I received an email from Auren Hoffman posing the question: Is it more risky to join a start-up in todays economy, or a big corporation? Read his blog then come back and read my thoughts on this important subject.

Auren's Blog: Summation will make you think

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Well readers, what do you think? Please add your comments to this entry. What follows is a lengthy (sorry) reply, my thoughts on this subject.  

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Auren, this is such an important subject in today's economy. When my dad went to work for Exxon (Standard Oil, Esso back then); it was considered a job for life. He worked there for over 30 years. When I graduated from Grad school (1981  ouch looong ago and many lifetimes ago); the aspiration of most of my fellow students was to land a job at a major corporation and ride the escalator up. I landed at Nabisco during the "Barbarian at the Gates era"). Big Corp was big, secure and fun.  At the time, I probably couldn't name a single small company or start-up. I eventually moved on the ADP, where I rode the escalator up very well, till I fell off (we'll get back to this in a moment).

While I was gainfully employed at ADP, the internet was at full boil. I watched many an executive jump to exciting internet jobs, with money to burn and no clear business model. And then they got burned when the internet bubble exploded.

But something funny happened; the entrepreneurial experience these "risk taking" folks gained at these VERY RISKY start-ups' was valued in BIG Corp. It was also widely believed that after they were properly chastised for leaving the BIG Corp nest; they would be dedicated to their Cubicle jobs forever.

Yes, I was tempted to try this crazy market. I recall meeting with some fantastic wide-eyed entrepreneurs mostly in Silicon Alley (NYC). What chutzpah these guys had. I remember one such meeting, a well funded ICG start-up. His quote to me; "Stephen, it will be a bloody war for two years as we beat back our competitors and then we'll sell out and live in beach homes on Cape Cod!  Beachfront!!" 

WOW! Sign me up; I am ready to take that hill! This exciting statement was delivered by a middle-aged executive whose venture was also partially funded by a well established Brick. This wasn't some pimply teenager.  Ah but reality struck. I had a child and a mortgage; responsibilities.

My point; my financial situation made it compelling for me to dream of the bloody war and beach front homes; but to stay with Big Corp for safety and benefits and steady paycheck and my 3% raises. If I was without responsibilities, I would have signed up on the spot - no doubt!

Fast forward; I decided to stay with ADP, the Big Corporation. I felt safe. The company then sent me to Atlanta, paid my way, put walking around dollars in my pocket; helped me get a big ole southern McMansion and life was good. A few months later, oops the escalator stopped and I was downsized!  Big Corp restructured me out the door. Wow, didn't see that coming.

But this was in 2000; the job market was terrible! Thousands of people, some great, some deadwood, were being released. What happened to the safety of Big Corp? Yes it is true, I did feel betrayed.

I was out of work a year; and learned to business network and began to meet a whole new generation of entrepreneurs. And for some; their ventures really weren't any more risky than what Big Corporations offered. I began to actually look at my exodus from ADP as a good thing - a positive thing! Thank goodness that I was downsized?!

>>>--- Readers, there will be a point coming up soon, hang with me.

Auren, I would have disagreed with you in 1998 and even in May 2001; that taking a risky start-up could be more favorable than the safety of Big Corp. However today I am in FULL agreement with your premise. Heck, no job is permanent.

Someone recently asked me if I was seeking a consulting or permanent position; I said: "what's the difference?" 1099 or W2? Paid medical or Cobra - but in the end - what is the difference?

I interviewed with large and small companies, and turned down a Big Corp to experience a small and growing interactive online marketing agency, which was founded by a mentor from my ADP days. The founder of this start-up left Big Corp on his own, exiting his escalator while still moving up.

I was employee 21 and learned how to do everything and I loved the energy and passion. I used to say that when we kicked the ball at Big Corp; even with a solid wind-up, success was measured in inches. At this marketing agency; success was measure in miles. And once someone kicked the ball, everyone ran after it at top speed to kick it again!

So long story... well long: Auren, I do agree with you 100%. Each person needs to do a lil soul searching before they make such a decision. However, in today's economy - you are correct - Big Corp is just as risky; maybe more so; with less upside than a smaller company or start-up. The experience I have gained from DigitalGrit (which I left recently) has opened incredible doors for me.

