Watch KIT TV: “Tips and Traps for Job Networking” February 6, 2012
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.Tags: Get That Job, how, job, KIT List, search, tips, TV
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Hello Everyone,
Take a look at the second KIT List “Get That Job!” TV show. Now that it has aired locally, it’s now available on YouTube at http://budurl.com/KITtv2
Please share this with your friends, too, since we’re doing this series to not only help you and our KIT List community, but to help all job seekers be more effective in their search.
In our monthly shows, you’ll hear directly from the experts on smart job search and career management strategies – as well as the common mistakes to avoid!
This show is focused on successful job networking, or what I prefer to call “Friend-working.”
Friend-working is a more positive way to approach networking and turns what can be a scary process into one where you to help others first, which also ends up helping you in a more natural and enjoyable way!
We’re fortunate to have two outstanding guests, Hamid Sadaat, founder of CSIX Connect and Tom Brouchoud, Senior Manager of Global Talent Aquisition at Sandisk. I know many of you have benefited from Hamid’s generosity through his excellent networking organization, CSIX Connect. Hamid and Tom are long-time friends and they bring great perspectives and humor.
You can also view the first KIT List TV show at: http://budurl.com/KITtv1
That show has smart tips on interviewing, resumes and cover letters, among other topics. This note on YouTube is exactly the reason why we’re doing this series!
“Awesome, helpful, useful information you, Christine, and John provided. After viewing your video, “Get That Job…Job Hunting Tips Part One,” I modified my resume and cover letter, and, well, 4 weeks letter, received a job offer that best meets my qualifications and needs, plus most importantly, that I am passionate about. Many thanks!!!! So excited to start 2012 gainfully employed with a fantastic company. Thank you!”
Feel free to share these shows with anyone who is looking for a job, and stay tuned for the upcoming shows.
Warmly,
Sue
Get job tips from the experts on the first KIT List TV show December 4, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.add a comment
For the longest time, I’ve wanted to find a way to get important job search tips and strategies to the great people in our KIT List community – and to any of your friends who are looking for a job.
Thanks to a local access TV station in Mountain View, KMVT, we’ve started a monthly TV program called, “Get That Job!” In this series, you will get the best advice straight from the experts who are actually doing the hiring.
To view our first TV show on YouTube, just go to:
My whole purpose for the KIT List is to help great people find great jobs, yet I realize that it takes more than just getting job leads to land the right job.
I’m no expert, but I know the people who ARE the experts in these areas, and I finally have a chance to get them in front of each of you through this new TV series. My mission is to help you learn the best tools, techniques and ideas for finding the job you’ll love!
I’ve found that people are talented in many ways, but at a loss when it comes to their own job search. They want to know the best job search strategies and how to accelerate landing a new job.
I’ve personally seen people making serious mistakes that are hurting their chances. Are you accidentally making some of these mistakes?
- Do you know how to use new technologies such as LinkedIn and other social media tools effectively?
- Are you interviewing well?
- Do you know how to network in a positive way?
- Is your resume working for you?
We will cover those topics and more in this series.
Here’s just one tip from this first show:
Don’t slow your job search during the holidays! According to the Department of Labor, the months with the highest volumes for hiring of the year are actually in December, January and February. This gives you an extra advantage to be noticed while others are backing off on their search.
Take a look at the show and please share the link with any other friends or colleagues who can benefit from these insights from the experts.
Here’s to your finding an amazing job!
Would you take a moment to help our Veterans? November 13, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.add a comment
Hello Everyone,
I just finished watching the Veteran’s Day TV fundraiser for our veterans on “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” which I recorded on 11/11/11.
I was moved by the many heroes who are regular people who stood up with courage and put their lives and limbs on the line for us. Many have come home with devastating injuries.
I feel compelled to share this with our generous KIT List community so you each can help some excellent non-profits that are making a real difference for our well-deserving veterans who need us to return the favor they’ve done for us.
47,000 have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 40,000 soldiers are coming home in the next two months. They and their families have paid a huge price for us, and let’s show them that we are willing to thank them in a practical way.
Please take a moment to donate whatever you can, whether small or large, via a special web site that has been set up to get funds to important charities that are providing vital services to our veterans and their families including health care, housing, rehabilitation, mental health treatment, and job placement.
Just go to www.RiseAndHonor.org
The funds go to:
- Fisher House Foundation
- Hire Heroes USA
- Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
- United Service Organizations (USO)
- Volunteers of America
- Welcome Back Veterans
The special will be aired again on ABC on December 4th or you can view it now at http://budurl.com/RiseAndHonor
My Dad, who passed away last December, always asked veterans he met about their war stories. He was proud to have served our country in World War II, and sometimes these men had never even told their own families what they experienced at war.
The spirit of the KIT List (Keep in Touch) and friends helping friends is a direct result of my Dad’s simple example. I wrote a blog post, just before he died, about how he was the inspiration behind the KIT List at http://budurl.com/KITinspire.
We are losing the heroes from WWII on a daily basis, yet they’d say they were the lucky ones who made it back to start families and grow our country. These men and women would just humbly say that they just did what was needed, and the same goes for the veterans of every generation afterward.
Some came back stronger people than they were when they left home, while others came back with physical injuries or mental traumas. There are 75,000 veterans that are homeless today.
Please take a moment to say thank you in a more profound way by donating through Rise and Honor.
Thank you all!
Sue
You’re invited to the KIT List “Friend-working” mixer this Wednesday 10/19! October 17, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.Tags: friendworking, KIT List, meet up, mixer, Networking
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Hey, summer’s not over yet!
The weather is still warm, so come meet friends on the KIT List and use the power of friendship to help each other find great jobs! We had a huge turnout last year, so it’s time to do it again!
Everyone is welcome, including job seekers, consultants, employers and recruiters…and all KITlist.org friends.We’ll have some fun “Friend-working” exercises to get everyone mixing and helping each other effectively.
There’s no charge to attend, but you’ll need to pay for any drinks or food you order.
The theme for the night is “Friend-worrking” instead of networking. The idea is to come first with the intent to help others, which creates a more relaxed environment and the spirit of abundance. Even if you are out of work, you have something to offer of value: a tip, an introduction, a resource or an idea. Besides, a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet! Bring a friend or come on your own, all are welcome!
The whole purpose of the KIT List is to “keep in touch” and help our friends find great jobs. Come meet other great KIT List members — and new people are welcome too!This a casual event is to provide a way for job seekers, or just KIT List friends, to help each other, share job ideas, and mingle with others who may be hiring.
Please RSVP so we can alert the BBC team for staffing.
The Evite is at http://budurl.com/KITevent2
If you want to sign up for KIT List job emails, or post a job opening, just go to http://www.KITlist.org.
Thanks, everyone, this should be a fun night!
Sue Connelly, Amy Plunkett and Kelly Connelly
Your KIT List Team
(TM) Friend-working is a trademark of Connelly Communications, Inc.
Let’s help Cisco friends (and other friends!) find jobs July 29, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.5 comments
Hello Everyone,
With the thousands of layoffs at Cisco starting next week, this reminds us that while the job market is actually improving in many ways, we are a long way from having everyone in solid jobs again.
Many of my Silicon Graphics friends who were part of the early KIT List went to Cisco and are now getting laid off.
With over 70,000 people in our KIT List community, let’s use the power of friends helping friends to get the Cisco folks connected to great
jobs…and reach out to our other friends who’ve been out of work for a while.
Especially if you are job hunting yourself, just the act of helping someone else empowers you. It turns your energy into a positive force that creates a ripple effect of good. The amazing thing about it is that by doing something to help a friend or stranger, it invariably ends up coming back to you in unexpected ways. From the many great stories I’ve heard from KIT List people, I know this isn’t an empty platitude, it really works!
What are some easy things to do?
- Forward job leads from KIT List and other job boards. It just takes a minute.
- Meet with your friend for coffee or a walk. It doesn’t cost much yet the personal contact and encouragement will help your friend
know there is hope and they are not alone.
- Send an invitation to an unemployed friend to connect on LinkedIn. Offer to make personal introductions to people in
companies where they’d like to work.
- Get a friend’s resume in front of a hiring manager in your company increases their odds of getting that job.
