Confidence in the workplace...
So, safety nets are fun, huh?
Today, I want to talk about confidence and what it means to be a copywriter, because I just realized yesterday what both of them are, at least in my world.
Before I got into this whole 'copywriting thing,' I thought that being a copywriter was just about writing. Then I found out it's a lot more about meetings. Then I found out it wasn't writing, it was about vision. I realized this after a few people were filling in a sheet of descriptions for a campaign and a lot of them were filled in, "generic _______ this and generic _________ that." How will a generic picture of something sell something? Usually, it won't.
And don't get me wrong. In no way am I saying that anyone else is less important or that copywriters are better, I'm just saying we see things differently and it's something I've always known about myself. I guess that's what I'm saying, when you see a log, I see a boat.
I'm realizing more and more that safety nets are worthless and make you look weak, at least when you're speaking about something. Even the line in the last paragraph when I said, "I guess that's what I'm saying," isn't as strong as just stating, "when you see a log, I see a boat." Over the past two days, I've sat down with each of the co-founders of the advertising agency I work for, and they taught me something. They know what they want to say and they say it. They don't question themselves. They are comfortable with who they are and even if they're not, that's how they hold themselves.
Something I'm going to start working on is to stop giving warnings about the things that I want to tell people. When I did the reading from my book a few weeks ago, I warned everyone that I was going to be shocking, that I might offend them, etc, instead of just reading. When I'm in brainstorm sessions, I say, "This is kinda out there, but..." instead of just clearly stating my vision. Instead of wasting my time with warnings, I need to just say it, forget the safety net, and drop the bomb.
Perception is reality and I want to be perceived as knowing my shit, being able to back it up, and eventually, believing in myself enough to not have to try to show it and just be it.
You don't have to agree with me, and in some ways, I hope you don't. Shoot me an email, or comment here, I'd love to start a discussion.
Thanks for reading,
Jason
Today, I want to talk about confidence and what it means to be a copywriter, because I just realized yesterday what both of them are, at least in my world.
Before I got into this whole 'copywriting thing,' I thought that being a copywriter was just about writing. Then I found out it's a lot more about meetings. Then I found out it wasn't writing, it was about vision. I realized this after a few people were filling in a sheet of descriptions for a campaign and a lot of them were filled in, "generic _______ this and generic _________ that." How will a generic picture of something sell something? Usually, it won't.
And don't get me wrong. In no way am I saying that anyone else is less important or that copywriters are better, I'm just saying we see things differently and it's something I've always known about myself. I guess that's what I'm saying, when you see a log, I see a boat.
I'm realizing more and more that safety nets are worthless and make you look weak, at least when you're speaking about something. Even the line in the last paragraph when I said, "I guess that's what I'm saying," isn't as strong as just stating, "when you see a log, I see a boat." Over the past two days, I've sat down with each of the co-founders of the advertising agency I work for, and they taught me something. They know what they want to say and they say it. They don't question themselves. They are comfortable with who they are and even if they're not, that's how they hold themselves.
Something I'm going to start working on is to stop giving warnings about the things that I want to tell people. When I did the reading from my book a few weeks ago, I warned everyone that I was going to be shocking, that I might offend them, etc, instead of just reading. When I'm in brainstorm sessions, I say, "This is kinda out there, but..." instead of just clearly stating my vision. Instead of wasting my time with warnings, I need to just say it, forget the safety net, and drop the bomb.
Perception is reality and I want to be perceived as knowing my shit, being able to back it up, and eventually, believing in myself enough to not have to try to show it and just be it.
You don't have to agree with me, and in some ways, I hope you don't. Shoot me an email, or comment here, I'd love to start a discussion.
Thanks for reading,
Jason
Pain, it's what's for breakfast
It's morning again. Last night was full of nightmares. But, at least I have work to distract me, while my stomach turns, my appetite disappears, and my faith in most people disappears. Maybe I'm just being a drama queen.
The first was a flood overtaking a town I've never been to. I could feel myself floating through the currents, keeping my feet in front of me so anything I would come across would hit my feet first. I remember the water being cold and no matter what, I couldn't grab on to anything to stop myself.
The second, I was with someone I used to know. We were being attacked by a dog that had scars on his nose from fighting. While the person I was with, ran away, I was left to fight, and I did, but even while I was fighting the dog off, I felt bad for him. He was turned into that by someone or other dogs. You aren't born angry, something does it to you.
That being said, how do we change who we've turned in to? How do we grab on to what we have no control over? How do you move forward without a safety net? Maybe I'll answer that, tomorrow?
I hope,
Jason
The first was a flood overtaking a town I've never been to. I could feel myself floating through the currents, keeping my feet in front of me so anything I would come across would hit my feet first. I remember the water being cold and no matter what, I couldn't grab on to anything to stop myself.
The second, I was with someone I used to know. We were being attacked by a dog that had scars on his nose from fighting. While the person I was with, ran away, I was left to fight, and I did, but even while I was fighting the dog off, I felt bad for him. He was turned into that by someone or other dogs. You aren't born angry, something does it to you.
