*** begin quote ***

Interesting….a ’slew’ of people got RIFed this past Monday. And do you think they picked me, no! They think I won’t hold out but I will fool them…work till I am 75! :-)

*** end quote ***

Ahh, it makes a “teacher” proud when the student exceeds the master. “Go For The Gold” ain’t just for the Olympics!

A vestige of the “gold watch” era, the companies make workers “disposable”.

Part of “jobsearch” is: (1) making sure you do NOT have to search for one in this terrible job climate for fat old white guys — like expense avoidance is much better than saving after-tax money; AND (2) if you are going to get nuked, you need as much money as possible to cushion the blow. No way anyone should ever “voluntarily” leave a job without very careful consideration.

Argh!

Remember: Success for everyone’s generation is:

(1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt;

(2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you;

(3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux;

(4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber;

(5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open;

(6) a free time hobby that generates income; and

(7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.

Can’t preach it enough!

# # # # #

(1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt;

(2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you;

(3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux;

(4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber;

(5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open;

(6) develop a second business or avocation – under the radar – start small part-time;

(7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you;

(8) buy assets that hold their value over time; and

(9) emulate the Amish and Mormons for their sense of community, simple thrifty living, and true to core values.

# # # # #

Remember the old joke?

*** begin quote ***

A newly-hired top executive for a major company is just settling into his new office when he is visited by the form chief, who had been fired. The displaced executive appears friendly, shakes his hand, and says, “Look, if things get really bad for you, I have something that may help.” And he handed the new executive three envelopes. They parted amicably, the new executive quickly dismissing departing executive’s visit as a result of the shock of his situation. The three envelopes he tossed into the bottom drawer of his desk. Six months later, things were in crisis for the new executive. He was worried, and did not know where to turn or whom to call. Then he remembered the envelopes. He opened the bottom drawer, and took out the first envelope. Inside there was one sheet of paper with a single sentence: “Blame your predecessor.” What a great idea! He followed this advice, and things went very smoothly again. About 6 months later there was another crisis. The new executive again was desperate, when he remembered the envelopes. He reached into the bottom drawer and took out the second envelope. The page inside said, “Reorganize.” So the executive completely reorganized the corporation, and things were going quite well again. About 6 months after reorganizing, things began to fall apart. After employing the best consultants and trying everything he could imagine, things were still getting worse. Then he remembered the third letter. He was sure it would save him. He tore it open, and read the message inside. It said, “Make three envelopes.”

*** end quote ***

To my fellow abused corporate “employees”:

May I give you some advice? Painfully learned. From before the time you “get” the job, you must be aware that it will end. Maybe badly. So, my advice is to prepare, from before you start, for it to end badly.

You know of all the hurdles getting in and you need to know all the hurdles in getting your value out. Here are my thoughts:

(1) You must have at home all the things you will need for your “employment” lawyer to review when you bring your claim to him. (And, you will. When your future employer hands you that severance agreement to sign and you feel you’ve been screwed, tattoed, and not even give a t-shirt! You’ll be visiting a very expensive lawyer wnating him to punish that employer.) Carve out a dedicated space for all the material you’ll have to collect.

(2) Every communication from your employer should be captured and catalogued. An index is essential. That’s the initial offer letter, performance appraisals, copies of checks, expense reports, and the final severance offer.

(3) Like the sneaky bastards they are, there will be a lot of stuff that magically doesn’t get put on paper. That extra week of vacation, concessions, comp time, over time, consideration for being on call 24×7, yada, yada! Oral agreements are worth the paper that they are printed on. You must get in the habit of documenting everything. You don’t know what will be that one fact that could weigh in your favor.

(4) You must be the “chronicaler” of all personnel actions. Keep a “desk book” (i.e., that blank book that has one page per day) of every thing that heppens to your co-workers. Layoffs? You need to itemize every name, age, and anything else you can think of. Capture all org charts. No org charts? Make your own. Same for promotions, demotions, laterals, and transfers. You have to be your own HR department!

# # # # #

Are We Educating for the Right Jobs?
We Don’t Need As Many College Grads As People Think
Steve Roesler

*** begin quote ***

How Many College Graduates Does the U.S. Really Need?

*** end quote ***

I have lately questioned the ROI of an “expensive” college education.

I’m sure I’m not the first. Nor, the last.

By “expensive”, I think efficient and effective. Efficient, in that, it’s affordable. Effective, in that, it leads to a lifetime of satisfying and rewarding employment in the service of others.

REMEMBER my personal formulation of “Success For Your Generation”

Success for your generation is:

(1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt;

(2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you;

(3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux;

(4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber;

(5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open;

(6) a free time hobby that generates income; and

(7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.

I disagree SLIGHTLY with Steve on “We can and should question whether the current system is designed to effectively produce what, and who, is needed.” That’s a good MACRO question. But as participants in the job market, we can’t care about grand scale problems; we have to worry about the MICRO question. What’s good for me?

The country is beset with so many political problems caused by “fuzzy thinking”. A good college education might help create an “educated electorate”. Unfortunately the current education paradigm — schools completely under the control of secular progressives who think esteem is more important than wisdom — is unlikely to produce the hard-nosed pragmatic thinkers we need to work our way out of these problems. (My personal suggestion is to KICK the gooferment out of education completely. It’s only job is to prevent the residents from force. So private schools should be the rule; with the gooferment ensuring that there is no fraud.)

I think that my alma mater, Manhattan College, strikes a great balance. Remember it’s just the “well”; it’s the students who bring the energy and the “bucket”. When I was taking my engineering courses, I questioned the need for philosophy, theology, and literature courses. Upon reflection, maybe those were MORE important.

# # # # #

Boosting Your Resiliency-Part 2: Avoiding Learned Helplessness and Changing Your Explanatory Style
by Brett & Kate McKay on February 3, 2010

*** begin quote ***

Len gets fired from his job:

   * If Len tends to a Me, Always, Everything thinking style then he might explain this event by saying, “I’m such an incompetent accountant. I was always out of my league at the office (Me). I’ll never be able to find another good job. (Always). My wife is probably going to leave me now. Man, my life is so screwed up. (Everything).”

   * Now if Len has a Not Me, Not Always, Not Everything explanatory style, then he might explain this event by saying, “I got fired because there just isn’t very much work for me to do anymore, and the company is trying to be more efficient. (Not Me). The economy is really making holding a job difficult. But things will eventually turn around. (Not Always). The job wasn’t a good fit for me anyway; I really wasn’t using my true talents. At least I have a good wife at home to help me through this (Not Everything).”

*** end quote ***

That’s why I preach the Turkey’s Credo:

“It’s not you (job seeker). It’s not me (a fellow seeker). It’s them (bastards)!”

# # # # #

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Career Management: It Takes a Village

*** begin quote ***

Last week I attended the first of many college planning meetings at my daughter’s school. Jammed into the school auditorium with 200+ other neurotic parents of high school juniors, I listened to details about student entrance exam test dates, transcripts, and application deadlines.

*** and ***

In some ways I think career management starts well before a person’s career starts. And choosing a college that is going to help with that process should be part of the plan. You know the saying; it takes a village to raise a child…I think every child needs that same village to start their career.

*** end quote ***

I don’t understand for the inet generation to not create a “personal brand” using their high school and college work. I advise the College kids that I speak with to create a web presence. I am astonished that kids studying MARKETING have NO web presence. I’m all so astonished that they seem to fail to understand the concept of “indelible digital dirt”. Career management starts with making a sale of one’s labor possible. imho.

# # # # #

Conan O’Brien will definitely leave ‘Tonight Show’
By ANTOINETTE KELLY
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Monday, January 11, 2010, 2:43 PM

*** begin quote ***

“Conan uprooted his family, his life and moved to Los Angeles and they have not given him enough time” the friend said. “It is outrageous what they have done to him.” O’Brien’s family is extremely upset that the massive lifestyle change they made and the new responsibility O’Brien assumed has been taken so lightly by NBC.

*** end quote ***

It certainly is a good lesson to anyone considering a corporate relo deal.

I remember one fellow getting axed as his plane was enroute from Sweden to Houston and he was so screwed.

To relo, you MUST HAVE a contract. History is replete with lessons. If they won’t give you one, how can you trust them?

# # # # #

Notre Dame Football Can End Coaching Arms Race: Scott Soshnick

*** begin quote ***

Thanks to an indefensible extension awarded by White, the former athletic director, Weis is under contract through 2015. And he’s owed about $18 million. Talk about your buyout bonanzas.

That money could have gone to things like pay for scholarships, professors or infrastructure.

If Notre Dame, where academics actually matter, even for athletes, is about to embark on yet another coaching search, I suggest they proceed with one person in mind: the late National Collegiate Athletic Association President Myles Brand.

It was Brand, the first college president to lead the NCAA, who time and again voiced concern over what he called an arms race for coaching salaries in revenue-generating sports like football and basketball.

Imagine if Notre Dame established at the outset of its search a salary limit of, let’s say, $1 million. Just because you spend more doesn’t mean you’re getting better.

*** end quote ***

For my part, the lesson I take away is “You ain’t gonna be around long”.

I’ve learned that lesson. Even if you’re diligent, work hard, keep your nose clean, you’re going to get screwed.

An inept boss, a treacherous one, and even a good one, isn’t enough to save you.

So what is the strategy and tactics that you should adopt to minimize the damage?

Make no mistake, there will be damage!

Strategies:

1. Ruthless financial discipline. (Small leaks and big leaks need to be stopped cold.)
2. Realistic emergency fund ready. (Double your expected unemployment time.)
3. Never ever stop networking. (Remember your new job is to find your next job.)  

Tactics:

1. Keep helping folks via social networking like LinkedIn and Facebook.
2. Seek exposure — blog, speak, coach — inside and out.
3. Document your “lessons learned” regardless if you share them or not.
4. Continue — or begin — collecting McKay66 sheets on EVERYONE. (JibberJobber anyone?)

Summary:

Thanksgiving is the holiday that focuses on turkeys. This big turkey knows of what he speaks. He’s had his tail feathers plucked numerous times.

# # # # #

— Ralph Marston

# – # – #

Much easier said than done.

# # # # #

*** begin quote ***

Change the Game

As fresh faced little kids we were all told … “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” Then we went out there and found out it really did matter.

More than that, we found out that life wasn’t always fair. You didn’t always get the breaks. Sometimes the game didn’t go your way.

There’s a lot of things in life you can’t change. You can always change the game.

We’re fascinated by people, ideas and events that do just that – change the game.

Join us every Monday night at 5 pm Pacific/8 pm Eastern and prepare to look at business, collaboration and the real time internet in a totally new way.

*** end quote ***

Know Allan Hoving from my “love affair” with Execunet. (Not their fault that no one wants “old dogs”.) If Allan has something to say I’m sure it’s informative and interesting.

# # # # #

*** begin quote ***

This email address is used for outgoing messages only. Replies will be undeliverable.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Prudential! On September 30, 2009, Prudential upgraded to a new electronic job application system.

If you would like to be considered for a position at Prudential, please create a new profile. Any job applications, resumes, and/or cover letters that you submitted to Prudential prior to September 30th, were not converted to the new system. Going forward, you can check the status of your application by logging in at any time.

Thank you.

Prudential Staffing

*** end quote ***

(1) Don’t you just love the “caring”. It just screams “we control the monologue”.

(2) Not me. I haven’t applied there in a long time. Bet everyone got the same date.

(3) Create a new profile? Ya gotta be kidding. It takes a half hour to answer all the screens. No, not that desperate for rejection.

(4) “Thank you”. My data wasn’t important enough for you to migrate. Some thanks.

Why would anyone want to deal with them?

Just wait until the economy turns around and the good candidates are scarce again. (Assuming the gooferment gets out of the way!) People have long memories.

# # # # #

# # # # #

Success for your generation is:

(1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt;

(2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you;

(3) a white collar job, non-off-shorable, in order to save big bux;

(4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber;

(5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open;

(6) a free time hobby that generates income; and

(7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.

# – # – #

It’s become apparent that any job that can be moved off-shore will be. The cheaper wage rates are making it more and more attractive for work to move globally.

Stories about IBM and their “playbook” style consulting can be done from anywhere.

TATA has an order of magnitude in any bidding war. My friend, a TATA-competing consultant, was told by the TATA sales guy that “they just offered contacting manager to drop the last zero off any bid they received”. Over drinks, the contracting manager confided to my friend that is exactly what he did. The contracting manager took my friend’s proposal for 1.2M$ and TATA took the bid at 120K$. The consulting company my friend worked for went out of business shortly after that.

So, when you look for that white collar job, make sure it’s one that will stay here. (Whereever here is for you!)

# # # # #

You’re welcome. I try to help all my fellow Jaspers. That’s why I “do” Jasper Jottings.

>Do you know how I could get in contact with the two people you mentioned?

{Extraneous Deleted}

>I do have a blog, but I’m not sure

Well, recruiters use Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs and websites as tools in their recruiting.

>Could you eleaborate on the other ideas

Spelling?

I’d suggest that you need to take a peek at my http://tinyurl.com/lxu93 for some of my concepts in job search. You’ll see that I focus on what is YOUR UVP. Unique Value Proposition. What problem are you going to solve for some one else? And how will you retain some value for yourself? What’s unique to you? Then you focus on the USP. Sales. How do you sell yourself? (I’ve been asked and actually outlined a 16 week moodle course on my view of the steps.) The problem that you might have is that you may not have enough DIKW! (Data is not information; Information is not knowledge; Knowledge is not understanding; Understanding is not wisdom. – Cliff Stoll and Gary Schubert) Data is the atomic level. Information is data with dimensions or context. Knowledge is predicted information. Wisdom is the boundaries. You may need to network to get the DIKW to define, market, and close the deal.   

>could really use some guidance

Well, I’d start with the http://tinyurl.com/lxu93 site’s reading list. “Job changing at 100k+” by Lucht is both a book and a work book. I’d borrow the book but buy the workbook. Lucht has the idea of a very structured face 2 face networking meeting. I swear by it.

> because as you said, this market is hard!

Hard for us old guys; you youngsters, the world is your oyster!

>That is great about your book, I have written a novel too.

Congrats.

> It was edited, but I’m not sure how to go about getting published.

That’s a chore.

> How did you publish yours?

I self-published on Lulu and it’s available on my Lulu storefront. http://tinyurl.com/26u3rc And the big one volume book is on Amazon Marketplace. The two volume paperback will be on regular Amazon shortly.

>Thanks!

Anytime.

# # # # #

Firing Day
by Kimberlee Williams

*** begin quote ***

Your palms are a little sweaty, and you’re a little nervous. But the decision has been made, and now’s the time. “You’re fired.”

*** end quote ***

An excellent wake up call.

# # # # #

THE COACHING STARTING LINE
Posted on July 4, 2009 by hoopscoach
(Part 4 in a series on the coaching profession)

*** begin quote ***

For the past few days I have been blogging about the coaching profession. I have touched on a few different topics Improvement, Work Ethic and Why We Coach. Every experienced coach has their own personal story on how they entered the business. Most stories are very interesting. Next time you are talking with a peer, ask them how they got their start?

{Extraneous Deleted}

If you want to enter coaching at the collegiate level, you better try and get with someone who is good. You better be ready to start at the bottom and have a small pay check (if you’re lucky enough to get paid). Entering coaching, there is no surefire, direct way. Everyone has their own story (as mentioned before). You can start as a team manager and become a sponge. Learn everything you can about the business. Maybe you played for a guy in college who is a head coach and he hires you. Maybe you know someone who knows a head coach looking for someone. However you get in, it’s a growing process-don’t be in such a hurry to advance. There are no short-cuts.

Write letters to coaches, pick their brains. Ask to work their camp in the summer. Make calls, shoot off e-mails and introduce yourself. Let people know what your aspirations are. Attend clinics and try to speak with the coaches after it’s over. In the beginning of your journey, be prepared to work hard.

If you are lucky enough to get in, don’t be afraid to get down and dirty. You may have to wipe up sweat off the ground, hand water out to players and rebound for them late into the night. Look for things to do.

*** end quote ***

Seems like that’s a success formula for anyone starting out in ANY line of work. IMHO!

# # # # #

Google recruiter: Company kept ‘do not touch’ in hiring list
By Steve Johnson, Elise Ackerman and Sue McAllister
Mercury News
Posted: 06/03/2009 07:00:44 PM PDT
Updated: 06/04/2009 10:14:46 AM PDT

*** begin quote ***

A recruiter who left Google last year says that the company had maintained a “do not touch” list of companies including Genentech and Yahoo, whose employees were not to be wooed to the Internet search giant.

