I am an avid fan of writing reviews of businesses, products and even movies. I take it seriously and use good judgement when it comes to evaluating what I have used my hard earned money to buy. I especially appreciate when an owner, developer or sales person takes time to read and appreciate the reviews I write. More and more I am seeing owners of businesses paying quite a bit of close attention to social media and online business reviews.

On many occasions I have had owners of businesses contact me to inquire about the review I have left and some lash out and take it personally. Quite honestly, putting myself in an owner of a business shoes, this is the wrong approach. To take comments a consumer made to heart and let is bother you enough to go off on a past customer only creates an even bigger problem. This is a chain reaction that creates even more discontent. It has happened a few times and I am baffled at what these what I call immature business owners hope to gain by complaining about the bad reviews I gave them.

However, there was one owner that approached me the other day to take a different approach. He commended me on my bad review of his business. He took every point I made and commented on how sorry he was that his business fell short that particular visit. He even went so far as to offer me a free meal on him to have me come back and reevaluate the business to get a second opinion. Now I never write reviews for personal gain nor do I write a review to discredit or harm a business intentionally. These websites are put there to help fellow consumers learn from each other and get an unbiased opinion from real customers. On this occasion I took this owner up on his offer. Why not, right? It was an offer to try and see what I thought a second time.

I visited the business and the owner was in the establishment, in this case it was a restaurant and he was on site and gave me a friendly greeting and gave me a gift card worth an amount to give a healthy second review. I ordered and ate and could not believe what I learned. What I found was that my first review, whatever the circumstances was way off base. Granted the service was slow at the time, but the food was delicious and the place was not as bad as I made it out to be. I was so surprised that I walked away almost feeling bad that my initial reaction on that day was to write very cold permanent words on a public website that actually may have hurt this business. I spoke to the owner afterwards and he told me he wanted my honest opinion and he said bad or good, what I felt that particular day was a true test of how his business was performing. I immediately went home and went back to the website to update my review with a stellar write up that was a glowing display of not only customer service but just good quality food. Soon after writing this and hitting update, I thought to myself, what this owner did was absolute genius. He was so confident his product was good, he pinpointed my harsh review out of the many and took it upon himself to prove me wrong. He not only proved me wrong but he set off a chain reaction of gaining me as a potential new loyal customer and updating my review with a golden display to make his business shine! It was unreal and it showed how smart a business acumen this owner had.

I am hopeful now that every business owner will take the time to examine online business review websites and take the time to appreciate customer feedback. I feel this will become essential to the potential future success of any type of business.

Contrary to popular belief of social media status updates, no one really cares where you are at a given moment or what you are doing. In my ongoing bantering of addiction to social media and obsession of certain social networking websites, this one topic must be examined more closely.

All social media websites have installed the status update feature. The one annoying feature that lets a person announce to their social circle what they are doing or worse where they are when they are doing it and even much worse adding photo capabilities of this action. As I mentioned before, there are even newer websites popping up allowing you to announce what you are doing at specific locations. Let me break it to all of you status update/check in maniacs. No one and I mean about maybe 85-90% of your social networking circle, cares what you are doing, where you are doing it and when you are doing it! Be realistic in looking at this act of self appreciation over a mindless act like updating your life activity on the web. When I see time and time again, numerous status updates on daily activities of life and then add in the location where this is happening, it is making you look downright sad. The addiction to this trait is becoming so second nature, it is turning social media into a cess pool of lifestyle updates. What is sad is that it is some type of climatic rush when a person posts this garbage and they receive a response from their network.

You can examine this closer when it comes to micro blogging websites like Twitter. I have heard several times from people that why would they want to use Twitter? It appeared to them it was a 140 character space to updates their status throughout the day. Even though it is more than this, I didn’t even go into detail about how powerful a tool it is. I agree in part that Twitter shouldn’t be utilized for this purpose, but still there are those that post the daily happenings in their lives and broadcast it to the world. Unless you are a media icon or celebrity, again, no one cares if you are driving to get a coffee at Starbucks or cooking pasta.

