Ron Hittle inspired me with one sentence

"To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground." - Stephen R. Covey, via QuotesBlog

I met Ron Hittle about 3-1/2 years ago at a career workshop at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. I remember that it was an encouraging and inspiring time for me, since I was really struggling for direction in my career. The encounter and events since then have showed me how powerful connecting with one person can positively affect another.

That year I also met a recruiter in the Dayton area, and we've exchanged e-mails and phone conversations over the past three years or so, having become part of each other's professional network.

She mentioned early on that I must have met Ron Hittle.

"How did you know that?" I asked.

"From then ending of your voicemail message," she replied. "I do that, too."

Imitation, it's been said, is the sincerest form of flattery. This recruiter and I at different times had adopted Ron's way of closing a message as our own.

It's a little bittersweet that I share all of this, because a few moments ago, she called me to say that Ron Hittle passed away this weekend. He'd retired some time ago and had been dealing with some health issues, but it still came suddenly. My thoughts and prayers go up to the family, as well as those who knew Ron well. He will surely be missed.

As I mentioned, I didn't know Ron that well, but he left a lasting impression on me just from one statement from his voicemail message, because it points to my own ability to do something about my life versus letting something happen.

If you've received an email from me or have heard me sign off on my mostly music podcast, you probably already know what I'm about to say.

Most people I know usually end a conversation by saying, "Have a great day!"

Ron Hittle would say, "Make it a great day!"

Thanks, Ron. I think I will.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr ron+hittle sinclair+community+college


Find information on Diversity recruiting at DiversityJobs.com.

SUCCESS STORY - Getting a job despite your efforts not to

Sometimes the need is just so great that the company will jump through hoops to get and retain you, despite efforts you might make to the contrary.

I talked with a woman today who does Accounts Receivables about how she got her current job. She did that work for a group of doctor's offices before she went on maternity leave. She wound up finishing her Accounting degree before she came off leave, so she opted to look for a full-time job outside of her job with the doctor's offices.

She said she applied everywhere and doesn't remember when she was contacted by the recruiter who was hiring for her current position. Then when it came time for the interview, she had to reschedule a couple of times.

While on the job for awhile, the company came in and eliminated half of the department. Thinking her own job was in jeopardy, she found another one and put in her notice. The VP of Operations begged her to stay and sent a message to her boss demanding that she give the accountant a raise.

Please share your own job-hunting success stories here so everyone can know they too can Get That Job!

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search success+stories networking daniel+johnson+jr

You Are the Star of Your Show!

Okay, I realize this might sound a bit weird...

Some of you may know that I host and produce the Journey Inside My Mind Podcast, which I have done for over a year now. At the end of the theme, before the opening monologue, I have an audio clip that I created that goes like this:

Man:What happens when a man goes through his own portal?

Woman:We'll see.

Announcer: Get ready... here's Dan Johnson!
(applause and sound of kids cheering)

I love having that clip because it gets me charged up and ready to move on with the show.

I recently have started using that same audio clip as the Start Windows sound for my computer. So now, as I boot up my machine and log in, I get introduced!

Like I said, it may sound a bit weird. Maybe even a little corny. I don't care. It charges me up for doing work.

What does this have to do with a job search? Well, in the same way, we all are the stars of our own show. Every day you get to live is a new palette for you to carve out a masterpiece. I think that how you approach it says a lot for your effectiveness. Sometimes we need something to inspire us to get started.

What inspires you to make it a great day?

Related tags: getthatjob get that job job hunt job search career advice networking professional development dan johnson attitude motivation inspiration jimmpodcast

Give Yourself a Pep Talk

You've received no phone calls or contacts about jobs for which you've applied. You search job listings and don't find openings that match your qualifications and experience. You might start to feel down.

I know because I have been there, am there, and will be there again. How can I get myself back up?

I think I need to give myself a pep talk. You might feel the same.

Every day and maybe throughout the day, I'm going to look the man in the mirror right in the eyes and say, "You are important. Your work is important. You are valuable. Someone wants to pay you for what you have to offer."

I believe that. I've been working on believing in things that are not as tangible as I'd like them to be. I've started thinking big and dreaming big.

If I let myself get caught up in negative energy, it will eventually lead to more and more inaction.

"Your work is important. Someone wants to hire you. You just haven't met each other yet."

Related tags:

getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development dan+johnson pep+talk self+image believe+big dream+big mind+change

Have the right perspective

"Anyone who sees in his own occupation merely a means of earning money degrades it; but he that sees in it a service to mankind ennobles both his labor and himself." -- A. Lawrence Lowell, also posted at QuotesBlog