There are more ideas on my first “Pay It Forward” blog post at http://budurl.com/PIFideas
This great KIT List community responded so well when we did the “Pay It Forward” push a while back to ask each KIT List person to do one
thing a day for five days to help a friend or someone else looking for job.
The good news is that there are many companies that are hiring again, plus start-up activity and growth in smaller yet mature companies. It just takes a little bit more effort to uncover those opportunities.
Having friends on the lookout for each other, whether you are looking for a job yourself or if you are in a company that is hiring again, this is the best way to get great people back to work!
Warmly,
Sue
Recent quakes a reminder to update your Earthquake Kits March 18, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.Tags: earthquake, Japan, Jobs, KIT List, tsunami
2 comments
Hello Everyone,
First of all, I’m so impressed by the response from many of you in this generous KIT community to the Red Cross donation email for Japan!
Please see the comment from the Silicon Valley Red Cross (www.kitlist.wordpress.com) on other ways to help. The director also mentioned that we have local needs that the Red Cross helps.
On that note, since many of us live in earthquake territory, and with so much activity around the Pacific recently, this is a good time for us to look at our own earthquake preparedness.
For those of us who have supplies, I know mine are expired, so it’s prudent get fresh water and packaged food. Older water can be kept for washing needs. Consider buying extra supplies to share with neighbors.
For those who haven’t got an earhquake kit yet, a quick trip to Target can do the trick. Buy large plastic containers, get basic camping gear, some tools, blankets, rain gear, food and most importantly, water. Many sites have great lists, but these suggestions are just a start.
My philosophy is similar to carrying an umbrella so it doesn’t rain. Let’s get our kits updated and we won’t have earthquakes. 
If you have comments or suggestions please post them to this blog so others can benefit. Thanks!
A Quick Way We Can Help Japan March 11, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.2 comments
Hello Everyone,
With the great people in our community, I’m sure many of you have been struck by the massive devastation in Japan with not only the earthquake, but the incredibly powerful tsunami.
Since there are nearly 70,000 in our KIT List community, if we all can take a minute to donate $10 to the Red Cross to make a difference. It’s fast and easy.
Just text 90999 and type REDCROSS
Or you can donate to http://www.redcross.org
The Red Cross is asking for cash donations instead of supplies at this time.
Since many of us in California live in earthquake country, we will face this ourselves at some point. Already, we’ve been impacted on our coast with the tsunami reaching here.
Please, let’s help our friends in Japan today.
Thank you, everyone!
Sue
Don’t be Afraid of the Bumps in the Road March 1, 2011
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.Tags: accidents, Jobs, KIT, List, transformation
15 comments
How can a bad thing be good?
There is a rut on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County with my name on it. Well, not really, but it became a major milestone in my own life.
A mountain biking accident which shattered my wrist seemed like just one more thing in a series of bad things, but it really became the catalyst for something bigger and better than I could have imagined. Especially when I was face down in the dirt with the breath knocked out of me, wondering what the heck I’d just done to myself.
The funny thing is – looking back, I’d do it all over again!
Each of you faces your own unique bumps in the road, and this is how to embrace them.
Moments before my wipeout, I was thinking that I was going too fast. But I had made the arduous trip up the mountain, with the encouragement of my brother and sister, and was looking forward to the fun part – the effortless ride down!
A little voice warned me I was going too fast, but I purposely overrode it saying to myself, “Don’t be so cautious, nothing will happen. Just push yourself and have fun.” I even yelled, “Woo hoo” out loud! But just around the next turn was a deep rut. I hit it too fast, exceeding my own skill limit.
Flying through the air, my life changed at that moment. But I’m glad that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, even though the results were not what I expected.
In your own life, many things can be your own bumps in the road.
I’m sharing my story to encourage you when you’re in the midst of set backs, and that it’s often the bad things that are actually good things after all. Something that initially looks grim, or even tragic, can become a transformational experience that can be the greatest gift or motivator in disguise.
My broken wrist was more of a psychic blow after a series of wallops, and I was wondering if there wasn’t some message from the universe that I just wasn’t getting!
This was during the Dot Com bust. I had no client work, and even worse, I had a client go bankrupt which cost me tens of thousands of dollars. Now I had medical costs on top of it.
