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Blogs by William F DeVault
the two questions 1/5/2005 3:21:06 PM
I recall on the TV series "Babylon 5", there were two ancient races that got us in between them in a war. The little bit that signified these two races, aside from appearance, seemed to come down to this: The good guys always asked "Who are you?" the bad guys always asked "What do you want?"
Philosophically, interesting.
Having endured the slings and arrows (or, as one author said, the "flings and sorrows") for nearly a half century, am I ready to make smart choices?
Dunno. Define smart. And are you asking me who I am or are you asking me what I want?
I know who I am. I know my core values, my socio-politico-theologic-philosphical worldview. I know my strengths and my weaknesses. I know my demons, and what it takes to keep them on a leash.
What do I want? Bad question to ask a man who has pretty much laid waste to his own life trying to do right for others. I'm not claiming martyrdown, quite the contrary, I am claiming bad judgement. And, on some levels, I am still standing far more sturily than many of those I have helped, usually because they tend to get so addicted to my aid they never learn the lesson I am trying to teach. Just maybe not teaching it so well.
-----digression-----
I called a person today whom I delievered a resume to a week and a half ago. I hadn't heard anything, so three days later I called and left word that I was just checking to make sure it had made it to her desk. No return call. So, after a week and a half, I called again...the conversation went exactly like this...
Hello?
Yes, Miss XXXX?
Yes.
This is William DeVault, I had delivered a resume concerning the open position last week.
Yes?
I was just checking to make sure you had gotten it.
Yes, I had. Thank you.
-click-
No word on if she had read it, any questions she might have, if the job was still open, zilch.
Over the last six months, by my count, I have sent out over 100 resumes. I have placed at least as many phone calls. And, I have received a less than 2% response rate. Not yes or no, I am talking about confirmation of receipt. When you run an advertisement, be prepared to let candidates know their paperwork go through to you. It is common courtesy.
