Help Wanted

stroker wrote: The closest I've been to you was Orlando, which I despised. If you can give me a pinkie promise that your location is SO much nicer than Orlando I'll apply and knock your socks off. :)

It is--or at least, we think so--but begging people to work somewhere is rarely the formula for a mutually fulfilling experience. Florida’s not for everyone... we get that, and we want only happy campers. :)

Margie

stroker wrote: The closest I've been to you was Orlando, which I despised. If you can give me a pinkie promise that your location is SO much nicer than Orlando I'll apply and knock your socks off. :)

Outside of Daytona Beach proper is awesome. I lived in South Daytona for 5 years and regularly went out to Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna. As well as the outlying areas.

The pick and pull off ISB kept more than one car running and generally had good rotating stock. After purchasing whatever broke on my crap can that time, I'd go shoot at the range the off-duty sheriffs operate practically across the way.

The best part about Florida is the cities drops off into rural areas in the blink of an eye. That means you can go off road (there's a large number of areas to off-road and camp) or to a track in the middle of nowhere and not worry about NIMBYs disrupting all your fun.

I'm just sorry I'm not in a position to apply. Well, that and my grammatical skills leave quite a bit to be desired.

Edit: You need to revisit Orlando during their beer festival. That might help the perception.

Downtown Orlando? It's super cool. Everywhere else in a 50 mile radius? Super not cool. Can't stand the sprawl there.

Our little corner of the world is much, much better.

Sigh... this is one of those times when I wish I were still single and available, and therefore able to completely uproot myself and start from scratch again.

Good luck with the talent search, Tom & GRM!

I write short, dumb things but I only do it part-time.

mndsm wrote: This is the closest ive been yet to grm, and I still can't make it work. Swmbo is too tied to the mouse right now to get out of Orlando. Plus, readership would probably crater. I would dominate beard growing, so there is that.

Orlando's not THAT far away. I did that drive just a couple of weeks ago. If I were you, I'd at least talk to the guys. Maybe you only come into the office a couple of times a week. Let them make that decision.

I'm not going to post the usual "I'd totally do it, but reason". I'm pretty sure the constant looming deadlines of print publishing and incessant demands for more articles! would drive me nuts. Takes a special kind of person to deal with that.

Keith Tanner wrote:

mndsm wrote: This is the closest ive been yet to grm, and I still can't make it work. Swmbo is too tied to the mouse right now to get out of Orlando. Plus, readership would probably crater. I would dominate beard growing, so there is that.

Orlando's not THAT far away. I did that drive just a couple of weeks ago. If I were you, I'd at least talk to the guys. Maybe you only come into the office a couple of times a week. Let them make that decision. I'm not going to post the usual "I'd totally do it, but reason". I'm pretty sure the constant looming deadlines of print publishing and incessant demands for more articles! would drive me nuts. Takes a special kind of person to deal with that.

I do like metal music, bmx bikes, buffets, and on more than one occasion have been told I need to write, professionally. I just couldn't hack a 2 hour each direction drive, daily. I'm too old for that E36 M3.

That's why I said talk to them. Maybe you can only come into the office a few times a week. It's different than someone looking to work out of state. The worst they can do is say no. But they might say yes.

You're further away than MCO is, that was a bit over an hour IIRC.

Keith Tanner wrote: I'm not going to post the usual "I'd totally do it, but reason". I'm pretty sure the constant looming deadlines of print publishing and incessant demands for more articles! would drive me nuts. Takes a special kind of person to deal with that.

Keith, you are so, so right. The biggest challenge for us, hiring-wise, is finding people who are not only suited to the constant demand to produce and process a metric E36 M3-ton of words, but who even have it on their radar that this is the thing that we're asking them to do.

Margie

In reply to Marjorie Suddard:

It's difficult to find someone that high on the dork scale who is low on the Amy/patio/founder scale.

Relevant education and experience? The ability to type and form coherent sentences? Trifles!

What you guys really need is someone who can do muscleups! Because I can totally do muscleups!

Marjorie Suddard wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: I'm not going to post the usual "I'd totally do it, but reason". I'm pretty sure the constant looming deadlines of print publishing and incessant demands for more articles! would drive me nuts. Takes a special kind of person to deal with that.

Keith, you are so, so right. The biggest challenge for us, hiring-wise, is finding people who are not only suited to the constant demand to produce and process a metric E36 M3-ton of words, but who even have it on their radar that this is the thing that we're asking them to do. Margie

Would a private message regarding possible compensation be considered inappropriate? I ask only because there is no point in either party wasting time.

z31maniac wrote: Would a private message regarding possible compensation be considered inappropriate? I ask only because there is no point in either party wasting time.