That being said, how do we change who we've turned in to? How do we grab on to what we have no control over? How do you move forward without a safety net? Maybe I'll answer that, tomorrow?
I hope,
Jason
Birfday Celebrations, Networking, and Marketing
Had a fantastic evening last night at the birfday celebration of a friend and realized two things that I wanted to share with you.
1. People are connected in the most ridiculous ways.
2. A good experience will have you talking for years.
1. One of the people at the party asked what my story was, told them that I was from PA, writing, working, etc. Found out, they're from PA, too. Near King of Prussia, in a little town called Phoenixville. I said that I've been there, even stopped at a restaurant called the Epicurean. It's the only thing that I remember about the trip. I know who I went with, some footbag friends of mine, Jamie and Garth... but that's about it... Who I was with and that restaurant.
Then the craziness hits. She worked there. She asked what year, and I said it had to have been 98 or 99... she was the hostess... So now, 15 years later, I'm talking to a woman who sat me, in another state, at the only thing about a town I can remember... We immediately went to her fiancee and told him all about it! Which leads me to...
2. 15 years ago I went to a restaurant that was so good that I brought it up in a conversation. THAT is good service. THAT is what I want people to think when they read something I've written or meet me. I want that kind of service. I want people to remember the way I made them feel years after meeting me. And I think you should too.
Talk to ya tomorrow,
Jason
1. People are connected in the most ridiculous ways.
2. A good experience will have you talking for years.
1. One of the people at the party asked what my story was, told them that I was from PA, writing, working, etc. Found out, they're from PA, too. Near King of Prussia, in a little town called Phoenixville. I said that I've been there, even stopped at a restaurant called the Epicurean. It's the only thing that I remember about the trip. I know who I went with, some footbag friends of mine, Jamie and Garth... but that's about it... Who I was with and that restaurant.
Then the craziness hits. She worked there. She asked what year, and I said it had to have been 98 or 99... she was the hostess... So now, 15 years later, I'm talking to a woman who sat me, in another state, at the only thing about a town I can remember... We immediately went to her fiancee and told him all about it! Which leads me to...
2. 15 years ago I went to a restaurant that was so good that I brought it up in a conversation. THAT is good service. THAT is what I want people to think when they read something I've written or meet me. I want that kind of service. I want people to remember the way I made them feel years after meeting me. And I think you should too.
Talk to ya tomorrow,
Jason
Dear You, It's Me...
Dear You,
I don't know what to say, today.
I guess all I can really come up with is that I'm very thankful for the people in my life.
Last night a friend of mine took me out, drank, talked, and went to some sketchy neighborhoods in Brooklyn and NYC. It was a night that I needed. And we stayed out until 4 in the morning, hardly talking to anyone else, just smiling and talking about life. I crashed on a wood floor with an awesome blanket...have to ask him where he got that. Thank you.
Today, I had a talk with my publisher about some logistics for the releases, what's next, what our goals are, and basically said that it's time for me to throw myself into my work... I want to publish two books every two years, with them both released around the same time. This year is the first in that plan... if things go write (see what I did there?) I'll do it again in 2015. Thank you.
Hopefully tonight's birthday celebration will bring more stories for tomorrow and get this lump out of my throat. Cross your fingers.
If I can help YOU with anything... please reach out. I'd love the opportunity.
Thank you.
Yours,
Jason
I don't know what to say, today.
I guess all I can really come up with is that I'm very thankful for the people in my life.
Last night a friend of mine took me out, drank, talked, and went to some sketchy neighborhoods in Brooklyn and NYC. It was a night that I needed. And we stayed out until 4 in the morning, hardly talking to anyone else, just smiling and talking about life. I crashed on a wood floor with an awesome blanket...have to ask him where he got that. Thank you.
Today, I had a talk with my publisher about some logistics for the releases, what's next, what our goals are, and basically said that it's time for me to throw myself into my work... I want to publish two books every two years, with them both released around the same time. This year is the first in that plan... if things go write (see what I did there?) I'll do it again in 2015. Thank you.
Hopefully tonight's birthday celebration will bring more stories for tomorrow and get this lump out of my throat. Cross your fingers.
If I can help YOU with anything... please reach out. I'd love the opportunity.
Thank you.
Yours,
Jason
Pain promotes output, or why I want to be a pilates instructor...
So, I said yesterday that I had a doozy for today, I just didn't know what it was about until the events took place to make it happen.
First, from yesterday's post an amazing creative director friend of mine, Nick Guarracino, responded: "you have to accept something...you're an artist, like me. We as a species are in constant battle with the world in our heads (how things "should" be) and the world outside our door (how things really "are"). That source of frustration will nag us to our dying day...and that's kind of the point. Happiness is for all those zombies walking around out there, oblivious to the injustices of everyday life. We're different. Our sight comes from somewhere other than our eyes. Our happiness comes from acting on those feelings..painting, drawing, writing. Besides, happy people make shitty writers. ;)"
Second, on the second floor of the building across the street from this Starbucks is a pilates studio, and I'm pretty sure the guy currently helping a woman with a deep stretch, has the best job on the planet. I may have found my second calling... (is he serious? I ask myself the same question, every day).
