Todd Cowles’ Post

Next time we do a "dual post" for Spokane and Boise, I'll flip things and do beautiful scenery for Boise and something quirky for Spokane. Are you in Sales in the Building Automation industry (or on the fringes in mechanical or HVAC) in one of these towns? Is timing magically right for you to have your eyes open for a GREAT opportunity? Reach out. You heard me. Happy Friday!

Thursday Rant: It doesn't happen that often, but it's happened twice this week. I'm on the phone with a potential candidate for a position with one of my clients. Right up front, I'm transparent with them and let them know who my client is. I figure it's an opportunity for them to let me know if they're already interviewing with them, if they have interviewed or worked with them in the past, or if they simply even know who the company is (and have an opinion/interest). It's a bit of a leap of faith on my part, since there's always a chance they'll go apply directly (we'll save this subject for another post). The conversation goes well, and I end up submitting them to my client, only to find out one of them had interviewed two weeks earlier (and wasn't offered a job) and the other had actually worked for my client the year before, and was let go for not showing up for work. Soooo, do they think I'm going to "sneak them in some other door"? Do they think MY connection there is maybe another hiring manager that will give them the chance that another didn't? It's so odd and frustrating, and such a waste of everyone's time. I can't believe I'm having to hand out this advice to people, but I'll simply say this: Disclose if you've worked or interviewed with the company just mentioned to you. No good can become of you hiding that. It's going to come out immediately, I'll look a bit dumb, and you'll have this odd red flag on your head.

Do you have laboratory, fume hood and/or critical environments experience? We're looking for a Field Specialist with this experience in South Florida. If you're experienced in Sales in this field, we'd like to speak with you as well! #buildingautomation #hvaccontrols #criticalenvironments #fumehoods #phoenixcontrols #strobic #haakon #tamco #aircuity #energymanagement #labcontrols

Want to go hike "My Mountain"? If you're in San Diego, you can grab a cup of coffee at the trailhead at Cowles Mountain Coffee and power yourself up the trail (I've done it)! We're looking for lots of experienced Building Automation people right now in San Diego. If you're there and your timing is right to talk about something new, reach out. If you have some old family or friend connections there or if you'd like to try out an awesome new location and would relocate, let's talk. In the first place, we need experienced BAS Technicians. Next, we have a search going for a General Manager of a BAS business. We'll talk to Sales Engineers, Controls Engineers and Project Managers as well! #buildingautomation #hvaccontrols #energymanagement #sandiegojobs #socal

A different form here of my "Thursday Rants and Raves"! Appropriately, the "RAVE Foundation" is my Seattle Sounders' charitable arm, doing great work in so many communities in the State of Washington. I'm honored to be involved with them, as we're working hard (but man, it's energizing work!) to build "Another 26" mini-pitches in the State by 2026. Through the help of so many fan-volunteers, we just opened the 26th mini-pitch just this last weekend, way ahead of the original schedule. By the way, you can see me cheesin' it up in the one of the pics from the RAVE Gala, sitting with Nouhou, Leo Chu, and Obed Vargas. Funny enough, they were bidding (well, dangerously running up the bids....) for a chance to "travel with the team" to the Portland match. Such good humans, besides being such good soccer players.

We're looking for someone with a depth of experience in Building Automation for a bit of a hybrid (Engineering and Sales Support) role. This will be a team leader for a great client. Message me here if you have interest!

Are you a Sales Engineer in Building Automation, either in Memphis or Jackson, TN? If not Building Automation, are you in the HVAC or Mechanical Contracting / Services business in that region? We have a great opportunity with a long-time client. Reach out to me here or on email at toddc@createtheteam.com if you're interested. #hvaccontrols #buildingautomation #memphisjobs #energymanagement

Do you have Critical Environment / Laboratory experience in the Building Automation world? We have lots of needs right now all over the map, especially in the South. It's getting colder..........anyone want to move toward the heat?!

Thursday Rant/Rave: Raving in this case, and I bet you'll say, "Well, what's the big deal?" Take a quick look at the copy-paste here of one real world set of responses to basic screening questions. Among 200 applications I've gone through with a national Indeed ad for experienced Building Automation Technicians, this is one of the positive standouts. Most applicants leave blanks (120 of them). Of the 80 who took the time to write something, 20 of them leave BS copy-pasted answers with either business buzzwords or a list of brands they think we want to see. 25 have responses that are negative in some way (horrible grammar/spelling, negative comments about current or past employers, or smartassed odd comments). 25 more have acceptable responses, but just aren't a match for us. That leaves MAYBE 10 to consider. For this gentleman, we may or may not have an opportunity, but I got on the line with him and he's a great dude. I'll do my best to find him something with one of my clients. And if not, I'll try to connect him with others in my network for other opportunities. I let him know why I called him vs. not calling others in his same region (because he actually gave enough of a crap and put enough effort in to answer a couple of basic questions thoughtfully), plus told him, "Keep doing it."