It would be, not only because that's a "how big is a rock" question without seeing your resume, but also because you'd introduce yourself to our possible employment by asking us to waste our time to save yours. Not exactly the message you want to send, and let’s be honest, if you’re on the fence that much, this ain't exactly a get-rich-quick scheme. It's more suited for someone looking to follow their passion, enjoy a high quality of life, and get paid to do what they love to do.

Margie

Marjorie Suddard wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Would a private message regarding possible compensation be considered inappropriate? I ask only because there is no point in either party wasting time.

It would be, not only because that's a "how big is a rock" question without seeing your resume, but also because you'd introduce yourself to our possible employment by asking us to waste our time to save yours. Not exactly the message you want to send, and let’s be honest, if you’re on the fence that much, this ain't exactly a get-rich-quick scheme. It's more suited for someone looking to follow their passion, enjoy a high quality of life, and get paid to do what they love to do. Margie

Margie--this may not be the appropriate place for the discussion, but I think that both you and Mr. Maniac raise valid points.

For someone working in large corporations their whole career (Z31), it is a total mystery. Besides that, you say that he's asking you to waste your time to save his... how? Wouldn't that be saving time for both people rather than him preparing his application, you reading it, then interviewing, then discussing salary only to find you're miles apart?
What are you selling as not a get rich scheme--something that you can save the max to the 401k and have enough for reasonable house and to raise 2.3 kids and have 2.28 cars in the driveway? Or something where he has to live in an apartment and can only stash away $10k annually to retirement?

As for the "on the fence" comment, I'm on the fence about every single decision I make, and mostly that is hinged on time and/or money.

I understand that you don't want to show your chips before the hand is dealt, but what about telling him the salary floor if he asks is so bad?

I know this is easy for me to say--someone who has none of the writing ability that is necessary and cannot move to Florida, but as I am always looking at job postings, but not actively looking for a new job, I only consider those positions that have a salary range on the posting. It saves my time--I know I'm not worth $175k a year, but I also know I need more money than I get now to leave the good ship I'm in.

I do think putting a salary number or range out there is too limiting and not the right idea.

There are two sides for both parties, the money and the job or the money and the employee.

It feels quick and easy to make a money fit between two parties first, but if you do that, you often end up making a decision based on money alone (or mostly money), before the job/employee fit is fully evaluated. The value of the transaction for both parties is $/job or $/employee, so making a money decision before knowing the other half of the value equation benefits neither party.

Edit: I think the real issue is that phycologically people tend to stop really evaluating anything else as soon as money is discussed. Salespeople run into this issue all the time.

Robbie wrote: I do think putting a salary number or range out there is too limiting and not the right idea. There are two sides for both parties, the money and the job or the money and the employee. It feels quick and easy to make a money fit between two parties first, but if you do that, you often end up making a decision based on money alone (or mostly money), before the job/employee fit is fully evaluated. The *value* of the transaction for both parties is $/job or $/employee, so making a money decision before knowing the other half of the value equation benefits neither party. Edit: I think the real issue is that phycologically people tend to stop really evaluating anything else as soon as money is discussed. Salespeople run into this issue all the time.

This. Also, we really need to evaluate a potential employee's skill set, needed training and ability to immediately contribute before we can determine what he or she is worth to us, so it's not a one-size-fits all range.

The floor’s discouragingly low for someone who's all potential with no immediate deliverables, and I'd hate to discourage that person without even getting a chance to have a conversation. We'd lose the advantage we've always had, which is that we're enthusiasts first.

Margie

I have a friend applying for this job. I won't say who it is because "having mazdeuce vouch for you" can't possibly be helpful.
I just want to say that watching someone follow a dream like this is a very cool thing. The excitement and yearning is real. Even if nothing comes of it, not many of us get the chance to really chase after employment that is so close to our hearts. This isn't just looking for a job, it's a dream, and it's impossible not be excited, for my friend and for all the applicants. Thanks Tom and Margie and all of GRM.

The greatest perspective for writing about motosport is involvement. If your job allows you to digest and regurgitate the various tracks events, auto and rallycrosses that you attend for the consumption of others, all while putting a roof over your head and food on the table, what other concern is there? If your career entails heavy involvement in the hobby that you love and presumably spend a large amount of discretionary income on, and suddenly that outlay isn't as nessacary, that concern of financial compensation becomes far less important, as you're getting your fill of what you want to do with your life and leisure time all while on the clock. Honesty it'd have to rank above porn star on the dream job scale, and that's coming from someone who has I heart Amy as their avatar.

