When I have to come up with a list of the dumbest things that have been said to me during my job search, this will be a very big candidate, and will probably be top 10 with the potential for top 5. Now before I tell you what was said to me yesterday, I'm going to paint you a little bit of context-This is from someone who is a huge VP for a major financial institution. By huge, I mean if I told you the name of the company, you'd know exactly who they are, what they do and what color the company logo is. This guy has also had an argumentative tone with me ever since I won his fantasy football league (and I have no idea why, I finally won the damn thing after being in the finals 4 years in a row), and I'm not saying that to brag. There was a financial component to this league, and he screwed the numbers up. I never came out and said he screwed up, I asked him to run thru the numbers with me because I had something different and wanted to see where my discrepancy was. Yes, I was willing to admit I had screwed up, if I did. This guy went ballistic, so bad that his wife called me and apologized, and then made him call me and apologize. Let's just say that in this case, I've been polite, but he has been-ahem-terse with me ever since. Ah, such is life.
So there is your back story, hopefully it makes sense. Here's the gem, the line that made me look at my phone and seriously wonder what planet this guy lives on:
"Maybe you have to change how you define yourself."
What in the sam hell does that mean? He told me that maybe I have to look for different types of work, as if he had any clue what types of roles I've been looking at. Anyone want to look at the stinkin' spreadsheet of jobs I've applied for/discussed? From Sales Trainer to Radio DJ to blogger...there is no consistency with regards to how I've defined myself in terms of my job search, and I get this bolt of wisdom? You gotta be crappin' me. So here, for the masses, is how I define myself: honest friend-loyal to a fault, damn good son, a fine brother, a decent man. Fuck you if I don't define myself by job title. Title doesn't dictate my behavior (quick-name the movie reference) and it never will. A job is what pays me money. Most people hate their job, and there are those that love their career. If you can't differentiate between the two, then you have a job.
I can't believe I have to deal with this type of shenanighans all the damn time. Don't piss on my foot and tell me it's raining, pal. Let's just say I won't be asking that guy for career advice anytime, like, ever. Change how I define myself? I think most people would beg for the kind of self-worth I have, and not tied up in a job title that can be taken away at a moments notice.
Sorry...end of rant.
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