A Backstory from my New Job
crbrowning | Jan 05, 2009 | Comments 6
I wanted to share a quick backstory about how I ended up working at Chris Brogan’s New Marketing Labs. I think that it is a good lesson in networking.
To be honest, I was not on any sort of aggressive job search in any way. In fact, what I was trying to do was help a dear friend get a job and I Chris was the second person that I was introducing her to. In the coarse of making the email introductions, I innocently wrote in my message:
“Chris, if I had an opening, I would hire Betzi in an instant.
Betzi, if Chris had the need, I would work for him in an instant.”
I nearly crashed my car when I saw his one word response not long later that said, ‘Really?’ The rest is history.
I go out of my way to help my friends who have been displaced to try to land quickly. This has happened too often to me in the past, I don’t like to see it happen to my friends. One of my greatest moments last year was to have a part in helping another friend land a new job after he was laid off from a large agency. The big lesson here is to help your friends network because you never know how it will help you.
Now, back to my original mission. I have a friend in the Boston area who is currently looking for her next great opportunity. She is a fantastic marketer, great writer, incredibly organized, tireless worker, and probably the nicest person you will ever meet. Ideally, she would love a marketing job in at a Boston area non-profit – if you know of something, please let me know and I can put you in touch.
Thanks,
/Colin
Filed Under: News
Funny how we sometimes land jobs, huh? Another former Mzinga, dude, made an introduction for me that led to my LiveWorld gig.
Congratulations again on your new position on the pirate ship!
Colin,
Great post. If we all used our viral efforts to help just one friend in job need – that would be an amazing groundswell. Not just connecting them to our respective networks but “presenting” them for fast traction. I commend you for putting the word out about your friend in need.
Thanks,
Heidi (@hculbe)
Thanks Heidi and Bryan! Heidi – I love your point that if everyone could help just one person… that would be an economic stimulus package!
/colin
Congrats on the new gig! I hope the best for your friend in Boston, too. I lived in Boston for two years after college and had a HELL of a time finding work in marketing, social media, enivro, etc… Sounds like she’s got good people putting out the word though. I’ll surely keep an ear/eye out.
I am very passionate about this subject, so please forgive my long comment. Colin, that is another example of good things happening to good people, who keep that “Karma balance” in the black.
I left my last “job” (I was a partner in a startup, so I can’t call it a job) and I can’t tell you enough how most people I have helped even with smallest stuff are now “pimping” me out there. Heck, most of them can sell me better than I can sell myself. Good events to go to, guess where I find out about those from first. I told bunch of people that I was leaving my company and most dipped into their rolodexes to see if they could set me up with some people I could network. Why? Karma karma karma! Every opportunity I can send their way, I always do. I will go into networking meetings and if I hear anything remotely close to my guys and gals are looking for, I always make sure to give their contact info, try to setup a meeting for them, and follow up with both sides.
I am not the best networker, heck… I got a lot to learn. But one thing I have mastered and I love to see when others practice it – the art of earning those karma points.
Just my 2 bucks.
Funny how things work out isn’t it!?
If you’re an honest person, a hard worker, and giving, things have a way of working themselves out (oh, and a little luck never hurt either).