The funny thing about constantly broadcasting this information to the world is that developers are cashing in on it’s success. The many new websites cropping up, allowing us to check in from our favorite public restroom are starting to be repetitive. Are we so vain a society that we believe the rest of the world cares about the ongoing occurrences in our lives? In talking to others about social media, they are equally annoyed about this obessive compulsive habit showing up on every social networking portal. It has become a running joke on comedy sites remarking about Facebook status update fanatics.

What is worse is that these status updates are getting some addicts into trouble. Whether it be with their employers noticing things that the employee is doing or saying or even law enforcement, catching a criminal from status updates he added after committing a crime. This simple act of updating the world what you are doing, adds into the fact that society has become addicted to social media trends that aren’t all clever. Let’s put it this way, if I wanted to know what you are doing or where you are every 5 mintues of the day, I’ll ask. Until then, feel free not to annouce when your next bathroom break is.

Upon joining any social networking website, one runs the risk of becoming a part of a growing trend of fanaticism. This goes along with my last blog posting of social networking addiction, but takes it one step further. Try the experiment for yourself and see what the outcome is.

Lets take for example my recent dabbling of the website Foursquare. This is a newly created site that allows the user to “check in” at various local businesses and discover what friends in their network may also be at that same business. Along the way, the user can collect points and claim “mayorships” of the business. Interesting concept and one that is quickly becoming popular. Keep in mind this is all fictitious and there are no monetary rewards nor is there any real claim to fame besides leading your respective city in points week after week. I had used the site for about two months, visiting businesses and earning points and mayorships. It started out as more of a fun game and a good way to gain exposure to those businesses and make new networking contacts.

What I soon discovered was that this “game” was being taken so seriously by other users, that there was actually a community board that posted various gripes and complaints about other users on the site. Cult followers of this website, actually campaigned to create mutinity and dismount other “players” and wreak havoc among the social network, claiming that cheating was occurring and making false accusations and almost getting to a point of stalking a users online presence. The point of all of this was so outrageous and off base, it made no sense whatsoever. I was so disgusted by this behavior and what I witnessed on this website, that I decided to quit the website and not use those types of networking tools. What was supposed to be a fun way to network, turned into a social media nightmare.

I had a similar instance in the past with Linkedin years ago, where users tried to slander my network connection success, even going as far as calling my place of work to taunt me. The reasoning behind this dispicable behavior is mind boggling.

This goes way beyond what I ever thought could happen with social networking. However it taught me how important the protection of our virtual reputation is. I was brought to the realization that as social networking becomes popular, so does fanatacism of these sites. Certain members are taking the websites so seriously, they are missing the point of the big picture. These sites were established to broaden networks and create a fresher, funner way to possibly meet people outside of the internet all well growing a community of friendly users. What the fanatics do is take this one step further and almost try and overprotect a system they had no hand in setting up. They become so overly obsessed with the idea that they create a haven of users that disrupt the even keel of the sites.

The fixation of becoming the most popular or gaining online social status or reputation is what is ruining social media today. Going back to my example above, these points and mayorships used in that particular website were of no worth to the member. It was only to become a more reputable user on the website that these fanatics wanted. I suspect we will see more of this as this phemonenom grows. This behavior will drive users away from certain sites and popularity will diminish as these fanatical users hold down their cults.

For now I would warn anyone discovering new websites that as with everything there is risk. I never would have guessed that what started out as a simple, enjoyable way to meet people, would have turned into a possible blow to my online social reputation. As social networking addiction increases, I predict we will see much more of this. The social networking fanatics and nuts will always be lurking, waiting to come out of the woodwork.

I joined a new website last week called Foursquare, which allows members to announce when they visit businesses exactly what time this occurs. The announcement is not only broadcasted to the entire community on the site but can also be tweeted and added to a Facebook profile. Point are accrued the more you visit businesses and also a Mayorship is earned when you visit the business more then once on different days. As I mentioned in a previous posting, this will eventually change consumerism and give businesses a gauge on customer flow. An interesting concept and I predict one that will become popular just like Twitter and Facebook.

However, what I notice with websites like this popping up, and what I notice about this particular site is that in general, this is another way for the ordinary nobody to be noticed and earn a “virtual reputation”. This is a concept that becoming second nature to social networking sites. It is not about the simple concept of building a network for assistance, business purposes, sharing information etc. It is almost a game of who can become the more popular person on each site via connections and in this websites case, points and mayorships.

