Seeker

Tough day - Hard Time Getting Started

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:25:00 +0000

I think Dilbert said it perfectly today. It is hard to get started today after a long holiday weekend. It rained almost the entire weekend and I did not get to do the things we had planned on doing. Every time we started to do an outdoor activity the sky darkened and then it started pouring rain.

Well (no pun intended) our local reservoir has filled up and while technically we are still under a stage 3 drought condition, the drought has ended in just about everybody's mind except the water authority.

My grand score for the weekend... saw a 2nd rate production of Camelot at the Music Hall at Fair Park, started reading "The Richest Man in Babylon". Even my Memorial Day hamburger got pre-empted by the weather.

I am not ready to be back at work.

Career Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 23 May 2007 15:42:00 +0000

This week I had the pleasure of being included in a career day at Richardson Terrace Elementary. I spoke to 2 classes of 4th graders about what I do. I struggled with what to tell the class and put it in terms that they would understand. Corporate Finance is a foreign term to most 4th graders, and even further away for most of these students as they are from some lower economic backgrounds.

Based on the feedback I got from both my wife (a teacher in the school) and the classroom teachers, I must have gotten through to them. I now think we have a few kids who want to look up to being an accountant or financial analyst instead of a fireman or being in the building trades.

Now if only I could explain what it is I do to my own children.

IMA Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 23 May 2007 02:56:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of attending my first IMA meeting this evening. What a great program they put on today. The pre-meeting was a presentation by Jessica L. Loughran from Monster.com. She put on an extremely useful presentation. I learned a lot and I will take away a number of great ideas from it to use in my search.

It seems I have been out of the search market for only a short time, but there were a number of new tools (at least to me) Jessica presented. I am looking forword to using some of these items. (Jessica, if you are reading this, please send me a soft copy of the presentation... Thanks)

The second presentation was by Brian Dodge. What a captivating speaker. He really put on a great presentation. I reccomend if you get a chance to catch him giving his presentation, catch it.

On a personal note, I want to thank a few people who made me feel very welcome tonight.. Incoming IMA President Jimmie Smith, all of my tablemates, and those members of the search community that sought me out. Thank you all!!!

Onr last thing, I am looking for anyone who has recently passed the CMA, I am looking for some guidance on taking the exams. If you have taken it recently, please drop me a line... I just need a small amount of your time.

Texas jobless rate drops to 4.2% 10:38 AM CDT | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 18 May 2007 17:25:00 +0000

Texas jobless rate drops to 4.2% 10:38 AM CDT | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News

Hey maybe there is hope for me yet. 250,000 jobs created in Texas, maybe I can snag one of those (I just hope I don't have to end each conversation with ...Do you want fries with that?...).

I am not picking on fast food workers...I had my days doing that, I just am looking for something that pays a little better. However, if it comes down to it, I will work fast food or what ever else it takes.

Re: Taking Off

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:16:00 +0000

A good friend of mine decided to respon to my email below with a great retort:

So are they rebranding to OUTSOURCECORP?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I appreciate the humor!!! Thanks Arthur!

Taking Off

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 16 May 2007 01:10:00 +0000

Last night I sent out the following letter to a number of my networking friends and cohorts. I have recived a much better response that I could have imagined.

Dear Friends,

Most of the time we get a quick note from one person or another announcing that they have landed. Usually it is some time since we last heard from them and we may not even have know that they were in the midst of an active job search. In fact it was just in November that I sent out a landed notice to you about my returning to the world of employment at SOURCECORP.

Today I get to do the opposite of sending a landed notice, I am getting ready to resume an active search. SOURCECORP has decided to outsource about 15 accounting and financial positions to an organization in India. Since my Hindi is a bit weak, and my relocation status does not quite stretch that far, I am once again making myself available to the market. I am looking for a Director or VP level finance position where my FP+A, retail, and supply chain skills can best be employed. While I would rather stay in Dallas, I am open to relocation to many major metro areas.

If you become aware of an opportunity that you think might be a good fit, please do not hesitate to call me or pass it on to me. I will stay with SOURCECORP until the transition is complete in Mid July, my management team is willing to be somewhat flexible should something happen sooner.

Also, there are a number of A/P, and Staff and Sr. Accounting people who are also looking for positions, I will be glad to pass on names or resumes if you are in need of their skill sets.

