The wine will be Cabernet by Muirwood, and the music will be “Stressed Out”, by Twenty One Pilots. The wine is what I am drinking tonight. It is in the decent category. The music is more suited for the 22-28 year old crowd but it has a message for everyone. We all wish life was easier.
These two questions are second nature to all people. They are conversation starters. In New York, it is just “How YU Dooooing?”. I know as I have been have been in both situations. In 2009-2012, It seemed I was always looking for a job and was asked “How is your search going?” a bunch of times. I had been with the same company for 25 years before that so I was looking for a new home. Now, no one wants to be Debbie Downer. So we always give a positive spin on whatever is happening. I remember taking a few glimmers of hope from some recent introduction or some first interview and spinning it into a positive conversation. Now later on in a subsequent job I was given a personality test and one of my weaknesses is I don’t like making people feel uncomfortable. So maybe it is just me. But I just was meeting with and trying to help a CEO in transition and we were comparing blog topics. He totally agreed with me. He always puts on the positive spin. Now it is true you have to have a positive attitude and be ready to go through the up and downs of a job search. But it would be great to respond with “Thanks for asking, I have not found the right role. Do you know of any openings? Can you introduce me to any companies that would need someone like me with my skill set?”
I now own my own company. So the question has now changed to “How is business?” ‘In my career as a CFO, I worked for 2 turnarounds. I always answered the question from employees of “How are we doing?” with “Fine”. I guess I am not a big believer in the open book philosophy. The guy packing boxes in the warehouse doesn’t need to know that you are scrambling to make payroll that week.
In my new situation, I find myself again giving people a positive spin. But behind the scenes a lot is happening. (I am no different than any other company.) Unless sales are booming, you got worries. My biggest customer was acquired by a larger entity. The people that we have had 15 year relationships with have no more power. Am I worried, yes? Am I going to show it?No. So I talk about the latest introduction I got or some opportunity that has just opened up. Sound familiar? Now it would be great to respond with “Well, as you know I am trying to double this business so any introductions to IT Directors, commercial real estate people, construction companies and anyone else you think could help me?
To be honest, people are just being nice and I understand that. They are just trying to start a conversation. It is one of those questions you really don’t want an answer to. How are you doing? How are you feeling? Just understand for those in transition, the topic gets personal real quick.