January 2006

res.o.lu.tion (rez-uh-loo-shuhn)
n.
1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.
How appropriate is it that we start the first Newsletter of 2006 off with this??!! Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Worse yet, have you broken them yet? All kidding aside, if one of your New Year's resolutions includes some form of career path analysis then you need to keep reading! One of my New Year's resolutions is to reach out to all of you out there and help us help each other. I want to be sure I know exactly what's going on with you and how I can be of assistance to you, and at the same time do a "database clean up" to be sure I have everyone's most current information on file. I've created a new email address specifically for the updating (technical@whitakercompanies.com) so that we don't inundate my normal work inbox with your updates and comments on this subject. So here's what I'd like to propose to you: Please take a few minutes to respond to the new email address with any one or more of the following:

1 - an evaluation of how you feel about your current career situation (ranging from "deliriously happy and set for life" to "get me out of here as soon as possible" and everything in between)
2 - what type and how much interaction would you like to have with me over the coming year?
3 - what can I do for you right now (salary evaluation, career path evaluation, resume review, help in filling a current opening in your department, immediate phone call, etc)?
4 - an updated resume and current contact information (home and work preferably) either for immediate use or to "keep on file" along with a completed "Interview Questionnaire" (attached below) if appropriate

Of course this month's Open Orders List is attached and I welcome your thoughts, comments, and questions. I look forward to hearing from and talking with as many of you as possible so that we can help each other with our resolutions and at make at least THIS one VERY successful!!