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Warmest regards,

Jim

Jim Kline
4217 St. Albans Drive
Plano, TX 75093-3137
214.740.7809 SOURCECORP Office
972.535.6020 Home-Office
469.426.8422 Cell (SMS)
786.551.2812 Fax
jim.kline@imagopher.com
http://seeker.imagopher.com

I thought it was a short clean simple letter letting everyone know I am back in the market. The responses and offers for help were and continue to be genuine and sincere. To those of you who already responded, I thank you for your support. If we all work together, perhaps we can shorten these periods of unemployment for the folks walking out the door with me. (I expect to be out there a little longer.)

Tonight I learned a lesson on how to give up a job you really like.

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sun, 13 May 2007 05:51:00 +0000

Tonight I learned a lesson on how to give up a job you really like.

Tonight I watched a friend and devoted civic minded person accept defeat in an election. John Sweeden, the place 7 city councilman from Richardson loose his elected position to his challenger. John is know to be a great family man and on each and every interaction I have had with him, and his wife Kelly, he has been a true gentleman.

Tonight after the votes were counted, he gathered the group of his friends and supporters who were at his house (hoping for a victory party) and announced his defeat. He spoke of how he could hold his head high as he did nothing during the election (or during his tenure in office) that he was ashamed of.

He admitted to taking some stands that he knew would make people angry, but were for the good of his town, the community at large and his constituency. He spoke of his first tenure more than fifteen years ago, before we had DART (the regional transit authority) and the Bush Turnpike. He spoke of how proud he is today to use his Toll Tag to be able to zip from one part to another and how he can now ride light rail from near his home to downtown Dallas and beyond.

He then called his opponent to congratulate him and to offer his support.

He did all this without a bad word to say of his opponent, without remorse, but truly a love for his job working on behalf of his city and its citizens.

I think, Richardson is loosing an asset in his not being re-elected, but I know his wife Kelly and the kids we get a chance now to see a lot more of him. A loss for the city, a gain for his family.

I am taking one for the team

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 01 May 2007 22:54:00 +0000

Again, a timely comic for the position I am in. By my departure in the middle of July, I was able to preserve the positions of my 3 employees. Each has a direct operating responsibility with regard to operating divisions. My job was to manage the process and put it all together at the top, while at the same time adding value through other means and allowing my VP to focus on growth opportunities.

Well guy's, I am at least glad to know you will be OK.

Strategic Error

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 01 May 2007 22:46:00 +0000

Some might call it a strategic error, I think I just have to call it a dumb mistake. I had been in such a hurry to get a new resume up and out last week, I pulled an old one off my website (all of my search stuff has been archived) and did a quick update.

One major problem. I updated the telephone number but had the wrong area code. Now I have to go back to everyone to whom I sent it and admit I am an idiot. Of course I don't ever call myself on the home office phone so I have not memorized it. I always keep cue cards by my phone so I can read them off to people as I leave a message, so again I don't need to memorize it.

In case you need to reach me, The number is 972.535.6020 (Home Office).

My home office travels with me though as this is an inbound Skype number.

Timing is everything

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:39:00 +0000

This morning we were invited to meet the "Team" from the outsourcing firm. These are the product managers that were shipped in from India who will lead the project to move the positions from my company to their own in India.

Over the last few days we have had an orientation to learn about our brethren from India, their culture, and some of the do's and don'ts that will help make this a smooth transition. India we are told is mostly Hindu or Muslim. We were told 3 members of the transition team were Hindu and 1 was a Muslim.

We had a wonderful breakfast for them tortillas, eggs, bacon, sausage, and plenty of coffee. I am sorry I was unable to be there for it, I had a report I needed to get out.

My favorite though is truly a fate of timing. Today's Bizzaro comic said it all. I hope the author Dan will not get upset for my posting it.

From Happy Trails to Sad Tales

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:18:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

It looks like I am going to be back again for a while. While I have one of the greatest jobs in the world, I like my boss, I like my CEO, I like my CFO, I like the people I am working with... I was informed earlier this week that my position is going to sent off-shore.

I guess it is kind of ironic that I work in an outsourcing company that is outsourcing some of its corporate functions. I hold not grudge to the folks here, it makes the financial and operational sense to be doing what they are doing. I unfortunately am a casualty once again.

So over the next few weeks, months, years, decades or even centuries (or so it will seem) I will be writing my job search blog once again.

Let's hope it is short this time.

See you in the funny papers

Happy Trails

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 02:07:00 +0000

It is with great pleasure, that I announce the end of this blog.

I have not written a lot lately due to my working a contract position with PepsiCo.