In speaking with other start-up's and small agencies, I was told they specifically were seeking people that with risky start-up experience, rather than a Big Corp lifer.

So in conclusion, in today's economy a start-up that is paying a reasonable wage and offering benefits is no more or less risky than joining a Fortune 1000. And the experience at these smaller operations is well worth the risk.

These are my thoughts and I am sticking with it. However, besides telling me how long this blog entry is - please let me know your thoughts on Auren's blog entry. Go for it!

Fortune Magazine's article about the aging workforce, "Permanent Vacation, 50 and Fired", May 2, 2005 By John Helyar discussed some important points that anyone even below 50 should consider. The article begins by discussed the state of employment affairs for the 50+ set; a somewhat depressing view of work prospects for the highly experienced. However, the article progresses into a discussion of the end of the baby boom, where the supply of 35-44's decreases significantly.

"From 2002 to 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of 35- to 44-year-olds in the labor force will decline by 3.8 million, while the number of available 55- to 64-year-olds will increase by 8.3 million."

For me, the biggest takeaway from this article (although I am not yet 50; however it's not that far away either) is what one executive calls the "multi-revenue stream model". Said another way; turn your experience and age into an advantage - consult. Or as this same executive states;

"Nobody wanted to buy him, but maybe they’d rent him."

Leverage your experiences and background to help smaller companies to improve their business plan, their strategy; show them how they can grow. Not many 30-somethings have this ability.

This is the pathway that I am considering for myself; while I am still employable and not yet 50.

Mothers, Do You Remember Who You Were Before Children?

How To Begin Again Where You Left Off?

I consider myself to be a successfully transitioned mother in a solo practice specializing in helping individuals to discover their best career or work fit.  I am one of those mothers who made an attempt to return to the workplace many years ago.  I felt confident at the start, but that slowly morphed into great discouragement and then I retreated to the safety and comfort of my suburban life.  I didn’t understand why openings for college grads were my only option.  Of course, I did not even know what I wanted to return to, and the thought of working five days a week was a big concern, hence the even bigger dilemma.

I have learned that the key to finding work is simple, you need to know who you are in several key categories, it is only then, coming from a place of self-knowledge, that a meaningful search can be conducted because clarity on what you are seeking can be easily communicated and assistance is easier for others to provide.

One of my early marketing efforts targeting mothers asked this simple question, Mothers, do you remember who you were before children?  Do you know what your interests are?  Do you know what your skills and strengths are?  I soon discovered that while I thought working with mothers would be a good target market, it became apparent that mothers feel too much ambivalence about returning to work unless circumstances force them to and everyone will have a different list of circumstances to propel that motivation.

Mothers serious about returning to work in need to have a written plan as to how this can occur.  It serves two purposes, one it is a guide for the mother to begin to actualize the plan and two it provides the prospective employer tangible evidence showing how to successfully re-enter and utilize their talents.  Acknowledging the gaps that may exist due to the time out of the workforce can easily be accommodated with a plan to minimize the gaps.

First Things First…You Can Begin With There Actions…

• Take thinking about working into doing something towards achieving that intention?
• Break down the steps to needed to manage this process into a manageable, achievable goal with measurable checkpoints.
• Create your requirements based on your personal and work values
• Identify the employability criteria needed to successfully attain your goals
• Maintain flexibility to keep what is working and let go of what is not working
• Maximize your networking efforts with informational conversations
• Create contact cards with a positioning statement
• Establish your unique competitive edge by identifying your strengths and creating the necessary data supporting your past use of these strengths.  Define whom this will benefit?

• Ask all the questions you have, including those relating to the culture and organization landscape
• Look around while walking through the office, look at the desks and the people
• Trust your gut; If there is something lingering in your mind, resolve it before you sign on.

And if it doesn't feel right after you sign-on, it is not a personal failure to make a break and move on. In conversations with other companies, since determining that this was not the best opportunity for me, I did not experienced any negative affect.

We've discussed how an interview is a two way street. This meeting is not just about you answering their questions; they need to answer yours as well. In a book by Michael Culp, "Conflicted", a fictional Wall Street Thriller, there is a scene where Research Analyst's are being interviewed. In a few instances, the interviewee asks "Are there any Yellow Lights that we can discuss". In other words, the interviewee asks if there are areas where the Interviewer has some potential in concerns.

