Almost Famous

What, are you like the star of your school?
They hate me.
You'll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle.

I was reading an article earlier this morning by The Sports Guy, ESPN's Bill Simmons. He wrote a column comparing this current NBA Offseason to one of our generation's greatest films, "Almost Famous." He utilized quotes from the coming of age film to illustrate his points regarding certain NBA players.

Stemming from an incident that occurred last night/this morning, the above quote struck me. If you recall, the quote in the movie takes place during a conversation between the film's protagonist, awkward teen William Miller, played to a tee by Patrick Fugit, and the character played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a writer, who is giving young William advice. I think it is such an epic quote, one that rings so true for all of us, thinking back to our awkward high school years.

Anyway, a friend of mine, posted some sh*tty things about me in our Fantasy Football message board. Which, by the way, I am the commissioner of the league. This "friend" was reacting to an earlier post from me, and he went over the top, attacking my current state of "joblessness" and my "sense of entitlement", because I write a blog, talking, talking, talking, about work/job, not actually doing it.

Well, in probably an over reactionary move, I resigned my post as Commish and also resigned from the league. F that.

I will admit, I am facing an uphill battle at this stage in the game, one which I created for myself. But, in the face adversity, one must buckle down, suck it up, and overcome. Adapt and overcome, that is. I learned that theory and college and try to live by it.

My goal is to learn from this low point in my life. Learn from it. Grow from it. And perservere from it. Have it make me a better man. A better man who will use this sh*t as fuel on my way to the top.

And on that way to the top, "I'll see you again, on your long journey to the middle."

Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Proactively called a meeting with the CMC (Career Management Consultant) on Monday. As an attempt to keep myself motivated, check in, get some fresh ideas, etc; We went back over the fundamentals of the job search campaign. Which was good. I always leave that place feeling confident. He tells me I will get a job, companies would kill to have someone like me, that the fruits of my labor will pay off soon enough. When people get back to reality in September and sh*t. I hope that is true! Really just like to get in front of a live person. With a personality.

As you loyal followers may have remembered, I have/had decided I wanted to solely pursue the Insurance field, mainly Group Benefits Wholesaling...got a friend who does well, etc; This is not totally out, however I recently have been more focused not on that gig, but getting into a very reputable local company, Libery Mutual. I know 5-6 people who work there, one of whom is a very good friend. Who after, let's say seven years of working there, has 5 weeks of vacation, and has just been granted to go on a sabbatical. A real sabbatical, not like mine...

None of this has anything to do with the type of work I'll be doing. Does it even matter? I want to make good money, get benefits, have a great opportunity for upward mobility. I want to be a big shot. It's weird. I have networked, spoken, socialized, drank with many on these so-called "big shots." And I fit in, can hold my own, whether it comes do conversation, wit, look, whatever. Hence, I'd like to put myself in an opportunity, where if I work hard, do good work, get along with people, I can move up. Financially and in status. Because I can handle it. I have told people no matter what position you put me in, I'll do it and do it well. Yeah.

So I want to get into Liberty Mutual. I've applied for 1 job, which now that I think of it, I posted the rejection letter. Maybe I should go back and read these posts sometime. Anyway, the other position I have not heard back from, but my app was submitted through a friend. Not sabbatical friend. Other guy, whom I was told to submit through by another guy I know, who's a VP. Apparently, this VP cannot submit apps at his level. But, there's got to be some level of influence...

I saw another job opening that looked super cool, but again, its an "MBA Preferred" position. I know I can do the job, but I don't want to just submit to every position I see..., if I applied to that position, it'd make 3 I submitted for. I don't want to look like some type of a**hole here, you know?

My next move is to investigate a little deeper into the personnel, try to find SOMEONE who will meet with me, to let them see me in person, to see I'm a big stud. Also contact VP friend and see if he has any other bright ideas...or recommendations or referrals...Got to find some way in the door! I know, I know, patience....

On a positive, un-job related note, last week I fired an 86, a career low, on the golf course, while at the same type beating my good friend, who is way better than me and always beats me. Fired a 90 this week. Like I said, Un Job related...

Today, while doing these activities, writing letters, net surfing, researching, etc; my goal is to not wear a shirt the entire day. I think I can do it, as long as I don't decided to go to the store. Wish me luck. A real hero.

