As mentioned in this recent blog post, I’m back on the job market.
***UPDATE***: As of Tuesday, March 3, 2015, I’m the new Director of Marketing at Zignal Labs. Pumped.
But it’s one thing to announce you are looking for a job, and quite another to get the attention of employers. That’s what this page is all about.
EMPLOYERS: THIS IS FOR YOU!
I will detail what my ideal job looks like, what types of jobs I’m looking for, and provide short, video, medium, and long versions of why you (the employer!) should hire me. And you should. You really really should (hire me).
Ready?
Awesome.
So am I.
My Ideal Job
As a recovering perfectionist, I have to keep reminding myself there is no such thing as perfection. That being said, I’m also a big believer in full transparency. I think it’s important to put it all on the table, to aim for the stars, to have high hopes (yet reasonable expectations).
So, while the below list of my ideal job requirements is … well … ideal, I also realize that checking all the boxes would be the equivalent of winning the lottery – probably ain’t gonna happen!
So here is my list of ideal job requirements, in no particular order:
- Close to my home in Redwood City, CA. I’m happy to commute to as far north as San Francisco or as far south as Palo Alto. Anything farther means I’ll be spending hours in the car commuting. Certainly not ideal.
- Fair compensation. I don’t need to be a millionaire, but I do need to pay for my children’s daycare (and then some)! I’ve been a teacher (not a high salary) and I’ve been a digital marketing evangelist (a much higher paying job). I’m looking for compensation that matches my abilities, my experience, and my contribution to the organization.
- Flexible work hours. My wife and I have two children. I typically handle drop off and pick up most of the week. I need the flexibility to work from home every so often and sometimes leave work a bit early to get the kiddos. As someone who has worked from home for over a quarter of my career, I know how to get work done from a coffee shop!
- Part of a bigger picture. I need the work I’m doing to positively contribute to the world is some way, shape, or form. I need to be doing work that is making a difference … work that is advancing the world for the better.
- The Team. The Team. The Team. As legendary Michigan Football Coach, Bo Schembechler once said, it’s all about the team. One of the things I miss about not working in a company is not being part of a team. I love being around and working with other human beings. Being part of a team is pretty close to a must have.
- Contribution. Wherever I get hired, I want to contribute to the success of the organization. It’s important that the work I’m doing is helping move the company forward, helping them grow. I don’t want to just be a number. I don’t want to just be “another employee.” I want to have a positive impact. I want to leave a legacy.
- Small(ish) company. This is a tricky one. It’s not that I’m opposed to a larger organization. It’s just that – as mentioned above – the thought of “just being a number” makes me cringe. From my past work experience, I’ve found smaller companies tend to have a much tighter-knit employee base. I’m all about people and relationships. I like to know – really really know – all of my co-workers. This is much more likely to happen at a smaller organization.
FEBRUARY 16, 2015 UPDATE: One clarification – I need to be at a company that has a physical office near my house (aka, the San Francisco Bay Area). This is pretty much a non-negotiable. One thing I’ve learned over the past decade or so is I need to be around people. Yes, I also want the flexibility to work from home/coffee shops a day or two per week, but I can’t do all remote anymore.
Hopefully that paints the picture for what sort of job I’m looking for.
Do I still have your attention? I hope so. Otherwise, the goldfish win!
What Types of Jobs Am I Looking For?
While I’m hoping to keep all of my options open, a job in content marketing would definitely be in my sweet spot – something I love and am quite good at. I love to communicate – whether through writing or voice or video. I have a unique ability to tell stories – stories that resonate with others. Stories that are relatable. Stories that are interesting and informative and useful and human.
I am able to glean trends and other hot topics in the media and turn them into marketing content.
Some job titles that are appealing included:
- Head of Content Marketing
- Content Marketing Strategist
- Lead Content Strategist
- Senior Manager, Content Marketing
- Content Marketing Manager
That being said, I’m open to all roles that involve some sort of communication — blogging, speaking, writing, podcasting, video.
—
Okay, so now that you have an idea of what I am looking for in a job as well as what types of jobs I’m looking for … the remaining (big) question is: Why should YOU hire ME?
Below I’ve provided the short version, the video version, the medium version, and the long version. Pick which version suits you best … or just read ’em all!
Why YOU Should Hire ME: Short Version
I’m smart. I’m creative. I’m curious. I’m full of passion and energy. I’m funny. I work my ass off. I’m an excellent communicator – blogger, author, podcaster, videographer. I’m competitive. I love marketing. I love technology. I love people. I work smart. I work hard. I’m a GTD kinda guy. I ship. I lead. I inspire. I believe in balance.
Why YOU Should Hire ME: Video Version
My original plan was to record a short video of me telling you why you should hire me. But that seemed a bit … well … egotistical.
Then I considered asking some industry friends and colleagues for their 30-second take on why you should hire me, but that’s already been done (by me – watch video here … what they said a few years ago still applies today!).
