I do not sell these t-shirts.
If you have no idea why anyone would post a Q and A interview with themselves, please read yesterday’s post.
Q: What sort of job are you looking for?
A: I’ve finally gotten to the place where I can say that in only one breath, which I’m pretty proud of. here goes:
“A senior level marketing role in an HR or Recruiting facing company, preferably within a small to medium size department or team.”
Q: Why are you coming back to HR and Recruiting?
A: Because I love it. I didn’t realize how much I’d absorbed in both knowledge and passion, until I left. I not only missed the people but the conversations and the solutions. It’s a pretty exciting time to be in this field and I intend to stay.
Q: You refer to your super stealthy job hunt. How long have you been looking?
A: Honestly I’ve been keeping my ears open since December. But I started applying in earnest at the beginning of this month. I’m trying to take my sweet time.
Q: Oh why is that?
A: The company that I end up working for is going to be where I’d like to stay for a while. I have a plethora of ideas and energy to match, there’s no reason that shouldn’t be used for a solid deserving company.
Q: Wow, you seem very wise.
A: Why thank you. And may I say that you are an excellent interviewer.
Q: (blushes) Aw, shucks. Now, what is the best piece of job search advice you’ve been given?
A: Probably the one that was given early on and often by a lot of trusted friends: Get out there. I was scared at actually telling people I was looking for a job, which is ridiculous. Jobs aren’t like princes in a fairy tale. It’s not like they are going to come tearing out of the woods and rescue you from the tower. Well, at least not if they don’t even know you’re in the tower.
Q: Now I’m envisioning Amy Adams trying to navigate LinkedIn. What does your ideal company look like?
A: I’m trying to keep my focus very tight on HR and Recruiting Service providers and tech companies right now. So within that realm,
- a company that has a product or service that I see making an impact on the landscape for the forseeable future
- a culture that respects work life balance but appreciates hard work
- a company that would be proud to have me represent them at trade shows and events
- a team that respects ideas, both good and bad and hires leadership that can see the difference
Also the dress code would be 80% jeans, 18% party dresses and 2% sweats.
Q: What’s more important: money or cultural fit?
A: Money. Definitely….Just kidding. While competitive compensation is nice, it’s not the end-all, be-all of what I need. I know exactly what I can provide for the right company and happen to have a pretty great work ethic. In return, I ask for a well rounded compensation package, one that recognizes that I’m a mother before a marketer and a wife before a road warrior.
Q: Does that mean you’re not interested in travel?
A: On the contrary, I love travel. In fact, it’s something I frequently bring up with prospective companies early on. But if hardcore travel is part of the deal, then I’m more inclined to push harder for flexible hours or telecommuting. Remember I still own a portion of a travel production company, there’s very little about travel I hate (but taking off zippered boots at the security checkpoints is one of those things I hate).
Q: Describe your greatest strength (I know it must be hard to choose just one, but try…)
A: I think my ability to figure out something I don’t know. When faced with something that is seemingly insurmountable, I will just figure it out and fast. I will do my best not only to learn that skill but learn why that skill is necessary and how I can build a more efficient process around it.
Q: Describe your greatest weakness (Do you even have one?)
A: (chuckles) Of course I do, Interviewing Me. I would have to say one of my greatest weaknesses is avoiding pertinent questions and giving roundabout answers that sort of sound positive when I’m supposed to be describing something negative. While this has helped me win friends and influence people in the past, it can be a drawback to an otherwise wildly successful career.
Q: I’m not sure that really answers the question…
A: I know! It’s so embarrassing! I hate that question, I just never know what to say.
Q: Just say your greatest weakness! It’s pretty straightforward!
A: Whoa, Interviewing Me, you are harshing my mellow.
Q: What does that even mean? (takes deep breath) Moving on, so what are you doing right now?
A: Well I know that looking for a job should be a full time job and I am trying to remember that. However, since my focus is pretty tight and I’ve given myself until March to find the perfect opportunity, I am taking this time to reconnect with colleagues, attend industry events, and help with design or marketing work. I’m also doing some contract marketing work on the side and helping my Dad market his musical in NYC. I just found out I’m sort of, indirectly, but definitely somewhat associated with a group that may or may not be directly underneath the supervision of someone at Amazon who might be in daily contact or nearby to someone with twitter contact to Seth Godin’s…blog.
Q: Are you available for contract or consulting work?
A: Yes and No. Yes, I can work on projects within my field and will help friends with events or marketing as a means to an end. No, I am not looking for long-term consulting work or to re-open my firm. My contract rate is $70/hr with a 15 hour minimum.
Q: What else should we know about your job search Maren?
A: Well, I’m willing to relocate which is important since I currently live in Omaha. You can see my LinkedIn profile here and find some more information about me here. Any design work or copy samples will be sent via email to interested parties. I think that’s about it. I’ve been talking to myself for long enough…
*If you hadn’t guessed it, this entire thing is tongue in cheek. I am nowhere near this self-absorbed…I think.*
This is going to be a ramble, I can already tell but please stay with me:
Here is a link to a post that has been maing the rounds. It basically dissects the gender makeup of some of the largest social networks and finds, save digg.com, that many of them are skewed toward women. (not a lot, like 60/40) Anyway, it’s being touted as “Who rules the social web?” and I wonder about that. I mean, I think countless studies have shown that women are naturally more social creatures than men (at least generally) so it stands to reason that women would jump at the chance to extend social influence faster, more efficiently and with a broader reach. The folks I see scratching their chins in consternation over social media/recruiting et al are ALWAYS men. Is the question “Who rules social media?” even a good one? I mean, women have always controlled social circles but only recently has that colluded with any sort of power to effect change.
