Quote | Purpose and Direction

Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction – John F. Kennedy

I gleaned this quote out of my recent read of The Kennedy Detail (that I reviewed the other day).   Seemed like a fitting quote to start the New Year off right.

What is your purpose and/or direction in your life in 2011?   Where will you go – be it personal, professional, physical health, financial health or mental health?   Do you have a plan, a goal or your own roadmap?  Am I sounding like the Theme from Mahogany yet?

Hopefully between swigging eggnog and digging yourself out of the nationwide blizzards, you’ve had some time to think of questions like these (and others you have asked yourself).

I welcome you to 2011 and wish you all the success in progress towards those goals.

Happy New You Year!

Quote | I don’t need anyone great

During coffee today with a buddy who is a killer sales professional in the staffing world, he shared a quote with me that I just love.   One of his clients was looking for a contract developer to add to his team and offered:

I don’t need anyone great, I need someone to get the work done

Remarkable.  Instead of good to great, we’re going from awesome to good.

Looking for a completely adequate developer?  That’s an awesome strategy for an adequate product, adequate growth and adequate ROI.  Let’s print the t-shirts right now!

I’m all for people who can get work done, but adding average people to your team is never a good idea.  Role players need to be awesome in their jobs as well.

Whether it is and FTE or 10-99, adding someone based on bill rate or salary (to a point, of course) alone is really a bad idea.  Base your decisions – and coach them up to –on what value they can bring.

Start what you (want to) finish

As I finish an awesome first week at the new job, a recent drawing (bottom) from Nicholas Bate’s blog came to mind.  As Nicholas often does, it quickly and simply paints a business reality (in this case - getting stuff done).

As simple as it is, so often folks overlook the reason that they have not finished something yet –– because they haven’t started!  Hello!?!

I had two recent personal projects this year that followed this simple methodology:  running a half marathon and landing a new job opportunity.

Put one foot in front of the other

This year, I decided to finally get serious about my running passion and take the first step (as it were) toward my ultimate goal of completing a (full) marathon by first completing a half-marathon.   There were a lot of excuses to overcome (had gotten WAY out of shape, time crunches, whatever). 

But, I gutted it up (or more accurately dropped the gut) by getting a plan, applying focus (getting up at 3:00 am to run in the dark before work requires focus), making a decision (mix in a salad, big boy), abandoned excuses (it’s too hot, I am tired, I am sore) and got started (as slow,painful and embarrassing as running 1 minute/walking 1 minute in public is).  

Without starting, I would have never reached the finish line (literally) - which I did.

Westbound and down (loaded up and trucking)

This same, simple process was in play for my job search project.  Do you need to find a job?  It starts with a plan (network, network, network), focus (triangulate the search on opportunities that fit your passion, your talents and what there is a market for), a decision (Curtain #1, Curtain #2 or Curtain #3), abandoning all excuses (the economy, too much competition, I hate wearing a suit, change is scary) and then it comes down to just starting (and for those that know me - all my job searches start in the same place).

So – if your next big thing is floundering (your new project, your new program, a new product, going after a new market, starting your own company, getting your MBA, a job hunt, a house hunt, a spouse hunt, writing a blog post, writing a book, cleaning the house or that weight loss plan that keeps losing out to Ladies Night), there’s one thing to do: start by starting. 

You can’t finish, if you don’t start.

Joel Not on Software | Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen

As he announced earlier this week, Joel Spolsky is retiring from blogging today – on the 10^th anniversary of his blog, Joel On Software. Joel was one of the pioneers of blogging (especially on the geek side of the world) and his content has been a welcome sight in my Google Reader over the years.

I’ve talked  about Joel often in the past decade (on this blog, other blogs and in countless emails and presentations). I share his views on the simple approach to the art of creating software, how to make the interface user-centric and how to create a start-up company the right way (hire Über-talented people and you’ll find a way to make a product people will buy).

Additionally, Joel gave the simplest advice to any hiring manager on what you look for in a candidate you are interviewing (which I nicked last year for my own post):  

1. Smart
2. Get Stuff Done

He later turned The Guerrilla Guide to Interviewing into a book (a must for all IT hiring managers – but useful to anyone in the talent acquisition realm).

I love Vegas every moment (how long ‘ave I been on?)

My friend Angie loves to clown me to this day about the time she and I went to the Better Software Conference in 2006 (primarily to see Joel as the keynote speaker). Not only did we eschew the pool and slushy drinks to attend that session, but I was a like tweener at a Hannah Montana concert (or so so she tells me). Of course, we also joke about the $22 drinks at Mandalay Bay (but that’s a story for another day).

Jumping the Virtual Shark

It seems to be growing sentiment that blogging has jumped the shark.

