| Thanksgiving Thanks |
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| Written by Abby Kohut |
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Why after living my life as just "Abby" for numerous years did I suddenly decide it was time to change my identity? The answer is simple. It was just time. Time to swing my chair around the other side of the desk and tell the Absolute truth. For 15 years, I have been unable to share the direct truth with candidates because of my responsibilities as an HR professional. Since the beginning of my career, I have been unable to tell job seekers like you why you were not getting an offer or a second interview or even a phone screen. I have been holding this information in my head and in my heart for a long time. And finally, in 2009, I began to undergo the metamorphosis that resulted in Absolutely Abby. While I still love my role as an HR professional, now I can ALSO help job seekers take their search to the next level and grow as a candidate. My ongoing goal is to help 1,000,000 of you find your career dream. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to enter your world as Absolutely Abby! I am particularly thankful for all of the feedback each of you have given me which has helped guide and improve my blog and my Career Wake Up Calls. Your thoughts help me better serve you and other job seekers and I am grateful for it all. I am thankful that I have been able to meet so many of you in person at in-transition groups in NY, NJ, PA & CT. I look forward to finding new groups to share my expertise with in 2010. I am thankful that so many of you are finding value in, and are starting to contribute leads to, my "AbsolutelyJobLeads" Yahoo Group. Thank you for "paying it forward". I am especially thankful for my health this year: for my two eyes which I use to see all of your smiles, my two ears which allow me to hear your feedback, my brain which allows me to come up with new ways to help job seekers, and for my heart which pumps healthy blood through my veins and enables me to express my thoughts with passion. I am thankful that despite how difficult life may seem at times, that it always seems to work itself out in the end. Patience and determination are two skills we have strengthened collectively in 2009. Absolutely Abby’s Advice: We've all had challenges this year, yet we each have many things to be proud of and thankful for. If you find yourself feeling down during this holiday season, reflect on of all the people in the world who are less fortunate. Think of the homeless and the hungry on the streets in neighboring cities. Think of the children in distant countries who only have one article of clothing to wear and who can't afford to go to school. Think of the soldiers fighting for our freedom. Take a step back and then say thanks on Thursday for all that you have been blessed with this year. Most of all, be thankful that you are able to enjoy another day of life on this planet surrounded by loved ones with turkey on your table. Make appreciation a key ingredient on the plate you serve from, starting today. |
Each year, around this time of year, as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I find myself feeling extra appreciation for all of the people who have been a part of my life's journey, both personally and professionally. What follows are some thoughts that come to mind during this special year, 2009, the year that I became Absolutely Abby.