Dear Hiring Mgr: How DARE you!!!

Dear McCrabby,


I had an interview two weeks ago for a really interesting job.  I wanted that job, and expressed as much, even though it paid half of what I used to make.  The interview could not have gone better.  We hit it off, I answered every  question perfectly, I offered insight, shared experiences, asked questions, and even had the main interviewer (on a panel of three) ask if we could go back and discuss some of my ideas a little more since they were so intriguing.




As I walked out, the primary interviewer put his arm around my shoulder and told me how much fun this interview was.  He said we'll be getting back to you very soon.  


I walked out on air.  This job would be fun, stimulating, have great benefits, and pay me enough to survive.  I wouldn't make what I was used to, but I have resigned myself to that fact.


I wrote personal, hand-written thank you notes to all three panel interviewers, snail-mailed that evening.  I emailed the primary hiring manager the next work day just to say thanks, and that I was extremely interested in the job.  I had been referred by a friend who works there.  


I did not get any response for over a week, until my friend "prompted" the hiring manager to see where the decision process stood.  


That day, I got the email that said exactly  this (I have not changed a word):

"I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with us to discuss your interest in  _________.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.

While you are obviously quite talented, we are unfortunately not going to be able to pursue your candidacy for this position.

Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

XXXXX"

Here's the question.  What do you think I did wrong?

Confounded in Constantine 

___________________________________

Dear CC:

STOP!! No, proceed... No RUN!!!
Hell, we don't know what to do

Nothing.  You did nothing wrong.  How dare the hiring manager be so misleading, but....  welcome to 2012 and the hiring business.  Mixed signals seem to be a staple of the HR trade.

In fact, Will wrote his own letter on this very subject, one of many he has written -- see "Dear Hiring Mgr" topic at left....
________________________
TO:  S.O. Laime, Hiring Manager
        Not a Clue, Inc.


Dear Ms. Laime,


I had a great interview (in fact, three great interviews) and you never even called me back?  HOW DARE YOU!!!


Do you know the biggest pet peeve among job searchers?  The complete disregard for the feelings of the applicant.  Now that I've looked for a job, I feel their pain.  I'm asking you, and your peers that hire people (or at least go through the process -- whether you really ever hire or not is still in question), to "man up" and be human. 

People come in for an interview and walk out just anticipating the possibility of getting that job offer.  They wait for two days, a week, two weeks, or more, and while you have no intention of offering a job; they wait, they anticipate, they dream.  And, days or weeks later, you have simply ignored them or dragged out their misguided anticipation. 

You knew you weren't going to hire them, but you allowed them to dream a little longer, anticipate a little more, hope against hope that this time they would get the offer.  You ignored them, or dragged it out for weeks before sending a "form" email.  How uncaring is thats...  How misleading...   How cruel??

Yes, I'm burning this bridge, but I'm warmed from the fire.  And, who cares??  You weren't going to hire me, and maybe you won't hire anyone.  I don't burn many, but I can afford to burn this bridge.  I don't want to be associated with a company that associates with you.  How DARE you??

I wrote another letter to another hiring manager, and I think it applies here, so please go read it (Click here:  Dear Hiring Manager: I reject YOU.. )


If you, or even one of your hiring manager peers, will read this and respond, then maybe impact can be made.  Wanna write me back?  Leave a comment here.  I'm told that McCrabby will invite ANY hiring manager to comment on this and let them be heard.  You've heard the applicants' side. 

We job applicants are not asking you to respond to every one of the thousand email inquiries you get.  We get that.  But, for the reader above, the one that spent time on interviews, mileage, dry cleaning, prep, etc., don't you think he deserved a response?  You couldn't have interviewed a thousand.

Somewhat sincerely, 

Will E. Wurkornot

___________________________________________________

Check out other "Hiring Manager Letters" at our "POSTS WITH COMMON THEMES" at left... 

How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry... 

OMG, social media gone crazy - laments McCrabby

So, you're still looking for work and everyone says keep your social media sites up to date... 

OK

McCrabby has helped a few people enhance their LinkedIn profiles, publish their blog-posts on Digg and Flickr, and gain a few followers on Twitter.  In fact, McCrabby is still looking for more Twitter followers (#curtmacrae).  


McCrabby likes to keep up with the new offerings that are available, especially the free ones.  


The chart to the right shows a slide McCrabby used three years ago in a presentation on social media.  


The chart below, shows a newer chart that was just sent to McCrabby today, by a reader.


Things have changed.  


Does anyone have time any more to utilize these time-saving networking tools?  


