Thursday, December 3, 2009



My husband doesn't blog. He's more of a phone, email, and texting kind of guy. He's on the road this week and sent me an email yesterday stating that "if he had a blog here is what my entry would be for Wednesday, December 2, 2009".

It stirred something wonderful in my soul.

"Today was a good day. I thought about this as I was flying at 35,000 ft over the southern part of the USA, the greatest country in the world.

As dusk turned into night, a full moon came up from the clouds on the right side of the plane and the sun was setting on the left. I am sitting comfortably in an upgraded first class seat (compliments of United Air Lines), drinking my favorite cocktail, Tangueray and Tonic, listening to my boys, Wayman, Jonathon, Kirk, Stevie and others on my most excellent Ipod which was one of those perfect gifts from my beautiful wife Janet.

My day was good and here is why:

My wife had a great day of building her business of which I am very happy and proud. My daughter was accepted into a university and I feel that I had a major impact on a large order for my business. For all of the above I am thankful but most of all, I think of how fortunate I am to have the family base that I have. For the first time in my life, I know I have a foundation I can count on. That is you Janet – I love you very much! I am blessed."

Darin JerdeAerospace/Industrial Business Leader - Sweeney

I'm thrilled that he feels this way because I know I do too. I'm proud of him and all that he does for our family, his work, our church and community. Darin has a good soul. I am blessed.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The "Dear John" Letter: Overcoming and Growing from a Rejection Letter, by Janet



Yesterday I received the business version of a "Dear John" letter from a company I submitted my resume to. The letter was to thank me for submitting my resume and to serve as notification that they had other candidates that better matched what they were looking for. I was not being considered.


A blow to the ego (and pocket book) but I knew I’d find a way to grow from this.

I went back to the job posting, because I save a copy of every job I apply for (I’m like that), and went over the qualifications being required. I then went to my resume and cover letter that I submitted to confirm that what I wrote, to this organization, was professional and suitable for the position (and yes, I checked for typos and other grammar issues to confirm that what I sent didn't make me look like a bumbling idiot).

I confirmed that my years of marketing experience, my skill sets and abilities matched the requirements the employer was seeking. If this organization was using software to whittle down the top applicants, every key word they put in their job posting was embedded into my resume and cover letter. There was no way I couldn’t have been at least tossed into the “potential pool” of candidates. I know I owned all of the qualifications they were seeking for the position.

I’m not bitter by the letter, just mystified why I couldn’t make the initial interview round. I wished the rejection letter wouldn’t have been so generic. I wished they could have given me a bit more insight as to why I couldn’t even get through the door for an interview, but I know legally, they can’t and don’t want to give specific details.

I’m left to sort it out on my own. Am I too old? Does my resume suck? Do I want too much money? Do they think I’m some has-been marketing woman who isn’t up-to-the-minute on the latest marketing technology available to drive sales and build relations? Well, if that is the case, then they are wrong on every point…well, accept my age, I can’t deny that I’m getting old, but I’m still a powerful force for any organization. I still have many (and I mean many, I’m a Beaudry for God’s sake) great marketing years in front of me.

If it was my resume, I will continue to fine tune it. I recently had three "hiring professionals” review my documents and presentation tools with the goal to help me make the strongest presentation of my capabilities as possible. I'm implementing their recommendations. I’m also adding additional technology to my search efforts to help me get noticed.

As for the "has-been" comment, I'm not. I've continued to focus my energy on learning and applying new technology, social and new media outlets, and other relevant tools designed to market to consumers and businesses into my skill sets. I'm determined to keep ahead of the marketing curve (I’m not about catching up, I'm about leading). And, finally I am staying sharp and ready for my next marketing leadership role.

I won’t refute that the letter was a disappointment to receive, but I have moved on. I really have no other choice, right? I’m going to continue to do things that will position me for greatness. I’m going to find the right company that will embrace hiring a marketing person like me. Receiving this letter doesn’t slow me down. It has, in fact, inspired me to do more so that I can get to where I’m destined to be in my professional career.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Be Happy, by Janet


Losing your job is tough. Looking for work is humbling. It doesn’t help that the economy is soft, companies are slow at hiring and that every day you read about more people joining you on the unemployment line. Somehow, in all of this you have to survive. You can start the survival process by being happy (okay, being happy might be better said than done but it can be done.)

