by O'Farrell | Jul 17, 2013 | I Got a Job!
Frank Vitiello
Want to cut your job search time in half? Read this message that I received this afternoon. Read it carefully to see the learning points about using LinkedIn, networking, looking for a job in the summer, coming to JobSeekers, and using a professional résumé writer. These five things, combined with faith and hard work, cut Frank’s job search time in half – down to less than four months.Awesome news; congratulations Frank!
– Dave O’Farrell
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Dear Dave,
Yesterday I accepted a position as Project Manager at Grenzebach Corporation in Newnan. I start next Monday. It all started when I asked you for an introduction to Michael Smallwood on LinkedIn in June. Through further networking, a phone interview, and three face-to-face interviews (in which all of the tools learned from you – résumé, networking, interview skills – were employed), I received an offer. I feel truly blessed that I will be working close to home again.
Your advice about working through the summer was also correct. For over a month, not a week went by without a phone and/or face to face interview.
None of this would have been possible without my prior (and recent) association with you and JobSeekers. I know this was a big reason that my job search took less than half the time of my previous search. God bless you and all of the Ship’s Crew for the education and inspiration given each week.
Best regards,
– Frank Vitiello
by O'Farrell | Jun 26, 2013 | Featured, I Got a Job!
David Byers
Wow, what a week! Highs and lows. Quick job search for two proactive job seekers – less than 60 days each.
Also spoke to several people this week who are completely dead in the water; people who’ve been doing everything thing wrong for months and didn’t even know it. One person in particular is very competent at what he does, and totally incompetent as a job seeker. He wasn’t even aware of this and it has cost him more than a year’s worth of income. If he follows my advice and uses the résumé and LinkedIn profile we created during our meeting on Monday, he will get his mojo back and will be interviewing again very soon.
Just traded emails with someone who’s invested a lot of time and a little bit of money to no avail; he’s languishing in his search. Another person told me he’s applying to 300+ jobs per week; I replied that he’s doing one every eight minutes if we assume a 40-hour week. Another person found a friend who’d do her résumé for free. Earlier today I worked with a client whose résumé wasn’t done for free; the fee was paid by her former employer. I would have never known – it was created by a firm who gets mentioned in the Wall Street Journal frequently.
Free or fee-based, there are a lot of “career coaches” out there who simply don’t know what they are doing and it’s the job seekers who are paying the terrible price for this shoddy work and bad advice. It breaks my heart to see people deep into their job search and drowning in debt when they could have taken some simple steps right after they were laid off to to shorten their search, earn more money, and get better results.
On the other hand, I worked with a client on Monday who had one recruiter after another inviting him to connect with him on LinkedIn – seven that I know about, and one interviewed him before the sun set that day. When I got to work on Tuesday, one of the first emails I read was from a client who just landed a great job at The Home Depot; she starts next Monday. She got the offer 54 days after we worked together as coach and client. Kim is my second client this year to land a job at THD – a company that receives over a million résumés per month at their headquarters.
I just hung up the phone with a client who accepted a job today. I kicked his butt during a meeting on 25 April. This led to strategy session for an upcoming interview on 22 May – they are doing background checks on that job right now. The offer today was with another company. Two offers within two weeks, and by the way, he’s been out of the traditional workforce for almost two years. With good training and God’s grace, that didn’t matter.
Friends, watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. Watch out for your own passiveness. Watch out people who have good intentions and no training or experience in job search coaching. Be alert, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for job seekers to devour – see 1 Peter 5:8. Don’t let him get you. We believe in a God that no matter how desperate the situation, there is a way out. There are brighter days ahead. Oftentimes, God is waiting on us to take that decisive first step.
Do something bold today. Step out in faith.
Here’s another letter from Tuesday. Another client who was proactive. Another client who landed a job in less than 60 days.
Very proud of Kim, Woody and Dave; congratulations to all three!
– Dave O’Farrell
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Quick Job Search
Bob and Dave,
I’m going to be concluding my consulting assignment in Chicago on Wednesday, I’m sorry I’m not going to be available for “Transitioning to Your New Job” on June 26 and once again I’m going to miss JobSeekers this Friday because I’ll be flying back from Chicago. I’m sorry I’ve missed so much, I was interviewing the past two Fridays and traveling from my consulting assignment the previous Friday.
I have accepted the position of VP R&D at Acuity Lighting in Conyers beginning July 8. My search was from May 4 until today, June 25 (53 days) and during that time I’ve had a consulting contract for four weeks. Most important in my search was being led by the Lord, preparing my résumé and LinkedIn profile (thanks Dave O’Farrell), using LinkedIn for research, and following the leadership of my executive coach. Other keys were: careful preparation of exit statements, compilation of RATS stories within the behavioral interview matrix, and several years of study of Lean product development and manufacturing.
I only interviewed for two positions, both VP level at lighting companies. One company turned me down but allowed me a practice interview and Acuity gave me an offer one day after my interview.
One thing is clear: the success of this job search was a “God thing.”
– Dave Byers
by O'Farrell | May 8, 2013 | Featured, I Got a Job!
Michael Osburn
This awesome news came in a few weeks ago and I’m just now getting a chance to publish it. Networking and branding were keys to landing the job. Michael wrote to me recently and said, “The job is going great. I am very happy with my decision. Every day I am thankful and blessed; I feel like I am in the right place.”
Michael, I a very proud of you!
– Dave
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Hi Dave,
Great news! I’ve accepted the “Project Management” position with Foley Products. We had a three-hour interview session yesterday and they extended me a verbal offer. I called Bob yesterday afternoon and negotiated the final offer and that was enough to make the deal. I finished the background check and drug screen this morning. I start work on Monday @ 8:00 AM!!!
I am very pleased with this round of job searching and I would like to thank you for all the support and encouragement – not to mention the skills that you have taught me. I do know that I will never take for granted the power of networking and the importance of constant campaign strategy and brand development. I will be better prepared if there comes a time for change again.
All of this has culminated through my faith in God and has truly restored my soul and revealed to me the true power of prayer. I will share my knowledge and my testament with whomever will listen to honor God, yourself, and all those that tried to lend a hand.
Thank you for believing in me,
Michael Osburn
by O'Farrell | Apr 24, 2013 | Featured, I Got a Job!
Praise the Lord, people are landing good jobs. Here’s a story from one of the 15 people I mentioned in a post last week. I hope you will read this and be encouraged. Friends, there is always hope, no matter how poorly things are going at the moment. And Nancy, I am very proud of you! – Dave
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Good morning Dave,
It’s confirmed, as of an hour ago, I am newly employed!!! I accepted an offer with SYNNEX as their Senior HR Business Partner. I start April 29th.
I cannot thank you enough for all of your support. The job search tools and the thought process that you taught me in searching for employment have been invaluable. I will now continue to use them in my recruitment process internally within organizations. Your continued follow-up calls, emails, encouragement – and at times a good kick in the butt or pep talk – really kept me focused and positive, when falling into a depressed and unproductive state could have been so easy.
I have a new understanding and a great appreciation for outplacement assistance. I will now encourage companies that I work for to offer it more often, and direct people that I know searching for employment to seek out a reputable source.
Thank you is such a small token of my gratitude but it is enormously heart felt!
Sincerely,
Nancy Towsley
by O'Farrell | Apr 18, 2013 | Featured, I Got a Job!
James Statzer
Wow, what an awesome two weeks. Seven O’Farrell clients land jobs last week and eight so far this week. Congratulations to Mike, Russ, Lecia, Nancy, Donald, Tim, Randy, Kyle, Kesha, Barbara, Shelly, Jackie, John, Debra and James. Praise God that I get to do what I do and to see God’s hand at work in the lives and careers of so many people.
Here’s a story from a client of mine from 2010 who has been managing his career pretty well since then. James just landed a great job where his first assignment is in Baton Rouge. Turns out I’ve been working with a delightful client in Baton Rouge just this past week. Small world.
James I look forward to seeing you at JobSeekers very soon, but this time as a member of the Ship’s Crew. Blessings on you and your family!
– Dave
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Dave,
Perhaps a little different than how you often hear that phrase; but, you did ask for feedback after our phone conversation a few weeks ago and I wanted to let you know that things worked out very well… again! I am now Senior Consultant for Cymetrix Corporation on location at a client site in Baton Rouge, just about three weeks since our last discussion. Since we first worked together in 2010, I have worked my way to effectively doubling my salary from the job that I left that year!
Even during the first few days in this position, I can say I love this company, my new team of colleagues, and the work assigned to me. It is not a stretch to say that this is what God has been working on all this time in order to place me (and my family) in His will and design for my career.
Thank you, Dave, for your role in this journey that He has me traveling on. The training, advice, and encouragement you offered me in this process – in 2010 and a few weeks ago – is priceless!
One other benefit in this position is that I expect to be traveling Monday through Thursday for projects with Friday’s free to give back some of my time and experience as a member of the Ship’s Crew at JobSeekers of PTC. If I have enough energy left after this first week, I will try to drop in this Friday morning; but, I wanted to go ahead and let you know now of this result.
God’s blessings to you and all in your ministry!
James Statzer
by O'Farrell | Apr 17, 2013 | Featured, O'Farrell's Blog
Since I published the good news about seven O’Farrell clients landing jobs four days ago, three more have shared their “I got a job” news with me. The one that came in this morning is from a client who has doubled his salary since we originally worked as coach and client three years ago. We had a coaching session a few weeks ago and he started a new job this week. That’s why I named my company O’Farrell Career Management. It’s not just the one job search, it’s career management. Congratulations to Kyle, Kesha and James!
by O'Farrell | Apr 13, 2013 | Featured, O'Farrell's Blog
Great week this week for O’Farrell CM clients. Mike and Russ have accepted offers. Lecia starts a three-month contract on Monday. Nancy has an offer in hand and may have another coming. Donald, Tim and Randy have already started new jobs (just found out this week). David and Wanda are both getting close. Great to work with all of you as coach and client. Congrats to all nine of you for making it happen! – Dave
by O'Farrell | Apr 1, 2013 | Featured, O'Farrell's Blog
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Craig Kimbrel
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Fredi Gonzalez
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Roger McDowell
Well, this is embarrassing. Seems I failed my job interview with the Atlanta Braves. Thought it was some kind of April Fool’s joke.
I met with the Braves on Friday afternoon. They were back in Atlanta for a couple of days of practice between spring training and opening night. Networking was the key to setting up the meeting. General Manager Frank Wren lives here in Peachtree City, and it turns out that we have a mutual friend.
Anyway, I met with manager Fredi Gonzalez and pitching coach Roger McDowell at Turner Field. We didn’t talk long; I wanted to tell them about all the blogs I’d read and webinars I’d watched about pitching. They just wanted to see me pitch. We left Gonzalez’ office and headed out to the bullpen.
Bullpen coach Eddie Perez had his catching gear on and set up behind the plate. An assistant held up a radar gun. I threw my first pitch. They said it was 61 miles an hour. I said there must be something wrong with the gun; I was expecting to throw in the low 90’s. I tried harder next time. That one was 58 miles an hour. The guy with the gun pointed it at a pitching prospect who was on the mound next to me. He threw a pitch at 93 miles an hour. Guess the radar gun wasn’t malfunctioning after all.
All these thoughts were racing through my head. “What am I doing wrong?” I went over all the things I’d read about or watched on how to get the most leverage, torque, and arm whip to maximize speed. I tried even harder on the third pitch; 57. Seems the harder I tried, the slower I threw. I think I saw closer Craig Kimbrel snickering a little bit.
Finally I told them that I’m not really a power pitcher; I’m more like Greg Maddux. I’m going to strike batters out with my craftiness – movement, location, and change of speed. The assistant put down the gun, picked up a bat and stood in the right-handed batter’s box. Gonzalez said, “Okay, the count is 0-2; throw a slider down and away just outside the strike zone.” I came set, went into my wind up, and hurled my slider to the plate. It was up and in. Ball one. More snickers.
Again I reviewed all I’d read about how to maximize control. I’d even gotten a refresher this past week from Doug Brantley, owner of Five Star Baseball & Softball here in Peachtree City. He told me not to forget the three imperatives of great location: put your front foot down in the exact same spot on every pitch, keep your chin over your front knee, and use the exact same arm slot and release point on every pitch.
“Okay, 1-2, you can still get the hitter out; another slider down and away.” My second pitch was halfway between my target and the location of my first pitch. In other words it was belt high right down the middle. Kimbrel whistled like a bomb was falling and then made the sound of an explosion. I’d crashed and burned. Gonzalez and McDowell said they’d seen enough and told me I should consider another career.
Several of you pointed out after my post last week that I’d never stepped onto a field or picked up a ball in my quest to be the Braves starting pitcher. I scoffed at you guys because you wanted me to practice. I thought if I could just get an interview, I would do great when it really counted. I hate to admit it, but practice really is key if you want to win a job in the Major Leagues. Maybe I should have paid for a few lessons with Brantley.