That revelation could be significant in light of this week’s disclosure that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Google, Yahoo, Apple, Genentech and other tech companies conspired to keep others from stealing their top talent.

Although Google declined to comment on the list or other aspects of the investigation, Palo Alto attorney Gary Reback, who has been involved in a number of high-profile antitrust cases, said having such a list is not unheard of and not necessarily illegal.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

Hard enough to get a job and the companies limit the opportunities.

A plague on all their houses.

# # # # #

Let’s Unleash the Experts: Pay It Forward With Your Job Search
June 4, 2009 · 1 Comment

*** begin quote ***

I’ve been trying to tell you how important it is to be “nice”. It works. I promise. Read the following story from a guy we’ll call “The Big Turkey”:

*** end quote ***

Wonder who this “The Big Turkey” could be? ROFL.

# # # # #

Early retirement claims increase dramatically

Instead of working longer as the economy worsens, more Americans are calling it quits before age 66. The ramifications could be profound for the retirees, families, government and social institutions.

By Mike Dorning

May 24, 2009

*** begin quote ***

Once they lose their jobs, older workers have a harder time finding new ones. On average, it takes laid-off workers 55 and older nearly a month longer than their younger counterparts to find new employment, and the gulf has been growing recently, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*** end quote ***

I’m much more skeptical than the BLS.

For turkeys (i.e., fat old white guys who had high paying jobs), they must plan, that when they lose their current job (as they surely will), for the contingency that thewill be unable to find another.

Ever!

Not one at a lesser pay. Not one that is “yuckier”. Not one that is “elsewhere”.

No, they may never find another one at all.

That has terrible ramifications.

That means at age 50 or later, what ever you have is all that you will ever get. That means at 50, you may never have health insurance again. That means at 50, you will begin to draw against your “pot of gold” (i.e., your total savings and investments).

You may have to be the Greeter at WalMart to permit yourself the luxury of dining on the expensive dog food.

You may, in fact, be on welfare and / or food stamps in your not-so “Golden Years”.

You may be “medically bankrupt” if you get sick without insurance.

Sacred yet. You should be.

Immediately, turkeys using my not-patented not-copyrighted formula for “job replacement interval” —

{For those, who aren’t aficionados of the Big Turkey’s methodology for calculating “job replacement interval”. Using my patented and copyrighted methodology, you can easily determine how many months YOU will need to find a new job. That is a function of: Annual Salary; the likelihood of a layoff in your company, industry, or skill set; the ease of finding another job in their skill set; their age; and the economy.}

— I’m adjusting the age penalty formula from (Less than 40 is 1; 41 to 49 is 2; 50 to 57 is 3; 57 and up is 4) to (Less than 40 is 1; 41 to 45 is 2; 45-50 = 4, 51-55=8, 51-55=16, 56-60=32, and 61 is 64).

Yes, after 56, I don’t think you can get another job again ever.

My formula may be wrong, but it should serve as a wake up call.

Plan as if there was no job to work at tomorrow. There may well not be.

# # # # #  

Time Makes A List Of Tech Failures, Microsoft Makes It Twice by Leena Rao on May 15, 2009

*** begin quote ***

Time Magazine recently published a list (completed by 24/7 Wall St.) of the “Top Ten Biggest Tech Failures Of The Past Decade.” Microsoft Vista, Microsoft Zune, Gateway, YouTube and the Segway all made the list.

*** end quote ***

I was attracted to the picture.

In job search, the search is usually preceded by a job “loss”.

It feels like this picture.

Heck of a way to end a career.

# # # # #

Build An Alumni Network by fjohn reinke

As an “old alumni”, I’ve learned the value of “networking”. College alumni have an easy natural way of building one. Unfortunately, few people realize the need for it.

Even fewer people can define what “networking” is, or the objectives of it. Everyone can tell you what the want out of it; instantly! Everyone wants to “network” when they are out of work. Everyone wants a new or better job from “networking”. Everyone wants. Nobody understands about “helping, before being helped”.

