August 12, 2007
Introducing: good to know
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:55 am
SOB Hall of Famer: Martin Burns
good to know is the answer to all of life’s questions (well, as long as they’re semi-related to looking for a job, and assuming the blog’s author actually has an answer for the question). Beyond that, it’s good advice for the job seeker, and the rest of us humans, from a recruiter that’s in the know. Martin Burns has 8 years of recruiting under his belt, from both the corporate as well as agency side of the business. Some of the things he’s seen job candidates do - especially the most common mistakes - are worth knowing about, either as best practice or (more often) as cautionary tales.
Slightly cheeky voice, good content, and taken from real-world examples (all identifying remarks removed to avoid nasty litigation).
Notes from Liz: Martin Burns is a recruiter who is a person first. His blog, good to know, is a hunk of humanity on the web. In the first few seconds, it’s clear that this guy doesn’t take himself too seriously, but that he is serious about getting folks the information they need. This blog is informative and entertaining — even for readers who are not looking for new employment. I keep reading because it’s so engaging.
Thanks, Martin! Nice to meet you,
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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11 Comments to “Introducing: good to know”




martin burns said
And Liz, you are way, way too easy to please. Thanks a ton for all the kind words.
Best,
Martin
ME Strauss said
Ah, Martin, I know many folks who would disagree about how easy I am to please.
It’s great to see a blog where a guy enjoys what he does.
Zakman said
Hi Martin! Hello Liz
I guess I’d be somewhere in the list of “I know many folks who would disagree about how easy I am to please“. Yeah, she’s difficult to please, if that’s what you’re looking for. I learned it the hard way
Martin, I love the clean, ‘unpolluted’ look and feel of your blog. I read some posts, but I’d rather not make any comments since I’m really no expert at HR. (Actually, pretty bad.)
However, your latest post just reminded of the historic ad campaign by HETRZ when they were the number two car rental agency in the US: AVIS is Number One. So We’re Trying Harder.
ME Strauss said
Hi Zakman!
Thanks for sticking up for my point. You’re your own man and you don’t need to do things for anyone’s approval but your own good conscience. I have faith in you and in that.
It’s kind of you to offer feedback on Martin’s blog. You’re an amabassador to do that. Thank you, sir.
Zakman said
How nice it is to be back! Not that I was ever away…
Hugzzzz
ME Strauss said
Zakman!
I’m so smiling. ((((hugs))))
martin burns said
Hey gang - Zakman, nice to see that you caught my Avis riff (I touched on it towards the end of the post, in case anyone had missed it). Now I’m waiting to see if anyone responds with the counter Hertz finally came up with: “For years, Avis has been telling you Hertz is No. 1. Now we’re going to tell you why.”
Thanks!
Martin
ME Strauss said
Hey Martin!
Hertz’s move would be brilliant — if it weren’t decades too slow.
martin burns said
Hertz actually came out with that campaign in the late 60’s, and did a fair job of mucking with Avis’s campaign - and, yes, now you know that among my (many) geek hats there’s one that says “History of Advertising”. Right next to the ones that say: “Beer” and “Space Operas”
Zakman said
Hi Martin, I just read the storyWhen The Big Guy Hits Back… dated Friday, Dec. 23, 1966
And that’s 1966! I’d guess the ad wars will keep going on… Pepsi vs Coke, Windows vs Mac, Jones vs Jones…
But I think there’s a poetic justice to it… like all is fair in love and war?
Perhaps I’m straying away from the topic, Martin, from HR and recruiting… but since you referred to “geek hats” and the “History of Advertising”, I’m a little curious to know more. Is there a Web page link to those topics? …. Thanks.
martin burns said
Tons (well, at least on the advertising side). Ad Age has this nice treatment of the history of 20th century advertising in the States: http://adage.com/century/century.html
And, of course, there’s my new favority TV show, Mad Men…