nodakfan17

Here’s my next question for the BF brain trust: I’d potentially be joining an organization that’s smaller than the one I’d be leaving. My department would have few managers and many generalists. Everyone works in-person on the same floor and there would be a ton of potential for organic learning and growth opportunities. I would be joining the new organization as a ‘Senior Analyst.’ My current organization uses lateral titling. Most people progress through the following pay grades at some point during their careers: Analyst Senior Analyst Manager Senior Manager Associate Director Director I’ve held a ‘Manager’ title for the last 4 years and would probably be in-line for a promotion to ‘Senior Manager’ during the next cycle. I worry about taking a ‘Senior Analyst’ title again, even if the new job pays better. Is a future employer going to see my chronological resume and think I couldn’t handle the responsibilities at my last job? I inquired about getting creative with my new title to demonstrate growth on my resume and they seemed hesitant because it may be unfair to people currently in that role. I think they view the ‘Senior Analyst’ title with more distinction, whereas in my current company, it’d be used more for colleagues with 3-6 years of experience. How hard should I push this? I don’t want to come in and upend their culture by being the guy who insisted on a vanity title, but I also don’t want to explain to my wife why I’m back to being an analyst. Thanks in advance for the input. I feel like a clown for making a big deal about a title. I can’t wait for this uncomfortable part to be over.

I thought the negotiation went well. These folks have been so kind to me. It felt a little uncomfortable to argue over comp (even though that’s business). Recall, I wanted $20K more than the initial offer. We settled on $15K yesterday with them coming up $15K and me down $5K. It was extremely awkward because they spent the last 2 weeks selling me on their company and telling me how great I am, but then an hour telling me why I wasn’t worth the extra $20K. I imagine this is a lot like baseball arbitration.We still haven’t settled on a deal, but the salary seems to be ironed out.

Thanks for weighing in on the tax question. I’d hate to trigger an IRS audit over $30 in unclaimed dividends.

I really appreciate that insight. This is a good opportunity and I probably wouldn’t turn it down if they missed my target comp by just a few thousand. I was caught off guard by their first offer because it was so low and came almost immediately after my first in-person interview. I was very honest about my requirements when I countered their initial offer ($20K more plus a manager title) and I wouldn’t go back and ask for more money if they hit that number. I’m assuming they’ll try to meet me halfway, but that probably won’t be enough to get me to jump ship. I’ll probably use your suggested language - ‘I’m very interested in the job and believe I’m a great fit for the company. If you can do this and this for me, I’m prepared to accept and put in my notice.’ I’m willing to walk away, but it’s be a darn shame because I think I’d be very happy there.

I’ve been job hunting for about a month. Last week, I had a great interview with one of my current employer’s competitors. I met with 4 people, including the CFO. It was probably the smoothest interview of my life. They spent most of the time selling me on how well I would fit in there. Unfortunately, their initial offer was pretty low and came with a title I last held 4 years ago. I countered by asking for $20K more and a manager title (which I have in my current role). I met with them again yesterday over lunch and am expecting a second offer today. I get a great vibe from these folks and would likely join them if they hit my target comp. If their second offer comes back low again, can I counter one more time or will they think ‘forget it, this guy will never be happy?’

My minor child received a 1099 for their brokerage account. He has no earned income and this ~$30 in dividends was his only income source for 2021 (talk about a liability, huh? ). I’m assuming he does not need to file taxes, but do my wife and I need to claim this $30?

True, when you look at the recent Frozen Four champions, there have been a few first time winners in the last 10 years: UMass, Providence, Yale, Union Meanwhile, the big time college hockey powers (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, Denver, Boston College, Boston University) have collectively won just 3 of the last 10 NCAA titles.

I’ll tread lightly here, but do you think the lack of recent success in Badger men’s hockey has anything to do with the formation of the Big Ten hockey conference? 3 of the leftover WCHA teams have won NCAA titles since 2013 (Duluth has won 2) compared to zero Big Ten teams. Mike Eaves was 24-11-2 during his first year in the Big Ten and then nose-dived with a pair of single win seasons to close out his tenure. Is the schedule harder within the Big Ten? Are big time recruits sour about having their games shuffled around to accommodate football and basketball? I’m asking because there appears to be correlation. I’m just trying to discern whether there is causation.

