Dependable

According to the Oxford Dictionary, dependable is defined as, “trustworthy and reliable.”  In a previous post, I mentioned that I consider trust to be a form of currency in the workplace.  Thanks to some excellent supervisors and two outstanding parents, I learned this lesson early in my career and applied it to my work beginning on day-one.  

As a direct result of that lesson, I have built a reputation for being a dependable colleague and employee over the past six years.  Although I take immense pride in my accomplishments as a police officer and detective, I am most proud of the fact the people around me know that they can count on me to do my job and do it right.  I believe that outstanding performance is only valuable to an organization if it is delivered consistently.

My bosses know that I will show up and that I will do whatever it takes to complete an assignment.   Since beginning work with my current agency, I have consistently delivered excellent performance.  I have never taken a sick day and never lost a case.  I have earned the privilege of handling nearly all of the politically-sensitive and time-sensitive cases that make their way to my agency’s investigations division.

If I am given the opportunity to work in a marketing or advertising department, I will bring the same dedication and dependability to work every day.  I promise to do whatever it takes to deliver the same results wherever I go.

Until next time.

-Taft

Get Involved

In previous posts, I outlined several reasons for writing a blog.  Less than ten posts later, my goals are already evolving.  Since this is my first blog, I anticipate constant changes.  That means you'll have to keep reading, lest you miss out on this excitement.

The first is that I want you to get involved.  I want your advice, and here’s why:

I have spent a year searching for a job outside law enforcement.  During the first six months, I was not particularly motivated.  I sent out a few applications, but didn’t do much else.  Since mid-summer, when I finished graduate school, my motivation has increased steadily.  I began to put more effort in to the search and try new approaches.  I updated my LinkedIn page, started a log of all my applications, reached out to most of my network, and began sending out more and more applications.   Unfortunately, nothing seemed to stick.

I have applied to more than 300 jobs since June, but all I have to show for it is one phone interview (after which I was turned down).  I can no longer blame the economy.  The problem is me.  I have a rock-solid job history, a great education, a sense of humor, and the willingness to move anywhere for the right job.  This means that I am doing something wrong, but I can’t figure out what.  That is where you come in.  I welcome any constructive criticism or helpful advice (along with comments totally unrelated to my job search).  Maybe somebody out there on the interweb can help me fix the glitch.

I’ll start with a question: How do I market myself to industries outside of law enforcement?  What are some ways that I can set myself up for success as I seek jobs in sales, management, marketing, or operations?

Until next time.

-Taft