Does your Twitter talk to your Flickr?  And, why does that sound almost dirty when you read it out loud?


Do you post your videos on Youtube or Myspace?  Should you keep LinkedIn updated or is Facebook enough (note:  did you buy IPO stock in Facebook?  Did you tweet about it?)


Is there a tool to update all of these at once?  As a matter of fact, there are more than one - one is PING, which is free, too, but McCrabby can't speak to how well it works, because he hasn't had the time to install it.  


OMG, what do we do??


Do you even have time to find a job anymore (This was addressed last year on this blog, and you can read it HERE)?  It's more cumbersome now.

How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you and we're trying to get to a couple hundred (not sure why, but it would make us feel better)..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry... 

Good luck to everyone on their job searches, their social media and finding the time for all of it...

Find the good in job-search, in a move, in everything

Are you being as positive as you can be?  It makes a difference; in your job-search, in your personal and business relationships, in your health, in your life.


McCrabby moved in November/2011.  He never thought he'd do it, he didn't want to do it, but it became difficult to stay, so he and Mrs. M sold their home, and moved (Click to read the initial post on this:  THE MOVE).


Now, it's been six months, and an update is in order.


There are some things that are not as positive as they were in the previous location, and there are (thankfully) some things that are much better.


Some things that are missed, include McCrabby's son and a large group of friends, from the past 20+ years that are now 110 miles away, McCrabby's church (also 110 miles away), the McCrabby house, a beautiful colonial, with lots of room, warmth, and perfect for holiday decorations (the current home is about 40 per cent of the size of the previous home).  But, family and friends make the effort, and are worth the effort, so that part is working out.

McCrabby's office is here (lower level)
Stop in -- 20 Division St., Coldwater, MI

So McCrabby, what are the positives, you ask?

• Both McCrabby and Mrs. M have a father and a sister living in Coldwater, and it's nice to be close to family
• The McCrabbys live in town and can get to ANY thing in town in 4 1/2 minutes - he often rides a bike to work
• There is a downtown area, and it's nice to go downtown; and McCrabby has an office in the middle of town
• Real estate taxes went from $6,000/year to $800/year
• McCrabby has found a couple of good racquetball partners
• Even with business trips to Detroit, and family trips to Grand Rapids, the miles McCrabby drives has been cut in half
• Mrs. M is here

In all, McCrabby and Mrs. M did what they needed to do to be fiscally responsible (don't you wish Washington would do that??).  And, the message that we wanted to share is that you can make the best of any situation; find the positives, and make it work for you.  


Many people don't have the income they once had, but "rich" is a state of mind.  McCrabby is feeling a little rich today.  

You can decide to be positive in a job-search, with cost-cutting measures, with a new job or a new relationship, or with almost anything in life. 

Find the good in things.  Get rich. 

Does that dog in the video have on sunglasses??

Good luck to everyone on their job searches and in life...
  

How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you and we're trying to get to a couple hundred (not sure why, but it would make us feel better)..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry... 

McCrabby offers job-search service

McCrabby has gotten a lot of requests for personalized job-search help over the past two weeks.  He has tried to provide some kind of a response  to each person, and has offered some advice and counsel to readers who have asked.  However, it has not been possible to provide detailed assistance to people to completely restructure and/or rewrite their resumes and cover letters, or to role-play interview questions, or address other concerns.


While we hope what's been offered has been helpful, McCrabby would like to do more.  Because McCrabby has been focused this past year on building McCrabby's and Mrs. M's financials, it has been difficult to dedicate much time to help readers here, beyond writing these posts.  So, maybe it's best to  implement a short program for readers here that may help.


Yes, you have sparked an idea with McCrabby, that hopefully will be cost-effective for all.  


While there have been some $300 and $500 programs, and even some that cost more than a thousand dollars, McCrabby has a plan he's rolling out today for 

$79.

That fee can't provide you unlimited support, but from the resumes that have been sent in, and the questions that have been asked, it appears that some people just need a little boost to get it going.  Maybe a little boost is all you need.  McCrabby has lots of ideas and has taught workshops for more than 200 people.


McCrabby will allocate two individual-dedicated hours for each person who signs up (4-8 people) to help them re-design and re-write their resumes, and/or cover letters, role-playing, or any other aspect of the job-search for readers of this blog.  


Then, he will add two hours of conference call time, to be combined for all participants (up to 8), on his conference call line, to be used a week apart, to answer general questions, specific interview topics, or any other job-related topic the participants want to address.


If you are interested, you can indicate your interest to McCrabby and if he gets 4-8 people who would like to participate, it will be set up within the next two weeks.  


