Minnesota Headhunter

Job Search | LinkedIn | Social Media Job Search Presentations

The last three weeks I have done three different presentations and have inserted them below.

This morning I presented at the Social Media Breakfast – Twin Cities on “Using Social Media In Your Job Search.” Before going further I want to, need to say, in six or seven years of doing career related presentations I have NEVER had so much fun.

Thank you to those who attended and for participating in the conversation. Lots of really good questions were asked and this being my first time doing a presentation to this niche I learned quite a few things and will add a few slides in future similar presentations.

Announcements:

• Please pass on to friends, family, coworkers and anyone you know who is now or may in the future be doing a job search the following web site, Be Your Own Headhunter http://www.beyourownheadhunter.com
• As I type this (1-30-09) there is not much there but in the coming week it will be a good source of job search information. I will also be adding city pages that will have links of local information with Minneapolis and St. Paul being the first. (big shock, right?)
• In about two weeks I will be doing free job search webinars likely on a weekly basis.
• If you know of a group within short driving distance who would like to have a speaker on job search, networking, LinkedIn, etc please pass my name along. For local presentations I do not charge a fee.
• If you attended today’s event (or either of the previous two) and I missed a topic you had hoped would be covered please leave a comment below so I can see if/how to work it into a presentation.

That’s it for “announcements.”

OK, I lied...

NOTE: Today’s presentation was taken in part by the two below it as well as new content specific to today. You may/will want to look at the others to get more information on doing a job search and using LinkedIn as a tool.

Using Social Media In Your Job Search

View more presentations from MNHeadhunter. (tags: social media)

 

The following was presented at the Savage Chamber of Commerce 1-20-09:

LinkedIn to a New Year

View more presentations from MNHeadhunter. (tags: linkedin presentation)

 

The following was presented at the StarTribune Career Fair 1-13-09 and is my standard job search presentation:

I have a "killer resume", now what? Tips on being your own Headhunter

View more presentations from MNHeadhunter.

How to Interview Like Barack Obama: Successful Strategies for Your Job Interview

Courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap

From: Lewis Lin of SeattleInterviewCoach.com

Inspired by Barack Obama's historic presidential inauguration, I wondered to myself: if Obama sat down with a hiring manager, how would he answer the most common job interview questions such as:

• What's your biggest weakness?
• What is your leadership style?
• What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in this industry?

Job Search for Graduation

Courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap

From: CareerAlley

As a College student, planning and job search should really start very early in your college career. Internships, Co-Op programs, volunteering and College Career Fairs require months and sometimes years of planning. Unfortunately, many College students don't begin to plan until their Junior (and sometimes Senior) year. The good news is that

Minnesota Morning

Catching up on a few days worth of links…

Recruiter and HR:

• Standout Jobs: Will Mobile Recruiting Hit a Tipping Point in 2009?
• Microsoft JobsBlog: Microsoft Hiring Update
• CNNMoney.com: Headhunters get the ax

Career and Job Search:

• Squawkfox: 6 Words That Make Your Resume Suck
• What Would Dad Say: 42 Rules for Obama’s First Week
• Forbes.com: Should You Take The First Job You're Offered?
• JobMob: Everything You Need to Know About Finding Jobs with LinkedIn Groups
• Career Hub: Does social media in my job search make a difference? - Ask an expert.
• Heymarci.com: 3 Easy Ways Email Can Jumpstart a Career
• HR Minion: Resume advice

Local blog posts from TwinCitiesBlogs.com:

• Bex Huff: The Semantic Web: Impossible In Theory, Impractical in Reality
• Blogger Design: Integrate Your Blog and Twitter
• Charisma 18: Simpler
• Blowing Things Up / Notes from the Technology Underground: How to be Interviewed on Live TV
• Online Marketing Blog: BlogWell - Growing an Online Community
• The Unofficial CTO Blog: Local ISPs fading away
• The Daily Gopher: it is official Minnesota to play USC
• Steve Bendt: Best Buy Reorg and an Open Social Approach
• Small Business Mavericks: Is Online Networking as Good as Offline?

Resumes - Get Yours Right

Courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap

From: CareerAlley

Your resume is the most important document that you will write for your job search. There are hundreds of resume formats and many are career &/or industry specific. There are also countless resume resource sites available (at least it feels that way). As with most things on the Web, some are free and some are pay sites.

