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BUSINESS

How I got a job and how you can too

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As a person who graduated from university in the heat of the recession (2008), I can safely say I am very familiar with an unsteady job market and making the most out of any opportunity I have come across.

After years of working in a few different positions within in recruitment and staffing, I finally landed my golden opportunity. One might ask, how did you get there and why did it take you so long?

 

 

With patience, the right questions and determination, I landed the biggest job of my career.
With patience, the right questions and determination, I landed the biggest job of my career.

 

Friends,  I have applied thousands of times, went on a plethora of interviews, completed tons of job shadows, and attended numerous volunteer workshops and all I can really say is that the process is equivalent to that of dating. It takes patience. You have to find the right match for yourself and similarly you have to be a solid match for the company as well. This process where we figure it out involves asking the right questions during the interview and really getting to know the company and the folks who would be your team members.

And that goes without saying, there were some companies who knew right away if they wanted me or if they did not want me; and then there were companies who never responded. I used these obstacles and hurdles as motivation. In my previous job, it took instances of feeling hopeless, where I realized if I could gather the experience I need or want to gain for my next job in my current position, then I would be golden. Simple, right?

Hardly. This did not happen overnight.

1) Find your passion and inject it into your current position. If you can build a solid repertoire WHILE you have employment, you are creating the path that will lead you to your next opportunity.

  • Attend volunteer workshops
  • Volunteer on projects that push your boundaries and force you to try new things
  • Apply to promotional positions
  • Ask to shadow your boss or a top-notch employee who has the job that you want
  • Don’t give up

2) Build an online presence and use it to assist you. If you are unfamiliar with Linkedin or Twitter or blogging, get your name out there in the social media circles within the fields you hold a particular interest.

  • Linkedin is a professional networking super highway – use it to your advantage
  • Show of your skills (presentations, photography, writing skills, video editing)
  • Be bold and creative, it will show you like to push the limits
  • Use social media correctly especially when it comes to talking about yourself. Braggarts are never fun to be around.

3) Talk the talk and walk the walk. Learn the lingo and understand why decisions are made a certain way.

4) Let people come to you. More often than not, new positions are offered to those who are not looking for a position/did not know the position existed or would never have considered themselves qualified. So, you’re probably wondering, how did they apply?

Internal employees or Recruiters will come to you if they see you have what it takes. The best ways to show off yourself is via social media in the form of presentations/blogging/tweeting/photography, etc.

5) Find your niche and stick with it! Good things come to those who are clear and patient.

 

On a more personal note, I was about to give up on my job search a month ago until I received an anonymous but personalized e-mail and a phone call about a position. It just so happened to be the jobs I just recently landed. I posted a presentation that I had created and inserted it into my profile. All it took was that presentation to lead me to 7 successful interviews and a new opportunity.

I cannot begin to thank those who have supported me, encouraged me and showed me that anything can happen especially when you push yourself out there and reach for what you want. Sure, you don’t always get it but it’s worth a shot.

Anyone can do that or get there. All it takes is some structure, time and patience. It will happen when you least expect but if you can stay focused and remember your deep passions, you will never go wrong.

 

 

Your dream job is possible, just obtain the proper tools and get it done!
Your dream job is possible, just obtain the proper tools and get it done!

Seth Kravitz from Technori and formerly InsuranceAgents.com

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Seth Kravitz
Founder of Technori

What was your Inspiration behind Technori

Well, 2009 was a rough year for me.  In 2009 both with my business and my personal life fell apart.  It was at that moment that I realized my need to be part of a community where I could meet people and make friends.  I needed a community in general, as I was a recluse.  When I looked at the community I noticed the entrepreneurial community in Chicago lacked events for the burgeoning tech industry.  Technori was started with four other people.  We threw up a website and started doing interviews with great entrepreneurs and the reaction was positive from day one.  Readership was instantaneous and people wanted more.  It was the right thing at the right time.

What challenges did you face changing gears when turning Technori into a business?