I'm Back

Back to the blog on this fine Monday in August. Yes, I'm aware no posts last week. If anyone is still reading and following along on this journey called On Sabbatical.

Last Monday, while leaving the gym, I got notice that I would not be invited in for an interview at Lewtan, the company I applied to for a sales position, and where I also knew several people working there. Apparently not enough of a finance background. Although deep down I knew I didn't really want the position, I would have at least liked to be asked in for an interview. But things happen for reasons, so I'm hoping, big picture, this was a good thing.

Despite perhaps not being 100% super psyched about the Lewtan position, the news last Monday kind of bummed me out. Put me in a bit of a funk. You see, I applied for 2 positions recently where I knew a lot of people employed at said company. I was hoping that the whole "its not what you know, but who you know thing" would come to play. But is hasn't yet. But I know I need to be patient during this process.

However, one of my contacts at Liberty Mutual was able to cheer me up a bit. He explained that he did not get into Liberty until the 2nd or 3rd job he applied for, despite having a very good contact high up within the company. And, as we know, I was denied for the first position I applied for. I applied for position #2 earlier today. I'm thinking I'd really like to get into Liberty Mutual. Big company, which means plenty of money to pay, lots of room for upward mobility, great benefits, and lots of positions available (not necessarily available know, but in the future) whether they are sales or marketing roles.

As with getting an interview, I know I can make a positive impact within a company once I get in front of an actual live person. This has always been the case. Just need to get the interview first.

I have been writing some good cover letters, and I believe my resume is legit. So I wait and keep my eye on prospective opportunities.

However, when I applied to Lewtan, my friend noticed a couple mistakes in my resume. Of course I should have noticed these; my friend then wondered if the CMC I hired came up with this. He did put the resume together. For all the money I paid this company, I was a little bummed that there were typos. I had proofread it, but just hadn't seen the errors. And I had been sending out this resume to numerous companies and execs...maybe they didn't notice. Even though the resume content is ultimately up to me, I was upset that the errors were there in the first place. So...confidence in calling anyone I sent the bad resumes to was, shall we say, lacking.

So last Thursday took off for a brief family vacation up to Vermont. Should have been a carefree, relaxing time, but family issues kind of stressed me out a bit. So I did escape for a day to a friends house and went up to beautiful Lake Champlain, where we took the boat out for a terrific day on the big lake. Something about being on water that has a calming effect on me.

State of mind is better starting this week so far...this question is, can I roll with it? Hopefully roll with it better than the Red Sox have been rolling since the trade deadline...

Ask and Ye Shall Recieve

One must be careful what they wish for:

Thank you for your application for the position of Marketing Analyst-07179. At this time we have decided to pursue other candidates whose background and skills more closely match our requirements for this position.

Although we have decided not to proceed with your candidacy for this position we will retain your candidate file in our database and may inform you of job openings that match your profile if you selected this option. We also invite you to visit http://www.libertymutual.com regularly and apply to openings that are suited to your qualifications and of interest to you.

We thank you for your interest and wish you all the best in your career.



Best regards,
Human Resources Department

CCCCCheck it

It's finally summer here in New England! Sweltering humidity, uncomfortable heat, loud cracking T storms....yes, the dog days are summer are here. Suck it.

Last weekend I participated in a New England summer tradition that is, for lack of a better term, the absolute balls. Beach on the coast of Maine, big waves, body surfing, urinating in the ocean, steamers, chowda, burgers, seasonal cocktails, music, campfire and great company. Those/these are the times from which memories are made.

Applied to another job today. And keep in mind, I'm NOT simply applying for jobs for the hell of it. I'm looking for a CAREER; a position that will be both personally and professionally rewarding for years to come. The position today is with Anthem BC/BS. Specialty Sales Manager. "Responsible for acquiring new specialty business through brokers in conjunction with the health account executive..." This obviously sounds like a manager's role, but I have been looking for the broker-sales model, so why not?

