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July 22, 2004
What do I do? What can I do?
By Betsy Richter | 11:39 amI’m taking networking for a job to a whole new level, I am. Why not try it here as well?
But…I don’t want to post a resume, or a long blah-de-blah list of my skills, education and experience (email me if you want the gory details, okay? I do have several versions of a multi-page resume in the wings…)
Instead, here’s a short list (which I’ll expand on upon request) of what I believe to be true about the value I bring to the workplace.
And – to make it more interesting – I’ll be inviting former co-workers to add their thoughts in the comments section. (Of course, if no one comments, that’ll be telling as well, won’t it?)
Okay, here goes:
- I’ve been involved in media for over twenty years – everything from selling advertising (both display and classified) to administrative work, editing, writing and managerial roles. I joke that I’ve done everything from answering phones to programming phones (and yes, I am a certified Meridian SL1 switch administrator – or at least, that’s what the certificate says…)
- I’ve managed to keep one foot in media while also doing the dot.com gigs and agency gigs over the last few years – yes, I’m ambidextrous, and a pretty adept juggler of time and tasks as well.
- I’m a great mentor, manager, and motivator. I communicate well, do what I say I’m going to do, and work in the background so that everyone else can hit the home runs (yep, the ego is firmly checked at the door.)
- I can ferret out information like nobody’s business. So yes, I’m an ace researcher – but I’m also the one you can go to if you need to know who has what file, who in the company can best help you with that problem, or where to get the best coffee in a four-block radius. And yet, I’m not a busybody or office gossip.
- I know how to use the Internet as a communications vehicle (there’s the obligatory corporate-speak – had to do it, didn’t I?) I’ve been doing so professionally and personally for over 15 years – if you can believe The Wall Street Journal, I practically had my first child online (and yes, it’s immortalized in a cartoon somewhere.)
- I jump in willingly to do the dirty work. Which explains why I’ve had the privilege of programming voicemail boxes in a closet during Labor Day weekend several years ago, and how I know so much about how to deal with job survivors after their colleagues have been laid off (that and too many dot.com jobs during the day…)
- I’m technically adept. Can I program? Nope. But I know enough to know when the programmers are blowing smoke up my skirts. (Programmers – please don’t take offense. I love you all, I really do….)
- I’ve done the corporate thing (including presentations to people like Murdoch and Milken – yes, I had to do the obligatory name-dropping bit as well, didn’t I?), but I’d much rather step away from corporate life where possible. Ideally, I’d make the leap into non-profit work (and I’ve a bunch of volunteer experience to aid in the transition.)
- People like me. And they trust me. They really do. And while I don’t get all Sally Field about it, it’s the best part of working with others and it’s the part I miss most.
- Oh. Yeah. I’m fun to work with. While I may take my job seriously, I know when to lighten up, and when to leave the corporate mission statement behind. Did I mention that I’m fun to work with? Did I bring up the margarita parties? Forget to mention the homemade muffins? Okay, enough already…
So. Any leads? Feel free to email me at betsywhim at gmail.com.
Topics: Boss Lady | 7 Comments »
July 22nd, 2004 at 1:35 pm
No one commenting?
Pfeh.
More like, how do you reconcile the crises of confidence, etc. that put you in the position of reluctantly tooting your own horn?
From the looks of it, it seems the only things you’re missing are an electician’s license and a plumber’s license.
Call me impressed.
July 22nd, 2004 at 2:08 pm
Heh…everyone’s working, and thus too busy to be surfing the blogs and/or commenting.
Either that or I didn’t bring in enough muffins or wasn’t as funny or nice as I remember, heh…
July 22nd, 2004 at 5:09 pm
I don’t know what you look like, but that must be your picture in the dictionary next to “overqualified”
I just ended two years of unemployment taking a job assisting people who do what I used to do. Basically it means I’ll be doing a lot of filing. I guess the reason I wasn’t rejected for being “overqualified” was that it really wasn’t too much of a step down from what I used to do. Even so, everyone I interviewed was concerned that I would be bored, that I would balk at taking orders as opposed to giving them, etc. I must have convinced them that the job would be challenging enough, that I saw it as an opportunity to learn something I don’t already know (similar function, different industry) and that I would be relatively patient while waiting for growth within the company. I also promised them, I would stick it out for 6 months no matter what better offers came my way.
But after reading your list of accomplishments, I feel like Wayne and Garth “I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy” Maybe people have a hard time believing that you would be satisfied working with their lowly selves. Maybe I have no idea what I’m talking about.
Have you considered starting your own business?
July 22nd, 2004 at 6:20 pm
Oh, man. I really hope I’m not coming across as having issues working alongside those theoretically ‘less worthy.’
If anything, I’m doing what you did – talking up my ability to be a team player, new opportunities to learn new skills, etc. etc. etc. And I’m not just blowing smoke in order to get the job, either.
One of the things that happened during the dot.com era was that people rocketed up pretty quickly – and many of them have glaring gaps in their work abilities accordingly. I think I’m in that camp as well, and I’d be glad to fill those gaps – no matter where that put me in an organization.
But short of drastically editing down my resume and/or revising job titles, shaving out experiences, etc (in other words, lying by omission) – I don’t know how else to get that message across.
July 29th, 2004 at 10:46 am
So, I start my new job on Monday. And I just remembered a bit of wisdom from my drunken college days. “The only thing worse than looking for a job, is finding one.”
I don’t wan’t to go back to work.
I’ve been out of work for almost two years. the majority of that being “retrained” at Portland Community College. So I am looking forward to the self-esteem that comes with a paycheck and being part of a team, and doing something that matters, at least to the other members of the team.
But I’m not looking forward to having to buy work clothes this weekend, to that first day of school awkwardness, to being the dumbest guy in the room, to not knowing who’s cool and whose not, to getting up early, to rush hour traffic, to petty office politics, end of the quarter panic, to dictates from on high, to the end of all my general laziness, and blog reading.
Summer vacation is over.
Dang.
Good luck with your job search. I guess.
July 29th, 2004 at 12:16 pm
Best of luck to you as you start the new gig – I’m sure it’ll be easier than you think. After all, you could be starting middle school again (which I think would be WAY WAY worse..)
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 am
I actually sidetracked here looking for a cure for the annoying gas build up in my stomach. Anyways, I ended up here and started reading to get my mind off the hurt. I can't imagine how it's like doing a series of jobs like you. I just don't find managing exciting enough I guess. I'm actually trying to figure out if I'd like finance or flying planes better, or being a doctor … ect. Ugghhh I feel like trying to figure out what you like doing is harder than doing the job.