The 405 Club

(Editor’s note:  I would like to thank those who volunteered their experiences for this week’s writing.  In return for their stories, I have changed their names to insure anonymity).

One of the most critical times during job search occurs when you receive an employment offer.  If you have done your homework and impressed your future employers, the offer should represent fair and equitable compensation for your abilities.  If however, you feel that the offer has come too quickly, or you notice a problem with the employment offer, it is best to ask questions before you accept the offer.  If you are one of the few fortunate individuals who jumped directly from your previous position to new one, the degree of caution you need to exercise must be even greater.  You will discover the dangers of accepting an offer too quickly from today’s lessons.  

Lesson Number 1 (Major Misrepresentation):   Charles thought he was making a good career move…

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(Writer’s note:  I would like to thank those who volunteered their experiences for this week’s and next week’s writing.  In return for their stories, I have changed their names to insure anonymity).

My job search consisted of over six months worth of networking, cold calling, lengthy interviews and follow ups.  For me, the end result was a combination of timing, skill, and yes, some good luck. 

For those of us who are fortunate enough to be in the final phases of job search, it is imperative that you are just as careful in considering offers of employment as you were in the earlier phases of your search.  In order to prove this point, some of my friends and associates shared their personal experiences which I, in turn, would like to share with our readers.  The point which needs to be emphasized is that good judgment and caution are required during all phases of job search. 

With this in mind, my writings for the next two weeks have to do with Employment Offer Horror Stories, and the lessons that can be learned.

Lesson Number 1 (The offer that went away): 

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We all daydream once in awhile.  As I was navigating my way through traffic today, I was thinking about a time in the not so distant past.  I was remembering a late Friday afternoon.   I had just received my performance review, and although the company had a 5% limit on annual raises, I was told that I would get a 10% raise because a project I initiated resulted in a double digit increase in company sales.  

   On the drive home that day I was listening to the radio.  It was time for the daily stock watch.  I smiled as I heard that the company stock I invested in had another significant increase.  It was a period of prosperity;   it seemed like prosperity bubble kept going up and the ceiling was yet to be found.

   That weekend, my wife and I took our daughter to the mall and treated her to some stuffed animals at Build-a Bear…

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I make it a point to keep in contact with my former co-workers.  Some have found new positions, however others are still struggling to find work.  I try to encourage them however I can; however the longer one is out of work, the harder it is to find encouraging words.  The inability of Congress to pass an extension on unemployment benefits prior to their vacation has discouraged many of my friends and former co-workers who are struggling to find work.

When I spoke to a one of my friends a short time ago, I tried to point out that every employer is different.  For example, an action that could warrant disciplinary action against you on one job may get you an award for original thinking in another position.  Similarly speaking, conducting yourself the same way at two different interviews will most likely yield two different impressions or results.  This week, I would like to share a phone conversation with a friend who is still struggling to find a job.

About a week ago, I received a call from one of my friends who has been out of work for 18 months…

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One of the first things I learned in outplacement counseling was to develop and cultivate a network.  This was a philosophy that I embraced back in 1996 when I lost my previous job to downsizing and outsourcing.  As a result I have contacts in various industries.

A few days ago I received a call from one of my contacts.  His expertise is the area of finance.  We had a very interesting conversation and I felt it would be a great idea to write about it for this submission:

 A View From Finance     

   It was midweek when I received a call from one of my contacts.  We have always had interesting conversations about the state of the US.  We have kept a running dialogue ever since the recession began in 2007.  When my friend called, I was glad to hear from him.  The conversation went something like this:

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