Pulse Livescribe Pen

It's almost what I want. http://www.livescribe.com/

You can write notes and then upload to the computer. And you can record, and it will play back what was recorded at the time you wrote the notes you tap.

Pretty cool.

But really, the thing I want is a computer pen that will take my handwritten notes and type them. So I can interview someone, write handwritten messy notes, and foom! upload them and suddenly they are neatly typed. I think you may be able to do this for an additional $29.95 software from Vision Objects.

Why Is It

That blog writing is so much more fun than work writing...

Wrung Me Dry

Yah, I got nothing today.

Work has taken the life out of me.

Whoosh!

That was the sound of of it.

The life being sucked right out of this body.

Please check back tomorrow. Sleep typically restores some life back to me.

I Love My Geeks!

As part of my job I often train new Associates coming to the firm. Some of them come from the recruiting side of the spectrum - very personable, poised, etc. Others come from the research side of the spectrum - a little awkward, know how to find all information but we really have to work to teach them how to engage people on the phone etc.

Well, today I was frustrated because I can't figure out how best to find Fortune 1000 board of directors candidates who are very influential with the powers that be in Mexico. I emailed one of my geek leaning friends I had trained earlier this year and he is hooking me up!

Woo hoo! I love people who know how to do obscure things!

And That's Another Thing I Don't Like About Recruiting...

Really, I like my job. But, one thing I dislike is having to sign off candidates.

For each search, I will find 6-10 qualified candidates. We'll interview them, and then have our client interview four.

These are all people who have the skills, qualifications, and background to do the job. I wouldn't call them if they didn't have that. So, when our client makes their selection, and doens't choose someone, it's usually about another candidate having an exceptionally outstanding background, or they don't click with the candidate.

The process pretty much goes like this. We get a search, and I look through our database for candidates. I do research to find competitors and other appropriate target companies, and find out who the right person is. I call those 50-75 people. In pretty much every case, these people are happily employed. Then, I call and try and convince them to be interested in the job. 10 are interested. 6 are interviewed by us. 4 are interviewed by the client. One is chosen. Then, we tell the other 3 they stink and we don't want them.

It would be nice if I could say the straight truth:
"I'm sorry Joe, they thought you looked goofy in the cufflinks and white tie you wore to the interview..."
"If only you hadn't been a jerk to the receptionist while waiting for the CEO..."
"They thought you were self centered and arrogant..."
"No one appreciated the fact that you rescheduled three times, and we are all so mad at you that we don't care how good you are"
"They didn't like the hair in your ears" (sorry Fr. Husband)
"The client knows you already and laughed when I raised your name."

However, I have to find true things to say but softer, like
"There is another candidate that seems to have skills that fit exceptionally well with the client, and they want to pursue their candidacy..."
"It wasn't a good cultural fit..."
"They really do need ______ which unfortunately you don't have in your background"

So guess what I had to do this morning...

Conference Calls

In my line of work, we have a lot of conference calls. Sometimes you have to be fully engaged, like when you are talking to clients about candidates. Sometimes, you can listen without paying attention too much - like when you are on a gigantic practice call, and they are giving an update on things happening at the firm.

Top Ten Things To Do On a Conference Call

1. Catch up on email.
2. Clean your desk.
3. Pay bills (psych! as if I would do that).
4. Look at People magazine, and funny celebrity websites (www.gofugyourself.com)
5. Go internet shopping, fill up your cart, and never order the items.
6. Read and comment on blogs, or draft some entries.
7. Electronic photo cropping, and ordering photos on Shutterfly.
8. Prepare Sunday bulletin.
9. Make a scrapbook page.
10. Email other people on the call making fun of the person speaking.