Whether or not you pay someone (or some site) to help with your resume (this is a personal choice), you should take the time to get it right.

Another very important document is the cover letter. This is used as an introduction to your resume (whether electronic or sent via snail-mail). Other important documents include Thank You letters which will be covered in a future post.

As with all of the topics that are covered in this blog, my list is the "tip of the iceberg". The purpose is to get you started. I will build on all of these lists in future posts.

For this post's topic, I'll list a few sites and resources and add additional sites in future posts.

A few resume sites:

• Resume-Resource.com - This is an excellent site and one of the best I've seen and it is definitely worth spending some time here. There are numerous articles and tips for almost every aspect of the Resume process (writing, cover letters, thank you letters, etc.) It provides:
  • A broad range of tips and articles
  • Sample Resumes for many careers / industries
  • Resume writing tips
  • Resume templates (for a fee)
  • Cover letter examples
  • Thank You Letter examples
  • Follow-ups
• Monster Career Advice - Monster offers resume, letters and some career advice. Not nearly as comprehensive as Resume-Resource.com and it looks like the bulk of services are fee based.
• eResumes.com - Another comprehensive site which offers a broad range of samples and advice. There are also quite a few recommendations for fee-based resume services. High level, this site provides:
  • Resume writing advice and examples (including a tutorial on writing your resume)
  • Sample cover letters
  • Numerous articles and advice including links to third party services

Some of my own thoughts:

1. It is not unusual to have different versions of your resume depending on the type of position (although all factual content should be the same)
2. Most resume posting sites, headhunters/recruiters and company career sites scan electronic resumes for keywords. Ensure your resume contains the action words which best describe your background and skills.
3. Resume posting sites (and employers/recruiters who use them) scan for the newest resumes first. You should periodically refresh your resume so that it gets noticed.
4. Not covered in this post (but will be in a future post) are the career centers and most universities and colleges. You should try to leverage these career centers at the university or college where you graduated. Most have online sites as well. Many allow some access even if you are not an alumni. This is an example of Pace University's career services website ===>> http://www.pace.edu/page.cfm?doc_id=1398
5. Whether you use a fee based service or not, ask your friends and family to review your resume.
6. Last, but not least, your resume should be perfect - no spelling errors, no grammatical errors, all prior work experience and educational degrees MUST be factual (they will check, sometimes after you've already started working at the company)

Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Two Minnesota Companies Make The Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For

Mayo Clinic and General Mills make the 2009 Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For list.

Click Mayo Clinic (#63) and General Mills (#99) to see their Fortune information. There are quite a few companies on the list with offices in Minnesota.

There is also a lot of competitive intelligence in the associated links including who is hiring, pay and percentage of women in the work force.

Targeted Job Search

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap

From: CareerAlley

Most job search sites cover a wide range of industries and functional backgrounds. While you can generally narrow your search based on the site's search engine, this can sometimes be time consuming. This post highlights several focused job search sites.

• efinancialcareers.com - Efinancialcareers.com focuses on the financial services industry. The site breaks down Financial Services into sectors (Hedge Funds, Equities, etc.) as well as locations. The site also allows resume posting and job search. Additionally, there is a "toolkit", which has quite a few resources and advice links
• Salestrax.com - As you've probably figured out from the name, this site focuses on Sales jobs. The site allows resume posting, has job search functionality and has career resources.
• Allretailjobs.com - This site focuses on the retail industry. The very first page lists most of the best known retailers. As with most of the sites reviewed to date, this also allows resume posting, job search as well as links to other sites and resources.
• Healthcareerweb.com - Yes, a focus on the health care industry. Resume posting, job search, forums, events and videos (yes, videos). When I tried the site it seemed a little slow when moving from one section to new pages, but I did not use it long enough to know if this is a limited issue.

No matter what your industry or functional experience, there is probably a search site dedicated to your needs. Next post I will focus on headhunters who are industry specific.

Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Job And Career Fair Presentation

I have had a lot of stuff running through my mind since the presentation at the StarTribune Career Expo which is why until today I have been a little quiet.

I said this when I started speaking, I was a bit unnerved with the number of folks wanting to hear the presentation. I had a few folks sitting on the floor, standing in the back and into the hallway. The hosts of the event estimated at around 130 people were in the room at the beginning.

