Money is important

Money is important Cover Image

When it comes to deciding if someone is a fit for a particular position, industry experience and candidates current locations are often the first criteria that employers consider when weeding out applicants. After these first two issues appear to be satisfactory, the next point of focus is...


Nov 16, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The captain can show no fear

The captain can show no fear Cover Image

With just about everyone in the ENTIRE world running around like their hair was on fire, I personally wouldn’t fault you if you too were feeling that way. Whether we are watching the news or reading the newspaper, it is impossible at the moment to find any escape from what is going on WORL...


Mar 22, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Pitfalls and their avoidance

Pitfalls and their avoidance Cover Image

The world of job search can be an uncharted place.I can’t think of any activity that is so specific to one’s background, while at the same time one that we generally don’t practice a whole lot until the crisis is upon us.Over most of our careers for us stable financial types, practicing th...


Nov 28, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Putting it behind you-NOT

Putting it behind you-NOT Cover Image

Since much of what we do in The FENG is about job search, I thought it might be appropriate to make a few suggestions to everyone about what to do when you do actually find a new job.I’ll be blunt. Job search is primarily filled with uncertainty, highs and lows and activities like making n...


Dec 10, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Hanging on to unpleasantness

Hanging on to unpleasantness Cover Image

I don’t know if you remember “Rain Man” with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, but there was one scene where Tom Cruise either hit or yelled at Dustin Hoffman and Dustin proceeded to write it down in a notebook he carried. He was very meticulous in noting the “offense” and the date and time.I...


Jan 11, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Doing useful things

Doing useful things Cover Image

I hope tonight’s newsletter finds all of you in good health and good spirits. It is vitally important during this national crisis to not be “deer in the headlights.” There are things that all of us can do. Some for ourselves and some for others. As you all know, I spend several hours every...


Apr 06, 2020

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Two anchors or one?

Two anchors or one? Cover Image

A long time ago I got into a discussion with another captain about the wisdom of setting two anchors.It may sound silly, since I am known on board my sailboat as Captain Safety, but I have never set two anchors. And, even though I have read a lot about it over the years, in most cases I do...


Oct 24, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Maintaining your focus

Maintaining your focus Cover Image

Life is made up of a lot of endless details. And, as financial people, the endless details are where we shine.I have said from time to time that eating an elephant is best done one bite at a time. (Mustard would probably also be a good idea.) Most tasks, no matter how enormous they may see...


May 01, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Give yourself a break

Give yourself a break Cover Image

Back in 1991-1992 I was unemployed. Yes, two full years.Honestly, cash was starting to get a little tight. But more importantly, although I had a lot of free time, it was hard to enjoy it.Money, and the prospect of more, tends to focus the “let’s have some fun” part of our brains, whereas ...


Aug 14, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Spring has sprung

Spring has sprung Cover Image

In the past week, it is clear that spring is finally here in Connecticut. As you all probably know, I work out of my home office, and I am fortunate that it faces a heavily wooded area. During the winter, I can see my neighbor’s property off in the distance and sort of notice when there is...


Apr 27, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Asking for and accepting help

Asking for and accepting help Cover Image

In our male dominated society called The FENG, one of the biggest challenges I face on a daily basis is getting members to ask for and accept help.I am sure we all know that traditionally guys don’t ask for directions at the gas station. It is much better to drive around and around totally...


May 18, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The race to the finish line

The race to the finish line Cover Image

Stop me if I am wrong, but I guess many folks find job search a painful process. Perhaps it is the lack of a steady paycheck, or the uncertainty, or the rejection. Just like beating your head against a wall, it sure feels good when you can stop. (Is this why we are having so much fun or wh...


Mar 07, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The truth, as retold by ….

The truth, as retold by …. Cover Image

I am always impressed by the eternal truthfulness of the many members of this august body. Unfortunately, it is one of the many things about us as financial folks that gets in the way of our finding a new job.As many of you know, I spent 9 years as Chief Financial Officer of an advertising...


Jun 26, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The competition is fierce

The competition is fierce Cover Image

No one ever said it would be easy. And, when it comes to finding a job after the age of 40, it can easily become a demoralizing situation. For those who are even older, like in our 50’s or 60’s, it can be extremely difficult.Let me start you out with the idea that you are no longer the lea...


Nov 05, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The truth (as retold)

The truth (as retold) Cover Image

I know that many of our members are faced with the unpleasant truth that they have been out of work for a significant period of time. Having been out of work myself for almost two years, I know that this unpleasant question of “Why have you been out so long?” gets asked. Like anything else...


Jul 24, 2018

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Don’t call me, I’ll call you

Don’t call me, I’ll call you Cover Image

A few weeks ago I was doing a pretty good job of keeping up with my email. This past week or so, not so good. I must admit that from time to time I have fallen very far behind. (My personal record is 600 or 800 unanswered after one of my vacations, but that was a long time ago.)Sure, I kno...


Apr 16, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The consummate professional

The consummate professional Cover Image

The title of this editorial is actually: “The consummate professional in an electronic world,” but I thought that was a little long.As senior financial professionals, we tend to stay in our jobs a long time. Up until I was 46, I only had 3 jobs. Who you are and what you are tends to be kno...


Jan 12, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Conflicting advice

Conflicting advice Cover Image

One thing there is a lot of in this world is advice. What makes matters worse, a lot of it is conflicting advice.Just as it is difficult to work when you have your nose to the grindstone AND your shoulder to the wheel all at the same time, one person’s advice can often be in TOTAL conflict...


Oct 11, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The fine line

The fine line Cover Image

To call or not to call, that is the question. To write or not to write, that is the question. When is enough, enough? (Or perhaps you should just show up in person and demand to see someone?) At what point do you move from showing your persistence and tenacity to just being a pest?Well, th...


Feb 06, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Miles of bad advice

Miles of bad advice Cover Image

If there is any one thing that is consistent among senior executives who are in the job market for the first time in many years, it is their inability to distinguish between good and bad advice.The simple story is that if you hear it from me, Marty Latman or Bruce Lynn it is good advice. I...


Mar 30, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

A cut in pay

A cut in pay Cover Image

Probably one of the most upsetting and disappointing aspects of searching for a new job when you are “well experienced” is the need to consider positions for which the compensation is considerably less than your last job.I suppose it is part of our mind set as accountants that we tend to v...


May 04, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG