SALE!

Oh, what an end to the year.  Weeks of desolation (or desperation...take your pick) are slowly starting to fade, the change put into motion by MY FIRST SALE!  Well, in truth, there were a few made in June...but those were "gimmes" and don't count toward my consistency as far as I'm concerned.  Needless to say, one placement does not a consistent record make--however, I have a few cards in play right now that lead me to believe 2012 will be a much better year as far as productivity is concerned.  Naturally, one can't count chickens before they've hatched...but nothing wrong with a little cautious optimism, right?

Wishing everyone a great new year filled with happiness, health, success, and love.  No one knows what the future will bring, but I do know that opportunity doesn't usually present itself...you have to get out there and snatch it up.  So get the snatchin'!

Hiatus? What hiatus?

It's been a few months since my last post.  Unfortunately, there's not too much to report.  The past quarter has been jam packed with learning and adjustment--however, sadly, no sales.  This job is proving to be much more difficult than initially anticipated; I'm finding there to be so many factors that hinder progress, it seems, at times, almost impossible to place someone.  12-hour days are leaving me tired but not devoid of motivation (perhaps foolishly?).  Have a bunch of leads in the hopper, so hopefully the next month or so will bring some success...if not, going to have to explore alternatives...

In other news, I've decided I'm going to start a small business where I'll market myself out to people in need of piano background music for private parties.  Piano has always been a great love of mine, and what better than to make money doing something you love, right?  Not planning on it being a sole source of income, just a side gig for now.

More (frequent) updates to come!  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving :)

DAY O' PRODUCTIVITY!

Today will be a day of productivity.  Not sure how...not sure what, exactly...but there WILL be productivity.  I'm energized and ready for action.  Let's make this happ'n, Cap'n!!  Who's with me?!

...anyone?...

A bit of sunshine

It has recently come to pass that I've been...promoted? to "recruiter."  This is very exciting because now I'm actually making commission on my placements and can truly taste the fruit of my labor.  It's given me a new energy to go about my job; I was energized before, but now I am really jazzed to get to work every day.

Now I just have to start making placements :)  It will come.  In fact, I have my first candidate interview today.  Very exciting.  Hoping this is the mark of good things to come...

Website on hold, but just renewed the domain for another year.  WILL launch this m-f'er one of these days...

Also thinking of starting my own business playing piano for private occasions.  Figure, I love playing piano.  Always have.  And am pretty good at playing soft, soothing background music.  Why not make a few bucks doing something I love?  That is, after all, the American Dream, right?

(Current financial situation stagnant.  Law school loans continue to kill me, monthly.)

Sitting at the cool table

Surround yourself with successful people.  That's one of the things they say one should do in order to be successful, right?  Right.  And that's why I'm trying to get in touch with Mark Cuban and Adam Meyer.  These gents are two of the most successful entrepreneurs in the sports industry.  If you don't know who they are--or, at least. one of them--then you need to leave the cave and get thyself to a Wikipedia.  But, please take my word, these guys are seasoned veterans in the business world and two guys who I'd not only like to learn from, but with whom I'd also like to have a drink.  Or three.

I actually started this post last week so I'm going to bring it to a close now without going into any more detail as to my endeavors to contact Cuban and Meyer.  I started this blog not to have a forum to tell thought-out stories, but to give a real-time account of my path to big bucks.  So, no more putting it off...this is the end of this post!   More to come when inspiration strikes!

Thought for the Day: Be a BUILDER

Some days are tougher than others; we've all been there.  When the walls are coming down around you, don't get buried...be a BUILDER and build those walls back up!  Whether they're your own emotional walls, responsibilities at work, or interpersonal relationships, our walls support us and make continuing progress possible.  Without them, we fall, and falling lends itself to failure.  If your walls are crumbling, don't waste time wallowing in negativity...that won't help you get back up and reach your goals.  Instead, BE A BUILDER!

Back in Action

After a WONDERFUL 8 days in Arizona--taking in the sights, smells, and most of all, brain-melting desert heat--I'm back in town and ready to kick life into high gear.  The new job isn't providing the biggest motivational push at the moment; business actually isn't doing so hot right now.  No worries, though...that will change in time.  Until then, on to other endeavors.  The website WILL be up by the end of the week (been putting that off for too long...but no more.  Progress!)

Am fending off general feelings of stagnation in the hopes that a positive attitude will yield like results.  Can't get bogged down by worry and fear.  Fear is only in the mind of the beholder...and certainly won't get me closer to building my Man Cave in the house I've yet to buy :)

One month later...

Started the new job at the staffing agency.  Loving the new environment but won't rest confidently until I get bumped up to recruiter and have the ability to make bucks.  Want it badly, so hopefully my efforts will pay off sooner than later.

That said, the website is ALMOST complete and will hopefully launch at the end of the month.  Got put on hold these past few weeks with the new job and all.

Motivation and spirits are high...the birthday came and went and I'm still standing.  And the clock to 35 starts NOW!

New Job...Recruiter, hoooooooooo!

Tomorrow I start my new job as a mini-recruiter of sorts at a professional staffing agency.  Made the decision last week.  Needed a change from the current bump and grind...especially b/c there wasn't too much bumping nor grinding going on (get your head out of the gutter).  So tomorrow marks the first day in a long time that my thoughts won't be preoccupied with job hunting, which is a WELCOME change.  Now, sites are set on getting the website up and letting the affiliate marketing begin!  Rev thy engines!!

Fish or Cut Bait

Alright, today's the day.  Got an offer from a recruiting firm and need to decide if I should take the plunge.  Offer means I'll be investing in myself; low front end pay but BIG potential over not too long of a time.  I think, if anyone can do it, I can.  Just a little scary.  But, hey, you gotta take risks in life, right?  Can't win if you don't play.

Any seasoned recruiters out there have any nuggets of wisdom for a n00b with aspirations of greatness? :)

Decisions decisions

Interviewed yesterday with a staffing agency for a recruiter-type position.  Actually, I only went into the meeting looking to score information on what a recruiter does but ended up talking with them for over 1.5 hours and have pretty strong feeling I'll be getting an offer in the coming few days.  So....yeah, why not, right? :)

That said, I am waiting to hear about a position with a newer litigation support company that has blown up over the past year and may want me to hop on board.  The opportunity is pretty exciting (potentially) as the company is getting bigger and bigger by the day; getting in at the ground level could yield very positive results.  But, again, I'm waiting.   Have I mentioned that I hate waiting?  Well, in case I haven't, let me put it out there: NOT A FAN OF WAITING.

Updates as events warrant.

On the radar

-Application out for gov't position
-In talks re: private sector position
-Meeting today re: recruiter position
-Preparing personal affiliate marketing site for launch in next month
-In planning phase for social media marketing company

Eager beaver, much? :)  Operating under the belief that efforts are eventually rewarded.  Success WILL happen.

Write that down.

The New Venture

All the while I've been on this exhilarating (HA!) job hunt, I've been preparing to launch an affiliate marketing campaign through a domain I purchased last year.  I'll release more information once it's ready to go, but I'm excited about the possibilities (i.e. revenue) that it may bring.  If anyone has any tips, please write in.  I have a bunch of ideas on how to market this product using other internet-based avenues and will go into them at a later point.  Just planting a seed for now :)

Beside myself with (insert negative feeling here)

The position for which I interviewed at the staffing agency...the one that paid really well...the one I REALLY wanted...was apparently just filled internally.  I am steaming.  I had my crosshairs on that position for two weeks now and, after my meeting at the staffing agency, felt rather confident that I could bring it home.  The staffing agency really dropped the ball on this one; the recruiter to whom I was assigned was HORRIBLE at getting back to me.  And I feel like my repeated attempts to emphasize my desire to snag this position fell on deaf ears.  I was prepared to rearrange my schedule to come in for interviews, send any necessary documentation at the drop of a hat, etc...  But I never once felt that my recruiter shared that sense of urgency.  And now I see I was right.

This job would have been a game changer.  I will not forget this lesson.  Fucking unbelievable.

Interview

Interviewed today with a staffing agency in DC for an executive assistant position at a consulting firm, the name of which has yet to be revealed to me (don't be alarmed, that's how they do it.  It's partly a privacy concern, and partly that staffing agencies don't want your to circumvent the middle man--i.e. THEM :) ).  Was a bit leery at first as they took their sweet time getting back to me after I called...twice...and emailed...letting them know I was looking to move on this position quickly as I had other opportunities opening up soon.  But they came through and asked to meet, so perhaps I shouldn't judge this book by its cover...