Although it has served him well (he’s not cutting coupons), Joel talks about the failure and unfilled promise (and linkage back to the business success) of blogging in a piece this month in Inc Magazine (Let's Take This Offline):

The big-hit technology companies from the past 10 years tend to have pathetic blogs. Twitter’s blog, like Facebook’s and Google’s, is full of utterly boring press releases rewritten to sound a little bit less stuffy. Apple’s employees produce virtually no blogs, even though the company has introduced several game-changing new products in the past decade. Meanwhile, hundreds of Microsoft’s employees have amazing blogs, but these have done nothing to stave off that company’s slide into stodginess.

Don’t give up on it just yet.  Blogging has a relevant place in the mix. But like any content and brand-building channel, it is not the only content delivery system to use and you need to be speaking to your customer in the right places with the right messages (and where they are!).

So long and thanks for all the fish

Finally - good luck Joel on your new endeavors.  I look forward to following you in other mediums and make sure to line up more keynotes in Vegas (I’ll come – probably Angie will, too)

Read to Write

For years, my pat answer to folks who ask me, “How can I write better?” has been: by writing. If you want to blog, start blogging (the practice makes perfect axiom – unless you’re talking about Kenny G or something).

That is true for other forms of writing (a slide deck for the boss, a business case for your latest project or a whitepaper on your idea that will save the company millions and get your picture on the cover of Newsweek). The repetition improves the voice of your writing as well the quality (assuming you are getting feedback and striving to improve).

Wendii at Manager Tools (in her post this week) reminds me of the other half of the pie - which is 90% of the effort (as Yogi Berra or Norm Crosby might say): inspiration. Where do you get your ideas from (again whether that’s for your blog or the next product for you company)?

The answer is simple: read (and read a lot). Wendii explains:

Lots of input seems to help with output. Talk (or write) a LOT. Explaining things to others helps you consolidate them in your own mind and find new ways of putting things together.

My co-workers and wife will attest that I have that talking a lot part down.

I will add to her note to also read a lot of different things (inside and outside your industry or knowledge – and comfort zone). Reading someone like Scott Berkun or Joel Spolsky will expose you to a lot more than  software development (for example Innovation myths in Schoolhouse rock). 

And look, she was right. By reading Wendii’s post, it gave me an idea for this piece.

20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | #14 How do I prep my references?

A: By doing their homework for them

First off – let me start by saying I am big fan of taking a shower. I like to indulge in the heavenly waterfall at least once a day (especially on those days I go into the office – my coworkers seem to favor that plan).  Nothing quite like a good shower to reboot your day as either a transition from sleep to work or perhaps from cleaning your gutters to going out to Outback SteakHouse for some Bloomin’ Onions (although showers are optional at Outback from my experience with the clientele). 

Anywho, I am frequently asked to give references for employment. That’s largely because (I think) I have had the pleasure of working with so many talented peers and clients over the years (and I just love the opportunity to shout that out to the world).

Back to our shower, one of the worst references I ever gave (from a presentation standpoint more than content) was nearly ten years ago. I had just stepped out of the shower (literally dripping wet). I was so caught off guard (because I did not know anyone had put forth my name), I didn’t think quick enough to tell the caller, “Hey, can I call you back in 15 minutes”?

So there I was - in a towel (sorry – don’t visualize) sitting on the futon in my home office talking about all the wonderful things I could say about (let’s call him) Derek (because that’s his real name and therefore easier for me to remember) off the top of my head. Not an atmosphere or state of mind conducive for such a phone call.

The good news is that Derek got the job (so either I was good enough or my scantily clad phone call was a non-factor). But since that incident, I have instituted The Derek Rules (because The Dripping Wet Just Out Of The Shower Rules is verbose and sounds icky unless it is Danica in that Go Daddy spot). I also rid myself of the futon (not part of The Derek Rules – but because  even more than Outback Steakhouse, I hate futons).

The Derek Rules

These rules are very simple and something everyone hears when they ask me to do a reference for them:

1. Send me the resume you submitted for this job: We’ve talked about this before, in most cases you are going to alter a resume from job to job. Even if it is just a minor tweak (for some reason you decide to add youR education from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College ), you want to make sure the person that calls me and I are on the same page. Of course (if you make the proper inference here), that means you have to save a copy of each resume you send out (but you already do that, right).
2. Give me a copy of the posting for the job: There are a lot of things I know about you. I assume that you want me to skip “Jenny is really crabby when she comes to work hung-over” let alone your Walk of Shame frequency. By providing the job posting, I can see what skills your potential employer is looking for so (just as you did with your cover letter and and resume) I can tailor my answers to fit it. Again (inference time), that means you have to save a copy of each posting you respond to (if you can).
3. Is there anything about your experience you want me to highlight If there is something you stressed in your interview, or some important wants of the hiring manager you discovered during your research (she likes outgoing people), let me know that and I can also tweak my answers towards that. Get this straight, I will never lie for you. So – don’t tell me you told them you piloted a Space Shuttle mission (unless you did, obviously) or that you are an outgoing person (when you and I know you are not). If you are picking the right people to stand up for you – they should able to transpose your experience to fit these buckets.
4. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU SUBMIT MY NAME. Hello??!! Give me a heads up before you drop my name. That’s important if you don’t want me to have my pants on the ground when they call.  There are two other important reasons for this (as if the pants on were not enough):
   • Where is Waldo? You want to make sure I am not facedown at the blackjack table at The Luxor on a 3 week bender when they call (just using a for instance there – I’ve never been facedown at the Luxor – but we won’t talk about the Tropicana). Further, you want to make sure the fact that my cell phone was repo’d, and/or that I have a new email address does not prevent them from finding me.  So make sure to ask your reference where they would like to be called (or emailed if written) and what times are good for them.  Also – if your buddy gives you his ridemeallday666@sexworld.xxx address, you might want to ask him for one that is more generic (you know, first name/last name at gmail.com).
   • Thinking Time You want to give your reference some time to think of specific things about you (especially now that you have given them all the background downlo we just talked about) ahead of time. You don’t want them hanging up the phone with your new boss and say, “Dang! I forgot to tell them about the time he cured cancer. Oh well…”

The Big Easy

In addition to all the benefits and potential better results by following The Derek Rules, this also makes it easier for the person who is (after all) doing you a favor.  Also remember to “tip the dealer”.  If you get the job, a nice lunch on you is the least you can do.

p.s.  The person that emailed me today asking me to be a reference - that I replied back to you and let you know this post was coming, remember The Derek Rules when the time comes.

Up Next: I haven’t been able to even get an interview – what do I do?

20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | #13 Who do I use for references?

A: People who think you walk on water and are awesome at articulating it

Over the past decade, I have used one former colleague a number of times as a reference on various employment I was seeking.  I consider him one of my A-List references. Whenever I call him after he has done the deed (to see how the reference call went), his answer is always the same, short response: you walk on water. 

That of course, is followed by a CSI-like probing by me of everything (including cadence and each stressed syllable) that was uttered during the call.

But it is those glowing reviews that you need to have in your reference arsenal. Moreover, it is a two-pronged thrust:

1. Someone who has knowledge of your fantastic, chart-topping deeds
2. Someone who can articulate it professionally and smartly

Hold on Sparky, isn’t this more stating not only the obvious but the really obvious (as we are wont to do)?  Sadly, no.

Personally - I am shocked and surprised when someone asks me to do a reference for them and the only knowledge I have of their existence is utter, and abject bozoness (“ummmm….when they showed up on time, they usually were sober”) or little knowledge of them at all (“I think I remember seeing their name in the employee directory one time”).

So when selecting a reference, some things to keep in mind before you throw some names to your (almost) perspective employer:

• A is for Adore – not Effort First – that they love you and are willing and able to sing your praises is key. They must be a solid (it cain't be "in between"…no half and half romance will do). If you’re not sure your co-worker or crazy, bi-polar, ex- boyfriend that was also your boss will do you right – then DO NOT submit their name to the panel.
  
• Know what you did  They have to be able to make a good accounting for your skills on the job (or whatever capacity in which they know you). Casual interactions for references is not good (you don’t want them to say, “gee I don’t know” a lot to the person calling them).  It has to be more than “Steve was always proficient in his ability to fog a mirror”
  
• Articulate If your reference has trouble putting nouns and verbs together in a sentence - that can reflect poorly on you (worse if it is a written one – riddled with typos and smiley emoticons). There are ways to mitigate this (as we’ll talk about in the next post).  Also - they should be able to speak naturally (and not all Mr. Roboto as if they were reading it off the script you prepared for them).
  
• Fit You want the references to resonate with the person calling. So Boss A may love you – but what she knows about you may not be important for the job you’re applying for. So – think fit (who can best help me land this gig).  Not only do you not want to bring a knife to a gun fight, holstering a rifle to a rock, paper, scissors fight is also bad.
  
• RHIP Having (at least) one high-ranking, C-level sort is good (CEO, CIO, etc). Additionally, clients are always good (that is someone who hired you above and beyond an employer).
  
• Shelf-Life I know your Burger King Manager speaks highly of you – but that was 1984 (and Reagan and A-Ha era references might not do you good).   BTW – Raymond (Assistance Manager at BK# 1591), if you are still out there, call me.

Don’t forget:  Although references are not always checked – assume that they are. References can and will be used against you.

So - take me to the river, and drop me in the water.

 

Up Next: How do I prep my references? (which assumes of course, that you indeed prep them)