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Imagine yourself living in Wisconsin, nearing the conclusion of a nine-month-long job search, having sent out 3,000 resumes that yielded 110 company contacts. Now, with two offers in hand, you weigh the benefits of moving either to Minnesota or to Illinois. There’s a catch; you confess to your wife that, “I just can’t work for that guy in Illinois.” Yet, in an ironic twist of fate, you and he nearly collide at the company’s front door; you are headed in, he isn’t. Medikmark Incorporated President and Executive Network Group (ENG) alumnus Jim Ronk told this and other powerful stories during his March 10 address to ENG entitled, “A Pragmatic View of Transition & Beyond.” With an uncanny resemblance to the late Walter Matthau, Ronk’s wit is as dry as a twenty-to-one martini, his comments often as prickly as were Matthau’s character Max Goldman in the movie Grumpy Old Men. Ronk’s observations on … The day’s weather: Perhaps an idle thought left over from his having spent too many years in Wisconsin, more likely a peek into his incredibly optimistic view of the world, Ronk pronounced the snow and gloom beyond ENG’s conference room windows “a beautiful spring day.” Humanity: “People love helping other people.” Transition itself: It’s as an opportunity “to get a grip on your values” and “what you really want to do with your life.” Ronk spoke of an associate with a “Triple-A personality,” a heavy smoker, drinker, and classic over-achiever. Triple-A’s third heart attack led to open-heart surgery. Afterwards, his cardiologist told him that he could “buy” him another thirty years of life … “But, you’ve really got to change.” Triple-A’s ensuing self-assessment led to a dramatically different lifestyle that removed him from the workforce. Personal marketing campaigns: Resumes, networking, and ad responses “all work,” each plays a vital role in the candidate’s successful return to the work force. Ronk’s suggestion: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” Establishing contact: Ronk’s strategy was to contact company presidents, enabling him to uncover non-competitive job opportunities. Citing Willie Sutton’s famous reply to why he robbed banks, “That’s where the money is,” direct contact eliminates recruiter’s fees and enables the candidate to “negotiate everything.” To the point, “As the president of a company, I’m always looking for better people,” stated Ronk. An even sharper point, “I don’t believe I get enough resumes.” Outplacement: Ronk recalls being told, “You’re going to have six great offers, and the toughest part will be deciding. Well … I was just trying to get one good offer.” Reality checks: Ronk marveled at those who said, “There’s no way my (former) company will survive until Friday without me.” His thoughts on such fantasies: “Well, maybe, but maybe not.” His advice to the delusional: Look yourself in the mirror and admit your mistakes, weaknesses, and failures. Resumes: “Professional resumes have been around at least twenty years …. What happens is that … everyone has taken a money-losing $50-million division and led it to 38% compounded growth ….” The interview: Prospective employers have a hidden objection: “If you’re so good, then why aren’t you still (with your former company)?” Small business: “It feels some days … like you’re in a 10-foot rowboat … in the middle of Lake Michigan … the waves are about 20-feet tall … and you’re just getting tossed around by the vicissitudes of the market … the competition … (and) the crazy people issues ….” Landing your next one: “As with hitch-hiking, it only takes one … to pick you up.” Contact information: Jim Ronk, President -- by R. T. Jones (3/17/2005) |
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