Technori wasn’t started as a business.  Technori was started because Technori needed to exist.  Technori has transformed into a business to cover it’s own costs and in a way it’s a win-win.  Technori now employs people and pays for itself.  The summer of 2012 was when we decided it would be a business.

When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I started young.  Creating contraband others would buy in high school.  I have always had the instinct where I needed to generate my own money and be in control in of my own destiny.  I had authority issues.  I barely graduated high school.  I dropped out of college.  I liked figuring things out.  I liked never relying on someone for a paycheck.

It was either living in my parents’ basement as a bum or become an entrepreneur. I chose the latter.  My professional career began with building websites around 18 -19 years old, these were mostly for small businesses and I was not charging real money.

What does it take to be considered for Technori pitch

We are trying to find companies that are as close to launching as possible.  Giving them time to launch and then having them pitch is usually the best.  We are looking for companies on the cutting edge.  Doing something different.  Either building a new business model or play on old.  It has be something they can present quickly and concisely.

What advice would you give new entrepreneurs?

There are too many things that come to mind for me to narrow it down.  Embrace your idea like your life depends on it.  Be ready to risk everything, don’t be afraid, and remember that once you start down this path that paying your rent on time is going to be tough.

Pick a co-founder incredibly wisely.  It’s as much like a marriage as they claim.  You cannot pick your family but you can pick your business family.  You will spend dramatically more time with these people than you think.   Don’t just jump into a business relationship.  Picking a bad partner happens so often that I think repeating this advice is always falling on deaf ears.

Getting to a point where you can test your concept is good before you spend a lot of time and money seeing if it’s viable.  Walk the streets and try to get $5 out of someone’s pocket into yours before you lock yourself into a basement for 6 months to build something unproven.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

I don’t know.  Being a geek I’ve thought about this for decades now and… I don’t know!  Oh, how do you define super powers?  Wouldn’t you want something like Magical Powers?  I could then cast whatever I want.  If there were spells you could use to gain super strength and speed then I would just choose Magic Powers.  If not then I would choose flight.  I would want to fly fast, like Superman fast!  I would go on some unique vacations.  I would leave work at 5p.m. and by 5:15p.m. I would be in Honolulu on a beach somewhere.

Whats next for Technori?

We are focused on being a National Publication.   We are trying to build the best starter community in the world.  That means everyone, including Non-profits and project-oriented folks.  Those who don’t find the word entrepreneur fits them don’t seem to get the respect from traditional publications that they deserve.  Technori wants to give them the articles and attention they deserve.  We feel like we have the opportunity to do that.  We feel like we can move beyond the online community and can publish books.  Beyond that, Technori is going abroad and building an international presence.  We want to find starters on every continent and get them involved in the brand Technori.

We want to create a movement that can last.  One that is here in 20 years.  That’s a giant challenge but I think we can do it.  It all started 4-5 months ago when we changed direction from Chicago only to an international audience.  You will see the changes shortly.

Thats what the new website is about?

We are stepping up to become more like a blog/digital magazine.  Like starter network.  You will see soon here.  That will give you a taste of your long-term goals.

 

Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne’s on April 26th!!!

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When the words “free” and “pretzel” are uttered in the same sentence, many a people like me tend to get excited and hungry at the same time! Well fear no more, because on April 26th that fantasy will turn into a reality!  The beloved Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, which have been uber popular for several years across the country, will be offering one free Honey Whole Grain Pretzel at several of its Manhattan locations.  I have actually tried this particular pretzel in the past, and it has a great taste to it with less calories and less of a guilt factor when having it! [Read more…] about Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne’s on April 26th!!!

Networking 101

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Now that we are solidifying our resume and obtaining a thirst for a job search, we are ready to start reaching out to those around us and networking with them because every little bit of information that those in our network contain will continue adding up and go a long way for job searches and/or career advancement.

When all else fails in the land of unemployment or career miserableness, I highly recommend looking into that network of yours. Friends, colleagues or acquaintances may have seen us at our best and our worst, but they usually know us better than anyone. We need to start utilizing this power.

