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Just got a call from an excited buddy, he had just received a job offer! After congratulating him on the task, I wished him the best of luck with his decision and hung up.

The hard facts of life really started to sink in as I sat and thought about the conversation. About 3 weeks ago, we both applied for the same position. As we talked, it was almost a guarantee I would be chosen over him. I had more experience, a degree, and knew a little bit more than my buddy. Funny, he received the call while I sat and heard nothing. Come to find out, we knew the same people, but his pull had a greater persuasion than mine.

It just goes to show you, it’s not what you know, but who you know.

With that said, for all the young and coming gents/ladies that are planning on starting a career, I give a small piece of advice.

Contacts are invaluable. Get out and meet, greet, and get to know people. You may already know this, but when the time comes make sure they know you, who you are, and what kind of a person you are. With the current economy, you may find yourself fighting with 500+ people for one job, and having the ‘in’ is not a bad thing to have.

Also, get very good at telephone conversations. I’m a straight forward guy, ask a question, and give an answer. Typically, a phone call doesn’t last over 2 minutes b/c I don’t have much else to talk about. Not to much bs on my behalf. Never thought too much about ‘talking’ on the phone, if I have something to say I like a face to face conversation as that’s where I feel comfortable. Needless to say, some company’s require you to pass a telephone interview, and I have yet to slide pass one yet.

And lastly, expect the response of that of which you worked for. Meaning, if you don’t push, don’t expect a pull. Stay on top of the search, and don’t wait. I’ve been waiting for a long time and have got to start pestering the hell out of everyone to see what it may yield. Be pushy, be assertive, and keep at it!

looking for a job is like looking for a duck hole. There are many to look at, but getting to them may come across as a challange. TAke that challange the same way you take to a long walk across a flooded timber hole with dead tree's and limbs everywhere. find a way around it, keep at it, keep the calls close and your gun loaded b/c hopefully with a little persistance you may get the chance to enjoy the mallards cupping up and watching as your shots hit on mark.

Well that makes 3 no’s this week! Sooner or later I’ll figure this chit out!

Keep pluggin' my friend. The law of averages says that the more times you are told 'no', just increases the chances that the next time will be a 'yes'.

Hang in there an your right. It is not always what you know, but who you know.

PM sent

Thanks, and yes I'll keep on pluggin away.

Law of averages, kind of like the bar during college . He!! if you talk to enough of them sooner or later some good will come of it .

Right now with the economy it is all about the "at bats". You got to keep swinging no matter what soon or later you'll get a hit.

For example in my business of buying houses, I might make 12-15 offers before I get a bite but when I do, I am in it at a price I can afford to have options with it, hold it, rent it, sell it, etc. All about the at bats.

I'm a recruiter for my company and do some of the interviews, another good tip is keep it positive.

We know your last job sucked or you wouldnt be looking for a new job, keep the conversation flowing and positive.

I have seen guys with all of the qualifications not get the job and some greenhorn wind up with it due to how the interview went.

Good luck and hang tough, it will all pan out.


Oh yeah, best piece of job hunting advice came from my dearly departed uncle. He told me when I was about 12.
Find a place you want to work and go see them about once a month, after the second or third month they will know your name when you walk in and when they have a position open- they say to themselves- how about that lad thats a go getter and has been wearing us out for a job.
Worked for me three times.

I know right where you're coming from man, I found out two days ago that the one job I've been workin my tail off for, for the past 4 years is no longer an option in the great state of MS.

I didn't go into it thinking I had it locked down, but I felt good about my chances and I couldn't have prepared myself any better or made myself any more qualified a candidate. Except for experience which is hard to have coming out of school.

I kinda feel like I've come up short of a goal. I guess it'll make me worker harder for the next opportunity that comes up.

I didn't mean to hijack but I just wanted you to know you aren't the only one that's striking out in this job game.

what kind of line of work u lookin for

Sorry to hear about this MM, but its a proven fact that its not what ya know its who ya know. I really did'nt understand that concept until I tried to get a job working in the medical field when I was younger. I applied for a job at a certain hospital and was told that there were no openings and when someone on the inside was told that I didn't get the job. They made a phone call and what do ya know, I got a call asking when I could start. So from right there and then I knew what my mom and dad had been telling me was true. Just hang in there and start politicing.