So what is the point you ask? I read an article that defined the psychology of tweeting and Facebooking and buidling networks on social media websites. It compared these actions to that of compulsive shoppers, buying something just to satisfy that craving or rush of getting something new, even if they didn’t need it. Adding friends, becoming a member of millions of groups, tweeting tons of useless tweets is not to please the users network, but to satisfy this addiction of staying on top and accomplishing a daily task. I am always seeing someone on Twitter saying “good morning…having my coffee”. Tweeting has become a ritual for all of us that are on the site, like grabbing the morning paper or turning on the news. Getting out an initial tweet is a duty we regularly accomplish. Just like now users are going to be fumbling for their IPhones or Blackberry’s to “Check In” on Foursquare whenever they visit a business.

I read the story this week about the mother that Facebooked about her child dying as it happened. She is getting more grief regarding this with reason. What I see with Facebook is the addicts, updating their profile status with useless nonesense thinking that anyone in their network or anyone else’s for that matter really cares that they just got out of the shower or just cooked dinner. In the mind of the Facebook addict, I presume they don’t care what anyone thinks, this is just their way of satisfying their own daily ritual. This concept has gotten way out of hand I notice as more and more people join and take part in Facebook.

But how far will this go? Will these websites create a society of social networking addicts? Will Tweeting and Facebooking decline or get worse? As technology becomes even more savvy, there are going to be newer and newer ways for users to update these sites on the go. Do people care where I am or what I am doing all times of the day? Personal privacy is out the window when you are checking in that you are at various locations.

My theory is that people that engage heavily into social networking, have a craving to fill a void somewhere in their lives. They may be lonely or not have a “real” friends network to share things with or be unhappy with their lives. They may have been a social misfit or their self esteem is low. With social networking, the person can become as popular and as friendly as they want to be well hiding behind their computer or smart phone. Becoming a virtual Mayor of a business or Facebooking about unhappy events in their lives is another way to express dependence on a controlled cyber audience. There is nothing wrong with this, just that it proves a point of just how far will social networking push the envelope to further please these users?

What the future holds for social media is anyone’s game. With developers proposing new ideas and blending networking into everyday life, this may be the new addiction as television was in the past. Soon you will see clinics for “Dependency on Facebook and Twitter” and possible detox centers where users are locked away from these websites for a period of time. I hope this is controlled so it never comes to this but you never know.

I have two widgets on my blog that connect back to websites that focus on reviews of frequented businesses well traveling and local frequented business. Both sites allow anyone to post concise reviews of their experiences at these businesses. I always will visit these two sites to add my two cents about my experience and my own opinions of the business. I feel that if I can lend a hand to my fellow consumers and save them the trips to businesses that in my opinion are underperforming, why not.

As sites like this become more popular, the demand for customer satisfaction is growing. Although many businesses probably don’t know about these types of websites OR they are simply pretending they don’t know since they may be afraid of what they see on these sites, consumerism is about to change for the better in favor of the consumer. I was contacted last week by an owner of a small business I posted a negative review about on one of these websites. He was angry because I shed poor light on his business and made it look bad. In pulling up the reviews many other customers posted, a majority of the reviews were bad as well. Did he contact each person and go off on them too? What this owner stated and as I quickly corrected, was that he didn’t consider me a real customer since I never even tried the food. What he failed to realize is that I was a customer the second I walked into his establishment. What many businesses are soon to understand is that everyone frequenting your locations is a customer and is free to utilize these websites to say whatever they would like about that business. Whether this contributes to the demise of that business or not, it is the consumers freedom of speech that plays a hand into stating opinions about their experiences.

With new websites like this popping up, business need to get ahead of the game and start checking these types of sites to see what customers are actually saying about their business. Keep in mind, no business is spared either. On these websites, every type of establishment is there and there are options to even add missing businesses. Recently a new website has emerged called Foursquare, which combines customer reviews along with simple user check-ins at various local businesses. This website is a fun and interactive way social networking comes together to promote consumerism. What this also creates is more quick reviews of local business blasted to every corner of the universe through Twitter and Facebook. So the fact remains: When will businesses start to realize they cannot hide their dirty laundry anymore? In my opnion they better quickly comprehend and embrace these new websites in order to keep their customers.