When I asked for hands of those unemployed 90%+ raised their hands.

I should restate this, I was not unnerved about speaking before a group that size but the first thing that goes through my mind is the collective emotion that everyone is feeling. Being without a job sucks. What sucks worse is when we have slow economic times.

The job search presentation went from 2 PM – 3 PM. Then about 20 minutes for the networking piece. Then a group Q & A and a few one on one questions. By the time I left it was around 5 PM.

It was a good day and feedback from the presentations has been very good.

Here is the presentation:

I have a "killer resume", now what? Tips on being your own Headhunter

View more presentations or upload your own.

I do have the shell of Be Your Own Headhunter up and running. More content will be added the next three days along with a page specific for Minneapolis resources.

My original idea was to start doing online webinars in mid February but I have decided that rather than perfect everything and have the web site in high gear I am going to start before the end of January. It makes more sense to get this information to people than wait for everything to look pretty.

The first webinar is not yet schedules as I need to figure out the tech side of things and do a trial run.

If you know of a group in the Minneapolis | St. Paul area seeking a speaker on job search, networking, or using LinkedIn please forward my email on, paul@mnheadhunter.com

As long as it is local and I can keep my time away from the office to 90 minutes or less I am willing to do them for free.

MN Headhunter Gets Nice Guy Award

On January 7, 2009 Recruiting Animal gave his The Recruiting Animal Award Winners 2008 on his radio show.

I was awarded “Recruitosphere Nice Guy”:

Now for those not in the recruiting industry you may wonder what is a Recruiting Animal and why do you care.

The Recruiting Animal is a popular guy, a Recruiter, has the Recruiting Animal blog, and his own radio show The Recruiting Animal. That’s pretty good for anyone let alone an animal.

While the shows are not always very serious (this is not your suit and tie show) the content that is shared and the people who contribute (most days) are.

So to be mentioned with the folks he gave awards to is in all seriousness, very cool for me. When you go to his page you will see those listed is very much a “who’s who” of the recruiter’s who are online, who give back to the community, who teach and train.

It also means a lot to be known as a “Nice Guy” and this proves nice guys do not finish last.

Oh and I should say that if you are wondering more about his show you can click one of the following links to 2008 shows I was featured on.

Minnesota Headhunter, Your Buddy in Bad Times (October 29, 2008)

The Minnesota Headhunter (January 16, 2008)

Minnesota Morning

Earlier this morning Maren Hogan put this out on Twitter:

No matter what your feelings were or who you voted for, you'd have to have a stone heart not to see how this inauguration is impacting kids

I have thought about this quite a bit since Election Day. Kids will group knowing that just maybe it is true that in America you can be anything you want to be. As a late 30’s white guy I can barely imagine what that must be like but for the kids to see this, for these kids to grow up with that thought has to be a most powerful message.

I am a pomp and circumstance guy too. I love inaugurations so I am geeking out on the history, protocols, the red white and blue.

That we can transfer power without bloodshed, tanks in the streets, Martial Law is a beautiful thing.

Other than security (always an issue) it seems the next biggest issue is if there are enough port o potties for the crowds they are expecting.

On this Martin Luther King Jr holiday and in these times I am reminded how blessed I have been to be born in this country. No doubt we have issues, problems, and big things ahead of us but taking that proverbial step back for a moment, there is no place I would rather be.

LINKS

Recruiter and HR:

• Fistful of Talent: Hey Jerry Jones: Individual Talent is Often Overrated
• The HR Capitalist: Wells Fargo and Firing Former Employees as a Part of Mergers and Acquisitions...
• Cheezhead: search engine offers free social reference checks
• The Talent Buzz: The Coverage Continues… News, Information, and Blog Posts for the Twitter Community

Career and Job Search:

• Wall Street Journal: Folks Are Flocking to the Library, a Cozy Place to Look for a Job
• MSNBC: Under 30? Looking for a job? You're not alone
• Brazen Careerist: Networking Thru Social Media, Steal This strategy!
• CareerDiva: Who’s the most screwed in this economy?
• What Would Dad Say: Don’t Fire Yourself
• JobMob: 39 Best Job Search Tip Articles of 2008
• The Boston Globe: Flex your networking skills
• Career Solvers: In Life and Job Search, Preparation is Key
• Blue Sky Resumes: The 7 Mistakes You're Probably Making On LinkedIn