Chris, what network are you talking about? I don’t know anyone in Career Services at NYU? Well, friend, it is not the end of the world because thanks to the Internet we have the world at our finger tips. (yawn).

networking with and without social media

Networking is not about what you know; or what they know but it’s about WHO you know. Yeah, I know we have been hearing this a myriad of times before but let’s take a moment to begin thinking about it like this:

A) Do you still talk to your friends who you grew up with?
B) Did you hold a job in high school or college or university?
C) Did you do any extracurricular activities including sport; music; knitting; etc?
D) Where does your immediate and extended family work?

The list can go on and on but those are just some starting points for Networking.

The simple yet more challenging rule of networking is that networking is not using and abusing relationships or stalking friends via Social Media.  Additionally, we must also not become lazy because know we have the resources for successful networking at hand. Nothing good ever came out of being lazy.

Despite what we may believe, we have all been accomplishing many things in our lives that have been exposing us to a large subset of individuals. Some of those folks can help us; guide us; or at least point us in the right direction. That is networking, friends.

Ingredients for Successful Networking:

  • 1 computer or laptop or cell phone device with Internet access
  • 1 Wifi internet connection
  • Fully finished Linkedin Profile (SOCIAL Media aspect)
  • Local paper or business section (In-person aspect)
  • HOURS upon HOURS of time
  • 1/2 cup mentality
  • 1/2 cup of MOTIVATION
  • 1/2 cup of communication skills
  • 1/2 cup of patience

No, there is not a perfect recipe for networking but there are many ways to get out there and make something happen. In regards to making something happen, you’ll notice how I been including both in-person networking AND Social Media Networking. We mustn’t forget that both exist and that BOTH help a person land their next gig, not one or the other. Yes, there are instances of a person obtaining a position through Twitter. While this is a great venue for job applications, it is not always the best venue for networking.

You can find additional information on online AND offline networking groups via these websites:

  • Linkedin Groups
  • MeetUP
  • Company websites
  • Local newspapers

Even if your networking involves a simple follow-up e-mail or voicemail message, it can be the small pebble that may just destroy that career Dam. Do not bombard a friend or employer with e-mails or phone calls because the last thing that any of us need is to be inundated with MORE e-mail, so Patience is our best friend.

Whether we like it or not, by enabling and accepting the very virtue of Patience will make networking that much more attainable.

Networking 101
Networking 101

 

Sony X Review- MDR-X10 Headphones

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Credit to: Sony
Credit to: Sony

 

Sony has been to go to name for decades when it comes to handling all of your audio needs.  From the first time I bought my own Walkman back in the 90’s to now, I have always been impressed by their dedication to how the product looks and sounds at the same time.  Their new line of headphones is no different.  I got the opportunity to review the X10 line that that has just been released, and it is being backed by none other then “American Idol” legend and current “X Factor” host Simon Cowell.

“I chose to make a set of headphones with Sony because I simply wanted something better than what is in the market today,” said Cowell.  “I’ve tried all of them, literally every single one. Sony and I set out to create the best headphone in the world.  We are absolutely blown away by these. With the X headphones, it’s like being in the recording studio when the records are made. The sound is that clear.”

“Our X Headphones are for the true listeners, the music fanatics who share Sony’s uncompromising passion for music and precision in sound,” said Andrew Sivori, vice president of the Personal Audio Division at Sony Electronics. “Created by Sony and Simon Cowell, the new X Headphones deliver an amazing listening experience wrapped up in a cutting-edge design for the ultimate in self-expression.”

The look and feel-

Beyond how well put together the box was when it came to me, everything about these headphones read sleek and chic.  The headphones itself fit very well onto your ears and are relaxing.  They adjust to fit your specific head size very well, and at the same time are very lightweight.  Overall in that aspect a very pleasant experience.

The sound quality-

The sound quality on these headphones are really through the roof.  What really makes these headphones worth it is that you can be in a really busy setting and still only hear what you are listening to.  The base on these are incredible and you can hear every instrument playing. For instance, right now I am listening to a great throwback, Busta Rhymes & Janet Jackson’s “What’s It Gonna Be?”.  The base in this song is crazy as is, and Janet’s voice is soft but powerful.  What the headphones does is that it enhances both counterparts to where everything sounds incredible all at the same time.  Really, an incredible listening experience.