However starting Monday November 27th 2006, I will be employed in a full time position with SOURCECORP as Assistant Director of Operations Planning and Analysis. This position came to me through 2 sources, 1st but not able to be used a member of the search community made me aware of the position. I gave her permission to represent me to SOURCECORP in anticipation she would get the contract to search for the position. Unfortunately she did not get the contract, and I begged her permission and received it to pursue the position through the second source that it did hit the market. The lead was provided through FENG (Financial Executives Network Group) of which I am a member.

I want to thank all that have helped me in my search, including but not limited to, Lisa Miller and the rest of the Gang from Career Connection, my fellow members of FENG including Howard, Mona, Stephen, Chris, the sustaining members of Career Connection like Tim, and most importantly my spouse and children.

As of Monday I will be officially in between searches. I guess now is the time to increase my networking activities and pay some back, (and perhaps even pay some forward as well.)

If I can be of service to you in your search, do not hesitate to contact me.

Wish me well!!!

Oh Where Oh Where has Jim gone, Oh Where Oh Where Can He Be?

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:45:00 +0000

I got a call yesterday from Tim asking me what happened. Did I get run over or something? He had not seen an update for a while. Well I guess Tim must be about the only reader of this blog, or maybe not, but here is the story.

I wrote previously about lighting a job candle. Well I have been keeping one lit almost continuously for almost 5 weeks. During that time I have had a number of very serious interview, 2nd interviews, I started a contract job at PepsiCo at wages that I could live on for a while. I also have been told an offer will be in my hands shortly for another organization, but until I have signed paper... I am not calling an end to anything.

Going back to PepsiCo. I really want to credit them with not taking advantage of out of work individuals and low balling contract prices. As strange as this may sound, (yes Jim needs to get his head examined) took a lower rate than the maximum I was told they would accept. Of course it was not much lower, and I did it to help grease the slides and make it happen easier.

Any way lighting the candle seems to work, I have been having fun with it.. but all around me especially my wife and children are making sure I keep my Job candle lit.

Net answer at the end of the day, Jim is spending his days working for PepsiCo and enjoying it, going to a Tax Prep course a couple of nights a week (looking for some seasonal work during tax season) and still interviewing and looking for a full time gig. I guess that does not leave a lot of time for writing. I hope I have not disappointed anyone.

What a long strange trip it has been this week

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 02:49:00 +0000

Man, what a long strange trip it has been this week. I can't begin to tell where it all started and where it is all ending. All I know is now that the week is over, I am mentally spent.

Monday was an interview with ATCLE,for a business planning manager position. Tuesday morning as I was getting out of the house to go to Career Connection, I got a screening interview with NAL Worldwide, the I get to Career Connection late only to leave early to meet with the President of ATCLE who is an old associate from my FedEx days. I really wanted to get a handle on his view of the future of the company and where he say it going.

From Ft Worth is was to Downtown Dallas for another interview with the RHI SPS gang. Then a quick trip home so I could pick up my daughter to take her to dance then back downtown for a FENG meeting. Somewhere in there I had a series of recruiter calls.

Wednesday was an interview with Aaron Brothers a Michaels Stores company, then another interview with another recruiting firm, Thursday was a light day with an interview with another recruiting firm and finally today was a recruiting firm in the early afternoon followed by a screening interview for a Director position in the late late afternoon.

Something has got to shake open soon. I am getting a lot of activity and I know there should be more coming in the next week. I will have a follow on with Cadbury and I expect to hear from McKesson this coming week as well.

Even stanger I get a letter today thanking me for submitting my resume and I expected it to finish with "While your credentials are impressive ....." instead is finished with "After reviewing your resume, we have determined that your qualifications merit further review and will give your candidacy careful consideration." It goes on to say we will be contacting you shortly.

Huh? I have never gotten a letter telling me I have been accepted for further interviews. I either get a phone call, email asking me to come in for more torture I mean interviews. What gives? I had to read the letter about 5 times to make sure it said what I thought it said. Go figure!!!

At best right now all I can say is wow what a long strange week it has been. I am whipped.

Interesting Reactions

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:45:00 +0000

It is always interesting to see the reactions of people when you throw them a curve ball.

Yesterday I had an interview for a slightly lower level position that I am really going for, but still within the realm of possibilities. I first interviewed with the hiring manager, then I met with the HR person.

In my interview with both people I told them I had scheduled some time (an informational interview) with the President of the Company who is a former associate from my days at FedEx, and at one point I was to have gone to work for him in Singapore.

The reactions from the two people were completely different. The hiring manager, whom I believe feels secure in his position, and has a pretty good understanding of his role and upward mobility opportunities, thought it was great. It may have made him nervous internally, but he seemed the kind of person who is genuinely interested in seeing people succeed.