I have harped quite a bit about utilizing social media and how it can help and also hurt the job search. But will it help you to find a job in this tough market? I read quite a bit about this issue on many sites on the web and thought out of many, this one hit the mark on many of the good points.

Will Social Networking Get You a Job?
By Peter D. Weddle

Networking is one of the best strategies for finding a new or better job. Right? Right. And, social networking clearly involves networking. Right? Right. So, social networking is the new and improved way to land the job of your dreams. Right? Wrong.

It’s hard to miss the buzz about social networking. The media has been all agog over the rapid rise of such sites as MySpace. They attract millions of visitors every month, providing lots of opportunity for individual interaction and relationship building. While this activity is indeed networking, the most important aspect of its description is the adjective that defines it — social. That may be a ton of fun, but it’s unlikely to get you hired.

In the past, I’ve used the term “e-networking” to describe electronic or online networking. But with the rise of the social networking, I’ve redefined it as “employment networking.” E-networking — employment networking — is unlike its very social cousin in three important ways:
It has a different purpose.
It is done in a different way.
It takes place on different web sites.
Let’s explore each of those distinctions.

Employment networking has a different purpose
Boiled down to its basic purpose, social networking has a social goal: to find a date, to connect with someone who shares your hobby or other interest, or to expand your circle of friends with friends of your friends.

The purpose of e-networking, on the other hand, is to connect you with contacts who can help you land a new or better job. These contacts include current and former colleagues, former bosses and coworkers, and even recruiters. Of course, the interaction has a social component, and you should treat these individuals with the same courtesy and respect you would like to receive — but its goal is employment, pure and simple.
Employment networking is done in a different way
Social networking involves informal introductions and casual conversations in cyberspace. Think of it as a virtual “Truman Show” where people eagerly and pleasantly meet and greet one another online. There’s no obligation to participate, no downside to not doing so, and no performance standard to meet if you do participate.

E-networking, in contrast, requires active participation, and the quality of your effort determines the return you get from your investment of time. Why? Because the key to success in employment networking (whether it’s done online or off) is giving as good as you get. You have to share your knowledge, information, and job contacts if you want others to share theirs.

No less important, that sharing must be done regularly so that it builds familiarity and trust among those with whom you network. Their confidence (in you) reassures them that they can safely refer you to a business associate or colleague. That reassurance is critical — sharing friends on a social networking site isn’t particularly risky; but putting someone in touch with a business contact is. It can damage reputations or even jeopardize employment, especially if the person you refer turns out to be less than business-like.

Employment networking takes place on different sites Since the purpose of e-networking is to find a new or better job, you must do it where you’re most likely to connect with people who know of or have access to employment opportunities. That means your professional peers and the recruiters who focus on your career field and industry. The best e-networking venues are the discussion forums and bulletin boards at web sites operated by:
National and state-level professional associations and trade groups
Technical school, college, and graduate school alumni organizations

Some affinity sites that may be important to employers (such as women in technology, African American certified public accountants, and veterans)

To find the best associations and other networking groups for you, try:
Association Directory at my site. It’s organized by career field and industry and is free to use.

My WEDDLE’s 2005/6 Guide to Association Web Sites. This book describes the networking resources at over 1,800 professional, technical, and trade associations in the U.S. and around the world. You can read more about it at my site.

Finally, please don’t misinterpret my comments as critical of social networking; they’re not meant to be. Social networking takes time, but it won’t do much, if anything, to advance your job search. So, here’s my suggestion: First, devote some serious energy to e-networking, and then, after that’s done, go ahead and relax with a little social networking — or better yet, get out and meet the neighbors.

_________

As we navigate our way through the many ways to network, we must pay attention and differentiate the various websites and determine which can assist on a professional basis and which are merely for social purposes. Although confusing, this can become detrimental to a job search if using the wrong sites.

