Sneakers – One Style Does Not Fit All

Posted by Geoff Zodda, Managing Director at Glenmont Group

Nike Lunar Safari, Ranson X Adidas Strata FTD, Nike Air Flight 89, Rebook Zigs, Lebron 9’s and of course the coveted Nike Air Jordan Collection. What do all of these sneakers have in common?  A sizeable amount of the population that wears sneakers will be sporting these when spring arrives. A big reason is the flashiness, style and aesthetics which have grown popular amongst the masses.

LeBron 9

Nike Lunar Safari

Same could be said for those cream of the crop IT candidates, who have the perfect industry certifications, longevity in their current position, large organization experience and exposure to the newest and greatest technologies. Their resume is exactly what the client is looking for and these candidates tend to receive the lion’s share of interviews with major law firms and software organizations.

Keds, Chuck Taylor Converse, New Balance. These are sneakers that most individuals won’t run out to their local shopping establishment to grab off the rack before they are sold out. They are overlooked, but are comfortable, work just as well as any other sneaker (depending upon the purpose) and are durable.+

Keds

New Balance

This parallels to candidates who may have flaws in their resume or skill sets. Whether it’s their tendency to jump from position to position, working at a smaller venue, or that they just don’t have the type of background that pops out to hiring authorities as “you need to interview me ASAP”.

In this day in age, there are exceptional contenders that we run into who are the latter type of candidate. They have some missing pieces in their resume, but could be a really good fit for any organization – big or small. Given the opportunity to interview and explain any flaws in their background, they can really impress. It is just a matter of the interviewing team not looking at the candidate as having a strike on their record. In a world with new Nike Lunar Safari’s and Lebron 9’s, and even more Keds and Chuck Taylor’s, those organizations that take a strong look at the imperfect individuals will be pleasantly surprised with the type of sneaker they end up wearing.

To Search Or Not To Search…

Posted by Susan Beck, Project Coordinator at Glenmont Group

I find myself taking at least a half-hour each day to read the stories through LinkedIn Today. Very often there are links to articles and blogs that I find extremely interesting. Either the little man in my computer knows me so well that he can just pull the stories from the internet that he knows will pique my interest, or it may just be due to the fact that I have custom-picked the industries in which I am interested.

There was a blog I read not too long ago by Daniel Gulati about reasons why people choose not to leave their current jobs for new endeavors. (http://bit.ly/zyOpVD) It was very informative, and I don’t disagree with Mr. Gulati’s points. I agree that many people truly feel the need to stay in miserable jobs for a multitude of reasons, more than just what is stated in his blog. However, I remember thinking, “In reality, those are just excuses!” and then I shook my head in a blasé manner and went back to work.

And then, today… I opened my Internet Explorer, logged onto LinkedIn and checked out my LinkedIn Today news stories. I came across a blog entitled “Why You Will Quit Your Job This Year” by Kathy Caprino. (http://onforb.es/AzqD4e) To my surprise, she cited Gulati’s blog and went on to say exactly what I thought those few weeks ago. She even went on to cite a few reasons you should leave your miserable job for a new undertaking.

However, there are more kick-starts to looking for new opportunities than your unhappiness. Why do people even let themselves get to “miserable”, or even “unhappy”, in their current roles? Changing jobs can happen even when you have a decent situation going on. If something better arises and you have the skills to take the plunge, why not entertain the idea or have a conversation with the hiring manager? Now, I’m not saying that changing jobs should not be something you do every year. That will only show your future employers that you have no interest in their company or the well-being of the organization. It may give off the impression that your eyes are always open for the next big dollar sign. Something like that can stand in your way. I’m just saying that you don’t need to be afraid. Don’t let yourself get to the point where your job can’t be done without ripping your hair out. It’s not good for you, your job, or your hair.

My mother once told me that I wouldn’t find the man of my dreams if I kept looking for him – that the good guys only appear when you’re not looking. (Truth be told, Prince Charming came when I had my blinders up…although you’ll never hear my tell my mother she was right.) So I pass on the good advice: Keep an open ear. Most times, the best positions pop up when you aren’t even looking for them.

What can we all learn from Victor Cruz (NY Giants) & Jeremy Lin (NY Knicks)

Posted by Michael Potters, CEO at Glenmont Group

Here is where Jeremy Lin has been sleeping

FIRST THE STORY BEHIND THE LESSON

OK let’s get the obvious out of the way – unless you are a diehard Giants or Knicks fan (like most of our office) you did not have a clue who Victor Cruz or Jeremy Lin were until recent press has put them in the headlines. You likely assumed they were guys that were buried deep in your IT department.

