Customer Service, Blowing the Job Search, Titles, and Comment Spam
Some quick stuff for today, May 2.
Customer Service
I had a little problem with my iTunes account so I sent a message to their support center. The first response I got concluded with:
"Good luck on downloading the song Matthew! Again, please let me know if I can do anything else for you in the near future. I am so happy I was able to help you today with your item. Have a fantastic day and take care! Cheers! Brittany"
I replied: "Thanks! Much appreciated. Now having a fantastic day, Matt"
To which she (Brittany) responded: "Thank you for your kind words and you are so welcome! Nothing makes me happier than to hear that I have pleased our iTunes family members."
I practically blushed when I read that.
Blowing the Job Search
Having some PR responsibilities here, I often respond to ProfNet queries, particularly when they apply to careers and job hunting. Because my responses are thoughtful, but do not always see the light of day on the other side of the querying reporter's in-box, I thought I would quickly share the helpful hints I provided a writer putting together a piece on how people damage their job search:
1) Not doing enough or any research on the target company or the hiring manager. What do they do? What are their goals? Who are their competitors? etc. You better know!
2) Not leveraging your network to get an introduction, a recommendation, or anything else to differentiate you from the pool of applicants. Related problem: Not having or cultivating a network in the first place.
3) Swearing or almost swearing (ex. "friggin'") in the interview.
4) Forgetting you are being interviewed. In other words, acting more casually if the interviewer takes you to lunch, etc. Remember: Until you get that offer letter, you are being watched!
I hope, that by sharing these cautionary reminders, I've saved some (professional) lives.
Titles
Came across a blog post written by someone we've been helping find work in Canada. He needed his university transcripts for a visa and recorded the following conversation with someone in the transcript office:
Registrar: And you didn't even give us the name of the company we're sending it to!
Me: What?
Registrar: There's no company name on the address that you faxed us.
Me: "Aquent."
Registrar: Excuse me?
Me: A-Q-U-E-N-T. Aquent. That's the name of the company.
Registrar: Oh, THAT's the company! We thought it was the lady's job title.
Mommy, when I grow up, I want to be an "Aquent."
Comment Spam
As many bloggers know, but them what don't don't know, is that there is such a thing as "comment spam." Obviously, there are robots or spiders or whatever roaming the internet looking for blogs and then leaving comments that generally advertise prescription drugs, enhancers of male potency, and pictures/movies of questionable provenance.
Occasionally, these comments are unexpectedly poetic or existentially poignant. To whit:
"these comments are great, and what would happen if instead of living your life by the socio stereotypical blueprint that everyone else has in store for you, the do, have ,be model where you go to work, make some money, and that defines who you are; wha..." (all typographical errors in the original)
What if we could break out of the "do-have-be model"? I think that, for the first time in our lives, we would know and enjoy true freedom. Are you with me?
Image Courtesy of meyshanworld.