On the other hand the HR person, when I told him of my past relationship with the boss closed my credential folder and with a forced smile asked me if there were any additional questions I had, basically letting me know the interview was over.

I told both of them in a spirit of full disclosure, so I would not have anyone surprised nor handed a done deal without at least being able to provide thought out objections before it happened.

While it is my fault that I know the President from a past life, I am not strictly trying to trade on that relationship. I feel because I am working that relationship to gain information about the organization, I will be penalized by HR and they will throw roadblocks up.

I guess I have much to learn about the organization before I commit to taking on the position if it is offered to me.

I will keep you posted.

Another Candle Lit

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 02:02:00 +0000

I lit another candle this week and the magic seems to be working.

While driving to an interview in Ft Worth, I got a call from an internal recruiter at Michaels. We have set up an interview series for Wednesday.

I called LSG Sky Chefs and eventually spoke to the hiring manager. It seems there is some delay because upper management is not completely committed to the mission this position would create. However, the good news is I am the leading external candidate. So stay tuned

I found a position at a former employer that is pretty much of a fit. I called my former boss (Jeff) and asked him to submit my resume for the position. He was more than glad to do it. While I was only a contractor at that company, they kept renewing my contract until I really needed to get a job with benefits. The nice part is we parted ways in an amicable way and I left behind good relationships with people. Perhaps this will help me finally land in a postion I really want.

Is it the candle? Is it just good timing and a confluence of cosmic forces, or is it the ground work I have been laying for a few months. I don't know, but I am going to go out and keep buying my job candles.

Feast or Famine

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:51:00 +0000

Well where I thought early this week, the wheels had fallen off my job search, it looks like it was only to change to racing tires.

This morning while I was meeting with the hiring manager of my potential contract gig, another Talent acquisition manager from Michaels was trying to reach me for an opportunity there. I suspect I am took expensive for them, as this has happened before, you just never know.

In the meantime, the potential contract gig has made some progress. We have an agreed upon rate, although the time side is indefinite, we have some general agreed upon operating specs and now all we need is management's approval to go forward. I even made sure my rate was lower than what he said his maximum allowable would be (not by much, but enough to make the sale easier) and I hope it will work out to everyone's benefit both short and long term. As the hiring manager aptly put it, "it comes down to work or starve. I understand where you are coming from.

I am still waiting to hear about the opportunity in Houston, and Robert Half SPS is finally getting back to me to discuss meeting the various parts of the sales staff, another step to go through with them.

A lot of times it is feast or famine. I hope this is feasting time.

It is turning in to an interesting kind of week

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 03:53:00 +0000

This week is turning around and starting to become interesting. Where I did not have a lot of expectations in the beginning, I had a screening interview today with a Bimbo Bakeries, it looks like the short term contract opportunity might turn it to a possibility, (keeping the wolves away from the door) and I have an interview set for next Monday for a position with ATC Logistics and Electronics. There is also an opportunity brewing with Oxy Petroleum in Houston. Although I think that may be a longer shot.

I guess my level of confidence is growing and I am even taking a shot at something in the east coast that would pay quite well. I am not sure my wife would go with me, but I could afford the airfare if it came to pass. Of course this is truly a Hail Mary kind of pass, from a statue of liberty play fake. To many moving pieces to come together for it to happen, but as Joe Paterno used to say, "you got to have some kind of gimmick play in every game."

I spoke to my wife about this and she reminded me that this is the first week I have lit my job candle in many weeks and that is what is causing all the activity. I believe in divine intervention, but I don't think that was what is truly the cause. Of course I proved myself wrong once before.

Whatever the case, I am glad for the activity!!

A mixed kind of Day -It just feels good to win one once in a while.

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 02:37:00 +0000

This has been a mixed kind of day. The guy from K-Force (Jason Rush) that promised almost on his mothers grave would give me a call today, did not.

I got through to a potential contract position only to find out the hiring manager has not fully decided if he wants some hired analytical capacity, but if he does he is looking favorably on me. I do have to thank Meg O'Malley for passing on the opportunity to me. Meg is one of those almost mirror images that I found at FENG.

I left messages for the person I interviewed at LSG Skychef a few weeks ago, yet he does not return my call, I wish Wolfram would either give me a thumbs up, thumbs down, or tell me what the delay is. No respone is not fair to the candidate. The time when he said he would be moving forward has passed.

On the other side of the coin, I have to give kudo's to Isabel Darwin at McKesson. Isabell has kept me in the loop. She told me when there would be delays, when I should next hear from her, and what to expect. When things changed, she let me know as well.