I had a disappointing “job hunting” day yesterday and I spent time feeling down (aka, sorry for myself). It’s okay to do that. I believe you have the right to get down but you have to get yourself back up again (and quickly). To help me get back up, I focused on five things. I thought I’d share, in case you needed help too.

1. Get Walking. Take 30 minutes to get outside. Whether it is to walk, run, swim laps, or ride your bike. Get doing something. The boost of energy and endorphins will help you feel better and reduce your stress.

2. Take Action. If you don’t like where you are at right now, take steps to bring change. You have to take action to make things happen and you can't wait around for someone else to make it happen. For those seeking employment, your actions should be to renew your social network sites, update your resume and re-post it on the various job postings and search engines. Attend local networking sessions. Attend online webinars to improve skills in areas you feel are lacking. Taking action will help you feel better about your current situation and will get you one step closer to finding your next job.

3. Spend time with family and friends. Being with others can help you through trying times and can help you feel better. When times are tough we tend to isolate ourselves (I know, I’ve done it). To be happy, now is the time to be surrounded by family and friends. Each week set time to meet someone for coffee, a walk, or a movie. Invite people over for dinner. A casual meal, filled with comfort foods and a setting where you can relax, talk, laugh, and even brainstorm about your situation can reduce your stress and get you back on track.

4. Volunteer. It is important to find meaning in a time when things may be difficult and you might be feeling meaningless. There are hundreds of non-profit organizations in your community that are going through hard times too (like you) because people cannot give as us much as they used to. Your time and energy donated to a local group will be a blessing to enhance their strapped resources. There are hundreds of ways to help: coordinate a food, clothing, or school supply drive, give of your time at local animal shelters, give blood, or mentor a young child are a few random ideas. Just call a local non-profit that you believe in and asked them what they need (simple as that). Taking time each week to give back will be great for the community and really great for you.

5. Have fun. When you’re not happy it is easy to skip having fun. Find an enjoyable activity and do it. Go to the park, eat a picnic lunch, attend a free concert in the park, walk a farmer’s market, read a book, or enjoy a sunset (pick a combination or all the above).

Life is too short to not be happy.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Dawn of the Working, by Janet

Yesterday I had a meeting at 8:00 am. It was odd to be up, dressed, and driving in my car with "the working". It’s not that I’m not up and dressed by 8:00 am each morning (even though I’m unemployed I still like to get up early and pretend I have a job to go to) but it’s the driving part that had me mystified today. I forgot what morning rush hour traffic is like in Denver. I don’t miss it.

I looked at all the other drivers and couldn’t get over their expressions (or lack thereof). No, I didn’t expect gleeful smiles, waves, or drivers swaying happily to music in their front seat, but I didn’t expect to see nothing but sour faces, expressionless stares, and everyone looking so unhappy. I thought, for a moment, I was in a made-for-television-movie with zombies taking over Interstate 25. It made me laugh. I thought they should be showing more emotions than this. They are, for all that is pure, the "working". They are not one of the 14.3 million people having to figure out how to find a job in this lackluster economy. I wanted to roll down my window and shout out “Be happy, you’re off to work! You have a job! You can put food on your table! You have health insurance (okay, so maybe its costing you way too much each month...but you have it)! You have other people to talk to besides a cat!” (no offense Snuggles) But I didn’t.

I know working isn’t fun. I know, right now, there are many employees counting down the number of hours until the weekend starts so they can be out doing something else. One of my old bosses used to say “that’s why they call it work and not Hawaii.” She said it a lot (which was completely annoying) but I have to admit it was a perfect saying for yesterday's drive.

Maybe work should be more like Hawaii.

If you are reading this and you are working. Get it together. Get in there and work. Get things done. Focus on helping your company grow so that they’ll start hiring. Do your work with energy, humor, dedication and pass it on to someone else in the office.

"Four Months, No Sign of Work", by Janet

I was laid off from my job 4 months ago today. I can’t believe that it has been that long (honestly, it just seems like yesterday I was packing my belongings, signing final paperwork, and hugging fellow co-workers goodbye).