Let's talk about the first...first.
Some people apparently read Nick's response as, "being creative makes you a depressed asshole, who looks down upon the rest of the idiots in the world." Please please please, don't think that's what he meant (I asked him to make sure, because I didn't read it like that at all). I do feel in my head as though I'm in a constant battle, I love writing and how it makes me feel, and I do think a lot of the population doesn't act on or even question the world we live in. I took his response as, "Jason, you see the world in a way that makes you NEED to write it down, to show people what you see. Never be lazy, never lose that drive. Happiness can be a driving force, strive for it THROUGH writing." I don't think he truly meant to say "zombie" in a negative way, but more a... Don't settle for what's handed to you... Strive for more, because a lot of our culture just accepts what's given to them. Never be complacent. Ever.
Now second...after the first...which would be, now:
When I got to my Starbucks this morning, it was closed. A sign on the door read that they wouldn't open until 7:15, which meant I had 20 minutes to kill (yes, I wake up stupid early to write in the morning, today I slept in and hit the snooze at 5am). At first, I was angry, then I thought about yesterday, and the new book I'm reading (Beverly Donofrio's Astonished, pick it up when it comes out next month). I can be pissed off about having to wait a few minutes or I can look for opportunity. I walked up the street repeating in my head, "where is the opportunity, where is the opportunity, where is the opportunity." The mantra flowing through my head, I remembered what I saw earlier, before I saw the sign on the door. Outside of the shop was a beautiful black Maserati. I walked back to it, wishing it was mine, wondering whose it was, where they lived, how they could possibly own it AND live in the city, all of the normal dreamy stuff I think about.
Staring at this car, I took a look around at the buildings, wondering in which one the person who owned it lived. The brick lofts across the street? Above the tavern? Then, I saw a building called the Gansevoort. I can only imagine the inside of this beautiful building, which also houses the Exhale, pilates studio on the second floor, is where they're staying. The two things I thought about were that, the instructor has to be the happiest person on the planet and I want to live in a building I'm in love with from the outside. So, here's my next long-term goal. Within 5 years, I'll be living in a building like that, with a job that lets me take my passion and my pleasure to find my higher purpose... remember yesterday? Sex, Love, and Rock n' Roll... I just realized that statement is supposed to be Sex, Drugs, and Rock n' Roll, and no one said anything! Meh, I like mine better, anyway...
I want to finally grab on to the daily reasons to be happy.
(to be continued)
First, from yesterday's post an amazing creative director friend of mine, Nick Guarracino, responded: "you have to accept something...you're an artist, like me. We as a species are in constant battle with the world in our heads (how things "should" be) and the world outside our door (how things really "are"). That source of frustration will nag us to our dying day...and that's kind of the point. Happiness is for all those zombies walking around out there, oblivious to the injustices of everyday life. We're different. Our sight comes from somewhere other than our eyes. Our happiness comes from acting on those feelings..painting, drawing, writing. Besides, happy people make shitty writers. ;)"
Second, on the second floor of the building across the street from this Starbucks is a pilates studio, and I'm pretty sure the guy currently helping a woman with a deep stretch, has the best job on the planet. I may have found my second calling... (is he serious? I ask myself the same question, every day).
Let's talk about the first...first.
Some people apparently read Nick's response as, "being creative makes you a depressed asshole, who looks down upon the rest of the idiots in the world." Please please please, don't think that's what he meant (I asked him to make sure, because I didn't read it like that at all). I do feel in my head as though I'm in a constant battle, I love writing and how it makes me feel, and I do think a lot of the population doesn't act on or even question the world we live in. I took his response as, "Jason, you see the world in a way that makes you NEED to write it down, to show people what you see. Never be lazy, never lose that drive. Happiness can be a driving force, strive for it THROUGH writing." I don't think he truly meant to say "zombie" in a negative way, but more a... Don't settle for what's handed to you... Strive for more, because a lot of our culture just accepts what's given to them. Never be complacent. Ever.
Now second...after the first...which would be, now:
When I got to my Starbucks this morning, it was closed. A sign on the door read that they wouldn't open until 7:15, which meant I had 20 minutes to kill (yes, I wake up stupid early to write in the morning, today I slept in and hit the snooze at 5am). At first, I was angry, then I thought about yesterday, and the new book I'm reading (Beverly Donofrio's Astonished, pick it up when it comes out next month). I can be pissed off about having to wait a few minutes or I can look for opportunity. I walked up the street repeating in my head, "where is the opportunity, where is the opportunity, where is the opportunity." The mantra flowing through my head, I remembered what I saw earlier, before I saw the sign on the door. Outside of the shop was a beautiful black Maserati. I walked back to it, wishing it was mine, wondering whose it was, where they lived, how they could possibly own it AND live in the city, all of the normal dreamy stuff I think about.
Staring at this car, I took a look around at the buildings, wondering in which one the person who owned it lived. The brick lofts across the street? Above the tavern? Then, I saw a building called the Gansevoort. I can only imagine the inside of this beautiful building, which also houses the Exhale, pilates studio on the second floor, is where they're staying. The two things I thought about were that, the instructor has to be the happiest person on the planet and I want to live in a building I'm in love with from the outside. So, here's my next long-term goal. Within 5 years, I'll be living in a building like that, with a job that lets me take my passion and my pleasure to find my higher purpose... remember yesterday? Sex, Love, and Rock n' Roll... I just realized that statement is supposed to be Sex, Drugs, and Rock n' Roll, and no one said anything! Meh, I like mine better, anyway...
I want to finally grab on to the daily reasons to be happy.
(to be continued)
The Answer to Why: Happiness
FYI, if you know me, you're going to hear me ask, "Why?" a lot more than I used to. I just finished reading Tony Hsieh's book, Delivering Happiness and it's exactly what I needed. When I was finishing it, the famous line of Bud Lightyear made me tear up, you know which one, and I thought to myself, why aren't you happy? Why haven't you been happy? Why can't you be happy?
All of this could stem from the most ridiculous life changes I've gone through in my life all coming at the same time. I sold most of my things, sold my house, sold my truck, and followed a girl to the big city from a little town in Pennsylvania about 9 months ago. I took the first job I was offered as a recruiter at a great boutique agency called TTS Staffing. I sold a non-fiction book from a blog I started a few years ago. I sold a novel. Then, because I recruited for big ad agencies in the city, I fell in love with their world. I decided that I wanted to be a copywriter. So, instead of telling people I wanted to, I just did it. Everything in my professional life was taking off and then, the week I started writing copy, my girlfriend broke up with me.
I was in a bad place when I finished reading Tony's book, but there was a section at the end speaking of Maslow's Hierarchy that just clicked. And it clicked hard. He said that there are three types of happiness Pleasure, Passion, and Higher Purpose. I read them as Sex, Love, and Rock n' Roll, because sex is the quick happiness, passion is the longer term happiness, and if you find your higher purpose, you'll have lifelong happiness, and in all reality, that's what we're all looking for, right?
So, all of that being said... why aren't I happy, other than the broken heart thing...?
All of my goals are long-term, rock n' roll dreams. And trust me, they're coming. But, quick happiness fizzes out for me quicker than the Starbucks I'm writing this at gets me my drink. Love...er... passion, I haven't been writing the new novel yet, the other two books are sitting in the helm, waiting to go out, and I just started in the copy world, so it's all more aligned to the rock n' roll happiness. Which, is few and far between, because it's so far in the future.
Again, why can't I just focus on the sex and love side of happiness? I never asked myself or allowed myself to live in the moment. And it just happened. I finished reading Delivering Happiness on the subway on the way to work and I couldn't wait to get to my table at the coffee shop and fire this out to you. If there are mistakes throughout, I'm sorry, I needed to tell you all of this.
So, plans for the future to create happiness:
1. Make someone else happy, today.
2. Write this blog and try to share my experiences throughout my journey to rock stardom.
3. Start writing book 3 (it's already outlined and ready to go, just need to do it).
4. Think about the opportunity that you have at "work." I put quotes because, I've never had so much fun doing the work.
5. Instead of being mad about everything, like has been happening more and more recently, just ask myself, why? Why are you mad? Why can't you move past this? Why are you harping on the negative?
I actually did this with the book in my hand this morning. I wasn't paying attention and got off the train at the wrong stop. I could have sulked and been angry for making the mistake, but instead, I looked down at the book and said to myself, "Perfect, I'm early to work (as always) and have time to finish the book."
It's one step at a time, people. Dreams and goals and wants are all the same thing if you break them down and do something about them.
The opportunity is yours, but don't squander your life like I was, living every day waiting for the future to finally arrive. Grab onto today and make it what you want it to be. I'm going to!
(to be continued)
All of this could stem from the most ridiculous life changes I've gone through in my life all coming at the same time. I sold most of my things, sold my house, sold my truck, and followed a girl to the big city from a little town in Pennsylvania about 9 months ago. I took the first job I was offered as a recruiter at a great boutique agency called TTS Staffing. I sold a non-fiction book from a blog I started a few years ago. I sold a novel. Then, because I recruited for big ad agencies in the city, I fell in love with their world. I decided that I wanted to be a copywriter. So, instead of telling people I wanted to, I just did it. Everything in my professional life was taking off and then, the week I started writing copy, my girlfriend broke up with me.
I was in a bad place when I finished reading Tony's book, but there was a section at the end speaking of Maslow's Hierarchy that just clicked. And it clicked hard. He said that there are three types of happiness Pleasure, Passion, and Higher Purpose. I read them as Sex, Love, and Rock n' Roll, because sex is the quick happiness, passion is the longer term happiness, and if you find your higher purpose, you'll have lifelong happiness, and in all reality, that's what we're all looking for, right?
So, all of that being said... why aren't I happy, other than the broken heart thing...?
All of my goals are long-term, rock n' roll dreams. And trust me, they're coming. But, quick happiness fizzes out for me quicker than the Starbucks I'm writing this at gets me my drink. Love...er... passion, I haven't been writing the new novel yet, the other two books are sitting in the helm, waiting to go out, and I just started in the copy world, so it's all more aligned to the rock n' roll happiness. Which, is few and far between, because it's so far in the future.
Again, why can't I just focus on the sex and love side of happiness? I never asked myself or allowed myself to live in the moment. And it just happened. I finished reading Delivering Happiness on the subway on the way to work and I couldn't wait to get to my table at the coffee shop and fire this out to you. If there are mistakes throughout, I'm sorry, I needed to tell you all of this.
So, plans for the future to create happiness:
1. Make someone else happy, today.
2. Write this blog and try to share my experiences throughout my journey to rock stardom.
3. Start writing book 3 (it's already outlined and ready to go, just need to do it).
4. Think about the opportunity that you have at "work." I put quotes because, I've never had so much fun doing the work.
5. Instead of being mad about everything, like has been happening more and more recently, just ask myself, why? Why are you mad? Why can't you move past this? Why are you harping on the negative?
I actually did this with the book in my hand this morning. I wasn't paying attention and got off the train at the wrong stop. I could have sulked and been angry for making the mistake, but instead, I looked down at the book and said to myself, "Perfect, I'm early to work (as always) and have time to finish the book."
It's one step at a time, people. Dreams and goals and wants are all the same thing if you break them down and do something about them.
The opportunity is yours, but don't squander your life like I was, living every day waiting for the future to finally arrive. Grab onto today and make it what you want it to be. I'm going to!
(to be continued)
Wait, happiness isn't money related?
There's a funny question about money that goes something like, "You can't buy happiness, but have you ever seen a homeless person skip?" I guess I can honestly say, it's not about the money. After all of these blogs about being talented, going after your dreams, and Nike sloganing... I did it. Go figure.
On February 18th, 2013, I made the jump from creative recruiter to Jr. Copywriter. I recently realized something about this jump that I can handle, and you most likely, cannot. I took a pay cut. Living in NYC is expensive (everyone says this, but until you get here, no one 'gets' just how expensive), mine happened to be a 13k pay cut when I took my first job here 8 months ago, and now, I took another. The next few months are going to be interesting to say the least. That being said, I took a look at the numbers and at 31, with no wife, no kids, and only having to pay for rent, crippling student loan debt, and multiple credit cards, I can handle the cut. You have to be very honest with yourself if you can or not. And, you have to know if the end result is worth the pain you're about to go through. I decided that it is.
The strangest part about it all is that with less money than I've ever had (until a god sent tax refund in a few weeks), living in the most expensive place on the planet, in one of the most competitive industries ever, I couldn't be happier. I've never felt more alive, more driven, and for the first time in my adult life, happy to answer, "so what do you do?"
I'm a Jr. Copywriter at a NYC Ad Agency.
While, I'm not allowed to tell you my client list, I will tell you that it's awesome. On my second day on the job, I was asked to head over to the NYC Facebook offices with a team to chat about an upcoming project. It's insanely exciting and the most fast-paced environment I've ever been in. I'm writing this blog with a smile on my face, still trying to figure out what tornado I latched on to to actually make this happen...
(to be continued)
On February 18th, 2013, I made the jump from creative recruiter to Jr. Copywriter. I recently realized something about this jump that I can handle, and you most likely, cannot. I took a pay cut. Living in NYC is expensive (everyone says this, but until you get here, no one 'gets' just how expensive), mine happened to be a 13k pay cut when I took my first job here 8 months ago, and now, I took another. The next few months are going to be interesting to say the least. That being said, I took a look at the numbers and at 31, with no wife, no kids, and only having to pay for rent, crippling student loan debt, and multiple credit cards, I can handle the cut. You have to be very honest with yourself if you can or not. And, you have to know if the end result is worth the pain you're about to go through. I decided that it is.
The strangest part about it all is that with less money than I've ever had (until a god sent tax refund in a few weeks), living in the most expensive place on the planet, in one of the most competitive industries ever, I couldn't be happier. I've never felt more alive, more driven, and for the first time in my adult life, happy to answer, "so what do you do?"
I'm a Jr. Copywriter at a NYC Ad Agency.
While, I'm not allowed to tell you my client list, I will tell you that it's awesome. On my second day on the job, I was asked to head over to the NYC Facebook offices with a team to chat about an upcoming project. It's insanely exciting and the most fast-paced environment I've ever been in. I'm writing this blog with a smile on my face, still trying to figure out what tornado I latched on to to actually make this happen...
(to be continued)
How To Get The Job Of Your Dreams: Insert Nike Slogan, Here
So, Nike has a slogan (by this point, you’ve already said it
in your head). If you don’t know what it is, you’ve most likely been on a
desert island with no access to any advertising since 1988 when Dan Wieden (of
Wieden & Kennedy) threw out the phrase. That being said, how are you
reading this blog? Why don’t you use whatever technology you’re using to get
off the island? Nike slogan and get out of there!
