Ask TaxMama Issue 463 – Exceptional People

Happy National Rose Month

Dear Family,

This morning I was corresponding with a tax professional who’s faced some resistance by the folks at Robert Half because he doesn’t have a college degree. No doubt Half must adhere to THE highest standards in the land. (They are a pretty good firm, in general.) But when you come across a candidate like this individual – with over a decade of solid tax experience, a great attitude, and a capacity for finding errors that might save a firm from lawsuits or sanctions…headhunters need to have the sense to make an exception.

I spent years as a headhunter in the fields of accounting and computer sciences. Most of the time, I also adhered to the job requirements. But when I met someone exceptional, that’s when my job got really interesting. That’s when my selling skills and charm came into play. Any headhunter who doesn’t have the guts to pitch someone exceptional is nothing more than a robot.

Let me tell you about one job opening for an accounting manager to run the operations at an oil related company in Long Beach, California – where we have a mess of refineries. The hiring manager was adamant about wanting a man – since the job required the manager to go out to the job sites and bully the workers into getting him records and paperwork on a regular basis. And he refused to back down on the degree issue. So, I made a deal with him. Once he got through interviewing the next three candidates who met his qualifications, if he wasn’t excited about them, he’d talk to the lady I wanted him to meet. (He’d been running ads and was already disheartened by the candidates he’d seen.)

He called me a couple of days later. OK, all I have to lose is an hour or so. Send your woman in.

She went there the next morning. And I didn’t hear from her or him. (Normally, my candidates were instructed to call me after the left the interview.) I still didn’t hear from her by the end of the day. So I called the employer. She was still with him. He was so excited about her that he’d spent the day with her and was arranging for the president in Texas (where else) to speak with her in the morning and make the final hiring decision.

This person didn’t have a degree. And she was a woman. But she was experienced, solidly rough around the edges and moved well in a greasy men’s industry.

Folks, if you’re looking to hire, don’t make a degree the key element. A good employee can always complete a degree. But not all degreed candidates have the experience, ethics and common sense of someone who’s pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. (Some do…but…open your eyes.)

There are some things you cannot train. When you find those qualities in a person, snap that person up and encourage them to train while under your tutelage.

This week’s Job Advice explains about social networking. Are YOU participating in Web 2.0? Let’s face it, it’s much easier to find a job when someone can recommend you, or point you to a good contact – especially when you’re not the perfect candidate on paper – but you are in point of fact the best person for the job.
https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?cat=JobAdviceoftheWeek

Last week, we talked about Greg Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute building schools for girls in the Middle East. Yesterday I got a message from Shelley Morrison (Will and Grace). Her son is working for the Peace Corps in Africa. He’s building a school in the Village of Kaia. The Village in providing 27.3% of the $21.931.25 cost. Cody, her son, is trying to raise the rest. They need $15,951.

If you want to help, please make out a check to the Peace Corps, write Project #688-261 on the check. Send me a note. I’ll give you Ms. Morrison’s address so you can send the check directly to her to forward, en masse, to the Peace Corps (and to thank you). Or just go online to the Peace https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=887

Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,

Eva Rosenberg, EA

Your TaxMama is watching…out for you.

www.TaxMama.com

www.TaxQuips.com
www.IRSExam.com
www.TaxNerd.net
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TAX CALENDAR 2008
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07.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

07.21.2008 Last Day to get Personal info to me to file in August

07.31.2008 2nd Quarter Payroll Taxes Due

07.31.2008 2nd Quarter Sales Taxes Due

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SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
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Keep your Resolutions:
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Feel free to share this link with your friends, your clients and your mailing list.

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Explore Simpleology 101 – It includes set of step-by-step daily missions for you to follow to get more focused and become more successful this year.

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GIFT IDEAS
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Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized

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Summer Family Identity – 3 Choices:

Zazzle – Cafe Press – Queensboro

Since it’s summer, and you’re probably going to be traveling with your family, consider getting matching T-shirts and/or hats.

(DO NOT PUT ANYONE’S NAME ON THEM – you’re just asking strangers to kidnap your children!)

But do put everyone’s picture – so even if you don’t know the local language, you can point to a family member and ask if anyone has seen him or her. Or use a graphic or piece of art you all like. You’ll find three options right here in our SPECIAL DEALS section.

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Cafe Press is the home of TaxMama’s shops
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But you can upload your own art and graphics and unify your family – even your pets.

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Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

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Wouldn’t you love to get your logo or family crest, or picture or whatever, EMBROIDERED on hats and T-Shirts?

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They do a gorgeous job.