Marjorie Suddard wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Would a private message regarding possible compensation be considered inappropriate? I ask only because there is no point in either party wasting time.

It would be, not only because that's a "how big is a rock" question without seeing your resume, but also because you'd introduce yourself to our possible employment by asking us to waste our time to save yours. Not exactly the message you want to send, and let’s be honest, if you’re on the fence that much, this ain't exactly a get-rich-quick scheme. It's more suited for someone looking to follow their passion, enjoy a high quality of life, and get paid to do what they love to do. Margie

Well I think mtn nailed it. I know writing for a magazine isn't about getting rich, it's more of a "I'd absolutely love to do it, but could I afford it." I don't think that's inappropriate. Let's say you loved XX resume and you do interviews, etc. and then say XXXXX is what we offer and someone goes "Really? I'd love to, but can't afford that." How is that better?

I'm really not trying to be disrespectful, I just don't understand that viewpoint. And like mtn said, that could be because all my experience is with huge corporations where things like salary and benefits are out in the open. Hell you can go to my company website and see my benefits!

But, it's the Suddard's company and you will run it how you see fit and I respect that. Good luck on finding a talented writer to join the staff of my absolutely favorite magazine!

z31maniac wrote:

Marjorie Suddard wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Would a private message regarding possible compensation be considered inappropriate? I ask only because there is no point in either party wasting time.

It would be, not only because that's a "how big is a rock" question without seeing your resume, but also because you'd introduce yourself to our possible employment by asking us to waste our time to save yours. Not exactly the message you want to send, and let’s be honest, if you’re on the fence that much, this ain't exactly a get-rich-quick scheme. It's more suited for someone looking to follow their passion, enjoy a high quality of life, and get paid to do what they love to do. Margie

Well I think mtn nailed it. I know writing for a magazine isn't about getting rich, it's more of a "I'd absolutely love to do it, but could I afford it." I don't think that's inappropriate. Let's say you loved XX resume and you do interviews, etc. and then say XXXXX is what we offer and someone goes "Really? I'd love to, but can't afford that." How is that better? I'm really not trying to be disrespectful, I just don't understand that viewpoint. And like mtn said, that could be because all my experience is with huge corporations where things like salary and benefits are out in the open. Hell you can go to my company website and see my benefits! But, it's the Suddard's company and you will run it how you see fit and I respect that. Good luck on finding a talented writer to join the staff of my absolutely favorite magazine!

To play it back to Ms. Ruler of all things awesome's point though, she doesn't know your qualifications and doesn't want to scare you with the floor. Maybe you have exactly what they're looking for and won't require much training?

No disrespect taken, and sorry my response to you sounded so harsh. We are a small business in a creative and pretty dynamic environment, so we don't usually use the same kind of pre-sized solutions that a big corporation would be able to easily define. It's more like open casting with a variety of possible roles we could fill.

This is very true. And I completely understand that.

I'm not familiar with small businesses and I didn't realize things were done so differently vs big corps. So I made a very regrettable faux pas.

Marjorie Suddard wrote: No disrespect taken, and sorry my response to you sounded so harsh. We are a small business in a creative and pretty dynamic environment, so we don't usually use the same kind of pre-sized solutions that a big corporation would be able to easily define. It's more like open casting with a variety of possible roles we could fill.

Well if my inappropriate question hasn't soured you too much, I will go ahead and throw my hat into the ring.

Robbie wrote: I do think putting a salary number or range out there is too limiting and not the right idea. There are two sides for both parties, the money and the job or the money and the employee. It feels quick and easy to make a money fit between two parties first, but if you do that, you often end up making a decision based on money alone (or mostly money), before the job/employee fit is fully evaluated. The *value* of the transaction for both parties is $/job or $/employee, so making a money decision before knowing the other half of the value equation benefits neither party. Edit: I think the real issue is that phycologically people tend to stop really evaluating anything else as soon as money is discussed. Salespeople run into this issue all the time.

See I can agree and disagree with this. On the one hand what I've said before, on the other, the last job I had I applied for because of my qualifications even though the salary range posted was low.

I spoke to the HR lady and she told me they would be willing to move the range up based on the candidate......and they did when they hired me by 5 figures over there advertised top end.

So I see both sides, I really do.

IIn reply to z31maniac:

Excellent. And yes, small business is very different. Might as well start you early on that message