Dying of experience
Regular readers may recall Tony Simms, the experienced agency staffer who took to wearing a sandwich board in Sydney’s Martin Place advertising his abilities.
His efforts did win him a temporary gig for the last 10 months, but he tells Dr Mumbo that budgets have been slashed and that opportunity has come to an end.
So he’s now taken the somewhat drastic option of posting an obituary to his career on his LinkedIn profile:
hi tony, edward de bono would be proud of your lateral thinking. I want to start culling 35 year olds to make some space for us over 50s (you know, the ones who have the runs on the board). hang in there. bloody sad to think that you are overlooked for someone with an i-phone grafted to their arm like some demented borg.
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Understand his concerns..but its all a bit of a moan isnt it
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I bet he prints his emails out and files them.
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Thanks Mike.
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one question, one comment
1. is there any possibility that the reason Tony isn’t getting hired is unrelated to his age?
2. I can’t help thinking that this multi-year campaign for attention in the marketing media may actually be detrimental to Tony’s chances of getting a job. He’s done a wonderful job of raising awareness about the age and experience defecit in Australian advertising, but unfortunately he’s consistently associating his own brand with being out of work and desperate and blaming other people’s attitudes for it…not exactly the most valuable characteristics agencies are looking for when hiring senior people.
I hope you find a new job Tony, but I think you need to rethink your media strategy
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Dear Offal Spokesperson and BK don’t you think you are being a bit harsh how would you like to be in Tony’s or my position for that matter with no money classified as senior a ton of experience, great work background stable employment history and not able to get a job or be considered for ANY type of position because of inexperienced recruiters out there.
If you think I’m wrong have a read of
http://blog.rossclennett.com/2.....lennett%29
and
http://www.linkedin.com/groupA.....T8LsT4Vls1
and
http://www.linkedin.com/groups....._182177445
and
http://www.linkedin.com/groupA.....bye7_6Vls1
The list of discussions about this professionally just goes on and on and on.
Very poor form indeed I hope you are never in this position.
Who do you think is right ?.
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Hi Flesh Peddler
I’ve spent the last 10 months working with the marketing team of one of the world’s largest brands as well as working with their 4 agencies in the areas of B2B/B2C Communications, Digital, PR and Incentives/Promotions.
Please check my LinkedIn profile for some of their recommendations. I think you’ll find your caustic assumption to be unfounded and baseless.
During that time I have had the opportunity of doing some of my best work so understandably I’m passionate about continuing to do so
In a tough climate where it is all too easy to be trampled by the sheer volume of candidates, it is even easier to be trampled by the elephant in the room.
Perhaps as a recruiter it irritates you enormously that a candidate would have the hide to take the initiative and stand up outside the lengthy queues of candidates but I have absolutely no issue at all in doing so.
Ironically, the bulk of support I have received has been from recruiters.
And an enormous amount of support from others who find themselves in the same position or will soon be in that position.
Like me, they still have a lot to offer the industry.
Regards
Tony
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Hi fleshpeddler,
In a previous life having worked with Tony, what we are seeing here is his typical can do attitude and his ability to think well outside the box, both attributes (plus many more) being positively infectious in the environment we worked in together.
Hoping potential employees have already seen these attributes shine through with this mini self awareness campaign Tony has created and give him a call.
Tony would be an asset leading any agency or functional team.
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Thanks willanon…I’m chuffed!!…. and well and truly available.
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Um… Tony, why don’t you go into business for yourself? With that kind of experience, it sounds like you’d be well suited to it and attractive to clients who are often more senior too. Why so chained to ‘working for the man’?
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Hi Alison,
The common misconception is that everyone goes from working within either an agency or
marketing team to running their own business. The reality is that more often than not they are forced into doing so or unfortunately find themselves giving up on the industry altogether.
Across the many people I have met and those who have contacted me, I have found more often than not that the latter occurs. As a direct result there is a huge talent drain and a lack of depth in both agency and marketing teams.
Unfortunately this is not a positive thing for the future of the industry as those entering it soon look ahead of them and see very little career path at all and the same crossroads decision occurs again.
I have had my own consultancy going now for a few years consulting to both agencies and marketing teams on either short term projects or a number of a days across multiple projects.
Being in your own business is great in some ways but flying solo has its fair share of downsides as well.
As you can see from wilanons comment above,.I really enjoy the interaction and buzz of leading and working with teams and delivering great results>
I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to continue to do the same again.
Regards
Tony
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Hi Wayne,
I think that the gentleman concerned has done a fine job of keeping his name in the spotlight to some degree, however, i reiterate- its a bit of a moan.
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To the critics out there, I would like to draw my hat to Tony for having the gutts or like he says “the hide” to do what he does.
Yes to some it may sound like a moan and indeed that type of strategy may present a double edge. But Tony is not the kind of person to just grin and bear it – I think we can give him that credit.
I have had the pleasure to work with him in the past and I appreciate deeply his ability to think outside the box. This is just another typical Tony and I love it.
Wouldn’t you actually want this can do attitude from your employees when your brand needs a boost? Isn’t this the kind of combativeness you would want to see? What if this was you, what would you do? Me, I would probably not do what he does simply because I don’t think I would have the gutts. Is he right or wrong? Is he injuring his own brand? Not if this is what his own brand is about, isn’t it. And this is about being heard through tough times. So to hell with it, Tony is getting heard. Would you like your brand to be heard in these tough times? Then hire Tony. He is resourceful, pragmatic and highly competent. You will not be disappointed.
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Hi Tim
Someone has contacted me regarding a comment that was posted on this thread this morning that is still awaiting moderation at 3pm. He apologises for not including
abuse and for using his real name.
Tony
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