With today’s array of social media networking websites, we are starting to see more and more statements and opinions whether political in nature or not, expressed to networks. One can argue that social media is a soapbox for any individual to discuss issues and voice free speech and hear others opinions on what is being voiced. I have seen this happening on many sites and there are areas that are used for these purposes on most social websites. Case in point, when I first started my Linkedin Troops Support networking group, I merely posted this group as a question on Linkedin and let others answer if they had interests in a group of this sort. I received such a backlash of responses and almost hate mail because I was siding with Bush’s policies on the war, that I was forced to remove the question from Linkedin. I learned from that experience that maybe I should choose where to ask such questions or even advertise a group that stirs up strong feelings in people. This isn’t to say I was cowering to political opinion because I feared the repercussions, but only that maybe this wasn’t the correct place to post such a question or opinion?

As networks increase and people utilize social media in different ways and for different reasons, virtual forums are places you will start seeing this occurring. Most apparent on places that allow you to post to live feeds or questions that broadcast to your networks. What is not apparent to many people and I have discussed this before is that many of these feeds and forums broadcast to a farther reach then anyone thinks about. Take Facebook for example, the Live Feed on Facebook front page broadcasts to everyone in your network and even people outside your network to include other people in your networks connections. So what you are doing is expressing an opinion that can be seen by everyone. Now I have no problem with people expressing their opinions and this is on some sites the reason they were started. I do think that there are websites that are better venues and groups to discuss this and not receive the backlash of a hundred opinions criss crossing back and forth for all to see. Many do not realize that once you say it, it is out there for all to question and it is very difficult to recover.

So the question remains, do we utilize social media to air an opinion and converse openly no matter how different our opinions may be? Well I think it matters where these opinions are being posted. I think in the right place and in the right venue, it is a great way to start a debate and increase discussions. But that being said, I think it has to be in the right place. I see it all the time, arguments being conducted back and forth on peoples Facebook walls over a fiery debate over the war in Iraq or Healthcare etc. Once it is posted to the walls it is free game for all to see and contribute. I totally disagree that this is the fashion to conduct these sorts of debates. If you choose to turn your social network into a political soap box, you may want to take it offline. Your network can be easily turned off to your opinions and may not agree and in turn can remove themselves from your connections.

I think this is an argument that people would agree and disagree on since many would argue there is a free speech aspect to social networking. I agree with free speech and think in a large part, this is correct but my argument is not with free speech in social networking. My argument is with using the right social network to express opinions. Do we turn business and personal social networks into forums to go back and forth on issues? Does this start conversations or cause an uproar in a network? Do you lose connections by sparking opinions in your network? These are the questions one must ask if they are going to start these discussions. Not sure this will ever be answered but could be a concern as social media populations grow.

Marines,

I would like to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a Happy Birthday! Please take a moment to think about your fellow devil dogs that are still serving in “every clime and place”!

Semper Fi,
Matt

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE – 10 NOVEMBER 2009

Date Signed: 10/5/2009
ALMAR Active Number: 033/09

R 051329Z OCT 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 033/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE – 10 NOVEMBER 2009//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. UNITED STATES MARINES REPRESENT THE BEST YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER. TO BE A MARINE IS TO BE A MEMBER OF AMERICA’S WARRIOR CLASS – TO BE ONE OF THE FEW WHO STEPS FORWARD WITH THE COURAGE AND CONVICTION TO FACE WHATEVER DANGERS AWAIT. OUR NATION EXPECTS HER MARINES TO BE READY WHEN THE NATION CALLS; TO LEAVE FAMILY AND THE COMFORTS OF HOME BEHIND; TO MARCH INTO BATTLE AND THRIVE UNDER AUSTERITY; AND TO COME HOME UNDER A VICTORY PENNANT.

2. FROM AL ANBAR IN THE WEST OF IRAQ, TO HELMAND PROVINCE IN THE SOUTH OF AFGHANISTAN, OUR CORPS OF MARINES CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO BE FOUND WHERE THE FIGHT IS TOUGHEST. SUCH IS OUR HISTORY. TODAY, AS WE WRITE THE FINAL CHAPTER ON OUR VICTORY IN IRAQ, WE WILL INCREASINGLY TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY IN AFGHANISTAN AND ADD NEW PAGES TO OUR LEGACY IN PLACES CALLED DELARAM, NOW ZAD, AND GARMSIR. ONE DAY, WE WILL RETURN TO OUR NAVAL HERITAGE AND PATROL THE HIGH SEAS WITH OUR NAVY BROTHERS. SUCH IS OUR FUTURE.