TO:  GET TO WORKshop participants:  If McCrabby has helped you in the past, and you would like to leave a  comment here, others can see if they'll be getting value.  Thank you.


Good luck to everyone on their job searches...

_______________________________________________  


How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you and we're trying to get to a couple hundred (not sure why, but it would make us feel better)..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry... 

Wanna job?? Get on this free list

Dear McCrabby,


I have responded to a thousand jobs from Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com, and I don't think I've ever gotten  a single response.  


Should I just forget them?


Monster-struck in Montrose
___________________________________
Dear MSM,


McCrabby doesn't want to advise anyone to ignore any resource, but you do make a valid point.  Instead of recommending that you "forget them," McCrabby might suggest that you add a new resource.


McCrabby has done some work with a man named Matt Paquette for the past three years, while trying to help people find work.  Matt is an FAA inspector who volunteers with the Downriver Vicariate Career Transition Team, and he's been doing seminars on how to navigate and apply for jobs on USAJOBS for over five years.

Matt Paquette

Matt says that when you attend one of his seminars, you can expect to learn how:

• to navigate the USAJOBS website
• to use educational degrees in-place of experience, and info for college grads
• if you are entitled to Veterans preference
• to search for specific Jobs, and decipher the information of a job posting
• to find information for Veterans, and Civilians with Disabilities (Schedule A).
• to properly utilize resume keywords, and to create an application package
• to find information on OPM** to put your application packet over the top
• to understand KSA, and how to address KSA application questions 
• to employ government resume' writing techniques
• to check the status of your application
• Veteran & Spouse Entitlements, Civilians with Disabilities entitlements work
• to find a website address stating every federal, state, county, and city website across the USA
• to understand military time buyback

** Note:  OPM is the US Office of Personnel Management

Matt helps people find government jobs, but he also posts a lot of other jobs in his frequent emails.   McCrabby posted a tongue-in-cheek (well, maybe) story about government hiring last year (See post HERE).


Matt is currently employed with the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector assigned to the Belleville Office for the past six years. 

Matt started his job-hunting experience with the government in 1999 applying to the FAA, and other departments such as the Forest Service, EPA, and the State Department.  he began working with USAJOBS in 2003, and has kept up to date with the many changes that have occurred, even into 2012. 


Perhaps Matt's biggest and best resource is being a part of the OPM’s Federal Ambassadors Program, a group of volunteers approved by OPM who help people learn about government jobs and how to apply. 


He has access to all of OPM’s job aids and is able to pass this information along, which he does regularly.  


He is a sought-after speaker on government job searching, and provides a wealth of experience, and information.  While he provides a lot of this information for free, and you can land on his distribution list for free, he has expanded services to provide some fee-services as well.


McCrabby highly recommends you get on Matt's distribution list.  You can do that with a simply email request to:  mjpaqu714@live.com


You can view Matt's website HERE.

Good luck to everyone on their job searches...
  

How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you and we're trying to get to a couple hundred (not sure why, but it would make us feel better)..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry... 

Dear Hiring Mgr: I'm retiring -- from job-searching...

Dear McCrabby,


I've had very few interviews in the past 30 months.  I've done some work, earned a little money, done temp work, etc. but I can't get a "real" job.  If I was being paid by the hour to to look for work, I'd be making $100K/year.  But, alas; I'm not.


Is anyone else feeling the same way?  I keep hearing unemployment is down, things are better, people are hiring..  Is it just me?


I'm Crabby, too, in 

_____________________________
Dear Crabby,


We're hearing you loud and clear.  Here's Will E's interpretation...
_____________________________
TO:  June Ottcair
        Attall, Inc.


Dear June,


You win; I give up.  You don't want to hire me?  I don't want to work at your company.  


In fact, I don't want to work any more.  After all, I'm 63 years old, I've worked since I was 14, and I think it's time to retire.


I only have one problem..  I have no money to live on.  My investment guy lost most of my retirement income, and my company sucked away most of the rest while I tried to keep the doors open in its final two years in an economy that I keep hearing is better, but doesn't show it.  I have debt from that.


But, who cares?  I'm retiring.  Because you don't want to hire anyone my age -- you have made that obvious.  You want a 30-something.  You don't think I can commit to five years??  How many 30-somethings have you kept for five years?


Oh sure, you have a commission-only job, where you hire 30 of us and hope 1-2 stick.  We pay all our own expenses, you don't really train us, and you don't pay us -- thanks for taking that risk.


Oh sure, you have a couple of contract jobs that last for 90 days or so.  You don't pay benefits, or FICA, or expenses, or anything else, and you expect us to bust our asses for a company that isn't investing in us.