The frustrating thing for me right now is that although I applied for a couple jobs in the past 10 days or so (where I know 4-5 people at each company) I have yet to hear back from either about scheduling an interview. It is frustrating because of all the unknowns: do they not want me? will they let me know if they don't want me? Have they just not gotten around to calling yet? Will they call at all? Am I qualified? When will they call? You get the point. But we know this already. Companies hiring typically do not have the same urgency as the actual job seeker themselves. Boo who. Boo mothagrabbin' who I say!

It's Friday...

and, as the immortal Ice Cube stated in the epic film Friday, "ain't got no job, ain't got sh*t to do..." Fill in the blanks with the rest if you like.

I will now share an recap of a conversation I recently had with a Mutual of Omaha District Manager. If you recall, I believe I posted the initial email I sent him. Very professional. I'd been told by a recruiter that I should investigate Mutual of Omaha's Life Experience Hire Group Benefits Rep program. So I respond to this gent's job posting on LinkedIn. I kind of knew he'd be looking to hire straight commission Insurance Agents, but figured I could just talk to him and pick his brain. Get pointed in the right direction, if you will. We finally caught up and oh my, what a dbag. Hence, I will now refer to him as "said dbag."

Said dbag first asks what I've been up to. I tell him my story. I mention what I like about sales and don't like, and what type of sales job I'm looking for. And not looking for. After saying I didn't want the type of gig where I'd have to sell all my friends and family and work on straight commission he immediately got defensive. I then told him how I had a friend who does very well in the group benefits field. And I was looking for a wholesale role.

Said dbag than proceeds to jump on his soap box and belt out quite a soliloquy; saying he's been a wholesaler forever and companies only want to promote from within; if you don't bring in tons of business they will fire you. "If you don't have established relationships you will not succeed. The days of wholesale reps making 250, 300k are over" he whined. "Why is that?" I ask, looking for a somewhat constructive answer. "Because that's how it is", lamented said dbag. I'd already been thinking that this guy sounded like he'd been burned in the past; that he'd been bent over a time or two...at his request. But after his "because that's how it is" line I knew this guy was a joke. Even if he was right, he was a joke.

I then mention the name of the recruiter who told me to check out Mutual of Omaha for group opportunities. And by the way, I felt this recruiter was super professional, knowledgeable, and an overall useful asset. Said dbag says first that, M of O doesn't have wholesale reps. Ummm, OK. Then he says that the recruiter I spoke with "was OK...he's not a heavy hitter by any means." At this point, said dbag sounded like whiny little b*tch. Bashing recruiters? Come on. Really, speaking negatively about anyone, especially during the first conversation, is quite tacky. Ashy. Very little class. Thats why we call said dbag, "Said dbag." The conversation didn't last much longer. I asked if knew of anyone I could speak with further, or could make any recommendations. He rattled off a few names, didn't know how to spell them and didn't give company names along with them. OK, thanks for your time, said dbag.

This exchange basically reminded me that there are going to be those people in any profession. The bottom feeders. The dbags. The people who don't get it. The people who have a chip on their shoulder. The people who don't have a lot of friends. The people who are negative, and have an overall negative impact on society. And as is the theme with my life these days and my job search, one must remain positive, because you have to sift through a lot of BS in order to make it in the world. There's so many obstacles to hurdle, it's difficult to stay positive and focused, but we try. We try. We vent in blogs. Even if we don't vent in blogs as we did a few months ago...but I digress...

Progress?

Saw Elton John/Billy Joel at Gillette this past weekend. Went down on a bus with nearly 50 people. Epic times. One of the better live shows I've seen. I suggest you check it out.

Applied for two positions in the past few days. Not just applied for the sake of applying, but I am actually interested in the positions. The first of which is a sales position, a higher end position, like I've been looking for. I know 5 employees at this company. Should at least be able to get an interview, right?

The second is a bit different. It's a non-sales role. Marketing Analyst to be exact. And whadya know, I was a marketing major in college. Though my experience has been predominantly in sales (which falls under the marketing category), I do possess some basic marketing knowledge. Anyway, the position seems great, with tremendous upward mobility, and the opportunity to present in front of "senior level execs". Get me in front of a room full of senior level execs, and look out, the possibilities may be endless. However, only if they have personalities. Also know 4 people who work there. Large company, so not sure how that whole systems works...but we shall see.

So, why don't we keep our fingers crossed here for the time being, and see what the near future holds for one Mr. Utley...