I remember my first full day of unemployment. I was at our church attending a meeting with other people who had lost their job (not as depressing as it sounds). I thought for sure I’d only be in this situation for a few weeks (tops). I remember hearing the leader of our group say “for every $10,000 you want to earn, you can expect to be unemployed for one month.” Really, so if I want to make $60,000 it will take me six months to find work? And, if I want to make more I can expect longer. I thought he was crazy. I willed myself to believe that my talents would be seen quickly in the business community and I’d be snatched up faster than you can post your resume on Monster.com. I'd crush his theory.

Well, I'm wrong and he's right. I’m now looking intently at four months and I continue to search for work. But all is not lost. While I’m searching I’m also doing a few things that I have always wanted to do (and secretly I’m enjoying myself). Please don’t get me wrong, I have the worries that come with unemployment (paying bills, saving for college for my two girls, and making ends meet), but now is my time to stretch my entrepreneur wings and take flight on new things that I’m truly passionate about and do so while time (unfortunately) is on my side.

So even though this anniversary comes quickly, I will celebrate the time and work towards finding the right company that would be thrilled to have my passion for marketing, new media, social networking, sales, and brand that will help them drive their business.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Take Charge | Pick Up the Phone, by Janet

I realized yesterday that in my blog, “I’ve discovered a black hole in the universe”, I might have sounded a bit “snotty”. In one part I wrote: “If physic departments around the world want to know where I found the many black holes, they exist where ever you have to click “submit” on a search engine or company website to send your resume. Once I’ve done my part, I have no idea where my resume goes after that.”

It was a bit selfish on my part. I realize I have to do more than just submit a resume. I have to dig deeper. I have to find the contact person and find a way to follow up. Yes, that means more work for those of us seeking employment. You have to pick up the phone. You have to “cold call”, in its purest form, the person in the hiring position and let them know you have submitted your resume (even if it means simply leaving a message). No, I'm not recommending that you hound them every day by calling and emailing, and no, don’t call if the job posting specifically says no phone calls. But you have to find a way to break through the comfort zone of simply submitting a resume on line, and a phone call is one way. You have to make human contact.

Finding a job takes diligence. It will not be found by submitting a resume and waiting around. You have to take charge. It’s my new mantra.

Monday, July 20, 2009

I’ve uncovered a Black Hole in our Universe, by Janet

Wikipedia notes a black hole as follows: “In general relativity, a black hole is a region of space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that nothing, including light, can escape its pull. The black hole has a one-way surface, called an event horizon, into which objects call fall, but out which nothing can come.”

I discovered one (actually hundreds, but I don’t want to brag) over the last few months. It’s called the “apply now” button when submitting a resume for a potential job. Since I was laid off from my job on March 27, 2009 I have been actively seeking employment. I’ve been sending my resume to companies whose job requirements match my talents and years of marketing and sales experience. I am only sending my resume to those companies where my skill sets match and I’m not randomly sending out my resume to fill a quota that is required to collect unemployment. I’m not going to waste mine or the company’s time.

If physic departments from around the world want to know where I found the many black holes, they exist where (and when) you have to click “submit” on a search engine or company website to send your resume. Once I’ve done my part, I have no idea where my resume goes after that. My speculation is that this one-way gravitation field is found within most company’s HR department (or hiring manager) universe.

I know companies are busy. Most are working with skeleton crews in efforts to survive in these tough economic times. I can appreciate the time, efforts, and resources it takes to communicate back to the hundreds of people submitting a resume for one job, but that is what technology is for. To date, I’ve only heard back (and I’m talking automated emails only – I certainly don't mean a phone call or a generic letter via snail mail) from less than 2% of the companies where I have submitted my resume (I’m keeping track). That’s a shame. With today’s technology a company can easily filter information and responses back to the potential employee through the world of automation. Even if it is a “thanks but no thanks”, at least there is closure. We move on and then we crawl back into our own "black hole".

I’m taking my “black hole” theory with me when I get back into the workforce (that is if anyone will respond to my resume). It’s been an alarming wake up call for me to be on this side of the hiring process. I am determined to be a better person (manager) when I’m on the other side of hiring and I will provide proper tools of communications in effort to give timely feedback to all candidates. This way they know their resume was received and what’s going on with the employment opportunity. Whether the feedback is good or bad, just hearing back gives those of us seeking work, a sense existence in the universe called unemployment.