Let’s focus, shall we?
There are usually a few reasons you’re not in the career
that you want and most of them are your fault. I know, when there are so many
people out there to blame, it’s sometimes hard to take it out on yourself, but here
are some questions for you and the answers can change your life.
Are you talented?
This is a rough question. Especially when you’re not looking
at it objectively. Are you good compared to the best in the field? Good
compared to the entry level? Good compared to someone who dabbles in the field?
Really take a look at your competition. You can easily find them on LinkedIn,
indeed, monster, etc. If you’re good comparatively, awesome! You’re one step
closer to the job. If you’re not, how are you going to get better? Can you
intern (financially and/or is there a place in your locale that you can)? Can
you go to school or take classes? How can you get “good”? Nike slogan.
Are you driven or ambitious?
For the past 10 years, people have been telling me what they
want to be when they grow up, where they want to work, and how excited they are
to get to that position. I’ve got to tell you, it’s adorable. You can tell
every person you’ve ever known how super excited you are to start your new
career, but if you’re not willing to put in the time, the only thing you’ll be is,
ambitious. Telling someone what you’re going to do is fantastic, as long as
there's follow-up. I’d much rather see a reason to get someone a job than to
hear someone tell me to get them a job. Stop talking, Nike slogan.
What are you really doing to reach your goals?
Seriously, what are you doing every day, to stop
talking about what you want to do and doing what you want to do? Are you on
LinkedIn? Is it updated? Are you reaching out to people who could help you? Do
you have connections in the industry and are you making them? Have you reached
out to a recruiter who has already made the connections (I’ve heard that TTS
Staffing (www.ttsstaffing.com)
in NYC is really, really, really good)? Have you updated your resume, had it
reviewed by friends/family/recruiters/etc and then fixed the problems? Are you
working every single day to get to your goals or just waiting for a magic lamp
to rub up against your leg? If you want to do anything you can’t just wait, you
have to Nike slogan.
Are you helping anyone or just helping yourself?
Most likely, this doesn’t sound like it will help you get a
job, but bear with me. I’ve only recently embraced this one. So much of the time,
we forget that there are 7 billion other people who are floating through space
with us. They need help, too. That old saying, “you get what you put in,” is
dead on. Every day that you’re trying to find your path, help someone else find
theirs (in the social media world that we live in, it shouldn’t be hard to do
this). Helping others is just one more way to help yourself. Be honest, be
truthful (these are different), and be available. You never know who you might
know, or who someone you know might know. Nike slogan!
In the end, if you want it, you can get it, you just need to
be talented, driven, willing to do whatever it takes to get your foot in the
door, and willing to help people on your way. In no way is it easy, but it’s
worth it. Finally, you may be asking, why did I start this with the Nike slogan
and it’s simply to show you that just saying it isn’t as important as doing it.
That ad campaign is 25 years old and I didn’t say it once. The work has already
been done and they’re reaping the benefits. You should too.
Nike slogan!
-Jason Donnelly
LinkedIn Endorsements
By Donnelly
People I’ve never met are going around telling people about me and what I’m good at. Now, you ask, “Jason, how can someone endorse you, if they don’t know you?” My answer is, people like to be liked. I can only assume that they hope that if they endorse me for something on LinkedIn, I will endorse them back. I mean, I’ve recently made and been endorsed for being a LinkedIn Endorser (seriously, check it out www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwdonnelly), so I’ve gotta be a good person to endorse, right?
What does that mean to you in your job search? It means that if you’re being endorsed by a lot of people for the things you do at your job, your LinkedIn profile will look great.
Look.
Great.
That’s about it.
If you’d really like to impress me and/or the hiring manager you put yourself in front of, you have two big options.
- Do better work than everyone else. Honestly, this is one of the biggest things I see as a recruiter. Be honest with yourself, and work harder than you did, yesterday. You can be endorsed for being a rock star for all I care, but if you can’t sing or play an instrument in the real world, it doesn’t really matter, does it? How’s that endorsement working out for you?
- Get recommendations from people who actually know your work, and know how to help you get to the next level. When you ask for the recommendation, ask people, “I’m looking to get a position at _____________, doing work on _____________, and I know that you worked with me at my previous position and have seen me in action. Would you mind writing me a recommendation focused around ______________?”
Do you agree? Disagree? Comment away!
Interview Merit Badge
By Donnelly
You got the interview! Great job! You’re one step closer to getting rejected…er, the job! Honestly, let’s cut to the chase, and hopefully get you a position. That’s what we’re here for, right? Follow the six guidelines below and you’ll have a much better chance of not being disappointed after spending all the time to interview.
Get to know the employer
This sounds simple, but so many people hear about a job, get the interview, and then ruin everything by winging it. Welcome to huge mistake number one. If you go to a job interview with a company you know nothing about and hope that they won’t figure that out, you’re sadly mistaken. Be prepared to walk in and get the question, “What do you know about us?” Impress them from this first question. Tell them things about the company that they might not even know. Get them interested in you for the pure fact that you’re prepared and excited about them. Please be prepared.