Imagine having the ability to address a lingering issue, which is not addressed, could work against you.

On your next interview, as if there are any yellow lights that you can address. You might just win the interview from the hands of defeat.

Stephen Harris

If you are not already aware of AskTheHeadHunter.com, you should be. I have followed Nick's site and had the opportunity to meet him and hear his presentation at a recent MENG/FENG/TENG business networking event. MENG - doesn't that sound like something out of Flash Gordon?

Nick has some strong ideas on what makes for a successful job search. As a recruiter, he is in a very good position to provide advice on what works and what doesn't. As a reader of this blog, you know I had the opportunity to be an Executive Recruiter during my career transition. It’s enlightening to see the job search from this perspective. So Nick's advice resonated very well for me.

Nick, to his credit, points out quickly that you should not simply abandon all of your methods in favor of his. Instead, take what makes sense from Nick (and Jobstuff - and others) and mix it into your strategy. He is nudging you onto a different path, a different thinking that may open new vistas in your search. Keep an open mind.

One of Nick's more controversial ideals is that he is totally against the idea of a resume. He isn't wrong, but until Corporate America (CV's for everyone else in the world!) realizes it is a worthless piece of paper, you have to continue to utilize this document. BUT, do not make it the center piece of your campaign!

For me, a well written resume can get you the opportunity to interview. Naturally, I prefer to network my way in, but in an active job search you should use all available channels. However, once you are face to face, forget the resume and drive home your story. Here is where Nick's advice is right on target.

Come into the interview very well prepared. Learn all about the company, its successes, opportunity and challenges. I suspect Nick is taking kick-backs from the Librarian association since he recommends visiting your library for in-depth research. I'm an internet guy, but can see his point. Take advantage of the library if it fits within your research style. Then prepare your strategy, what you believe you can offer to the company to help their bottom line.

I liked this point from Nick (and I utilized it myself in both of my large scale job searches); turn the interview into a business planning meeting. Use the managers white board to draw a picture outlining your understanding of the current situation, the opportunity/challenges facing the company, your approach to achieving their goal -- and if you are really prepared and bold - put a figure on the board with what you believe you can bring to the bottom line. Be Bold! Managers are looking for bright energetic thinkers.

In a recent interview with an email communications company, I created a strategy document for how I would conduct a loyalty email campaign for Infiniti automobiles. I included an overview and a prototype of the email creative and included a flow chart for data integration from and to their data warehouse. I wanted to demonstrate my knowledge of email marketing and put it in a format as if I was meeting with Infiniti Management. This document resonated well with the executives that I met. It's bold - if you are wrong you might lose. No guts no glory.

Please visit Nick's site at www.asktheheadhunter.com and sign on for his mailing list. Be Bold!

As a reader of this blog you are aware that I recently completed a voluntary three month job search. The experience was so much different from my involuntary search in 2001 that ultimately led to this blog’s creation. One difference was that I was prepared for this recent search, had a well oiled network in place and had kept my job hunting skills sharp and ready. The other was that I had more results oriented experiences to offer employers, and I had a great story to share. During my first search, I was learning and making mistakes as I was out of work and seeking employment (yes, I will admit to making mistakes this go-around also, something we will be discussing in the next few weeks).

Seeking work while employed can be stressful. Job searches take considerable energy and motivation, which at the same time must be equally maintained on the job. In addition, you burn through all your vacation time to attend an interview. In my case, I made the decision to leave my company just as I was preparing for the final wave of interviews. On January 31st I agreed to leave the company and on Feb 2nd I was in Redmond Washington interviewing with Microsoft. I had high level interviews with two local companies just prior and after the Microsoft interviews. And a growing list of other companies that expressed an interest in meeting with me. It was clear to me that leaving my company just as the intensity increased with the sheer number of opportunities and these high level interviews (prep & research time and in the actual execution), was a good move for me. In my first job search, I moved back to NJ from Atlanta, while my family remained down south. Extraordinary measures are sometimes called for in today's job market.

However, what got me these opportunities and ultimately my current job was the basics we have discussed all along: a positive outlook for the job change, a well written and frequently updated resume, a good story to tell about how my experiences will add to a companies bottom line, networking, networking and more business networking.

Did you expect anything different from this humble blogger? Stay tuned for more thoughts and ideas for making your job search equally as successful.