Comments for The Uncertain Man http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog "Stop the uncertainty! or barring that, join it!" Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:02:47 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on My Top Five Life Changing Moments by Deanna Kortehttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2011/09/my-top-five-life-changing-moments/#comment-1210 Deanna Korte Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:02:47 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=106#comment-1210 Great post, Rick. I was thinking the other day that I could quite clearly recall the three worst days of my life, but could only come up with two I would call the best. I probably need to do some re-thinking. Great post, Rick. I was thinking the other day that I could quite clearly recall the three worst days of my life, but could only come up with two I would call the best. I probably need to do some re-thinking.

]]> Comment on News of my demise has been greatly exaggerated. by Richardhttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2011/07/news-of-my-demise-has-been-greatly-exaggerated/#comment-1107 Richard Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:13:11 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=93#comment-1107 Good luck with your assignment. I'm sure this position is one of the first steps in turning the corner. -Richard (a.k.a. "That first 'broad experience' guy in 'the Journal News Underemployment article'. Though instead of delivering pizzas, I worked for the Census.) Good luck with your assignment. I’m sure this position is one of the first steps in turning the corner.
-Richard (a.k.a. “That first ‘broad experience’ guy in ‘the Journal News Underemployment article’. Though instead of delivering pizzas, I worked for the Census.)

]]> Comment on The Uncertain Hobbyist – Car Enthusiast & Motorcyclist. by Robert Wilsonhttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/the-uncertain-hobbyist-car-enthusiast-motorcyclist/#comment-135 Robert Wilson Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:22:55 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=14#comment-135 thanks for the post thanks for the post

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by Who? I Can't Decidehttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-50 Who? I Can't Decide Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:07:37 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-50 Thanks everyone for the encouragement.. Pity Party is done.. (though I'm not certain it'll come again.. I am after all.. *superhero voice* The Uncertain Man!!!)@Ty - if I could even just START it, I'd have made progress... FTR, I haven't yet. Just have a massive list of keywords for the transferable skills, etc. This stupid car registration nonsense kept me from it. Tomorrow fo' sho'@PJ - I didn't leave a voicemail.. It's actually a bit of a delicate situation.. I signed all kinds of legal releases, non-disparaging agreements, etc. when I left, so I'm not really sure how my exit was communicated to our clients. I didn't want to leave a message and have it ignored if there was any ill-will towards me as a result of whatever story was told them. I'm trying to catch her at her desk again tomorrow. Yes, I'm on LinkedIn... Thanks everyone for the encouragement.. Pity Party is done.. (though I’m not certain it’ll come again.. I am after all.. *superhero voice* The Uncertain Man!!!)

@Ty – if I could even just START it, I’d have made progress… FTR, I haven’t yet. Just have a massive list of keywords for the transferable skills, etc. This stupid car registration nonsense kept me from it. Tomorrow fo’ sho’

@PJ – I didn’t leave a voicemail.. It’s actually a bit of a delicate situation.. I signed all kinds of legal releases, non-disparaging agreements, etc. when I left, so I’m not really sure how my exit was communicated to our clients. I didn’t want to leave a message and have it ignored if there was any ill-will towards me as a result of whatever story was told them. I’m trying to catch her at her desk again tomorrow. Yes, I’m on LinkedIn…

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by Who? I Can't Decidehttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-49 Who? I Can't Decide Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:03:16 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-49 With respect to what I need to do... umm... get an less physical game console? Duct tape the kids? :-DI do know what I need to do.. Doesn't mean that it isn't easier said than done. Not to mention part of the process (for me at least).. is getting stuff on 'paper' so to speak. Once the self doubt it written down, it seems so silly.. and once the bullet points are made clear.. they become more tangible.. I know you know where I'm coming from.. *ehugs* With respect to what I need to do… umm… get an less physical game console?
Duct tape the kids? :-D

I do know what I need to do.. Doesn’t mean that it isn’t easier said than done. Not to mention part of the process (for me at least).. is getting stuff on ‘paper’ so to speak. Once the self doubt it written down, it seems so silly.. and once the bullet points are made clear.. they become more tangible.. I know you know where I’m coming from.. *ehugs*

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by PJ Mullenhttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-47 PJ Mullen Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:20:22 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-47 I remember the conversion to the "functional resume" and getting a little depressed about things. And, you've probably already thought of this, but I'd email the client as a follow up (you didn't mention if you left a voicemail) and see if you could carve out some time to chat. Out of curiosity, do you have a LinkedIn account? I remember the conversion to the “functional resume” and getting a little depressed about things. And, you’ve probably already thought of this, but I’d email the client as a follow up (you didn’t mention if you left a voicemail) and see if you could carve out some time to chat. Out of curiosity, do you have a LinkedIn account?