Two years ago, Cruz, a great speedster receiver that grew up in the old mill city of Paterson, NJ (think Detroit on a good day) , went to school at University of Massachusetts  which never sent a receiver to the NFL, went undrafted at the 2010 NFL Draft. He was a walk-on at 2010 Giants training camp and impressed a number of the Giants coaches and a few Giants fans that recognized the blazing speed, sure hands and great moves after the catch. The Giants ended up signing him to the team for the league minimum $490k

After a good preseason he started 3 games, caught nothing, pulled a hamstring and is out for the season. GAME OVER…………..wrong!

After starting the season as the FOURTH! Wide Receiver Cruz got a break when injuries to 2 Receivers moved him to the number 2 slot…That was the break he needed and he never looked back.

In his first full year as a receiver Cruz set the Giants record for receiving yards in a season at 1536 and was a contributing factor to making Eli Manning look so good in the 2012 Giants’ Superbowl win over the New England Patriots

Next we come to Jeremy Lin (BTW I hate pro basketball but am hooked on this Lin story)

Once again, in 2010 Lin goes undrafted in the NBA draft and why wouldn’t he? He came from an Ivy school (Harvard) not Duke or North Carolina. Eight teams invite him for tryouts; he was eventually signed by the Golden State Warriors. He played a few games, but mostly in mop up rolls and showed very little to the team. During the NBA lockout, in an attempt to free up some salary cap room and not have to pay Lin’s $800k salary, the Warriors cut Lin and put him on waivers. The Houston Rockets then signed him and played him for 7 whole minutes in 2 preseason games, when they made the brilliant call of giving up on him too. The Knicks then claimed him off waivers to sit on the bench and be a backup’s backup. He moved to NYC and ended up sleeping on his brother’s couch in his Manhattan since he undoubtedly thought “no way am I buying a condo in the City if I am going to be cut”.

The Knicks who were thought to have a great team this year were floundering and the fans and press were becoming very vocal and relentless. Then fate steps in, two players get injured, and the last man on the bench has to step in. On February 4^th Lin scores 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (all career highs). The Knicks win. Next game against Utah (his 1^st start ever) 28 points, 8 assists…Knicks win. Next game against the Lakers 38 points and 7 assists…Knicks win (outscoring Kobe Bryant) …Next game against Timberwolves only 20 points and 7 assists ..Knicks win again…Last night Lin nails a 3 pointer with 3 seconds left to beat Toronto and surpass Shaquille O’Neal’s NBA record for most points scored in his first 5 starts!!  2 Weeks ago you had no idea who this person was.

NOW THE LESSONS LEARNED

If you are a Law Firm, Vendor Consultancy or Corporate Legal department looking to hire someone:

1. Look outside the box, not all the successful recruits come from the best schools or the top companies: 32 NFL teams and 30 NBA team passed on these guys with all of their high paid research.

2. Be patient, give people a real chance to show their stuff: The Warriors and the Rockets are shooting themselves right now for having Lin and letting him get away.

3. When you realize that you may have the gem, let him/her loose to succeed. Don’t become an impediment in their growth.

4. Make sure your team embraces their success and all raise their games accordingly

5. Don’t be cheap. Just because you lucked out and got this person for a steal, pay them what they should be paid -or you will lose them as easily as you found them.

 

If you are the candidate looking to break into this very demanding field:

1. Don’t ever believe that you can’t compete with the big boys from the better colleges or companies, you can! 50% of the top people in our industry fit into this category.

2. If given the chance by a client, don’t blow it. Work hard, perfect your craft and when the door opens a crack (due to promotion, attrition, and firing), kick your way through it and do the job the better than you ever imagined.

3. Don’t be greedy, if the only way into the firm/company is to take a lower than desired fee, do it. You can prove yourself once you are in there and make all the money you want.

4. Don’t be selfish. Look to make your team better around you. They will appreciate it and pay you back by making you look better- which will of course earn you more money & security.

 

Final message to hiring authorities- Two years ago the GM of the Giants had no idea who Victor Cruz was….Two weeks ago the GM of the Knicks had little idea who Jeremy Lin was and certainly did not think that he would be a Knick.

They both look like geniuses now and are likely going to be rewarded for the serendipitous nature of these events………….Think outside the box!