Isabel is winning my Talent Aquisition Manager of the year award so far.

While I hate to see the delays, (I need a paycheck), I am not being kept in the dark and I can throttle my expectations. Whether I get the job or not, I have a lot of respect for what Isabel and McKesson in general are doing.

Today was a pretty good day at Career Connection. I am thrilled that it gets me out of the house and meeting with people on a regular basis. My luck is about to change. I won the CC Texas Sized Lottery today worth about $23. I guess when you consider the number of times I have thrown my $1 and business card in the basket, I am still about break even.

It just feels good to win one once in a while.

Everyone Knows What is Best for You

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 15:11:00 +0000

This entry today falls under my rants and raves category. If you don't want to read me complaining, then skip this article! You were warned!

This morning I spent a few minutes on the telephone with my oldest brother and my father. As a note of explanation my oldest brother is currently living with my dad since he can't make a living in his country. He left his family there and as he can earns some money he sends them some. Mostly he is leeching of my dad. His most current re-incarnation is selling health insurance in South Florida where my 82 year old father has retired. (Mom died in '85).

All my life I heard my father telling me what a terrible life it is to be in sales. He never wanted to be in sales, but he could not find work doing anything else, or maybe he took the path of least resistance. He always blamed someone else for his troubles and never looked inside. I grew up vowing I would never go in to a job (or at least stay in one) that I really hated. Sales is at the top of my list. For a short time in my life, I had an insurance license and sold pre-arranged funerals door to door. I was terrible at it. It was a pure commission job and I starved.

My entry numbers were terrible, and if I made an entry my close rate was sub par. Needless to say I was not given any good leads they were saved for the guys that could turn them in to sales for the company. I don't blame the company either, because I was such a miserable salesperson. It is not that I did not try, I was just not very good, frankly I was terrible.

Well now that I have that out in the open, my dad and my brother are both pushing me to go in to insurance sales because I have hit the skids, and have not worked in 3 months. (oh Horror). I know if I were in sales I might as well as be an Antarctic explorer. In either case I would be standing out in the cold and not making any sales.

I just wish they would get off my back.

On the other hand, I want to tell you what a wonderful wife I have. (No she is not standing over me with a cast iron frying pan ready to brain me for the first bad thing I write about her.) She has been very supportive, and understanding, and knows that I will land on my feet and continue to bring home a paycheck. Yes, she is tired of me being home and on occasion getting depressed, or moody. She is not asking me to do something that is just not me. She is a wonderful person.

I also have a wonderful friend and neighbor, Mike, who checks up on me every so often and takes me out for coffee or just stops by to check on me. He has been through this as well and understands how to listen, what to suggest, and when to say nothing and when to speak out. I have gotten more solid advice out of him than most anyone else. Thanks Mike!

Pat Dunn Done at HP

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 21:34:00 +0000

Pat Dunn Stepped down at HP today.

I guess you can't rule a corporation with an iron fist anymore. I am glad to see companies are getting back to staying legal. Of course this should never have happened in the first place.

Perhaps Pat Dunn can join me blogging for her next job.

RIP Mat Matlock

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Below is the obituary of "Mat" Matlock. Mat was a friend to all that got to meet him. I knew him from Career Connection where he often taught spreadsheet classes to those needing some extra help in that skill.

He will be dearly missed.

William Robert Matlock

MATLOCK, , WILLIAM ROBERT "MAT" 61, passed away on September 7, 2006 in Irving, Tx. He was born on September 25, 1944 in Morgan City, La. He had been a resident of Irving since 1993, he was a 1972 graduate of Southern Colorado State College. He served in the US Army Security Agency in Germany and Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. He was self employed as a spreadsheet consultant. Mat described himself as a baker, programmer, trivial pursuit player and movie buff. He is survived by his Wife, Jane Roehl and One Brother, John Matlock. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006 at 4PM at the Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church, 1641 Hebron Pkwy., Carrollton, TX. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Horizon Church or the charity of your choice. Irving Calvary Funeral Home 624 East Second Street Irving Texas 75060 (972) 579-7356

14th Anniversery for Career Connection coming up

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 19:04:00 +0000

http://seeker.imagopher.com/ccpdf20.pdf

September 19th 2006, 10:00 AM

Be there!

I've added a new feature

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 12:21:00 +0000

Hey if you did not notice, I have added a new feature, the linked in button to the side. I am working to develop my network and if you are not a part of my network, ask to join in. I will be glad to add you.

Hope you are having a great day, Today I choose to have a great day!

Jim

4 Stages of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 22:17:00 +0000

'nuff said.