CareerNudge Users Group Blog

2005-09-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, things have taken longer than expected, but exciting things are definitely on the way at www.CareerNudge.com.

Frankly, we are still a few weeks away from actively encouraging users to visit this beta site, primarily because there are a few functionality issues being worked out with our Tracker system and the updated Help text is still being finalized.

But, rest assured that we are working away and these items will be taken care of - likely a bit later than we'd like (no sense denying that our 'bug and fix' history consistently points to the fact that it always takes longer than anticipated) but it will get done.

Thanks to everyone for your patience!!

2005-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

Exciting stuff is coming your way! I've been looking at what the development version of what the next www.careernudge.com release will look like and all I can say is that it is......completely different.

The best way to describe the difference between what our users are currently experiencing and what is coming up very soon is similar to the difference between a radio shack walkie talkie and a satellite phone!

So, what does 'coming up very soon' mean? Having been burned on every single one of my past predictions/forecasts, I will only say that I'll be disappointed if the new release is not out by the end of February.

I'll be even more disappointed if people don't see it as a quantum leap forward in design, functionality and value!!!

Stay tuned.

2004-12-18T14:27:00.000-08:00

Almost Christmas time! Well, Santa decided that he couldn't see his way clear to giving us the elve we had asked for, so no new www.careernudge.com release before the end of the year. Don't blame us, blame Santa! Self-delusion is our gift to ourselves!! The holidays are upon us, so we hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I'll be checking back in after the holidays with another update. Cheers!

2004-11-19T22:22:00.000-08:00

The scope of our site development work continues to grow, making it increasingly unlikely that a new version will be released before the end of the year. While it would have been possible to release a modest version and then continue on with the work, the nature of the new features are such that there is no easy way to structure them in that fashion. Given that a release creates a certain amount of its own work, there is no compelling reason to do that work twice - at least at this point. Thanks to everyone for there patience!

2004-10-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Work continues, though it is a certainty that the US will have the Presidential campaign resolved before it is done. At the present time we are aiming at a release by the end of the year. Hopefully that will be the case. I can say that the development version of the site is slowly taking shape so it is getting there....maybe Santa could loan us a few elves :).

2004-09-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest report on the updates to CareerNudge: work continues, albeit slowly. While I continue to be confident that the wait will be worth it, I regret that things are taking as long as they are. Again, continue to check back for new and thanks for your patience.

2004-08-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay, I realize that the prior post may have created some expectations that the site would be changing soon - and obviously it hasn't. Sorry about that, didn't mean to promise more than could be delivered.

Here is the situation: we are working on a number of new features that will (in our humble opinion of course!) really increase the value of the site to everyone that uses it. However, as the old axiom goes, everything takes longer than you think.

Continue to check out this blog as I'm going to be putting up regular posts on where we are with the progress. Frankly, those posts are likely to be monthly in nature simply due to the nature of the work that we are doing. Again, sorry about that but its the most realistic prediction I can make at this time.

2004-07-06T05:52:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to those people that have used the CareerNudge software (www.careernudge.com) . After putting the lastest version through a reasonably thorough number of user tests we are back to the drawing board in a number of areas. While the truth can hurt (!), at least we are working with reality and not just wishful thinking.

2004-05-21T04:32:00.000-07:00

Ok people, I'm back from vacation and what better way to celebrate my return to blogging than to give a gift to my readers? And what better gift than supreme wisdom that will illuminate the darkened pathways we all trod toward our vague and formless goals? I'm speaking, of course, of Jon Stewart's William and Mary commencement address. It is great - read and you'll find yourself saying, "why didn't my parents and mentors let me in on this years ago"!

2004-05-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I'm back from my vacation hiatus - thrilled to see all the new features that Blogger picked up in my absence and ready to work through the beta phase of the careernudge job search shareware tools! Last, but not least, lots of hard work toward making this Blog as interesting as possible.

2004-05-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, the news says that first time jobless claims dropped further than expected. I'm not complaining and I'm not looking for the negative here. There's been enough negatives lately without looking for them. I'd like to hear more first hand experiences supporting these numbers before I get all excited. That's when it will start to dawn on companies that their years of leverage are slipping away and the equation will become more balanced. Any good first hand stories out there?

2004-05-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Good article on the the BuzzMachine on the likelihood of a distributed marketplace emerging from current technologies. As blog author Jeff Jarvis states, "But there's something bigger (and for some of us in some businesses, scarier) bubbling up here: The distributed marketplace." Take some time to read through the post, I'm thinking that this is a glimpse of the future - not a tightly defined glimpse, but a significant glimpse nonetheless.

2004-05-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

Wonder what kind of person Google is looking to hire? Chuch of the Customer has the scoop. Check out the March 29th post.

2004-05-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

There is a free lunch!! A central purpose of this Blog is to foster feedback on CareerNudge contact management shareware during our beta period and have users drive and shape its development. Check out the CareerNudge site to see what we are developing for job board and job search tools. Anyone who contributes feedback to this Blog (see the Join! Link) during the beta period will be rewarded with freeware rights to the application. Our way of saying “thanks” for your help!