3. AS WE CELEBRATE OUR CORPS’ 234TH BIRTHDAY, WE FIRST PAUSE TO REFLECT AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE GIVEN THE LAST FULL MEASURE IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO OUR MARINE CORPS FAMILIES – THE UNSUNG HEROES WHO ENDURE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND ACCOMPLISH ANY MISSION. WE EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR COUNTRYMEN WHO HAVE ANSWERED OUR EVERY NEED. AND WE CELEBRATE THE MAGNIFICENT MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILLINGLY AND SELFLESSLY CONTINUE TO GO INTO HARM’S WAY TO PROTECT THIS GREAT NATION.

4. TO ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE, TO THOSE WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM TODAY, AND TO THE FAMILIES THAT GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO FORGE AHEAD – I WISH YOU ALL A HEARTFELT HAPPY 234TH BIRTHDAY!

5. SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//

When I was younger, I used to play TAPS on my trumpet every Veterans Day in front of a group of veterans. They used to jump to their feet when I started to play it and I never really understood the significance or gave it much though. Course I knew what the song meant, but it never hit home. Years later, never would I have dreamed I would be a veteran.

What is a Veteran?

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg – or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul’s ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can’t tell a vet just by looking.

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn’t run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She – or he – is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another – or didn’t come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat – but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other’s backs.

He is the parade – riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies
unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean’s sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket – palsied now and aggravatingly slow – who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being – a person who offered some of his life’s most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That’s all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, “THANK YOU”.

“It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the
freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.” -Father Denis Edward O’Brien/USMC

If you see a Veteran this Wednesday, thank them for their service. I want to personally thank all fellow veterans for their service and let them know they are not forgotten.

I have recently found myself out of work and after exhausting my job search, I decided to use my time wisely and give back to the community. One place in particular I started researching was the VA and Veterans Homeless Shelters. As we all see in the news, homeless veterans are becoming more and more common and with the many skills I have, I thought why not donate my time to a worthy cause. This is not as easy as it may sound. First you need to carefully locate the contacts to speak to at these facilities and almost sell your skills to them as if you were applying for a regular job. No more can you just show up places and volunteer. In this day and age there is paperwork to fill out and even background checks and fingerprinting to go through. Still, I look at volunteerism just as important as dropping a few coins in a can during the holidays or donating money to a cause. There is no better reward then to put time into helping someone less fortunate.

When someone thinks of volunteering, they never think that other things may come from it. For instance, I was volunteering at the VA, but never even thought about applying to some of their open positions and utilizing my veterans points. In other words, volunteering can be rewarding but can create a network that people may never realize. Everyone volunteers at one time or another and you never know who you may be working with during any particular day nor do you know what these people do for a career. Also, there could be other opportunities that are available in these non-profits that could actually be your next career move. I read an article this week on a person that spent 20 years on the corporate side of things only to find himself laid off and so he started volunteering which led him to a executive position in a non-profit. It never even occurred to him that his donated time could lead him to his next full time position.

There is no better time then to volunteer. I hear everyday that the job market is still tough and many cannot find jobs. My big question is: If there are no jobs out there and the many unemployed are collecting unemployment compensation, what are they doing with their time? I mean once you exhaust the job search since there are no apparent jobs out there, are you sitting idle waiting around for someone to knock on the door and tell you your next move? It would seem to me that a job seekers time could be better spent volunteering to assist someone in their local community. Many job seekers have valuable skills that are needed in non-profits and without this support, many vacancies go unfilled and do not get the support needed. Plus as an added benefit, the job seeker could still keep their skills fresh and could even put a lot of the experience on their resume to fill in any date gaps. It is a win win situation for both sides.

I am a strong advocate of volunteerism and I always will be. Whether it was the people I helped when I volunteered to teach literacy in Virginia or the many Toys for Tots functions I assisted in the military, I believe we could all benefit from volunteering once and a while.