Jan taught me some new tricks on how to land a job. As a former HR exec, Jan knows everything about the inner workings of how to conduct an interview, how to behave as the interviewee and she knows the job market well. And unfortunately, after years of steady employment, she found herself immersed in a down-turned economy, forced out of work—for now, that is. 

 

Recently, she told me of an experience she had while on the hunt for a job. A major Internet company based in San Jose, California had administrative positions available and she jumped at the opportunity to work for such a strong company and get her foot in the door. Confident and experienced, she landed the temp-to-perm position. But, it's how she landed the job that impressed me. After a flawless interview, and a couple of weeks later, Jan said she grew frustrated of getting the proverbial run-around. (You know, she heard phrases like...”We're interested in having you work with us...We'll get back to you in a few days...The last person who needs to meet with you is out of town and as soon as she returns...We'll call you...”). You get the picture, so finally, one day she gave the representative a telephone call and offered an ultimatum. 

 

She broke all of her own rules including the one that says you shouldn't ever offer an ultimatum to the potential employer. After numerous phone calls with positive comments that had so far yielded negative results, Jan asked a direct question, “Are you going hire me or not?” Her bluntness actually paid off and Jan was on the job the very next day!   

 

I admired her tenacity and her knowledge and I realize that sometimes, you just have to go out there with a fighting attitude and win the battle for the job you're seeking. Sometimes you have to take a chance and break the rules; sometimes people delight in a little surprise. Her story keeps me going, too. A hundred years ago (give or take three score and five more), when I graduated from high school, my best friend gave me a plaque that read: A winner never quits and a quitter never wins. Age with grace and fight fair; you'll come out a beautiful winner every time!