What’s the consensus on 1-page vs. 2-page resumes these days? I’ve always preferred the 1-page format. It’s basically a tear sheet on the candidate and helps demonstrate they can write concisely. It probably depends on the job and career stage, but I’d imagine a 1-page resume is still appropriate for 99% of openings. I ask because I’ve spent a few bucks to have online resume coaches review my application materials and two have come back with a version of my resume where my experience spills on to a second page. That drives me nuts. Am I off base?

I’m with you on the suit coat / winter coat combo. It’s a bad look. If you suit up in the winter, you almost have to go with a long dress coat. That just takes the formality up a notch.

I’m interviewing with a bank next week (with the CFO and Controller). The instructions from the recruiter said the dress code is business casual. I was planning on wearing a suit and pocket square with no tie. I think this still presents a very professional (but less rigid) image.

Do people still wear suits and ties to interviews or do they skip the tie and rock it in the pocket?

Michigan State (2007) was the last Big Ten team to win a NCAA title. They were a member of the old CCHA at the time.

Could you offer an authentic Wisconsin grilled sausage experience to differentiate yourself from other vendors or are you basically the only game in town wherever you set up?

Another update from the job search trail: I’ve noticed at least half the openings in the Business/Finance space are for low- to mid-level accounting positions. I don’t know what I was expecting (probably greater variety). If a person has at least an associate’s degree in accounting, there appears to be a strong floor to their wages and they’ll never need to hit the bread line.

I mentioned in a previous post that I decided to use Fiverr for an inexpensive resume review (I’ll report back once that’s complete). While on Fiverr, I noticed there were multiple postings along the lines of ‘I will apply for 100 remote jobs on your behalf.’ That might help explain why some candidates don’t even know what job they’re interviewing for. https://www.fiverr.com/saba_expertise/search-and-apply-100-remote-jobs-for-you?context_referrer=search_gigs&source=main_banner&ref_ctx_id=625ca781de902db2edf31db0359f63b8&pckg_id=1&pos=7&context_type=auto&funnel=625ca781de902db2edf31db0359f63b8&fiverr_choice=true&imp_id=788cb9ac-653a-48f4-9b09-85caa50ce7f3

I’ve managed my department’s summer intern program for 7 years and have received 3-4 calls from would-be employers inquiring about the interns’ work ability (or, more likely, validating that they weren’t lying about holding an internship). I’d keep some references in your back pocket to furnish upon request, but would not stress about preparing a long list.

I’m doing some career soul-searching now and occasionally wonder if I would have been better off (or at least more fulfilled) teaching high school. I appreciate the candid posts from the teachers out there. They help keep me level and remind me the grass is not always greener.

I’ll track all of my applications and responses and report back. This will be an interesting case study. I have a masters degree in my field with 12 years progressive experience. I’m looking to make a lateral move for less stress, some growth opportunities, and a 10% pay increase. I may apply to a few ‘reach’ jobs, but for the most part, I should be a qualified applicant. I’m curious to know if the tight labor market is real (I’m assuming this is the case) or if employers are just belly-aching because personnel costs have gone up 10% (also plausible).

I put together a resume and cover letter this weekend (first time in years). I thought it was a solid draft, but am looking for some feedback. I wound up going to Fiverr to find a career coach who could spend 30 minutes reviewing my application material and providing feedback for $20. I assume this is some low level HR employee who moonlights as a ‘career coach,’ to earn some pocket money, but for $20, I see no downside. Wow, is that site ever a rabbit hole. For that same $20, I could also get a personalized acceptance letter to Hogwarts or some NSFW erotic anime. Hmmm, decisions, decisions …

I’m not aware of a simple ROI calculator for aggregating monthly separate portfolios with different purchase dates, but that sounds like a great tool (if it exists).

Do people really put a bulleted list of skills on top of their resumes now? I don’t think this was in vogue during my last job search in 2011.

Does anyone have suggestions for contacting a career counselor? It’s been 11 years since my last job search and I’m feeling a bit lost. I wonder if someone could help me turn my raw thoughts into productive dialogue.

I really appreciate this feedback on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn. I would have started by combing through company websites one at a time.

I don’t even have LinkedIn. My last serious job search was in 2011.