Not QUITE what I expected

Went to my second round interview today with the "marketing" firm.  During the first round I found out that the position was one of direct marketing--not an option I had planned on entertaining...but I decided I'd hang around for round two and find out some more information.  I had anticipated it would involve dealing with businesses...bigger business...you know, large law firms, consulting firms--the kind that send around emails offering tickets to their employees and whatnot.  I assumed my job responsibilities would include meeting with HR reps and discussing purchase packages and the like.

Nope, not quite :)  My "second round" interview involved shadowing an "account manager" (don't you love important-sounding titles that don't actually carry the weight they boast?) as we walked through a neighborhood strip mall asking random employees if they were interested in Nationals tickets.  Needless to say, the word "yes" wasn't uttered once.  We then sat down at the Starbucks at the corner and he explained the VERY shaky compensation structure/hierarchy.  We shook hands, he told me to expect a phone call, and we parted ways.  I called the company later that afternoon and told them I wasn't interested.

*sigh*

Moral of the story: Don't assume :)

Interview

Interviewing today with local marketing company dealing in sports and entertainment. Not sure if the position is sales or marketing (or both). Wasn't looking for sales positions before now...am generally leery of performance-based compensation. But, hey, never a better time to test my mettle, eh? I've always wanted to sell doors door-to-door...

If I'm jumping on the sales train, anyone have any suggestions as to the best sales positions in the Washington, DC area?

Then and Now

11 months ago:  Graduated from law school, embarked on an exciting journey to find an interesting, well-paying job with benefits.

10 months and 29 days ago until yesterday:  Searching for permanent jobs to no avail (gov't positions both law-related and otherwise, random positions with random companies, social media-related positions, etc...) temp work at a large firm doing eye-gougingly painful document review, working part-time at a small firm doing actual work but making very little money.

At present:  Applied for a senior paralegal specialist position with a gov't agency yesterday.  The fact that "senior" and "specialist" are in the title are the two main draws (aside from the job description, which has the potential of being pretty cool...as paralegal positions go), being a law school grad.  Wasn't planning on even considering positions with "paralegal" or "legal assistant" in the title, but that was before I went 11 months without a permanent job.  Funny how time can rearrange your priorities :)  We'll see how it goes.

I have a few business ideas brewing--decent ideas that could amount to something bigger in time.  Ideas that could generate good and continuing revenue and would be--gasp--FUN.  It will take time to formulate a business plan and get things underway, but it's exciting to think they could amount to something sustainable.  And, yes, I'm aware of the cryptic nature of my description; I plan on elaborating when there's more of which to speak.  That said, I need a 9-5 job for now to provide stability...both financially and, frankly, emotionally.  So bring it on, "The Man"...I have loans to pay!

Words to live by

"...it's not resources but resourcefulness that ultimately makes the difference."
-Tony Robbins

Ready, set, succeed.

Alright, first post, here we go.

Background:
-I am almost 30.
-I graduated from law school with a ridiculous debt
-I currently live in the Washington, DC Metro area with my wonderful wife, generous mother, and two younger brothers.
-I want a house.  With a man cave.  And a car.  And the means to provide for a family (that my Wife desperately wants to start making).  And to travel.  And lots of other fun stuff that costs money.
-I am currently between jobs (my favorite way of saying "unemployed").

I had a little sit-down with myself about a month ago, ran the numbers, and decided that I need to start making some serious loot if I want to be able to afford the aforementioned items, become law school debt-free before I'm 150 years old, and feel financially secure in these tough economic times.  Then it hit me...I should just get rich!  Simple enough, I know.

So the goal is to become a millionaire by the time I'm 35.  I figured that 5 years is enough time for a gent with my skills, strong work ethic, and entrepreneurial potential to rack up a million bucks.  I mean, if Zuckerberg can do it...ok, right, nevermind...he's a genius.  But, hey, I'm no slouch.  I'm a get-up-and-goer!  Plus, my Mom said I can do anything I want if I put my mind to it.  So...there ya go.

This blog is a vehicle to share experiences with and get feedback from other like-minded (or not) individuals.  If you have anything to say, say it.  If you think I could be doing something better, lemme know.  I think I have a pretty good head on my shoulders, but two heads are often better than one (just ask Chang and Eng).  I don't know where I'll be in 5 years, but perhaps I'll at least be able to look back fondly on the journey getting there...