Month: July 2011

To say that I am proud of my little brother Garrett would be an understatement.  Garrett who you first met here is exceptionally smart, likeable and sensible.  He instinctively and effortlessly understands a lot of the things that it has taken me several books to arrive at that “a ha” moment.  After many years of unlucky knocks (like cancer) and bad habits (like substances and slackerism), Garrett is really starting to step into his potential.  The kid is a nascent ______________ (whatever he likes). 

We took a chance on Garrett and promoted him from salesman (where he was taking the path of least resistance) to warehouse manager.  He has enthusiastically embraced his new job with both brain and brawn to the point where I think he is even surprising himself.  Now that Garrett is hitting his stride at the warehouse and has a little more time, he might start posting here and on our social media accounts a bit more.   Below is his first post. 

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Well I’d love to tell you that from 9-5 I was on the phone working hard in sales, but I don’t like to lie. I can remember all the different ways and methods I learned in the art of “looking busy”.. I became a true professional, seriously, I could teach classes at Harvard in how to look busy. I would tell you some of the ways, but I plan on releasing a book and making millions, so I guess you have to wait until the book is published.

What a different life from Atlantic Highlands paper pusher, to Newark hard working fast moving warehouseman. Once again I prefer not to lie, so I can’t say “I remember that first day”… No quite differently, I can’t remember the last couple months. One big blur. Through the blur I learned a lot, I guess I had no choice. I had no choice because up till a few weeks ago, I did everything. I had no helper/worker, just me. Almost all of the shipping and much of the receiving for all 3 companies, all me. My big bro Justin was here the first couple weeks to help set up systems and help out, but that was it.  And I tell you that a lot of people doubted me, probably almost everyone. I have a lot of self-doubt and insecurities, but I will tell you, I wasn’t worried. My mentality was “fuck it, I got this”. I guess my “fuck it” mentality actually paid off this time. And if you can’t take the heat of my conversation, get the fuck out of the kitchen.

Green labels, weights, dates, Market Select, Marx Foods, Cross Docks, Transfers,  blablablabla….These words to me are like plus and minus to a math teacher. These words are my new life.

I also get to be a boss now. And you know what the coolest part is, I don’t have to be the asshole boss, I don’t have to be the pushover weak boss, I don’t have to be anything but the boss I want to be. Nice, respectful and if you mess around, GOODBYE!! I told my employee “the second I need to be a dick, you’re not doing your job. And that is when you will not be doing this job”.  I don’t want to be the asshole boss, So I will not be. Or the boss that asks you a question in regards to you doing something wrong, just so he can hear you say it. Rhetorical questions are ridiculous.

I don’t feel like writing anymore, so I will stop. My bro Justin says “would you like to write things on my blog, you can contribute and start doing some work for Marx Foods”.   Do you like to write as part of your job the guy asks me.. Hello Justin, just because I am now a hard working fast moving warehouseman, doesn’t mean I don’t like a little office punk work anymore.

aaaaahhhhhh, no bosses around me, no call list…. “how many calls have you made today” “get on that phone” “your only as good as your last sale” “I hear a lot of typing, not enough calling”.. aaahhhhhh, NO MORE!!!!

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Go, Garrett, Go!

Hiring is without question one of my most important jobs.  Period.  End of Story.  I am extremely grateful that our business is expanding.  And I am stoked to bring another superstar into our little work family!

But hiring is one of my least preferred things to do (if you aren’t from Seattle, “least preferred” means most hated 😉  Nine years in Seattle will make anyone stuff their lingo full of euphemisms and indirectness).  Reviewing 100 resumes and conducting a couple rounds of interviews is going to take a lot of time that I don’t have.  But, making sure that we hire the right people is the most important thing I do.  So, here I go.  I’m about 25 resumes in and wanted to share a quick insight with you. Somebody is procrastinting by writing this post!

The practice of screening applicants is an exclusive process.  My goal is to cut 100 resumes down to 10, which is no easy task.  In the first round of resume review, I am not looking so much to find my 10, but to exclude those that I know will not be in the 10.  The process is unavoidably designed to exclude applicants.  I can’t speak for all employers, but my number one most reliable method for excluding applicants is whether you connect with me in your cover letter.  It doesn’t matter if I am hiring a writer or a graphic designer.  You need to be able to communicate in writing.  And, you need to make me feel like you are genuinely excited about this prospect.  And, if I can tell immediately that you are sending a standard cover letter, especially when I ask for a “thoughtful cover letter” in the job ad, then your resume is in the “not interested” folder as quickly as I can drag it over there.   Here are some cover letter excerpts to drive home this point.

“Dear Sir, I have read the add posted on Craigslist.org, concerning your need for an office assistant.
This letter is to express my interest for this position, since based on my skills and abilities,
I am confident I could be the right person for this job. Below you can review my resume.”

The above letter obviously is sent for every single job.  You obviously aren’t interested in the job, so why should I read your resume?

Now, check out this one:

“I believe that I am the undiscovered superstar that you are looking for to be your new foodie office assistant.  After some investigatory navigation around the Marx Foods website, it became clear that an opportunity to work for your company would be a chance to become part of a fun and exciting team.  Food has always been a passion for me, but in my twenties I have truly started to subscribe to the belief that your company professes, that “a meal can never be better than its ingredients”

OK, now we’re talking.  Or:

“When I saw your ad for a Foodie Office Assistant, I at first thought I was witnessing a mirage.  An interesting and perfect opportunity for this lady who loves her food, and has mad office skills to boot!”

Perfect, you are really excited, you are a foodie and you have office skills.  Check, Check, Check. Or:

“I got really excited when I saw your call for applicants for the Foodie Office Assistant position of Craig’s List.  I love food and cooking, and I am an incredibly organized and efficient person.”

With so many people looking for jobs, you really need to figure out how to stand out.  Instead of sending everyone the same exact letter/resume, consider applying only to jobs that you know you are interested in.  Then follow the application instructions very clearly and take the time to write a compelling first few sentences to let the employer know that you are really excited about the prospect.  Quality, not quantity.  Or if you have time for quality and quantity, then do that.

To be clear, a good opening cover letter doesn’t guarantee an interview.  But, if the cover letter connects with me, then you will be one of the 20 applicants whose resume I look at.  And that gives you much better odds of being in the final 10.

Now if you excuse me, I have 75 more resumes to go through.

The weather just started to become gorgeous in Seattle.  Finally, summer is here.   The only problem is that it makes it difficult to sit in the office and focus, as you might imagine. 

Fortunately we’ve managed to cultivate a certain amount of the outdoors indoors, and that helps. Our open loft space is filled with trees, most of us have plants on our desks, and we’ve got trained vines climbing several of our walls in elegant formations.  Our plants clean our air, add tremendous coziness to the space, and help take the edge off that undeniable deep yearning to go out and “work” on a blanket spread on a grassy spot in the sculpture garden.

None of the Marx Foods staff can claim credit for our flora though, we long ago figured out that we needed a green thumb for hire, and that’s where Becca comes in (Charlotte, her daughter, is along for the ride).

Once a week Becca, Charlotte, and sometimes her son August come in to take care of our jungle. Almost everything needs to be watered, and several plants need to be misted regularly to stay healthy (here’s August taking care of that).

But when one of our plants starts looking under the weather, Becca always knows just what to do. She rotates plants around the office that are getting too little or too much sun, prunes as necessary, and in general gives the plants the love they need.  If bugs move in (which happens very rarely), she’s ready with remedies that won’t make The Pack sick if one of them decides to start chewing on a discarded leaf.

If you’re in the Seattle area and need your own plant expert, I can’t recommend Becca enough.  Her green thumb is on point; she’s smart, nice and beautiful; and like all plant ladies she is a little kooky.  And, with that comment, I should mention that I met Becca freshman year in college when she was my new girlfriend’s (and now wife’s) best friend.  We had somewhat of a rivalry for Tara’s attention and let’s just say we were a little antagonistic.  We love each other, but never miss an opportunity to poke each other 😉 

Anyway, Becca is fantastic.  Just shoot me an e-mail at Justin (at) marxfoods (dot) com and I’ll gladly send you her contact info and answer any questions. You too could have an office this green!