Local blog posts from TwinCitiesBlogs.com:

• RemainComm: On the Trail of Twitter's Tipping Point
• Small Business Mavericks: Social Media: Finding the Right Site to Join
• Media Pirate: Mediapirates Top Five Reasons To Use Social Media!
• Twitter Means Business: Facebook (and Twitter): my recent epiphany
• Bex Huff: What is a Technology Certificate Really Worth?
• The PF Hyper Blog: Minneapolis Unwired: Park Board decides to throw its weight around

Paul DeBettignies To Speak On Job Search And Networking Topics At Minneapolis StarTribune Career Fair

I should have posted this here earlier. I have been sending messages out on Twitter, Facebook and email and forgot about the blog. Yeah, sometimes I am not the brightest bulb on the tree.

Today, January 12^th 2009 I am presenting at a career fair sponsored by the Minneapolis StarTribune to be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I did all three events in 2008 and have been invited (and I accepted) to do them again in 2009.

Here is a link to the online event announcement StarTribune Career Expo.

During the event I will be briefly talk about a new site I am working on Be Your Own Headhunter where I will be posting career, job search and networking information, links to blog posts, information on Minneapolis and St. Paul career resources including networking groups, professional associations, etc.

From the site I will also be hosting webinars and later this spring launching a book.

Here is more information on what I will be speaking about:

2 PM – Room 102A
I have a “killer” resume, now what?
Tips On Being Your Own Headhunter
Paul DeBettignies, Managing Partner, Nerd Search

Paul has been an IT Headhunter for 11+ years; he is a frequent speaker on job search and networking topics and writes the popular business blog MNHeadhunter.com. Paul will share principles he has learned that are universal to a job search through is own business and throughout his years of interaction with candidates that will help speed up your job search process.

Areas to be covered include: networking, what it is, how to get started, and who to contact; using LinkedIn and Facebook as job search tools; effective ways of using email to introduce yourself; finding hiring manager contact names; creating your 10 second Sound Bite and the 30 second Elevator Pitch; tracking your job search.

3PM – Room 102A
Open Networking Opportunity With Fellow JobSeekers
Paul DeBettignies, Managing Partner, Nerd Search

Minnesota Morning

I have a bunch of stuff to post today so rather than have one really long post later today here is a bunch of links with commentary to come later in the afternoon...

Recruiter Links:

• The Talent Buzz: 8 Tools for the Twitter Community
• HR Minion: Capable minion seeks evil mastermind to hench for. Must like blogs.

Career Links:

• Chris Brogan: You are the President of Your Career
• Fortify Your Oasis: Networking 2009 Style
• U.S. News & World Report: How to Keep Your Job in '09 by Working Like a Freelancer
• Career Hub: Is Your Head Spinning From All the Career Advice You've Been Reading?
• One Day, One Job: Entry Level Hiring Outlook for 2009
• Blue Sky Resumes: Using Twitter for Job Search
• Satisfying Career – Happier Life: 5 Essential Tips on Thriving after a Layoff
• Employment Digest: Avoid Job Application Rejection

Local blog posts from TwinCitiesBlogs.com:

• aimClear Blog: Degrees of Separation, FaceBook, Twitter & Social Distribution Networks
• Minnov8: Why Executives Don’t “Get” Social Media
• Mike On traffic: Richfield's Modified Basketweave Stop Sign Pattern - One Year Later
• The Unofficial CTO Blog: IT Security during layoffs
• Techrigy: Facebook adds 20 million new users since December 10th
• Bluestem Prairie: Congressman Walz moves upstairs Interesting to know how in one part office space on Capitol Hill is decided
• Centrisity: Vetoed Voters Get Letter
• Politics in Minnesota: Poll: Coleman should concede, but we're no Franken fans, either
• The Minnesota Independent: Kiffmeyer’s can of worms is Coleman’s recount battle plan

Quick Tip - Looking for work? Become a "must have" connection.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap

From: Tim Tyrell-Smith @ Spin Strategy™ - Tools for Intelligent Job Search

If you are looking for work, you've probably attended of number of networking functions in your target geography.  How many people attended this job search event? 

