Mint Resumes – Job Search, Career Info and Resumes

Got an email from David Henderson….famous blogger….today in response to a comment on his highly heated blog.  He’s done a lot of coverage and responding to comments regarding improper conclusions drawn by thousands about a tweet sent by James Andrews that described Mr. Andrews reaction to a racial incident.

The issue has also been hot, and hotly AND incorrectly debated, on Shankman.com.

The lesson here for job seekers? Think – and I mean really think – before you trash someone.  Trash talking has no place in any of our communities.  We can do better, as Silicon Valley CEO Nilofer Merchant says.

Here’s my email to David.

Hi David:

You emailed me today and said, “Thanks for your comment on my blog. You indicate it was a racial incident. How do you know and what details can you provide?”

On her blog, Sherrelle Kirkland-Andrews (yes, Mrs. Andrews) commented:

“And this is what basically happened when my husband’s recent tweet hit the internet.  Did he say “I hate Memphis; it is a hell-hole of a city?”  NO!  He tweeted a very obscure and heavily veiled dislike for an unnamed town. The person who was initially offended by the tweet made an incorrect assumption and the readers of Shankman.com ran with it.   I’m amazed that half of the debate was whether or not Memphis is terrible looking town in need of a major over-haul.  THAT IS NOT WHAT HE SAID!  Now, what I would have said was “Some racist fool in Memphis almost got a beat-down; I hate this town!”  But, that’s just me.”

See it here:
http://funkidivagirl.com/2009/01/james-andrews-hey-thats-my-man-youre-talking-about/#comment-270

Further on, Sherrelle remarks about comments I and another responder made:

See it at the same link as above.

A racial incident.  Guess what?  That sucks.  And it sucks that so many people didn’t pay attention to it.  My guess is most of them are white.  And by the way, these incidents don’t just happen in the South – they happen every day in Chicago, New York, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  And yes, Sherrell, you and James absolutely have a right to your opinions.

My thoughts?  We’re so busy flapping our gums at what we think is a supposed affront that we don’t take the time to comprehend what’s really going on.

Mr. Andrews deserves an apology.  I made one in a comment on Shankman.com and it didn’t get posted.  So instead I’m going from site to site where people have gotten it wrong and I’m telling it true – James didn’t diss anyone or anything.

He’s been the victim twice here – first, taking shit from some racist idiot and second, having his reputation dragged through the mud by people who are communicators, yet, for all that, have made a terrible mistake.

I’m thrilled that President and Mrs. Obama are in the White House.  Still, I see that for African Americans and other people of color in every walk of life the battle goes on.  Enough talking the talk – let’s do the damn work to right the wrongs and see that everyone is treated fairly.

Best,
Marsha

Shoes.  They’re more important than you think.

A certain CEO I know assesses the shoes of everyone she sees during the course of business.  It’s a pasttime, amusing and does she notice the shoes people are wearing when they come in for interviews?

No doubt.  It’s another test.  Fashion gets you points, but even for men she’s looking for more than style.  The state of upkeep tells her how the individual treats their things and themselves.

And she can pick up inappropriate all the way across the room.  If the shoes are wrong, how far off is the conversation going to be?  And whether she’s looking at Cole and Haan, a pair of Manolos, or an adventurous pair of peep-toe pumps, she’s added a unique test to her toolbox that others simply don’t have.

Fashion and an eagle eye have become ways this CEO protects her business and her reputation – extra insurance of a type only the highly discerning can grasp.

Take a look at what’s on your feet before your next interview.  If your shoes don’t look as sharp as your story about yourself sounds, go back to square one and get polished.

The pilot of flight 1549, Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III, knows a lot about courage.  It’s a necessary component of your job search.

Sometimes conducting a job search requires bold moves you might not otherwise make.  I’m not talking about something idiotic – I’m taking about making a statement about the recent addition of Carol Bartz as CEO at Yahoo because you’ve studied the situation and think you can add something to the conversation that hasn’t been considered.

Look for opportunities during an interview to make a courageous move that differentiates yourself and provides the interviewer with new insight about both the topic discussed and you.

This is only possible if you’ve studied your own background and have practiced telling your story.  Get it down at a beta level and you can add information that’s relevant because you can listen and pull the right examples on the fly.  It’s an art.  It takes courage and knowing yourself.  It’s not for the faint of heart.

As Shakespeare said, “Screw your courage to the sticking place.”

If you want to put yourself in the hot seat like the courageous (some might say foolhardy, but I say artful) bike messengers of Manhattan.  Ride with them for awhile in the jungle and I guarantee your heart will be pounding.

Click here to experience a drag race in Manhattan – and please, gasping only – no screaming.

Learn to navigate your state’s unemployment system for smooth sailing.

While every state’s take on the unemployment system is slightly different, there are several things you need to consider before you apply and while you’re receiving benefits.

1.  Know the rules. No kidding, don’t get put into an even more uncomfortable situation because you’re unfamiliar with the mechanics of the system.  And don’t just rely on hearsay.  A friend in CA recently asked a friend how to handle an upcoming interview with unemployment and was given incorrect information by a recruiter.  Go to the web site or the unemployment office and read up on how it operates.  Primary research is important.

2.  Be on time. If you have a form to fill out and the unemployment folks want it mailed on Sunday, do it.  Not on Saturday.  Not on Monday.  Mail it on Sunday.  If you’ve got an appointment at the office, be there at the appointed time.  If they’re phoning you between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., make sure you’re available and prepared with a pen and some paper.  Use the same standards high standards you would if you were going for a job interview.

3.  Be truthful. If you mowed your neighbor’s lawn, report the income.  If you worked for a former employer, report the income.  If you made money selling Mary Kay, report the income.  Just do it.

4.  Get taxes withheld. If your state system allows you to check a box so that Federal Income Tax can be withheld, do it.  You’ll have an easier time when tax time rolls around if you don’t have the additional stress of writing a check to the IRS.  Yes, it means you’ll get a smaller check.  Figure out ways to cut back.

5. Learn the language. Your state unemployment office speaks a different language than you do.  They have reports.  They’re required to compile statistics.  Understand the language they use and use it properly.  If you can report the lawn mowing income as ’self-employed’ or ‘contract work’ do so.  Use the right language.  Just as important, find out the language they don’t want and avoid it.

6.  Don’t lose your benefits. Know what language and behavior will put an end to your unemployment and avoid it.

7.  End it gracefully. When you get a new job – and you will get a new job – end your unemployment the right way.  Learn what the exit methodology is and use it.  This isn’t the time for a messy end that will have you on the receiving end of a phone call asking for the return of your last check.

Loss of any kind is difficult.  Music is a great way to refresh your mood and get a positive attitude going again.

As I write this post I’m listening to Diana Ross’ ‘The Boss.’  Old, but it always changes my mood.

Pay attention to the kind of music that changes how you feel.  If you’re stuck on long, slow ballads that are full on angst, maybe it’s time for you to shift your personal channel to something that gets your foot tapping and booty shaking.

It’s also a good idea to try something new on for size.  Don’t just keep listening to the same old stuff.  Setting aside 15 minutes per day to explore something new on iTunes can open the door.  By the way – it also opens new neural pathways in the brain.

I particularly notice that sometimes lyrics can be distracting.  When that happens I’ll listen to something like ‘Que Hiciste’ by Jennifer Lopez.  It has the right beat and sound to lift me, but I speak such malo y poquito Spanish that it doesn’t get in my way.

When you’ve got something you can change – change it.  Music is an easy way to open up and fly.  It can also make the work you’re doing while searching go by lots faster.