Comments for Let's Talk Turkey

Comment on VisualCV is Pitching BlueStep and I’m Not Buyin’ It. by Mike B

Mike B — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:19:16 +0000

I’m evaluating BlueSteps now, and thanks for the original post and comments. It seems to me that BlueSteps acts as a gatekeeper for the AESC members. High-level firms must be inundated by people who want to be considered for C-level jobs.

So the search firms divert the flow of candidates to a service that does two things:
1) Limits candidates to only those earning the equivalent of US$100K/year;
2) Limits candidates to “serious” ones willing and able to pay the initial $329.
Then the AESC database becomes a resource for the AESC members, already filtered by these two criteria.

I do not see it as a service for candidates, rather it is a service for AESC members which is paid for by candidates.

This service probably makes sense if you believe the higher end (e.g. Heidrick & Struggles) firms would be interested in you. If you barely meet the BlueSteps requirements, you probably won’t get much value from this service.

In other words, the people more likely to need help to get to a senior exec job are going to be least helped by BlueSteps and will have the hardest time meeting those two criteria–and vice versa. Just my $0.02.

Comment on The Recruiter Interview and What it Means by Ducky

Ducky — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:43:05 +0000

Your ptosing really straightened me out. Thanks!

Comment on VisualCV is Pitching BlueStep and I’m Not Buyin’ It. by Keith

Keith — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:09:24 +0000

Thanks for the information I needed about this. My first clue was the fact that the BlueSteps website refuses to say how much this “valuable service” is worth until you signed up and gone through everything (i.e., when they’re ready for your credit card). Thanks for answering that question and saving me the trouble.

Comment on VisualCV is Pitching BlueStep and I’m Not Buyin’ It. by Jane

Jane — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:42:11 +0000

Patricia,
Please do let me know how it goes. I’d be interested to see if they get back in touch with you. You may give me fodder for a second blog on this.

Comment on VisualCV is Pitching BlueStep and I’m Not Buyin’ It. by Jane

Jane — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:40:24 +0000

Patricia,
Thanks for reading and I’m glad you called, even if you didn’t get the result you had hoped for.

Comment on Top Five Tips for Writing Killer Cover Letters by Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:32:44 +0000

For the first time yesterday I did just that. I followed up my application with a phone call to ascertain my suitability. I did not want to waste my time researching the company, etc before the first round of interview if I was not going to be on their long list. The recruiter took my call and confirmed that I need more sector experience and as a result was unlikely to be shortlisted. It was worth it. I have now connected with the guy on Linkedin. There will be other opportunities.

Comment on VisualCV is Pitching BlueStep and I’m Not Buyin’ It. by Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:12:21 +0000

I have recently jumped with my feets first without having done my due diligence! I am an executive-level marketing professional. I have reviewed the databased of retained search firms and identified 6 headhunters in the UK which could be useful out of hundreds.Could I have been able to identify them without the BlueSteps database? I don’t know. I am now going to begin my outreach campaign by asking them to meet me. I will start to say “Well, you name is on the list, you and I should talk”. I will keep you posted.

Comment on VisualCV is Pitching BlueStep and I’m Not Buyin’ It. by Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:11:33 +0000

I have recently jump with my feets first without having done my due diligence! I am an executive-level marketing professional. I have reviewed the databased of retained search firms and identified 6 headhunters in the UK which could be useful out of hundreds.Could I have been able to identify them without the BlueSteps database? I don’t know. I am now going to begin my outreach campaign by asking them to meet me. I will start to say “Well, you name is on the list, you and I should talk”. I will keep you posted.

Comment on A Job Ad Requesting a Family Picture is Real and Just Wrong by Is The Entire Hiring Process Flawed? « Let’s Talk Turkey

Is The Entire Hiring Process Flawed? « Let’s Talk Turkey — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:02:09 +0000

[...] “angry,” post from a reader in response to a piece I penned about a year ago entitled “A Job Ad Requesting a Family Picture is Real and Just Wrong.” In that post, I discussed the fact that an Attorney named Nicholas Rowley ran a [...]

Comment on A Job Ad Requesting a Family Picture is Real and Just Wrong by Shannon

Shannon — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:37:19 +0000

Hiring is discrimination all around. You PRESUME someone will be a good fit based upon the discrimination of a resume and where they went and what they did. Based upon an in person face-to-face interview and what the gut tells them is also another PRESUMPTION that is also discrimination. I come dressed appropriately, yet I do not mesh with your personality even though I have proven job performances, you are NOT going to hire me based upon your discrimination and your gut. You mean to tell me that seeing the person in a face-to-face contact is any different than a family photo? In reality the appropriate answer would be no; in addition, resumes and power shots can all be used a discrimination if people spend thousands of dollars to get an edge vs. those whom do not. Then you can break it down upon what school, what GPA, what volunteering activities, etc. Hiring is a form of discrimination. If he doesn’t “feel” the connection through the picture then so be it. I applaud him on his accomplishments and wanting people who put the family work atmosphere first rather than corporate bragging rights of how many graudated from Harvard. As a lawyer he deserves KUDOS and in regards to hiring, as stated above…..all places discriminate and there are just some are more noted than others. That is the reality.