I had no money coming in and was working hard on the KIT List in my free time helping others find jobs. But the irony is that I had no work myself. Friends didn’t think to refer work to me since they thought I was well connected and already had work. I was in a spiritual desert, not feeling God’s presence, was working hard on health and fitness but ended up with a very expensive broken wrist (I delight the TSA going through security with six screws and a large plate in my wrist).
I was hemorrhaging my hard-earned savings at a frightening rate. This was on top of several big things that hit, and it felt like I was being punished for something I hadn’t done.
But it was the fear and desperation that I was feeling that became the catalyst for good.
I’ve now made my peace with fear, realizing that it can be a powerful motivator instead.
For seven years, I’d been doing the KIT List late at night after finishing my consulting work during the day. It really felt like a monster on my back. It needed daily care and feeding, and it kept growing and growing. Friends kept saying I should charge for the KIT List, but I didn’t feel comfortable about it. The KIT (Keep In Touch) List started quite by accident while I was just keeping in touch with my friends from Silicon Graphics, and I never intended it as a business. It was more of a moral obligation and I felt a huge responsibility to the people on the list who were top-notch professionals who were out of work. They were friends and friends-of-friends who’d referred each other to the list. Early on, it was the inside scoop on jobs that weren’t listed anywhere else as SGI friends shared job openings at their new companies.
But when I had those times when I felt that I couldn’t keep the list going, I would get an email from someone on the list who had a really tough situation — and that made me feel that I had no right to shut it down when others faced harder situations than mine. I’ll never forget the woman who wrote me who had a husband dying of cancer, she was the sole income earner for their three children, and she had lost her job.
Amazing help often comes in the hardest times. Amy Sloniker Plunkett, my friend from SGI, Val Cienega, a job seeker from the KIT List community, and my sister, Kelly Connelly, stepped in to help with the heavy moderator workload as volunteers. Other friends offered advice and encouragement.
A broken wrist doesn’t seem like a big deal in the scheme of things, but it was the last in a series of blows that profoundly shook me.
It forced me, out of sheer fear and desperation, to take the KIT List to the next level, creating the web site, getting programmers, and providing better email delivery. I finally had to charge a very small fee to employers and recruiters posting jobs so I could finally pay my wonderful moderators, designers and programmers, and to make the KIT List a better tool to help great people find great jobs.
I still need my “day job” as a marketing consultant to pay my own bills, but if God hadn’t lighted a fire under me to do something about the KIT List, it would not around to be serving the wonderful 70,000 people in our community today. I’ve changed my own perception of the KIT List from being “the beast” on my back to seeing it as the “The Little Engine That Could.” It’s really the power of friends helping friends that makes this community special. I still have a lot of things I want to do to make the KIT List better, and with good friends and limited funds, I hope to be adding them over time. We are glad that the KIT List has helped so many people find great jobs, yet we want to build on that even more.
The worst thing can ultimately end up being the best thing after all.
For those of you who are facing your own bumps (or far bigger) in the road, I want to encourage you to take heart. Keep moving forward with courage and integrity, don’t be afraid to ask for help (many friends would be delighted to pitch in and return favors you’ve done for them), be willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone (scary, but worth it!), and realize that you have gifts and talents to offer to friends, family, non-profits, companies, and to the world. You have gifts to offer even if you don’t have a penny in your pocket.
Hang in there and you will be able to look back on what may have been a dark chapter in your life to see that it was a catalyst to something infinitely better than you could have ever imagined!
Bad things can become a transformational experience to take your talents and character to a higher level, bring special people into your life, deepen your faith, and redirect your path to something that will exceed your expectations.
PLEASE share your own stories in the comments section of this blog.
It will encourage other people in our KIT List community. Thanks!
Thank you for the kind emails about my Dad and Merry Christmas December 24, 2010
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.2 comments
To our wonderful friends in the KIT List Community,
Words can’t express how much my family and I appreciate the beautiful emails so many of you sent after hearing that we lost my Dad on the 9th, who was really the model and inspiration for the “Keep In Touch” KIT List. The blog I wrote in November explains why. It’s at http://budurl.com/BobC
My Nativity scene at home
My sister, Kelly, who moderates the KIT List with Amy Plunkett and me, and I read the emails to my Mom and the rest of our family.