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by Tyrone M.http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-46 Tyrone M. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:14:44 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-46 Remember that you don't have to get the resume right the first time around. I went through at least 4 different versions of it before it was "right". Progress is incremental. Remember that you don’t have to get the resume right the first time around. I went through at least 4 different versions of it before it was “right”. Progress is incremental.

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by Theresahttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-45 Theresa Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:35:10 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-45 You know, you still are that same person....but older and wiser. And your bullet points are absolutely TRUE!!!! I have a pretty good understanding how you feel as I've been out of work for over 3 years. I get the self doubt....I just turned 50 this year and am competing with those much younger. Of course, the hair doesn't help.....and I don't have the great technical skill set you have. But I do have a strong tech background, great people skills and am a natural teacher. I looked for other opportunities that capitalized on those and was fortunate to find some that helped renew passion for what I really want to do with my life. I am working, but I make about 40% of what I used to make. Maybe when the Ph.D is done, the income will improve to closer to what it used to be.I do understand that you have a family to support so you can't get away with those numbers....But with all due respect, its time for the pity party to stop. Only YOU can make the changes that you want. If you are getting winded playing Wii...you know what you need to do (and yes, I understand asthma all too well). If the kids are kicking your butt, again, you know what you need to do. Its time to focus, get off your butt and take care of yourself including going back to the gym or whatever. In doing that self-confidence will start to creep back in. Some of the hobbies may have to go on hiatus for awhile (most of mine did and still are). Believe it or not, that will help you focus. You've always been a good problem solver so leverage that. Granted, I'm at a different stage of my life, but I have been where you are.Not lecturing you. There are many of us who understand everything you wrote. You know I love you and only want the best for you. You know how to find me if you need. I'll always listen. You know, you still are that same person….but older and wiser. And your bullet points are absolutely TRUE!!!! I have a pretty good understanding how you feel as I’ve been out of work for over 3 years. I get the self doubt….I just turned 50 this year and am competing with those much younger. Of course, the hair doesn’t help…..and I don’t have the great technical skill set you have. But I do have a strong tech background, great people skills and am a natural teacher. I looked for other opportunities that capitalized on those and was fortunate to find some that helped renew passion for what I really want to do with my life. I am working, but I make about 40% of what I used to make. Maybe when the Ph.D is done, the income will improve to closer to what it used to be.

I do understand that you have a family to support so you can’t get away with those numbers….

But with all due respect, its time for the pity party to stop. Only YOU can make the changes that you want. If you are getting winded playing Wii…you know what you need to do (and yes, I understand asthma all too well). If the kids are kicking your butt, again, you know what you need to do. Its time to focus, get off your butt and take care of yourself including going back to the gym or whatever. In doing that self-confidence will start to creep back in. Some of the hobbies may have to go on hiatus for awhile (most of mine did and still are). Believe it or not, that will help you focus. You’ve always been a good problem solver so leverage that. Granted, I’m at a different stage of my life, but I have been where you are.

Not lecturing you. There are many of us who understand everything you wrote. You know I love you and only want the best for you. You know how to find me if you need. I’ll always listen.

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by Deanna Harringtonhttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-44 Deanna Harrington Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:24:52 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-44 You sound exactly like I did when I was laid off and looking for a job. After being laid off from my last job (where my boss couldn't stand me and took every opportunity she had to tell me how much I stunk) I had pretty much no confidence. It took forever to get interviews, then I got rejection after rejection, with no feedback. When I finally found the right place (or when they found me, depending on how you look at it), being out of work for four months didn't seem that long. I had created so much doubt and been down on myself that it only SEEMED longer. Good luck! You sound exactly like I did when I was laid off and looking for a job. After being laid off from my last job (where my boss couldn’t stand me and took every opportunity she had to tell me how much I stunk) I had pretty much no confidence. It took forever to get interviews, then I got rejection after rejection, with no feedback. When I finally found the right place (or when they found me, depending on how you look at it), being out of work for four months didn’t seem that long. I had created so much doubt and been down on myself that it only SEEMED longer. Good luck!

]]> Comment on Job Hunt Update – The Self-Doubt Creeps In. by The Jaded NYerhttp://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/2010/08/job-hunt-update-the-self-doubt-creeps-in/#comment-43 The Jaded NYer Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:51:24 +0000 http://www.theuncertainman.com/blog/?p=78#comment-43 I fear that I've been lax in my offer to help with your resume and for that I apologize. Lets set aside some time to really get it off the ground and reschedule your pity party for the 12th of NEVER, okay? We are descendants (for better or worse) of CONQUISTADORS! We do not fail and we do not doubt our talents and abilities. Entendido??? I fear that I’ve been lax in my offer to help with your resume and for that I apologize. Lets set aside some time to really get it off the ground and reschedule your pity party for the 12th of NEVER, okay? We are descendants (for better or worse) of CONQUISTADORS! We do not fail and we do not doubt our talents and abilities. Entendido???

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