2004-05-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

You're Fired! Is there anyone out there in the country that believes that this guy would be worth working for? As someone said, the only thing memorable that Trump has done has been to have himself taken seriously while sporting the world's worst comb-over. As this article points out, Trump is about to be fired by his banks. And when the banks fire you, you aren't just fired - you're toast. But how does that comb-over work, anyway??

2004-05-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

Superb, well written article in Ripples on how what appeared to be an attractive employment opportunity turned out to be a minefield of corporate politics. It reminded me of another article on parisitic diseases in which the point was made that inefficient parisites crippled or killed their hosts whereas efficient parisites co-habitated with their hosts. In this instance - and in many others, corporate politics was an inefficient parisite that eventually killed the host company.

2004-05-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

Ran across an blog with interesting posts that dealt with the question of design and fonts within that design. There is a link to a great site on that same subject and you gotta love the blog just for its name Working for Peanuts - an outlet to maintain the sanity of the unemployed.

2004-05-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

Getting back to basics for a second, check out this article and link by Jason Butler on the importance of cover letters. I mean, good cover letters. The point is that many of us are so focused on our resumes that we fail to remember that the cover letter has already influenced how the reader is viewing us - before they even get to the resume. While you're on the BostonWorks site, spend some time on the other articles, there is encouraging news for a change.

2004-05-04T06:38:00.001-07:00

One of favorite spots for taking a mental holiday has been the accordion blog by the tucows developer group. While they've been wonderful for always having a skewed view of the world, I have to admit that I was taken aback by their latest foray into a parallel universe. Or, at least, I consider posting a webcam of an annual review, puncuated by Blofeld - Jaws dialogue to be something of a parallel universe construct. I suppose, to be completely open-minded about the entire matter, there is the possibility that I'm the victim of a sheltered life. I'll have to ponder that for a while........

2004-05-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting blog from Iraq, with a perspective that is - obviously - a bit different from what we see in the mainstream western press. The reason I find it interesting is that it is hard to catagorize: it doesn't always go where you think it will and really hits hard where you can imagine that it would - mistreatment of prisoners. There are other blogs that are linked. I haven't had time to check them all out. Let me know what can be found there.

2004-05-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

This has got to be one of the top entries for "key fact that establishes the end of the world as we know it". What is that entry, you ask? According to this VH1 link, Bob Dylan is rumored to be one of the upcoming celebrity judges on American Idol. Say it ain't so, Bob. Or, at the very least, say it ain't me, babe. Forget global warming, this is the real deal when it comes to ending life on earth.

2004-05-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a really well written post on a true-to-life job interview. For some reason I was taken with it and I'm not completely sure why. Perhaps because the way that the interview went out off kilter was so strange yet close to similar experiences. It was a good reminder of how processes can either start to stumble and then careen out of control or, just as unpredictably, pull together and flow smoother than you have a right to expect. The mental image of the HR person yelling from the picnic table strikes me as a scene out of a Cohen Bros. movie.

2004-05-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Has anyone other than me wondered how all of those 'talking heads' that we see on cable and read on the op-ed pages really get their work done? I mean, these people aren't putting together relatively invisible powerpoint slides that will only suck the air out of conference rooms filled with self-important middle mgmt types. No, these pundits are writing words that will be pondered over, discussed and commented on. How in heaven's name can they spend the time needed to construct intellectual structures that can withstand this scutiny? Well, my naivete has been shattered by the revelation of how Tom Friedman whips out his NY Times op-ed pieces on the fly. No doubt the others of his ilk do the same. Another brewing scandal slouching toward exposure.

2004-05-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

2004-05-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Help!!! No one can comment on my Blog!!!!! I have tried repeatedly to make the backBlog script work for my comments and I have reached my frustration point. PLEASE - if you know of any reliable source for comment scripts - email me because the darn comments won't work for you.

2004-05-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Found some good articles on interviewing, career planning tools that deserve a look. Check them out and see what you think. But here is a really good blog about what having, losing, searching for and landing a job is all about. Definitely check this one out!!

On the other hand, don't even think of missing this blog from Microsoft recruiters! Yep, our good friends in Redmond are MS recruiters by day and fabulous bloggers by night. Catch this blog and walk through their very good answers to some extremely relevant questions. Plus, good link after good link.

2004-04-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

2004-04-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

2004-04-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who look forward to job interview, just skip this link and keep going through the Blog. For those of us who completely spase out at the thought of 'selling' ourselves to a stranger, this article on keeping the job interview jitters under control will be worthwhile reading.

2004-04-29T02:52:00.000-07:00

On the humorous side of things, there is the Keeper of Lists who has a list of 90+ statements you do not want to make in your next job interview. With 90 of anything, some of the comments are lame, but some are funny. My favorite is "I was working with my mom until she moved." - and I'll let Freud figure out why that is at the top of my list.

