The burden of communication

The burden of communication Cover Image

I often hear members complain about people not reading their resume carefully enough.The subject usually comes up when members have been rejected for a job or haven’t gotten a response for a job they were convinced represented a fit.Alas, the sad truth is that WE bear the burden of properl...


Jan 31, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Catch me if you can

Catch me if you can Cover Image

In 2002, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks starred in a movie about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. The basic story is that over the course of several years, Carl Hanrat...


Jun 12, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Attention to detail

Attention to detail Cover Image

I am often disappointed by the correspondence I receive from members, and I wonder if it is just me they treat this way, or if it is everyone in the world. I fear it is everyone in the world.Call me compulsive, call me a nitpicker (and I am admittedly both and proud of it), but there is a ...


Apr 19, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Are you serious in applying?

Are you serious in applying? Cover Image

Let’s be honest. There aren’t a lot of job postings in our evening newsletter that really are a fit for your particular background, salary and location preferences.This being the case, you would think that if you saw an opportunity in our newsletter that strongly fit your background, you w...


Aug 02, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

All things to all people

All things to all people Cover Image

It is a truth in this world that we get paid the most for doing something that is at the high end of our skill set.For example, you would be willing to pay big bucks to a skilled surgeon to take out your appendix, but you would probably not be willing to let me take out your appendix at an...


Jul 16, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Paint me a pretty picture

Paint me a pretty picture Cover Image

Personally, I am not a big fan of art museums. Sure, there are particular “objects of art” that I find to be of interest, but I guess I find the walking around part a little tiring.For amusement during these art museum tours I try to overhear what the tour guides are saying. The at length ...


Oct 04, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Playing to an empty house

Playing to an empty house Cover Image

I have often wondered how actors polish their performances before the first show. With only the director and the producer in the audience it just can't be the same. Sure you are up there on stage and perhaps even in full costume, but there is no audience clapping or talking to each other t...


Jun 20, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Painting a pretty picture

Painting a pretty picture Cover Image

I have often been heard to say that your 90-second announcement is a STORY about you. It isn’t a history book. And, it doesn’t have to be detailed.In much the same way, your resume is a story about you. However, being in print, you need to keep in mind that you aren’t there to present it w...


Aug 25, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Communicating your special value

Communicating your special value Cover Image

One of the most challenging aspects of looking for a new “work opportunity” is having enough introspection to know what your special value is to a potential employer. I’m afraid that in most cases, we’re the last ones to know.When we do our 90-second announcements at our chapter meeting in...


Sep 08, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Imparting dignity

Imparting dignity Cover Image

Those of you who know me (and in particular our Administrative Assistants) know that I hate almost all abbreviations. It’s not that I don’t typically know what they mean. It is primarily that the longer version honestly doesn’t take up that much more space and looks a lot more important. I...


Jan 25, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG