Job Opportunity -- Uplifting and Inspiring Rejection Letter Writer

I'm thinking the job opportunity headline needs to read something like this: Uplifting and Inspiring Rejection Letter Writer Wanted!  Why this type of "job opportunity" now?  Well ... let me tell you a short story!  It starts on a hot July afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida.

On July 22, 2010, I commenced my online career search, getting my feet wet, in the local career market here in Northeastern Florida; i.e., Jacksonville, Florida.  My first steps involved taking a proactive approach by employing my Google blog, to announce my initiative: Interviewing a Forward-Thinking Company and Boss in Jacksonville Florida.

I am accepting inquiries from forward-thinking, dynamic companies in the Jacksonville, Florida area. I am actively seeking to secure a meaningful relationship with a very special company AND boss(es) who truly understand that harnessing social media today can be a plus for the company’s bottom-line.  That, plus a need for creative and analytical marketing experience!

The next steps involved selecting a couple of "great" companies for which I would love to "work."  I selected a company for which I've actually worked in two different cities.  The other company is a retail establishment which I frequent OFTEN and have spread the word of mouth buzz to my friends; i.e., "Oh my goodness, you really need to stop in and check out the latest 'fabulous finds' at _________!"

So, the very next day, I get a "thank you" letter from the company that I haven't worked for yet, but where I shop on a frequent basis.  What they had to say:

Exhibit A: Letter #1 from Jacksonville Florida retail company: Received within 24 hours of submitting an online application with resume to this retail company.

Thank you for your interest in the _______ position at _________ [our company].

We are in the process of reviewing all resumes from applicants who have expressed an interest in this opportunity. Should your qualifications and experience match the requirements for this position, you will be contacted directly by a member of our recruiting staff.

Best regards,

Human Resources

OK, I thought ... it is good to be acknowledged and know that a "human" is actually reviewing your qualifications and experience to find a "match" you know?

Fast forward to two days later!  Oh no!!!  It is an uninspiring rejection letter.  My first in this career search.  Good thing my self-esteem is solid ... who knows though how that self-esteem might be after 30 days, 60 days, 90 days of these type of letters!  You know?  So, here is that uninspiring rejection letter:

Exhibit B: Letter #2 from Jacksonville Florida retail company: Received within 2 days after receiving the "Thank You" Letter #1.

Thank you for your interest in the _______ position at _________ [our company -- not yours].

At this time we are pursuing other applicants whose qualifications most closely match the needs of this position. However, we encourage you to review our careers website regularly for available job opportunities matching your career interests and qualifications at our company dot com -- [not yours dot com].

Best wishes for success in your future career endeavors.

Human Resources

Hmmm, I should review the company "website regularly for available job opportunities matching your career." That doesn't sound promising to me. Wouldn't that company KNOW that someone like me was available for a very special "marketing" type career?  You know, this rejection letter surely sounds familiar. I do think that in my career lifetime, I have gotten this VERY SAME letter many a time, even at the START of my career oh so many years ago!

Job Opportunity -- Uplifting and Inspiring Rejection Letter Writer. It is time; the time is ripe for uplifting and inspiring rejection letters.  These canned, uninspiring rejection letters are perpetuating a potential loss of self-esteem amongst those potential career candidates for other jobs.  I'm thinking, in my case, that enclosing a 50% off one item in that favorite "retail" company might have been an improvement.

Note to self:  Make some time to creatively write some uplifting and inspiring rejection letters!  Thank you very much.

Interviewing a Forward-Thinking Company and Boss in Jacksonville Florida

Today's special blog post:  Interviewing a Forward-Thinking Company and Boss in Jacksonville Florida!

BULLETIN: I am accepting inquiries from forward-thinking, dynamic companies in the Jacksonville, Florida area. I am actively seeking to secure a meaningful relationship with a very special company AND boss(es) who truly understand that harnessing social media today can be a plus for the company’s bottom-line.  That, plus a need for creative and analytical marketing experience!

The bottom-line on me? Well, I previously would have described myself with something like this:

A conceptually-creative, analytical, and motivated marketing professional with corporate level experience possessing skills in marketing and business plan development; project management; creative and marketing materials development; web site development and management; data analyses and database development; and online content writer and blogger.

But, now I am that and so much more! Over the past 4+ years, I have worked VERY DILIGENTLY to “establish a reputable name for myself online.” I have actively been involved in “social media marketing” and so much more! Hey, why not Google Me for yourself? I would suggest that you Google “jaguarjulie” and “jaguar julie” and keep in mind that I might be a blonde, but I have a lot of substance and brains behind the smile! I am a motivated and enthused kind of person too!

Of course, I also worked VERY DILIGENTLY at a more traditional “job” because I was sought out for my particularly relevant marketing experience for a start-up company that went from $0 to about oh, $7 million or more in annual sales in the course of 3.5 years!

I’m happy to report, that my current employer and I have come to a mutually-beneficial agreement that I should be allowed to spread my wings now. It’s been a 3.5 year working relationship; me = Marketing Director; them = happy partners who are very thankful for all the contributions. It really worked for me and my personality that they transitioned my work environment to be a home-based business = thank you boss(es)! I know that not everybody is disciplined enough to be productive working from a home office, but I did earn that title of WAHWW and WAHW – that would be “work at home wonder woman” and “work at home workaholic!” TYVM!

For them, I conceived of and developed their company logo which brands them worldwide daily. An additional key contribution was the MS Access database I developed which automates product data sheets, product labeling, and product technical charts. They’ve counted on me for a variety of creatives and marketing collateral materials; competitive intelligence; website management; content writing for the company blog; and gosh, so much more! Yep, I do know that they will miss me!

By the way, I also managed, in my free time, to make a name for myself as a Social Media type along with being a prolific content writer, hubster, lensmaster, and blogger. I’ve written on the socially-popular platform of Squidoo, with over 850 lens articles to my name.

Along with that content writing, came some kudos along the way, such as being inducted into the prestigious Giant Squid 100 Club as a charter member in 2007. Serving as a socially-responsible Squid Angel, mentoring fellow lensmasters, being a Squidoo Activist, making a record number of requested feature-suggestions for improvement of the site, and earning some recognition as lens of the day three times.

In 2008, I was selected as the Giant Squid of the Year and earned the title of having the best cooking page, Stuffed Cabbage, that year. Oh, there were many more bright spots to report on Squidoo! We can surely talk about that in person!

Prior to Squidoo, my websites, and blogging, I maintained the top, #1 personal homepage on the popular platform of ThirdAge for more than a couple of years!

Before all that, I’ve had a most meaningful corporate and Fortune 500, traditional past, having provided marketing services, creative and analytical, for such companies as:

• Fuji Hunt Photographic Chemicals
• KPMG LLP
• Millennium Specialty Chemicals
• IBM-Florida Capital Trading Area
• GTE Mobile Communications
• The Prudential Bank

Of course I have the necessary academic credentials that you would expect of someone who has been a Marketing Director. And, I can use a computer quite efficiently too -- I even get asked to troubleshoot computers from time-to-time! We can talk more specifically about all my skills and talents when we meet.

So, are you interested in talking? I’m ready! Why not put my portfolio of talent and skills to work for your company? You can leave me a confidential, private inquiry in my comments and we can go from there! I will contact you immediately!  Thank you and hope to meet you soon!  Let's talk!

An Angel in Heaven Suzanne Ludlum McNeely

In memory of Suzanne, an ANGEL in Heaven, Suzanne Ludlum McNeely. Born on Earth on August 30, 1931, and arrived in Heaven on Saturday, July 17, 2010, via Waycross, Georgia.

Reprint of her online obituary, thanks to Tributes.com.

Mrs. Suzanne Ludlum McNeely, 78, died Saturday morning (July 17, 2010) at Baptist Village Retirement Communities after an extended illness. She was born and raised in Waycross, but she lived in Merritt Island, FL for 25 years before moving back to Waycross in 1981. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Savannah as a registered nurse. She retired as the Director of Nursing at Baptist Village after 25 years of service. She was also a member of First Baptist Church Waycross.

Mrs. McNeely is the daughter of the late Lawrence Wesley Ludlum and Anna McGuire Ludlum. She is preceded in death by one sister, Eloise L. Shepherd of Waycross; and one brother, Lawrence Ludlum of Rockford, IL. Survivors include her husband of 53 years, A. C. McNeely of Waycross; two daughters, Marcia Marie Crowley (husband Jim) of Stone Mountain, and Gail Tull (husband Guy) of Annapolis, MD; three grandchildren, Jay Crowley, Olivia Tull and Elliott Tull; one sister, Anna Marie Misner (husband Russ) of Green Cove Springs, FL; a special niece, Susan S. Welch (husband Kenny) of Waycross; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday (July 20, 2010) at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 until 8 p.m. Monday at Music Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ovarian Cancer Institute, 980 Johnson Ferry Rd., Suite 1040, Atlanta, GA 30342. Music Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Suzanne was the "integral" element, the linchpin, for many a memory acquired over the years celebrating Thanksgiving with the family. Here is one of those special photos captured at Thanksgiving with the family. Look for Suzanne in the middle of all this family. To her right is her beloved A.C. Thank YOU Suzanne and A.C. and family for ALL THE BLESSED MEMORIES. I will cherish them FOREVER. And, Suzanne, I will always remember YOU. Thank YOU.

Holy Purple Cow COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion

Hello Ladies and Interested Men! Holy Purple Cow! Hold those presses and mascara-less eyelashes for COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion mascara! I had heard tell that BzzAgent Jono was actually wanting to participate in the hoopla to achieve a blast of volume and more dramatic lashes with COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion mascara!

Speaking for myself, I initially thought, "well it is about time!" when I heard that there would be a BzzAgent campaign for a mascara. Yeah, I couldn't wait to get in on the campaign and try that COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion mascara for myself.  Hey, my eyes are truly an important feature; those eyelashes better look great. I don't use false eyelashes; nope, no way -- nothing false about my eyelashes [well, or me for that matter!]

It is now a good week since the purple tube arrived and I am truly digging this mascara!  First of all, hello to my fellow Squidoo lensmasters in the quest for the purple star award.  I am giving the purple star award today to this pretty purple tube of COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion mascara!  OMG, it is the prettiest purple color.  Don't take my word for it, look at that picture!

I wanted to let you know all the players in my mascara lash-off.  We've got Maybelline, the COLOSSAL Volume Express, in that vivid yellow tube.  That's what I had just been using before switching to the COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion mascara!  The rest of the previous players include:

• Maybelline VOLUM Express Turbo Boost in very black
• COVERGIRL exact eyelights in black ruby
• CLINIQUE high impact mascara
• LANCOME PARIS L'EXTREME

There is just one mascara missing from the previous line-up, and that would be the pink and green tube of Maybelline.  That one fell out of the mix about 6 months ago!

Since it is early in the testing, I will need to follow-up with my adoring public in the near future.  At that time, I will give you my scoop on how much I am enjoying the COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion mascara!  And, if you live nearby, knock on my door and I'll give you a $2.00 off coupon to try some of this fabulous mascara in the pretty purple tube!  Ah, but you better hurry!  The coupon expires on 9/30/10.

Gotta have it? Well, do not waste a minute ... here it is at Amazon, along with some other great COVERGIRL masacaras!

One of My Inspirations

Those of you who know me and my writing and topics through the platform of Squidoo probably have seen two of my inspirations who are fellow lensmasters. I've written about Martin Stankewitz, aka editionh, as The Art of Zazzle. You might have seen The Wizard of Zazzle, ah Tickety-Boo that would be the Wizard Scott Morton.  Oh, there are other very special Squidoo lensmasters who are an inspiration to me, yes there are!

When I think of an inspiration outside of Squidoo and Zazzle, the very first person who comes to mind is someone that I know YOU would NOT expect.  An inspiration of mine, with whom I would love to have a six-month mentorship, or longer, is Michio Kaku.  Heard of him?  The Wikipedia reference for Michio Kaku gives you more detailed information than I could ever hope to give you here in my blog post; so I say, read that!

Michio Kaku, born January 24, 1947, is an American theoretical physicist specializing in string field theory, and a futurist. He is a popularizer of science, host of two radio programs and a best-selling author.

Michio Kaku, surprisingly reminds me personally a lot of my father who has been deceased for many years along with a hint of Guy Kawasaki!  Yes, good old Guy.  So, if I got that six-month mentorship, it would be quite a fulfilling experience, channeling my father, Guy and a whole lot of inspiration.  I think I need to make a point to attend one of Michio Kaku's talks.  If I had a bucket list, I'd add that!

P.S. I mentioned Guy Kawasaki. You know, I have written a bit about him. Maybe you have seen Best of Guy Kawasaki on Twitter, or The Art of the Start, or how about Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki?  You know, I would sincerely enjoy spending a mentorship with Guy, if he would have time what with all his twittering.  You know?