Job description
Do you know it by heart? Welcome to huge mistake number two. Don’t go in to an interview without knowing what job you’re applying for. Again, this shouldn’t be rocket surgery. It’s not about being able to regurgitate the job description back to them, it’s about knowing that you’re qualified for the position. Did you read the requirements and say to yourself, “I can’t do X and Y?” Then, did you tell the recruiter that you can do X and Y (please say that you didn’t do this…)?
Trust us, we want you to get a job, but make sure that you’re A. Qualified and B. Telling us the truth about those qualifications. It behooves you to be truthful to us, the people you interview with, and honestly, yourself. Seriously, be prepared.
What are you wearing?
Did you ask what you’re supposed to wear? Welcome to huge mistake number three. Do they want you to come in a three-piece or jeans? Are you going to look awkward if you don’t come in with a polo on? This isn’t one of the hardest things in the world, it’s almost always better to come in more dressed up than you need to be, but if you walk in to an interview in jeans and a t-shirt and are surrounded by suits, you’re not getting the job. Period.
Look in the mirror.
Look good.
Go to the interview.
Are you prepared, yet?
What are they going to ask you?
Have you prepared for all of the normal questions that are asked on interviews? (Best working quality, worst working quality, three words that describe you, a conflict at work that you helped fix, etc.) Welcome to huge mistake number four. Freezing up during an interview can be the end of your chances, pay attention and don’t be dumb.
Don’t give canned answers.
Don’t be vague.
Don’t lie.
Actually, you should probably just live your life like this. Write that down. Repeat it back to yourself if need be. Seriously, are you prepared?
What are you going to ask them?
Do you have questions to ask them? Welcome to huge mistake number five. If at the end of the interview the person hiring says, “do you have any questions for me/us?” would you rather be the person who asks what everyone on the planet asks, or would you like the interviewer to think you’re a brilliant, thoughtful, intuitive (not to mention, attractive) candidate? Don’t answer that, just do it.
How are you not prepared at this point?
Thank everyone
After you’ve left your perfectly executed interview, did you remember to get the contact information for the people you met with? Welcome to huge mistake number six. Do not leave the interview without contact information. I’ve heard from more than one person that they’ve heard that someone didn’t blow them away in an interview, but their follow-up email pushed them over the top and they got the job. You’re prepared, right?
In closing…
Please, please, please, be prepared…
This isn’t so much to ask. Know the company, know the job, wear something respectable, answer their questions, ask good questions, be polite, and rock the job interview. Now that all of that’s said, don’t get discouraged if you still don’t get the job. It’s a rough market. But, as someone here at the office states, “Everyone gets a job eventually…everyone.”
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this, but… be prepared. Please. With sugar on top.
You Should Definitely Take the Job...Maybe
Let’s focus on the 3 B’s, the building, the buddies, and the bills.
The building; it’s more than a building, it’s a company, it’s who you’re going to tell people about when they ask, “so, what do you do?” Are you comfortable with the position being a part of your personal brand? Do you think that working for the company is going to make you happy? Do you respect the organization? Can you see yourself walking in and spending 40+ hours a week at the office? If the answer is no, why?
The buddies; aka the people in the building. What’s the culture like? Do you match up? What’s the turnover rate with employees? Are people there happy? Have you had the chance to ask them? If you’re not going to enjoy the people you work with for most of your waking hours, why would you want to work there?
The bills; which, in all reality, may null and void the answers from above. This is the most important of the B’s for a lot of reasons. Are you going to make enough to survive? Do you need to have a job immediately to pay your mortgage, feed your kids, yourself, your dog (or cat…*shivers*)? Really think about this number, especially in a city as expensive as New York. Does the position pay what you need to survive and/or have fun?
Now, having said all of that, each one of these can completely trump the other two. If they’re going to pay you a ridiculous amount of money, it might beseech you to take the job and make it work. Maybe the people and culture in the organization are amazing and working there would make you the happiest person you know. And finally, maybe they’re low-balling you in pay, but you know that having that name on your resume will boost your worth on the job-market.
Getting a job isn’t easy, keeping one is even harder, but if you step back and think about the long-term goals you have for yourself (seriously, if you don’t have them, maybe go focus on that for a few minutes) and the quality of life you’d like to live, you can make a decision that helps you and the company that’s willing to give you a chance.
-Jason Donnelly
The life of a recruiter
By Jason Donnelly
I’m a multi-talented, multi-tasking, multi-directional (take my word for it), creative staffing mastermind. Maybe that’s not how I should start this, being that I just started here at TTS Staffing, last week. Then again, without that kind of thought process bouncing around the insides of my skull, I couldn’t do what I do. When you staff for creative positions like I do, you have to understand the market, the people that are asking for the talent, and the talent themselves. I believe that with my background and MFA in Creative Writing, I am one of the few that really “gets it.”