Then I had another idea.
I texted a few dozen people – former co-workers and colleagues – to record a quick video of themselves saying one adjective they’d use to describe me. The response was pleasantly surprising.
Can’t see the video? Try watching directly on YouTube.
Special thanks to the following for participating in the “one adjective” video: Jason Zook, Eric Boggs, Joanna Roberts, Jay Baer, Amy Schmittauer, Maggie Jones, Ted Roxbury, Nick Einstein, Kathy Sacks, Kate DiLeo, Jeanne Jennings, Corrie Borris, Casey Kohner, Cori Mozilo, Genevieve Guerette, Greg Cangialosi, Brian Glover, Gini Dietrich, Shawn Sadowski, Dayna Rothman, Brad Williams, Ben DeFoe, Marcus Nelson, Maile Keone, Jason Keath, Mike Berger, Scott Duehlmeier, and Julie Neumark.
Disclaimer: No persons were injured in the making of this video and I, DJ Waldow, do not take any responsibility for responses sent while driving nor does I condone such behavior – Maile!
Why YOU Should Hire ME: Medium Version
So the short version didn’t quite cut it for you, huh? To each his or her own! That’s why I have the medium version of why you should hire me.
I’m relentlessly curious.
Every since I was a young child, I’ve been curious. I ask questions. I keep an open mind. I enjoy learning. I like to try new things (see my LinkedIn profile for confirmation). You need curious people at your organization. After all, curiosity is an important trait of geniuses! Wait. Did I just claim to be a genius? Ha! Far from it, but I sure am curious.
My curiosity has led me to live in many different parts of the country and explore many different jobs – and careers. From a consultant in Chicago to a “jack of all trades” at a startup in Kansas City. From an 8th grade teacher in Rochester, NY to an email marketing expert in Durham, NC (and Salt Lake City, UT and Redwood City, CA). From an owner of my own business to a digital marketing evangelist. From an author to a podcaster (and here!). From a career transition coach to “turn my podcast into a book” in 30 days or less to a job seeker.
You name it. I’ve done it. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it.
Curiosity is the key.
I’m a killer communicator.
When young people ask me what to focus on in school, I always tell them this: Communication. Never in our history has being able to communicate been more important. And to be clear, when I say “communicate,” I mean writing, speaking, presenting (virtual or in person). I mean voice, text, video. I mean short-form (Twitter) and long-form (blog posts), and even longer-forms (whitepapers, eBooks, books).
I pride myself on being able to connect with other human beings. I love – and am really good at – creating content in various forms – from social media updates to blog posts to eBooks to whitepapers to full-length books. Webinars. Google Hangouts. In-person presentations.
I’ve been published in Entrepreneur.com, MarketingProfs.com, SocialMediaExaminer.com to name a few. I’ve written a book and am working on another right now. I write a weekly email (the WhazzupDATE) to my Social Butterfly Guy list and publish two podcast episodes per week. I’ve published nearly 300 YouTube videos – some personal, most professional.
I’m wickedly creative.
Almost 4 years ago, after suddenly finding myself without a paying job, I launched a social media experiment to see if I could land a new gig. The blog post included a crowd-sourced video from some of the most well-known and respected marketers in the industry as well as an interactive resume … including a one in video form complete with voiceover. This social media experiment ultimately led me to founding my own email marketing consultancy, which I successfully ran for two years.
In 2013, my buddy Bryan Kramer and I launched the infamous “90 Days To Ellen” campaign … seeing if we could use social media to land a lunch date with Ellen Degeneres.
Oh, and did I mention I’m in the process of turning my podcast, Living Your Passion, into a book … in 30 days!
I’m incredibly passionate.
I’m an “all or nothing” kind of person. If I love what I’m doing, I’m all in. Similar to my 10-year run with email marketing, if I love something, I tend to eat, sleep, and even dream about it. I’ve considered changing my middle name from Jason to Passion. Hmmmm …
I’m humble.
Ha!
Okay. That was supposed to be funny.
I just spent the past several paragraphs saying how awesome I am and listing all the reasons you should hire me. Humble? YEAH RIGHT.
Truth be told, I actually am quite humble. I don’t take myself too seriously. I would much rather surround myself with people who are way more talented than me than be the smartest person in the room.
However, when dedicating an entire page to why you should hire me, it’s hard to not brag a bit. Right?
Why YOU Should Hire ME: Long Version
Long version?
Yeah right! Nobody reads long “stuff” anymore, do they?
If you want the long version of why you should hire me, let’s talk – over the phone – 650.400.8061, via video (Facetime or Skype – djwaldow), through email (djwaldow gmail), or better yet … in person! Book some time now using my ridiculously easy, super-efficient online scheduling tool.
Finally, if you are not hiring at this time, but do know someone who is, please share share share … this page.
THANK YOU!