I personally believe that “networking” is NOT some open ended wishy washy ‘connect to everyone’ of Facebook or LinkedIn. Or even worse: Myspace or Plaxo. I’m an attendee at the “church” of networking is a “structured activity”. I particularly like Lucht’s definition of “networking” as a formal meeting. In counseling my “turkeys” (i.e., out of work executives), I structure it as: a five minute howdy, five minutes about listening to the target, five minutes for the “networker” to describe their search or need, ten minutes to listen to the target give their wisdom, and five minutes to extract two more names. Input one name; output two names. And, another “listen station” is enable to alert you to opportunities.

But how do you get to that point?

If the predecessor activity is “first help, then be helped”, how does one know who to help? You have to “seed the field”. There’s where Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Plaxo, or anything else can be useful. It allows you to connect with people easily and casually. So the model is: “Seed the field”, “First help, then be helped”, and then “Use structured networking meetings to seek help”.

At no time in our lives are we able to “seed the field” than in our college days. Even after being out for a while, one can still recapture the “seeding”. I always thought “alumni” was a great way to setup a granfalloon — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granfalloon — strange idea. A very important concept in “job search”. You can use your “alumni” connection to create a granfalloon. That will allow you to know who needs help. Of course, know that you have to help. But that’s usually the easiest part. Then, after helping, you have a person ready to help you when you need it.

So, we have moved the problem back to “seed the field”. Does your school have a vibrant alumni society? Most schools have something. Unfortunately that “something” is organized around raising money for the school in the form of alumni donations. That doesn’t necessarily help the alumni. Services are all oriented to satisfy a different master. That’s really perfect for the person who wants to “seed the field”. A Yahoo or Google group, a free WordPress blog, or such can form the nucleus of an alumni news service. “Seeding this particular field” is a small effort in three areas: Identify the alumni in the news, collect alumni email addresses, and operate a small daily news cycle. Sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn’t today.

Google news has the ability to present links that satisfy the news requirement. Let say that an alumni of “Ye Olde University” want to “do” this. Dashing to the free, and unequaled wordpressdotcom site, this alum creates a blog called “TheGreatUnwashedAlumsOfYeOldeUniversity”. (Free!) Then, this alum goes to Google news and searches for “Ye Olde University”. This alum can then request email or an rss feed. Then, check the news about and for alumni. Copy news from the source to the blog and post. Zip over to Legacy, the obituary site, and do the same thing. You’re now a font of news and information for your fellow alums.

As time permits, you identify your fellow alumni. And, invite them to read your blog. Capture demographic info as you can in a spreadsheet or document. Name, Email, Class Year, DOB, Address, Phone, and other background data. Try to categorize their characteristics – doctor, lawyer, indian chief, teacher, finance, pharma, etc. etc. Geography. Organizations. Whatever you can. Finally be sure you ask them how you can help them? Setup a plan to “ping” them every so often, quarterly, but at least yearly. Use Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Plaxo, Cardscan, or anything you can think of to find and connect. Each connect can be reported in your blog as an “update”. Note: Do NOT post email addresses, phone numbers, or street addresses in the blog. Spammers and scammers abound. Become the “Paul Revere” connector that Malcom Gadswell describes in his books. While there is a good reason not to post this information, it does allow you to be the “clearing house”. Just report that you heard from “Jones, Joe (Class of XYZ)” and some further information if you have it.

So, you now have a field being “seeded” for your future use.

Use this as input to “First help; then seek help”. Try to “help” everyone you can. Match needs with resources. Collect information about your fellow alums. It will snowball quickly. When time comes for you to ask for help, you’ll have a field of “plants” ready for harvest.

# # # # #

ajc.com > Business
Laid-off workers increasingly turn to lawsuits
Government reports more claims of discrimination in job cuts
By TAMMY JOYNER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, April 12, 2009

*** begin quote ***

Eric Oliver was on vacation last summer when he learned that he and seven other white co-workers, all over the age of 40, had lost their jobs at a software company from India.

Attorney Sidney Holderness’ expertise in underwriting title insurance wasn’t enough to keep the 60-year-old from losing his job.

*** end quote ***

We as a society better figure out how to make use of “old workers”. And, stop wasting the first twenty five years as well.

We’re going to be living a lot longer and can’t afford to waste any human resource.

# # # # #

And, as you despite being an expert in <insert favorite aspect of your career>, you, (and me), AIN’T drawing a paycheck.

(And, for those smug overconfident soon to be unemployed, you may have drawn your LAST one!)