Every day is a rollercoaster (pardon the cliché) of emotion. We get in to the office, open our email, and pray that we have email from someone responding to one of our ads, feedback on one of the resumes/portfolios we sent out, or any kind of positive response about who we work for. Most days, we come in to pictures of LOL cats and emails asking if we’ve heard any news about the position that we sent out the day before. Some days we don’t.
The rest of the day is dedicated to reviewing resumes with misspellings, portfolios that are in no way deserving of being looked at by the client, let alone by us staffers, and trying to look for a needle in a haystack (yes, that’s another cliché). When you’re hiring…anything, in NY, you’re going to see that there is competition, when you hire in the creative field, you better be the best of the best, because if you’re not, you don’t exist.
Let me be the bearer of bad news. If you want to work in an advertising agency and you don’t have any advertising experience, you’re not going to get the job. If you’re trying to get a job that pays 100k a year and last year you made $35k, you’re not going to get the job. If I ask you for your online portfolio, and your response is, “I don’t have one, but I have some photo-copies,” you’re not going to get the job. This industry is brutal, and even if you actually are the best of the best, a lot of people are still not going to like your work (let alone who you are as a person). That’s just a fact, accept it now, because if you don’t, you’re not going to make it.
Finding that needle that I spoke of earlier is much harder than you might believe. Especially if you show your work to your mom like I do. Trust me, mine tells me how great my stuff is all the time. Just today, I found the perfect candidate for a position, they had the experience, they had the portfolio, they had the connections, they had ‘it.’ So, I sent over the goods to the client. The client told me that they changed their mind. They didn’t want someone with the experience that they previously wanted. My day was spent finding a needle that was actually a tire iron. Sometimes, it’s not even your fault that you’re not the needle, so develop a skin impervious to needles early, but again, remember that most of the time, the reason you don’t get the job is you.
The reason that we do what we do, is for that one person, though. That one person that sends us an email saying, “thanks for all you do,” “I can’t believe I got the job,” “you’re the best recruiter I’ve ever worked with,” or anything really (we also take gifts, seriously, anything you’d like to drop off. I’m fond of bourbon, scotch, and dark beer). Our day in one sentence? TTS Staffing is here to connect the best of the best with the best of the best.
Then again, I’ve been doing this a week, maybe I don’t get it…or do I?
I’m a multi-talented, multi-tasking, multi-directional (take my word for it), creative staffing mastermind. Maybe that’s not how I should start this, being that I just started here at TTS Staffing, last week. Then again, without that kind of thought process bouncing around the insides of my skull, I couldn’t do what I do. When you staff for creative positions like I do, you have to understand the market, the people that are asking for the talent, and the talent themselves. I believe that with my background and MFA in Creative Writing, I am one of the few that really “gets it.”
Every day is a rollercoaster (pardon the cliché) of emotion. We get in to the office, open our email, and pray that we have email from someone responding to one of our ads, feedback on one of the resumes/portfolios we sent out, or any kind of positive response about who we work for. Most days, we come in to pictures of LOL cats and emails asking if we’ve heard any news about the position that we sent out the day before. Some days we don’t.
The rest of the day is dedicated to reviewing resumes with misspellings, portfolios that are in no way deserving of being looked at by the client, let alone by us staffers, and trying to look for a needle in a haystack (yes, that’s another cliché). When you’re hiring…anything, in NY, you’re going to see that there is competition, when you hire in the creative field, you better be the best of the best, because if you’re not, you don’t exist.
Let me be the bearer of bad news. If you want to work in an advertising agency and you don’t have any advertising experience, you’re not going to get the job. If you’re trying to get a job that pays 100k a year and last year you made $35k, you’re not going to get the job. If I ask you for your online portfolio, and your response is, “I don’t have one, but I have some photo-copies,” you’re not going to get the job. This industry is brutal, and even if you actually are the best of the best, a lot of people are still not going to like your work (let alone who you are as a person). That’s just a fact, accept it now, because if you don’t, you’re not going to make it.
Finding that needle that I spoke of earlier is much harder than you might believe. Especially if you show your work to your mom like I do. Trust me, mine tells me how great my stuff is all the time. Just today, I found the perfect candidate for a position, they had the experience, they had the portfolio, they had the connections, they had ‘it.’ So, I sent over the goods to the client. The client told me that they changed their mind. They didn’t want someone with the experience that they previously wanted. My day was spent finding a needle that was actually a tire iron. Sometimes, it’s not even your fault that you’re not the needle, so develop a skin impervious to needles early, but again, remember that most of the time, the reason you don’t get the job is you.
The reason that we do what we do, is for that one person, though. That one person that sends us an email saying, “thanks for all you do,” “I can’t believe I got the job,” “you’re the best recruiter I’ve ever worked with,” or anything really (we also take gifts, seriously, anything you’d like to drop off. I’m fond of bourbon, scotch, and dark beer). Our day in one sentence? TTS Staffing is here to connect the best of the best with the best of the best.
Then again, I’ve been doing this a week, maybe I don’t get it…or do I?
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