An even more interesting question is: How many people came to the event with the hope of meeting YOU?

Do this seem like an outlandish thought for you?  Are you not usually the one people seek out?  What if you could become a "must have" connection in your network and in the outer network of those you know? 

When two people meet at Starbuck's and one asks: "who else should I be networking with?", is it your name that comes up?

If the answer to this last question is yes, it probably means one of two things:

• You have been looking for a long time and you are now a legend :-(   OR
• You have found ways during your relatively short search to separate yourself by adding value.

So, how do you add value and become a highly desired connection?

Don't Connect with Everyone

Now this doesn't have a lot to do with adding value, but one way to be more in demand is to reduce the supply.  What if you were to only accept 2 new Linkedin connections per week?  Even more in demand? 2 per month.  The value of this? You are discriminating. Being in your network means something.  Also, if you connect with anyone and everyone, how can you ever really tap into your network when you need help?  You'll need to start the conversation with "You don't know me but . . ."  Want to know my Linkedin connection policy?  Click here.

Create Something that Helps Others

During my job search in 2007, one of the things that made job search more difficult was to find qualified companies in my target geography.  Oh, sure, I knew about the big ones.  But what about all the smaller ones right in my backyard?  So, I created a list with all the companies I knew and sent it off to a few friends.  They added extra company names that I was missing and pretty soon I had back a nice long list. And, guess what, that list got e-mailed around to a few other people (as did the word that I created it).  Who wouldn't want to meet the guy who created that helpful list?

Share your Templates

Let me say this as loud as I can - job search IS NOT a solo effort.  If you sneak around, keeping all leads deep in your front pocket, you will be less successful in your job search.  Oh, and people won't want to help you.  So, as I found special ways to think through my job search, I created a template and shared it with everyone I could think of who might benefit.  For example, I recently created a simple spreadsheet called the Watchlyst™ to help you track the job objectives of those in your network.  I also created a workbook to help you compare a job offer called SidebySide™.  Both can be downloaded here for FREE.  Whether you create it or you find it on a blog, don't be shy!  Share it with others and you will be more highly valued in your network.

By offering your help and inspiration to others through positive networking, targeted connections, and the sharing of ideas and templates you become someone of interest.  As a helpful and interesting person you will also be memorable. 

Memorable people get more job leads than everyone else.  They also make great long term relationships.

Well, what are you waiting for?  Get going!

Your network needs you.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Paul DeBettignies Quoted In Minneapolis StarTribune Article On LinkedIn

In the January 4^th 2009 Sunday career section of the Minneapolis StarTribune I was quoted in this article from Brett Pyrtle, Getting LinkedIn For Career Success:

In a world where business networks and relationships are often sustained in virtual reality, having an online presence is increasingly critical to career success. That's why a number of professional recruiters say that strategic use of LinkedIn is a smart move.

"The two best ways for a job seeker to be found are to either post a resume on a job board, which is a headache to manage, or set up a LinkedIn profile," says Paul DeBettignies, founder of the MN Headhunter recruiting blog and an occasional speaker to business group on using LinkedIn tools. "With the latter, people can really tailor their messages and make good use of key industry words or acronyms, because that's what recruiters use to conduct an online search."

Unlike social networking sites, such as Facebook or MySpace, LinkedIn is specifically designed as an online resource to highlight business accomplishments and build professional contacts. The distinction has helped the site increase its user base by nearly 200 percent in the past year, according to Nielsen Online research, with substantial gains among workers in all age groups between 25-64.

For those who still have not established a LinkedIn profile, DeBettignies offers three key reasons why it might be worthwhile:

Extended Networking.

• On LinkedIn, a user can add a virtually unlimited number of contacts from their own professional or personal network. Every time a user adds a contact, they gain access to that person's network (unless they choose to restrict views of those names). If a job seeker wants to connect with a resource in this extended network, they can ask the friend or colleague in their own contact list to provide an online introduction.

Easier Research.

• LinkedIn allows users to research job openings in several different ways, including employer name, market niche or geographic location. By keying in the name of a specific firm, a user can also call up a list of LinkedIn members within each company. That search often yields a treasure trove of hiring managers or HR staff that can be helpful to a job search.

