health benefits beyond your last day of employment, bonuses, stock option payouts, and unused vacation time, take them and thank them.
However, if you get a bum deal, call it what it is. This could include a termination package of salary only for hours worked or two weeks pay. Unacceptable in any circumstances short of company bancruptcy.
I submit my suggestion:
"I have been here X amount of time during which I have never been formerly reprimanded. In addition, I have been a top performer and revenue generator for this company. Finally, as you know, my aged mother recently moved in my family. While I appreciate your offer, I feel it is not enough for the service and contribution I have made to this company. My couter offer is six weeks pay, all unused vacation and personal time, my company end of year bonus prorated upon time worked and medical insurance for three additional months after termination".
What is the worse that could happen? They say no? If anything they may negotiate from your vantage rather than start at theirs.
3) "No autographs today"
If your employer will not negotiate any of your requests, you MAY have one more ace up your sleeve. The employer, as part of the exit process, may ask you to sign a waiver absolving them of any future litigation or claims. Depending upon the company position, not signing that form could make their lives slightly miserable. After all, you have just left an unturned stone to deal with down the line. Remember, this is not a suggestion, just a possibility.
YOU MAY WANT TO offer to sign the document conditional upon their delivering some of your requests. It cannot hurt.
Caveats
- If you deserve to get fired, none of the above applies.
- If the company has documentation which backs their case, you will most likely get nothing.
- If you are broke and have bills due, that two week offer may be the best you can afford to take today. All bets are off.
- I am not an attorney and have no idea what the labor laws are like where live. Information here is my point of view, for entertainment purposes only and not meant to be legal advice. Consult a lawyer for more options.
- Terminations vary from location to location, check your local labor laws before applying this or any other unsolicited advice found on the internet.
Marketing Me! Personal branding no brainers
What drives me crazy probably drives you crazy but are you doing the same things that drive other people crazy? (Say that ten times fast!).
Here's some quickies:
If you want to brand yourself, how do I reach you? Why bother selling a product if I cannot buy it!
- Email
Do you use a signature file at the end of EACH email?
Do you use Plaxo or something similar to manage your contact information like email and so other can find your email address?
What is in your signature file? Just your land line number? What about your cellular? What about your email address? How about a URL?
- Web
A company name is not enough. How many companies have the same name? Is your domain name readily available? Have you set up a real web page? Does it reflect your identity? Your company?
Can I find you with Google? Everyone does it. Do you have a keyword optimized website for you and your product?
- Phone
How do I reach you? Only be a land line with voice mail you check once a day? Or may I have your cellular?
Do you answer your phone? Or do you let every call go to voice mail and screen?
When do you answer your phone? Between 9-5? Or later and earlier?
What does your voice mail say? Do you update it daily or weekly or only when you travel?
I cannot buy your brand unless I know where to find you and how to reach you successfully. Please market yourself responsibly!
Happy hunting,
Here's some quickies:
If you want to brand yourself, how do I reach you? Why bother selling a product if I cannot buy it!
Do you use a signature file at the end of EACH email?
Do you use Plaxo or something similar to manage your contact information like email and so other can find your email address?
What is in your signature file? Just your land line number? What about your cellular? What about your email address? How about a URL?
- Web
A company name is not enough. How many companies have the same name? Is your domain name readily available? Have you set up a real web page? Does it reflect your identity? Your company?
Can I find you with Google? Everyone does it. Do you have a keyword optimized website for you and your product?
- Phone
How do I reach you? Only be a land line with voice mail you check once a day? Or may I have your cellular?
Do you answer your phone? Or do you let every call go to voice mail and screen?
When do you answer your phone? Between 9-5? Or later and earlier?
What does your voice mail say? Do you update it daily or weekly or only when you travel?
I cannot buy your brand unless I know where to find you and how to reach you successfully. Please market yourself responsibly!
Happy hunting,
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