I always love reading Jim’s Substack—you’re a great storyteller, and I hope you know what a gift that is. Maybe it’s because Beavs and Cougs share a kindred underdog spirit, but I really appreciate your articles. It’s great to see you still sharing your voice here and there in retirement. And let’s be honest the Puckcast is always better —Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Keep treating kids and dogs well and whomever answers the door at the Pearly Gates will treat you well. What goes around comes around. #GoBeavs #GoCougs
Hey Joe, good morning, Go Beavs. Appreciate your comments. And thanks for listening to Puck’s podcast. Hope to see you in Corvallis. And Pullman. I kind of like the home and home series we’re playing with our second-favorite team in the PAC-12!
Hey Jim, I honest to God felt I rolled back to 1979 reading this. I was in the same boat trying to start my career. But I shot high and aimed to get on with a Wall Street firm. And this was during Jimmy Carter's "America in Malaise" era with soaring gas prices and with double digit inflation, interest rates and unemployment. You're right, pretty much all these hiring managers were dicks, but that was the attitude of the country back then. And admittedly, I was interviewing in Seattle and these bastards were all Huskies.
But the one thing my Grandma mentioned when we were talking on the phone one night, she suggested I take the time to write back each of the managers I talked to and thank them for their time and remind them of at least two pointers I came away with from the meeting. Back then (and still today), I was much better applying pen to paper than opening my mouth. Then a few weeks after those notes went out, a call came in at night and two letters came back asking me to come back and apply and take an aptitude test. And yup, after six months of swings and misses, I finally got my base hit. It only takes one.
It just reminded me that sometimes for kids these days, applying old school principles will set them apart. I mean no one writes a letter these days.
And on a different subject, if you're looking for a part time job, the Central Oregon Livestock Auction in Madras will hire anyone for sale day. Easiest $200 you'll make on a nine hour shift if you don't mind a little cattle manure on the bottom of your boots. And happy birthday come Tuesday in case I miss it.
Hi Rich, good morning, thanks for reading. As you point out, those little things make a difference and set you apart in a job search. I even continue to do that kind of thing now. I filled out an application for course marshal at Juniper Golf Course in Redmond and instead of just dropping it off, the nice lady in the pro shop asked me if I wanted to meet the GM, and I said yes. I haven’t gotten that job, but at least the guy knows who I am and how interested I was in the job. Love how you wrote back to those managers. Clearly made a difference. Go Cougs.
Thanks, Jim. I've always enjoyed reading and listening to you over the years from eastern Washington. As someone who's in your age group I will share with you something that your article made me think of.
A stranger may not remember what you said...but they will always remember how you made them feel. Good on you!
As for the second part of the article, if you're feeling guilty that you may have done something wrong? I think you've answered your own question!
Hey Steve, thanks for reading. The other thing I’ve always tried to do is just simply be nice. It’s not that hard to be nice. In fact, it’s harder to be a jerk than it is to be nice. And as far as your thoughts on me taking cuts in line, you’re no doubt right!
I always love reading Jim’s Substack—you’re a great storyteller, and I hope you know what a gift that is. Maybe it’s because Beavs and Cougs share a kindred underdog spirit, but I really appreciate your articles. It’s great to see you still sharing your voice here and there in retirement. And let’s be honest the Puckcast is always better —Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Keep treating kids and dogs well and whomever answers the door at the Pearly Gates will treat you well. What goes around comes around. #GoBeavs #GoCougs
Hey Joe, good morning, Go Beavs. Appreciate your comments. And thanks for listening to Puck’s podcast. Hope to see you in Corvallis. And Pullman. I kind of like the home and home series we’re playing with our second-favorite team in the PAC-12!
Hey Jim, I honest to God felt I rolled back to 1979 reading this. I was in the same boat trying to start my career. But I shot high and aimed to get on with a Wall Street firm. And this was during Jimmy Carter's "America in Malaise" era with soaring gas prices and with double digit inflation, interest rates and unemployment. You're right, pretty much all these hiring managers were dicks, but that was the attitude of the country back then. And admittedly, I was interviewing in Seattle and these bastards were all Huskies.
But the one thing my Grandma mentioned when we were talking on the phone one night, she suggested I take the time to write back each of the managers I talked to and thank them for their time and remind them of at least two pointers I came away with from the meeting. Back then (and still today), I was much better applying pen to paper than opening my mouth. Then a few weeks after those notes went out, a call came in at night and two letters came back asking me to come back and apply and take an aptitude test. And yup, after six months of swings and misses, I finally got my base hit. It only takes one.
It just reminded me that sometimes for kids these days, applying old school principles will set them apart. I mean no one writes a letter these days.
And on a different subject, if you're looking for a part time job, the Central Oregon Livestock Auction in Madras will hire anyone for sale day. Easiest $200 you'll make on a nine hour shift if you don't mind a little cattle manure on the bottom of your boots. And happy birthday come Tuesday in case I miss it.
Go Cougs, Go Mavericks
Hi Rich, good morning, thanks for reading. As you point out, those little things make a difference and set you apart in a job search. I even continue to do that kind of thing now. I filled out an application for course marshal at Juniper Golf Course in Redmond and instead of just dropping it off, the nice lady in the pro shop asked me if I wanted to meet the GM, and I said yes. I haven’t gotten that job, but at least the guy knows who I am and how interested I was in the job. Love how you wrote back to those managers. Clearly made a difference. Go Cougs.
Thanks, Jim. I've always enjoyed reading and listening to you over the years from eastern Washington. As someone who's in your age group I will share with you something that your article made me think of.
A stranger may not remember what you said...but they will always remember how you made them feel. Good on you!
As for the second part of the article, if you're feeling guilty that you may have done something wrong? I think you've answered your own question!
Cheers
Hey Steve, thanks for reading. The other thing I’ve always tried to do is just simply be nice. It’s not that hard to be nice. In fact, it’s harder to be a jerk than it is to be nice. And as far as your thoughts on me taking cuts in line, you’re no doubt right!