Come to think of it, practice is the key if you want to win a job in a normal company or organization too. I know that many of you are reading blogs, watching webinars and participating in free seminars. Maybe that’s not enough. In fact, maybe these things are giving you a false sense of security – just like I had with the Braves.
Today I’ll be watching Braves opener on TV just like the rest of you; and thinking of what might have been.
What are you doing to prepare yourself for your tryout?
Copyright © 2013 / Dave O’Farrell / All Rights Reserved
by O'Farrell | Mar 25, 2013 | Featured, O'Farrell's Blog
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Watch me on opening day
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Coaching my son in 2005
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Austin, the ace of my staff
I have wonderful news. I’m going to be the opening day pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. I can see the headline now, “O’Farrell is Opening Day Starter for Atlanta Braves” on ESPN’s “bottom line” ticker.
Yes, I will be at the top of the Brave’s rotation. I’ll be the ‘ace’ on the Braves staff. I will face the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field next Monday 1 April 2013. I’ll bet you think I’m crazy, but I am way beyond confident that I will perform well when the pressure is on. You can go ahead and put the Braves down for a win on opening day.
BTW, you may have seen or read that Tim Hudson is the opening day starter. That’s just because Fredi Gonzalez and Roger McDowell haven’t seen me pitch yet.
No, I’m not crazy. Here’s why:
- I’ve been a baseball fan all my life. My grandparents took me to games to see players like Hank Aaron, Joe Torre, Felipe Alou, Eddie Mathews and Phil Niekro when I was a kid.
- I watch as many baseball games as I can on TV. Many times the analyst is a Hall of Frame pitcher like John Smoltz, Orel Hersheiser, or Don Sutton.
- I paid close attention when my son received pitching instruction several years ago. Our favorite coach, Estaban Maldanado, played in the Houston Astros’ farm system.
- A friend gave me a video produced by the National Pitching Association; it’s hosted by Doctor Tom House. He’s coached Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson and Mark Prior, to name a few.
- I have the history of baseball from PBS on video: “Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns.” I’ve watched all 14 two-hour episodes.
- I’m a member of several baseball communities on LinkedIn. I read the discussions and ‘like’ or ‘comment’ on a few each week.
- I follow a lot of teams and players on Facebook.
- I read blogs about pitching all the time.
- I went to a free two-hour class on pitching.
- I have a collection of 722 baseball cards with 68 autographs, including many pitchers.
- I’ve read several books about the mechanics and strategy of pitching.
- I have authentic Braves’ jerseys (in all five colors) with my name and number on the back.
- I’ve read Greg Maddox’ biography. When he was 15 a coach taught him how to throw balls (not strikes) to get the hitter out.
You may be wondering why I’ve been at JobSeekers each Friday instead of being with my teammates in Orlando for spring training. They’re just practicing down there. It’s not the real thing. Why would I waste my time practicing when I can be in Peachtree City helping you guys get jobs?
Even better, I won’t miss many JS meetings because when the Braves see how good I am, they will allow me to continue my job at O’Farrell Career Management and my volunteer work with JobSeekers. I’ll simply fly in and out of town on game day. Since pitchers only have 16 starts per year on the road, the time lost in Peachtree City will be minimal.
Of course, we will be the playoffs…
One of my clients read a draft of this article and pointed out that I haven’t thrown a single pitch in the off season – much less a pitch in a real game. He thought I should practice. Practice? And waste my time and money on training? I’ve got better things to do. When the Braves find out how many blogs I’ve read about pitching, I’m sure they will hire me.
You probably want to write and wish me good luck, but that’s really not necessary. Luck isn’t necessary. I am prepared, and preparation beats luck every time.
– Dave O’Farrell, #13, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Copyright © 2013 / Dave O’Farrell / All Rights Reserved
by O'Farrell | Mar 6, 2013 | I Got a Job!
You can do it; O’Farrell can help!
Want to know how to make your own luck? Make good decisions. Here’s a story of a good investment. A new resume helped this client land his #1 job at his #1 target company.
Brandon had been looking for a job for almost six months when he finally asked for professional help with his resume. He landed a job less than six weeks later. In fact it was 40 days later.
How cool is that?
Congratulations, I’m very proud of you!
– Dave O’Farrell
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Dave, I accepted a job with Home Depot this morning. It is the position I wanted with the company I wanted – how sweet is that?
Thank you again for all of your help with the résumé – I went from one or two calls every couple weeks to a call just about every day.
You open doors!
– Brandon Downs