Overall-

Overall these headphones are just amazing.  If this is one your wish list or want to get a tech-minded friend a great gift for his or her birthday.

They have also launched a new line in the x10 series dubbed the MDR-X05 Cans.  Just launched a little over a week ago, itis a lightweight product with colorful designs from red on silver to black on red.  It is available now with the x10 series at a price of $199, marked down a$100 dollars for a limited time only.  Don’t miss out on your opportunity to pick up these great headphones and sport them out for your friends to see!

Credit to: Sony
Credit to: Sony
Credit to: Digital Trends
Credit to: Digital Trends

 

Eric Rachal from MXToolBox.com

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Eric Rachal
Eric Rachal Founder of MXToolBox.com

Entrepreneur Interview #1

Eric Rachal from MxToolBox.com sat down with ManhattanDigest for a brief interview.

What was your inspiration for starting MXToolBox?

The idea can be traced back to the mid 1990’s when I was working for an innovative startup in Austin Texas.  I knew back then that ultimately I wanted to own my own thing.   It was at this startup that focused on building residual revenue as a WAN management service that we pioneered a concept known today as Managed Services.

There is sense of stability built into any kind of business with residual revenue.   That stability and challenge is what attracted me to building MXToolBox in the first place.  MXToolBox started out as a reseller of spam and virus filtering solutions.   The website’s tools were assembled out of necessity to help manage our customer email systems.

As the tools grew in popularity I registered a domain and put the tools online for all.

When did you know you wanted to be an Entrepreneur?

I don’t know exactly.  It wasn’t in my teenage years.  I think that I drew the inspiration from a conversation with a stranger that happened when I was around 20 years old.  This stranger told me about his lifetime of work in the potato chip business.  He explained the different facets of the business and as an older guy who had been around the block there were some great stories.

I walked away from that conversation with a greater sense of what I wanted to do with my life.  I realized then that as an entrepreneur I would always be growing as a person.  A lot of career tracks seem to end.  A lot of trades don’t allow for personal growth past a certain point.   Generally when someone chooses a career they choose to do the same same thing every day until they retire.  There is really no end of personal growth opportunities for a small business owner.

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do as an Entrepreneur?

The hardest thing is also one of the most important skills an entrepreneur needs to be successful.  If you look at successful people and where they are now you’ll miss the most important part of the journey.  Successful people aren’t afraid of failure; you will find a trail of wreckage from failed ideas in these peoples pasts that led them to succeed later.  To me that is the hardest thing.  Learning that something isn’t working and being strong enough to admit it’s failed and move away instead of pursuing failure.

It’s like the song “you need to know when to hold them and when to fold them”

If you had all the money in the world what would your days look like?

I don’t know.  Good question.  They probably wouldn’t look all that different.  I’m a geek, I like building things, playing with things, and I’m able to do all that with MXToolbox.  I think it would be more of that.  I would continue to tinker but I would use the freedom of greater resources to work on projects for the fun of it; instead of considering the bottom line impact the time would have on the business.  Even with all the money in the world my days wouldn’t look that different.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

I cannot even imagine… I know it would have to do with knowledge and wisdom.

What’s next for MX Toolbox?

We are actually at an exciting point!  We are putting more resources into the toolset.  We are hiring! We are bringing on developers, testers, web analysts, and marketing folks.  We are really interested in expanding the toolset and expanding into different areas.  We aren’t going to do anything radically different just more of the same and better.

What is MX Toolbox today?

MX Toolbox is an I.T. infrastructure diagnostic tool and monitoring company.

Changes in Business Phone Systems

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Copyright Polycom
Copyright Polycom

Changes in Business Phone Systems over the last few years have saturated the market with many options.  Business owners put a lot of planning and money into their business when it comes to the office space, furniture, copiers, and computer equipment but how many of them put the same amount of time and energy into deciding what type of phone system they need? All too often business owners place that element of their business as one of the last things they think of. So what criteria should they be looking at when deciding on a PBX (phone system)? Glad you asked….