Oh sure, you have HR jobs.  Why is that, June?  Why do you pay HR people when it's so easy to find people out of work?  What a waste; and, I'm betting you aren't on commission.


Well June, you did it.  You convinced me that I have set my sights too high -- I wanted a decent job, with a chance to make decent income (at least half of what I made ten years ago).  Those goals were too lofty, too unrealistic, for a guy my age.  I don't want to deliver pizzas.


You won't hear from me again.  I'm retiring from job-searching.  It feels good to finally be able to retire....  from something.


Thank you.
Will E. Wurkornot
_______________________________
Crabby, we're printing this here to see who else is feeling your pain.  Hopefully, this post will generate some comments that will encourage you, or commiserate with you, or tick you off.  No one can be sure.


But, please record your comments on the blog-site and help fellow readers get a better read on their own situation.


Thank you.


Check out other "Hiring Manager Letters" at our "POSTS WITH COMMON THEMES" at left... 

And, good luck on your job search.  

How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry... 

McCrabby rants - "We're the govt, & here to help" LOL

McCrabby has been attempting to help his son get his home re-financed.  McCrabby, Jr. bought his home about six years ago, so it's underwater -- he owes more than it's worth.


However, Jr wants to stay in his home, wants to pay it off, as he agreed to do when he bought it and he does not intend to "walk away" as so many have done in similar circumstances.


But, Jr wants to refinance his home, and get the 3+ per cent mortgage that others are getting, instead of the 5-6 rate he is now paying.  He wants to save a couple hundred dollars a month.


So, when HARP II came out (apparently HARP I didn't work), it seemed perfect for Jr.  HARP II is the "home affordable refinance program" from the .............    wait for it - Federal Government.


It was created to help "under water" home owners to refinance their homes without the concern for appraisals and other restrictions.


Keep in mind that Jr has a credit score close to 800, has never been late on a payment, has six years on a stable job (city police officer), good income, no dependents, and the desire to refinance his home for a short period (10-15 years).


He can't.  


He's been to a half dozen banks and mortgage companies and has run into the following:

• You're supposed to re-fi through your current mortgaging institution, but Jr's current mortgagor won't do mortgages in Michigan any more.
• If you can't re-fi through that institution, you can go to another.
• Jr has been to three that do Freddie Mac mortgages, but not Fannie Mae (why has our government created two duplicate, but differing agencies to do this?)
• He's been to several that don't understand HARP II or want to work with it.
• Apparently for HARP II  to work, your home has to be on the "under water" list -- keep in mind that Jr's home is "under water" but his house is not on the list
• This means he cannot use HARP II, but can re-fi conventionally - but wait, his house is "under water" so he needs HARP II, but HARP II says his house is not "under water" so he must re-fi with conventional mortgage, but he can't because his house won't appraise for enough, but, but but...

OMG, is this real?  Is this what we did to help people?  Is this really ANOTHER government program to help us?  Has anyone ever believed the phrase, "We're from the government and we're here to help?"


Come on guys.  Where is my congressman?  How ludicrous is this??  


NOTE TO LENDING INSTITUTIONS:  you have a strong-credit, good-paying, stable individual who wants to re-fi his home; why don't you want to?


Upon contacting the mortgage broker, where Jr originally mortgaged his home, six years ago, the following response came in this week.  This is printed EXACTLY as it came, and may say it all:

Morning Sir, The HARP II at this point hasn’t been that great most of the investors are only helping the clients they are currently servicing, and in the case of your son’s loan the servicer wants him to default since he has mortgage insurance on the loan they are made whole if he does so they have no incentive to help him, sad but true. His loan is a Fannie Mae loan, I can got up to 150% of the appraised amount if I get a Property Inspection Waiver which we didn’t on his loan.  You have asked if I can help at this point I would have to say no, not to say that can’t change tomorrow, if something changes I will let you know.

Sincerely,  NAME WITHHELD

If there is an ethical bank or mortgage person reading this, who can do mortgages in Michigan, please contact McCrabby and he'll direct you to a strong credit customer who makes his payments - he just wants a chance to move to the going rate.   Thank you.

You'd think this was 

a joke..  It's not

_______________________________________

How 'bout following us on Twitter, or signing up here..    We'd love to see you..

Don't forget to sign up on the left or here (where it says "join this site") 

so we can see your picture on this site.  And follow us on twitter (@curtmacrae), where we don't post much, but we'd love to see you there.  McCrabby has gotten hacked twice on Facebook, so we have left that site for good.  Sorry...