Thursday, July 29, 2010

Where Do I Go From Here?

I won't be standing in the unemployment line any longer, not that I ever did, so can't write about being unemployed or a job search. I never got much readership but then again I am new to this. I think I'll continue writing about the new job and the state of the economy as it relates to the regular guy.

I Got A Job!

Got an offer today from the company I had lunch with 2 weeks ago. Had a final interview on Tuesday with the President and 3 Vice-Presidents. With 3 Vice Presidents, I thought they had a corporate structure like Primerica, where everyone signed up was a VP. Not the case. Anyway, they made an offer of a base salary plus commission and they will guarantee my commission for the first year as they know it's going to take awhile to get ramped up.

Had a great interview yesterday with another company and walked away knowing that I would get strong consideration for the position. They are supposed to make their decision either tomorrow or Monday. Who knows, I may have two to pick from.

Eight months unemployed sure sucks.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Unemployment And A Political Brother

I was reading this article the other day about a Republican Congressman voting against the extension of unemployment benefits and his brother being unemployed. I had thought about that previously because I have a brother who is quite the go getter and will probably run for something some day. How would I feel about this? Probably the same way as US House Republican Leader John Boehner's brother, that I wouldn't want him voting for programs that aren't paid for, even though it would hurt.

Then again, I'd expect my politically connected brother to hook me up, or I'd pull a Billy Carter on him.

Huge, Huge Week

Huge and busy week this week. Final interview on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is going to be the first and final at the same time as I don't see the guy coming back a second time from Canada. Had a one hour telephone interview two weeks ago and when they called back to set things up on Wednesday, they were asking about salary. Tuesday's also talked salary because they didn't want to embarrass me with low numbers. At this point, embarrass me.

Also, Tuesday night I'm heading to the local college to see what and if NJ is willing to fork over to retrain me. Thinking about taking a few psychology classes to become a Life Coach...sounds like a good racket to me. Teaching is something I would love to do. NJ is tough for that right now but maybe by the time I'm done with classes, there would be lots of openings?

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wow, My Kinda Guy

Had a dinner interview this evening. The guy was from NY but working out of the Philly office, so he invited me to dinner. Very nice conversation, as a matter of fact, he said something that I always thought to myself. He said that if you're a good salesman, you can sell anything.

I agree with that statement. Yes, I may not have contacts in your industry but don't you? Don't you have a list of customers for me to see and then add on to? I probably don't know your products but I'm not a tool and it's not rocket science is it? I had one person downplay the fact that I sold concrete but their product was a bit more chemically involved. I then let him not that there was a chemical process behind concrete and that over or underwatering the product was bad. Concrete heats up, it's part of the process and causing it to heat to fast will cause it to crack. Oh, I didn't know.

So when this guy made that statement, I lit up. Yes, I was previously in his industry, wire and cable, but it's been awhile. He's looking for someone with industrial experience and he'll worry about products later. As a matter of fact, he said it's the inside guys that need to know a lot about the products and the outside guy to establish the relationship.

My kinda guy.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What's with these lunches and dinners?

Have another interview tomorrow with a wire and cable company. We are meeting at 6pm for dinner. Am I a good excuse for the sales manager to run up his expense account? Just throwing that out there, actually very excited to be going.

I'm very excited to try out a new line when I'm asked if I have any questions. "Yes, thinking back to people who have been in this position previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?"

Saw that on a blog I'm reading called "Ask A Manager".

Monday, July 19, 2010

Ground Rules

Had an interesting telephone screening today by the Sales Manager for a large construction equipment dealer. He stated the ground rules right off the bat. We would talk for 10 - 15 minutes. If he liked what he heard, I would get an email before 12 noon tomorrow with links to the next stage. If I didn't get it by 12 noon, they wished you luck. Simple.

One of the first questions he asked was if I had the ad for the position in front of me. I did not but told him I remembered it very well. He asked me what they were looking for and he was impressed that I hit all the key points they were looking for. Does that mean I'll get an email before 12 noon tomorrow? Let you know at 12:01.

UPDATE:

No email.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

An Old Fashion Interview

Went on a lunch interview this afternoon. I have only gone on one lunch interview before this and the guy told me that I wasn't his kind of guy. That was a good thing because two years later, his picture was in the paper along with others that were arrested in a child porn sting. True story.

Anyway, met this guy for lunch and I could tell right off the bat that he does this to get you to talk a bit more about family and interests. You know, the kind of stuff you really can't ask about. I could tell that they wanted someone with a bit of folksiness. Very nice guy and a great company. He told me during the process that he would like to set up a second interview. Gotta like that.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Today's Happenings

Had an interview with a company in Allentown, PA. It's a little over 70 miles but fighting traffic through Philly is a pain in the butt. Met with the President of the company for a total of 20 minutes. When I went back to HR, she said he's a type A+ personality and 20 minutes was a long time for him. He did say he'd call back but I've heard that before.

On the way home I checked messages and got a call from a guy wanting to do a lunch interview on Wednesday. Never did a lunch interview before. We'll see.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

2nd Tier?

I got the following email today from a position I applied for:

"You have most of what we are looking for (sales experience, marketing to architects, ability to read layouts/designs) but the one missing part is experience with natural stone. I have about half a dozen candidates who I am currently interviewing and who seem to fit the bill. However, I will keep your resume on file in our 2nd tier applications and will contact you if we have the need in the future."

Yes, I did write back and let him know I'm not 2nd tier to anyone. I wasn't going to be considered for the position and I'm not burning bridges. He did respond back for his lack of better words.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

A Worthwhile Time at Unemployment

Spent some time today at the Unemployment office or rather the Re-employment office. Got an overview of services and website to help the job search. The instructor was rather useful. Yes, I know, a state worker that is useful, who would have thought.

She went over a few techniques in online job searches and some ideas on resumes. She also gave out her email address and told us to email our resumes so shen could critique them. She worked in the private sector for years and knew all the HR tricks of the trade. She will becaome my new pen-pal, we'll see how it goes with that.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Gutted

I have a facebook friend who used the term "gutted" when she lost her job. I don't know why the term always stuck with me but it has. Recently, I was gutted. I interviewed for a position and didn't get it. Not that I expected to get it, but I really thought I'd be a final candidate interviewing in Florida.

I had a phone interview that went real well. I was told that I would get great consideration moving to the next level, which I did, I got a face to face with the President of the company. The interview went real well, so well tha as I was leaving I was told that I was the leading candidate. I expected a call on Wednesday with information as to the next interview...it wasn't to be.

He called an said that although I was an excellent candidate, two others had process experience in that industry, while I had experience building the housing for the processes. I was disappointed to say the least and told him so.

He told me that he didn't want to tell me what place I fell in but he interviewed 9 people and I was in the top third. What a moron. Maybe it's a good thing I din't get picked? Naw.

"We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again." - Nathanael Greene