Here’s a way to get your content out there. I don’t particularly care what content it is. AS LONG AS IT’S SPELLED RIGHT and gramatically correct. (Wouldn’t that be the kiss of death. Like having a typo on your resume!) And, it isn’t too controversial (e.g., “How I was abducted by aliens”; “How to conceal your drug habit?”; “Padding your expense account”; “Best racist dirty jokes”). You get the idea.

I do know that this site has “buzz”, is indexed by Google, and has high traffic counts.

SOME folks are even putting their resumes on there. (I’m not so sure that’s a great idea.)

But if I was a lean and hungry seeker. I’d get soem high quality content up there. ESPECIALLY if I was an expert in something other than the lifestyle of turkeys (i.e., out of work jobseekers) large and small.

fjohn
the big fat old turkey hisself

p.s., I’m putting stuff up there. We’ll see if it works for fat old turkeys!

http://www.scribd.com/

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Welcome to Scribd!

Congratulations, you’ve just joined the world’s largest community of readers. Now that you have an account, you can:

* DISCOVER fun or functional writings and documents on any subject – explore by category, by browsing or just typing in a search topic.

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* DISCUSS topics of interest to you – leave comments on other people’s documents, join groups and express yourself.

… and a whole lot more. Also, don’t forget to check out the Scribd blog for updates on new product features and other Scribd news!

- The Scribd Team

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Age Discrimination is the New Reality in Job Market Says Guest Expert Dave Opton
Posted in March 11th, 2009
By Dave Opton, CEO and Founder of Execunet, AARP member, exclusive for WWDS.

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If you are anything like me, while you always knew there were laws against age discrimination on an intellectual level, it wasn’t until you got out there in the real world looking to make a change at say 45+ that you came to internalize emotionally age discrimination was more than a phrase you read about from time to time but actually came with raw nerve endings. To understate the case, not a great feeling.

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Unfortunately, you’re right. Exponentially.

From a societal pov, with the market crash killing 401ks and “savings”, as well as the home value crash, “we” as a society have a big problem. “We” are raising the social security retirement age, and more importantly the Medicare age. And, “companies” are shooting anyone under 40 at their first opportunity. How many “consultants” can our economy support?

As you know, I’m advising turkeys that after 50, they will find it IMPOSSIBLE to get another salaried position. (Now that may be a SLIGHT exageration, but NOT MUCH!)

I’ve revised my “emergency fund required” formula. The age component multiplier goes from a one multiplier at ages below forty to a plus one multiplier for every five years of age OVER 40. (That is 40-45 is DOUBLE; 50-55 is quadruple; 60-65 is five times. SHOCKING? You should see the old farts, myself included, who I tell that they will never work again at a salaried job like the old days! Their stunned. Some have high school age or younger kids in second marriages. Are they surpprised!)

This reflects the reality that “jobs” are really hard to come by.

I tell anyone who will listen that: “Success for future generations is: (1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt; (2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you; (3) a white collar job in order to save big bux; (4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber; (5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; (6) a free time hobby that generates income; and (7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.” Funny how no one believes me?

ERISA changed the corporate behavior of discharging “old” aerospace engineers before their pensions would vest. SO to we will need such a “game changer” to allow us to “bridge” “old age” to retirement.

I suggest that old farts, or those soon to be old farts, like myself, INSIST on an employment contract before they jump to the next opportunity. Can’t get it; be advised! You’ll soon be screwed. We have to change from an “at will” employment culture to something else.

:-(
fjohn
the big fat old turkey hisself

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Career Couch
You May Not Like It, but Learn to Network
By PHYLLIS KORKKI
Published: December 20, 2008

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Q. Everyone is saying that you need to network to find a new job. But you hate networking. Do you have to do it?

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As anyone I have coached will tell you, I’m a fan of Lucht’s formalized face-to-face networking. I see folk practicing “networking” without doing the proper preparation. Even worse, they don’t follow up.

Very frustrating.

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Inspiration, Motivation Just the Way I Like It: Short & Sweet 2 Minutes

Posted in February 9th, 2009

Hat Tips: eppsnet.com, http://blogs.jobdig.com, “What would Dad say”

Two minutes of inspirational speeches.

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Excellent for turkeys who are down in the dumps.

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