2004-04-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

There comes time when you've just talked too much about job searches, career networking, contact management and various 'serious-minded' themes. When that time comes, there is truly no alternative but to hold your nose and jump into the ice-cold basic absurdity of life. Take the plunge now and check out Japanese vending machines - and ask yourself if pictures of our vending machines would seem as strange to them!

2004-04-29T01:44:00.000-07:00

2004-04-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

Starting to hear about the "Oil for Food" scandal at the UN? Hard to say what's going on (or has been going on) at the moment, but few would argue the obvious fact that large sums of money in an environment bereft of accountability creates the conditions for serious corruption. If you want to keep tabs on the situation, this group is doing the heavy lifting for you.

2004-04-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe your're looking for a job and maybe your not. Maybe you think that your job is bulletproof and maybe your thinking that things - just possibly - are beginning to circle the drain where you work. Trust me, whether you're good for a gold watch or just days away from filling that cardboard box, it wouldn't hurt to work on that attitude of yours. Yes, I mean you. It's time to adjust the way that you perceive the world and the way the world perceives you. And this link will give you a good idea of what I'm talking about...and it has nothing to do with who's trying to eat your lunch. Enjoy - and learn.

2004-04-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

Want to get a perspective from another part of the world and see one of my favorite new Blogs? Check out the Religious Policeman and see how a Saudi views the world.

2004-04-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hey - you Pixie fans (and you know who you are!) check out these MP3s!

2004-04-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a very good series of posts relating to the full lifecycle of job hunting - from writing resumes to cover letters to interview questions. I cannot imagine anyone who would not benefit from reading through this material. Even if you don't agree with everything that is stated, the mental exercise of arguing against points made in this material will insure that what you believe to be true has been tested. Check it out.

Speaking of testing yourself against material, I found a spot on Amazon that is selling a book that purports to match your wits against the toughest interview questions. This isn't a recommendation because I don't currently own the book, but I'm thinking of picking up a used copy. Might not hurt to see what's out there and having some of these questions and answers could really come in handy. Has anyone gone through this book and have an opinion?

2004-04-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

Having just placed a posting about the fundmentals of looking for a new job, I thought that I would change the pace and provide a link that deals with the ever present possibility that sometimes we need to look at a certain level of non-response and ask ourselves "what the heck is going on?".

2004-04-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

While I know that most of us have been inundated with what to do when looking for new jobs, it never hurts to wallk through the standard checklist again - a form of getting back to fundamentals so to speak. This link on how to find a new job doesn't necessarily break new ground, but it does remind the reader of what needs to be done. Frankly, I find the exercise of going through lists like this helpful because there is a real temptation to get sidetracked into related, but less intimidating activities than ones like networking. Take a look, it can only help.

2004-04-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

There is a free lunch!! A central purpose of this Blog is to foster feedback on CareerNudge contact management shareware and have users drive and shape its development. Check out the CareerNudge site to see what we are developing for job board and job search tools. Anyone who contributes feedback to this Blog (see the Join! Link) during the beta period will be rewarded with lifetime freeware rights to the application. Our way of saying “thanks” for your help!

2004-04-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

OK, think you've had a bad day or are currently having a bad day? Well, I just ran across a memo that I'm nominating as the just about the worst memo you could ever receive. Heard about the HIV emergence that has brought the adult film industry to a halt? Here's the actual industry memo - seeing your name on this list would have to be the definitive bad day.

2004-04-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

What a drag! Had been working on my blog last night, only to discover this morning that the draft was no where to be found!! How incredibly annoying. Anyways, moving past my angst, there are several good posts out there that are worth your time in checking out. The first is a very good, no nonsense post on putting first things first when it comes to fighting out of unemployment. If you haven't been in that position it may seem somewhat reactionary. If you have been there, it will seem very much on target. The second post is equally good but from another perspective - recruitment. In this case, the post is from some very articulate people who recruit for Microsoft by day and blog by night. Excellent, excellent answers and advice on recruitment and recruiter behavior.

2004-04-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

2004-04-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

Another contribution to the advance of strange behavior. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy."

2004-04-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Ran across a good job blog that is worthwhile checking out (I am always on the lookout for good resources so keep checking back) - Ensight by Jeremey. This blog has good job search tips and links. I found that the Job Search Diary was definitely worth the time to check out. Enjoy!

2004-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

There is a free lunch!! A central purpose of this Blog is to foster feedback on CareerNudge contact management shareware and have users drive and shape its development. Check out the CareerNudge site. Anyone who contributes feedback to this Blog (see the Join! Link) during the beta period will be rewarded with lifetime freeware rights to the application. Our way of saying “thanks” for your help!

2004-04-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ran across two good articles about the job search process. One has to do with the familar refrain about networking - but has some decent advice on how to approach it. The other article deals with the question of deciding when you've hit a wall with your efforts. This second article is - in my opinion - far more useful than the old bromides about staying positive etc. (what a drag those are!)

My contribution to the advance of strange behavior: At work - put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.

2004-04-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

This is the first post for the CareerNudge Users Group Blog. More to come!