EditorialsBy Matt Bud, Chairman, The FENG

One of the foundations upon which The FENG has been built has been relying upon our members to exercise good judgment about the jobs for which they are a fit and only responding when they are. I could no more police this activity when we were smaller than I can now that we are huge.

In the world of geese and golden eggs, it is important to us as an organization that the outside world views posting in our newsletter as a civilized experience. While we are viewed as the best resource for financial jobs by those who have tried us, we can always do better. My simple theory is that if we make the effort to be honest with ourselves whether or not “we would hire ourselves” for the job in question, by and large we will succeed in getting recruiters with search firms and with corporations to post with us again. People only know what they know. Repeat business is a good thing. As you know, a reputation that has taken over two decades to build can be tarnished or even destroyed in short order.

By and large, law and order in The FENG seems to reign supreme. I thank all of you for that each and every day. It is truly amazing.

While our good behavior is clearly a win for those using our service, it is obviously a temptation to take a shot at a job in your local area, whether you are a fit or not. The long term goal of getting more job postings for The FENG is without doubt offset by the possibility of your “starving to death” in the short term if you don’t find some work. I understand this, but would suggest to you that the world is a small place. Just as birds of a feather flock together, the actual number of recruiters and companies for whom your background represents a fit is a small number. I am always willing to give our members the benefit of the doubt about whether or not their background is a fit, but I would suggest to you that it is not in your best interests to “buy a lottery ticket.”

There are those members who respond to everything. In our consulting practice, I see them all the time. It is hard not to dismiss their candidacy out of hand, try as I might to give everyone a break. I’m sure I am not the only one who is “blessed” with these particular individuals and their “bomb them into submission” approach to job leads. These same people often show further discourtesy by not even taking the time to write a cover letter. Why they think this will cause them to become a winner, I don’t know.

My only thought is that it must give these individuals a source of satisfaction that they have sent out 50 resumes on a particular day. I would just suggest to them that this approach is not only a waste of time for those receiving their missives, it is also a waste of time for them.

If you “click and shoot” don’t be surprised if you are actually shooting yourself in the foot. And, shooting yourself in the foot can make it hard to walk, let alone run a proper job search.

Regards, Matt

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