When business owners create their business plan they project where they will be in 1 , 5 or even 10 years down the line but many of them don’t fashion their telecommunications strategy to fit that goal. Many of them purchase refurbished systems that are already outdated and expensive to maintain if they break or what’s worse is that they become more expensive to keep alive. Or they want to purchase expensive brands like CISCO that ultimately become the system they are stuck with because of the huge capital outlay and the need to repurchase those phones when they become “end of life”.

I believe a PBX purchase should be viewed and treated much like a purchase of a car. When you purchase a car, don’t you analyze the features it provides? Or the quality of the car ride? Or the gas mileage it will yield for you over the course of the ownership of the vehicle. If those in the market for a PBX would look at the purchase in a similar fashion then perhaps more businesses would be far happier with their telecommunications experience.

Look at the phone service like your gasoline you put in a car. You can get gas from anyone practically anywhere right? Now look at the PBX as the car. The whole experience can come down to the quality and feature set that the phone system brings your business. Does it provide for the needs of your business today and well into the future? What will the cost be for future enhancements or feature upgrades? Just because the initial cost may be low to get into the system you also need to consider that going too cheap may cost you more in the long run… Just a few things to consider.

 

The Pirate Bay has moved to North Korea

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Copyleft owned by Piratebay.se
Copyleft owned by Piratebay.se

The Pirate Bay has moved to North Korea.  Moments ago history was made.  Hollywood succeeded in blowing another crushing defeat to The Pirate Bay  by disconnecting their stronghold in Norway.  The Norwegian hosting provider that was supplying bandwidth to The Pirate Bay was forced to discontinue service.  To the uniformed, The Pirate Bay is a website that skirts all international law on sharing data, copyrighted or not.  With a colorful history and millions of users The Pirate Bay is often forced to find new hosting partners.

Visitors today may notice the site is running slower than usual.  This is a result of The Pirate Bay finding a new hosting partner in North Korea.  Surely this will have geopolitical repercussions as North Korea is well known for their human rights violations.  North Korean prison camp survivors have likend their experiences to that of  those who endured World  War II concentration camps.

This strange and desperate move by The Pirate Bay that seems to highlight how effective Hollywood has been at dismantling a global network that once hosted The Pirate Bay.  The move also demonstrates how out of touch the International community has become with the desires of the citizens they are supposed to represent.  Many would liken The Pirate Bay to a global Library, an Information powerhouse, and the greatest knowledge sharing system ever devised.

Whatever the end result for The Pirate Bay this is a sad day for freedom loving people everywhere, when one of the most repressive governments in history is the last refuge for one of the most open and liberating websites in history.

JoJo Eyewear- Sleek, affordable and comfort at its best

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Credit to: JoJoeyewear.com
Credit to: JoJoeyewear.com

 

It used to be a while ago that when you wore glasses the words “stylish” or “trendy” never really came into play. Jojo Eyewear is here to change that myth with their incredible line of men’s and women’s eyewear at your disposal.  I came to understand this line through my good friend Rick who raved about the variety of color patterns, sleek looks and above all comfort and style.

 

The name “jojo Eyewar” came about from two different people named Jo coincidentally.  They are good friends who decided to go into business together after realizing they had a similar interest in the eyewear community as a whole.  Their whole mission is to fit people with fashionable, comfortable, quality eyewear they feel good in and above all can afford.

 

“We have worked hard to make JoJo Eyewear the go-to online source for fun and fashionable frames that won’t cost you an arm or a leg (or a eye!). Sleek, chic and a fraction of the cost of designer frames” said founder Jodie Feist.

 

Me and my girlfriend got to try out two different pair of their glasses and to my delight and excitement they fit well, looked amazing and the price was beyond affordable.  What’s even better- free lenses with every purchase, no shipping fee and the comfort that your glasses are being handled by the best opticians out there.  What’s not to love?

 

Go and try a pair out for yourself and see for yourself why this is the best eyewear in and out of Long Island.  For more information, logon to jojoeyewear.com

Credit to: JoJoeyewear.com

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