We were touched by the stories you shared about losing your own parents, or facing difficult situations of your own with grace and courage. The outpouring of support felt like a warm blanket as we rushed to make the arrangements for his Memorial Mass and celebration of his life. Although he will be sorely missed by our family, the hope of being together again forever alleviates this temporary parting.
I am trying to reply directly to each of the emails, but the flurry of activity to make arrangements for my Dad, I know I will miss a few of you. Please accept this email as our heartfelt thanks for your support and kindness.
I want to wish you all a very special Christmas with those you love, and that this new year will be filled with joy, abundance, great jobs and much happiness. I have an even greater appreciation for friends and family after these recent weeks, and aren’t they one of the most important gifts after all?
Thank you so much and Merry Christmas,
Sue and Kelly Connelly
December 10, 2010
Posted by Sue Connelly in Uncategorized.5 comments
Hello Everyone,
Kelly and I lost our wonderful Dad, Bob Connelly, yesterday. Many of you know that Kelly is my sister and she moderates the KIT List with me — along with our dear friend Amy Plunkett. It was his example of keeping in touch and looking out for friends that was the inspiration for the KIT List.
I’m so thankful now that I wrote that tribute to my Dad on the blog a few weeks ago, so that he knew how much his influence and modeling has extended to others. If you’d like to see that blog post, it’s at: http://budurl.com/bobconnelly
His death was actually very swift and unexpected. Although he was contending with Parkinson’s, he ended up suffering a massive brain hemorrhage that was unrelated. Thankfully, our family all made it in time to the ER at Stanford to be by his side and say goodbye and pray. He was a man of great faith, and our pastor rushed over to bless him with Last Rites.
I deeply appreciate all the kind messages so many of you sent when I posted the blog about him last month, and I tried to respond to as many as I could.
The important thing is that I shared your comments with him, and it really made him feel wonderful to know that his simple concept was able to help others, too. He never complained throughout his various physical challenges, so when said he had such a painful headache, we thought it might be big.
I am so very sad, yet I have peace that this is God’s perfect timing. This is still so fresh since he died yesterday at 4:00, but I am grateful for being graced with this truly incredible man in my life. He is my hero.
He and my Mom have been the absolute best parents and their loving marriage and great faith have been the bedrock for our family’s happiness. His last words before he became unconscious at home yesterday was to tell my Mom how lucky he was to have married her. They had an extraordinary marriage, which I attribute to what I call the “thousand little kindnesses.” They were so thoughtful and good to each other, and to our whole family. A recent example was how he went to put a footrest under my Mom’s feet while at Thanksgiving, even though he was having a harder time walking. He gave my shoulders a back rub, even though his hands were so weak, just because I wasn’t feeling great. He was still cheerful and making jokes with the ER staff the night before he died (he was sent home after they checked him out thoroughly and said it was just a severe headache. I called 911 the next day, so it’s important to follow your gut).
I’m writing this to share that if you have anything you wanted to say or do for a parent or loved one, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet, I wanted to encourage you to do it now. I am so very relieved that I got that blog post out while he was still alive, so that he would know how much he meant to me and to others. Time is precious, and you just never know how short some times might be. We were lucky to have him for the time we did, and we were prepared for a long haul with Parkinson’s. My Dad will be greatly missed by our family and friends — he was my rock, my biggest supporter who encouraged me, and loved and believed in his family in the most loving way. My solace is that we will all be reunited forever again.
I am so glad that he was able to hear from the KIT List community before he died so suddenly. It meant a lot to him to know that his simple way of reaching out to friends and keeping in touch over the years has had a ripple effect.
Thank you all for the many supportive and encouraging emails over the years, it has meant a lot to Kelly, Amy and me. This incredible community is so very special, and knowing that we are all connected and have the power to help each other and reach out to each other is what it’s all about.
Our time here on Earth is brief, no matter what our age. In this special Christmas season, and for every day, I hope that you get a chance to be with your loved ones and let them know how much they mean to you. I will miss my Dad terribly, but I have no regrets. I’m so grateful that he graced my life as he did.
God bless you all,
Sue
