http://www.rorycullen.com/blog Finding work you're passionate about Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:42:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Over the past month, I have received two endorsement requests from connections in LinkedIn. One from a high school classmate I have not seen in over 15 years, and another from a friend who I know from non-work activities. My question is, why do they think I can ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2010/03/how-to-devalue-your-linkedin-recommendations/ I had no intention of writing a follow-up piece about LinkedIn this month. No intention at all until yesterday, when I stumbled upon Charly Barry. A few days ago, I noticed a contact on LinkedIn was part of the Fidelity Investments Alumni group. Although there are several groups with ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2010/01/linkedin-and-porn-like-chocolate-and-peanut-butter/ I can no longer deny what has become obvious to me.  I have failed to use LinkedIn appropriately for too long, and it’s starting to make me rethink my approach.  Maybe you can learn from my mistake! LinkedIn suggests: Accept invitations only from those who you know and trust. This past week, ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/12/the-weakest-linkedin/ No longer can you say I will never be “half the man my brother is!” Yesterday I became that half a man!* You may recall that I began running back in April out of boredom and really enjoyed it. This year’s hobby finally culminated my attempt of ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/11/the-hangover-seacoast-half-marathon/ Most professional career counselors will tell you that you should do some volunteer work while you’re looking for a new job. Their reasons are many, including: You can make contacts You can refresh or update your skills You get out of your house and avoid a rut It fills your time You can do ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/10/volunteerism-and-the-job-search-getting-the-most-out-of-it/ How old do you have to be to stop dreading early September?  I dreaded it well into my late 20s, all due to years of schooling.  Back-to-school shopping ads still bother me when they come out in mid-July.  Well, this September is different! When I was a fresh-faced college grad, I ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/09/back-to-grad-school-time/ Yep, I’ve been busy.   Too busy to write?  Yes, at times.  Also, lacking in appropriate topics.  More on that another time. Why so busy?  First I spent a lot of time prepping for my presentation to a networking group on Personal Branding.  After that, I ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/08/what-ive-been-doing-lately/ In my current role, we are using Subversion (SVN) as our version control system. As an Eclipse user, I am using the Subclipse plugin that allows you to easily interact with Subversion to commit changes and make updates to your code. I quickly noticed that there was no ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/07/guide-to-subclipse-decorator-icons/ A few months ago, when I was not working on a million projects, I volunteered to speak to one of my networking groups.  After some delays on my end, it is now slated for next week.  The topic is one of my hobbies, “Personal Branding.”  If you have been reading ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/07/personal-branding-for-the-ages/ Last week, I asked for your feedback on my Elevator Pitch.  I received a lot of feedback, both in the comments, and via private emails. Most common responses: I looked stiff Didn’t smile at all (or the smile looked forced at the end) Tried to say too much Clearly reading the teleprompter, should have memorized the ... http://www.rorycullen.com/blog/2009/06/part-2-of-2-grade-my-elevator-pitch/