Better Visibility.

• DeBettignies says a simple - and often overlooked - step to maximizing LinkedIn visibility is to add a link to the user's e-mail signature block. That enables interested parties to check out the page on a regular basis. "If a person is posting on blogs or professional discussions, that's a great way for others in their industry to take a closer look at who they are."

The Truth About Telecommuting

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap

From: Patti Ghezzi

I used to fantasize about telecommuting. No wasted time on the road. No parking fees. Wearing sweats all day. Juggling personal life and work without fear of my boss’s disapproval.

What I longed for was freedom. I wanted to shed the straightjacket of the office and do my work without having to keep up appearances or deal with office politics. Please, I felt like screaming some days at the office, JUST LET ME WORK!

Through a series of fortunate events, I am telecommuting now. I have a part-time job with a company in Massachusetts. I have never met my boss in person or any of my colleagues, even though one of them lives just a few miles away in Atlanta. We use e-mail. We talk on the phone. Besides juggling my part-time job with my home life, I fill in the gaps with freelance assignments.

My telecommuting dream has come true. But, not surprisingly, reality doesn’t match the fantasy.

Minnesota Morning

Yeah, Woo Hoo for the first official work day of 2009.

I have been working very hard over the holidays so while some are only getting up to speed I am already in high gear. As I posted on Twitter and Facebook this morning:

“2009 business world, it's me versus you. Hope you are rested, fed, and up to the fight because I am going to kick your ass.”

I have been getting some inquiries by out of town friends about the U. S. Senate contest between Norm Coleman and Al Franken.

Today the Canvassing Board could certify the results which have Al Franken +225 votes. Then there is a seven day waiting period for law suits.

Norm Coleman currently has a request with the State Supreme Court about 600+ ballots he says were improperly rejected and not put in the big pile to be looked at.

Minnesota Business, Technology, Sports And General Topic Blogs Updated

What follows is an update (20 blogs) to my blog roll. These blogs will also be added to my TwinCitiesBlogs.com project.

Minnesota Business Blogs:

• Digital In Motion
• Maria Energia
• Sustainable Middle Class
• Techrigy
• Twin Cities Real Estate Gal
• Barker and Hedges Real Estate Blog
• VisiOlo
• The Celebrity I Am Not
• Communications Conversations
• Minneapolis Online Marketing Blog
• Twit In Biz

Minnesota Technology Blogs:

• Blasted Consulting
• Inside The Nerdery
• buildcontext
• I [heart] code!

Minnesota Sports Blogs:

• Daily Norseman
• The Viking Age
• Vikings Gab

Minnesota General Topic Blogs:

• fresh.mn
• Minnesota Gossip

Minnesota Morning

Happy first sort of official work day of 2009. Sort of because I know a lot of people have today off. Sort of because I know a lot of them are checking their email all day.

With big sports events like the Super Bowl and World Series politicians usually do a “bet” of sort. If you win we send you a (fill in the blank). Usually local food, beverages, etc.

I am thinking Governor Tim Pawlenty should call the Illinois governor and do a “bet” on who fills their respective senate seat first. But then again, maybe the last thing with all the issues he has Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich should bet on anything including if he will still be the governor.

Ah yes, the hypocrisy of politics. It is sort of interesting to watch Norm Coleman taking the same tactics Al Franken did when Franken was down and Franken adopting the “leader” status. Now Coleman wants to count all the votes and Franken seems to be OK with the current numbers.

Current status: Franken +49

Minnesota Morning | Sports Only Edition

Happy New Year to you and Best Wishes in 2009.

This post is entirely about sports, most of it on the Minnesota Golden Gophers and college football with some short thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Wild at the end.

So no recruiter, career or business stuff today.

College football bowl season is one of my favorite times of the year to go along with spring practice, fall practice, non conference schedule, Big Ten season, rivalry weekend and for the other conferences their conference championship game.

Yeah, I have a bit of an addiction to college football. I do not smoke, gamble, eat too much, drink much or often so as far as addictions go this is rather low on the list of bad ones. I also tend to get more work done because I can watch and type at the same time.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Minnesota Golden Gopher football season ended last night not as a Gopher fan would hope. As I stated in my Minnesota Morning yesterday I predicted the Gophers by 4.

And I was wrong.