http://www.jobster.com/at/person/show/216868?hbxcmp=feed&hbxsrc=rss_user_answers http://www.jobster.com/at/assets/images/jobster/logos/rss_logo.gif http://www.jobster.com/at/person/show/216868?hbxcmp=feed&hbxsrc=rss_user_answers Tue, 29 May 2007 21:42:41 GMT Most recently updated answers by Marvin Smith http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/139114?answer_class=AnswerBase Current assignment is to develop talent community for the Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division ($7B in sales & 7500 employees). Our business mission is to be at the forefront our Microsoft's Connected Entertainment initiative by delivering digital lifestyle experiences in collaboration and integration that are designed for a community of users. The Entertainment & Devices is comprised of our distinct businesses: Music (Zune & the Zune Marketplace), Gaming (Causal Game Platforms, Xbox Live, Windows Vista Games, & Xbox 360), Video (Microsoft TV, eHome & Windows Media Center), Communication (mobile & the mobile communications platform), and Productivity & Extended Consumer Experiences (PC Hardware, Windows Automotive, Windows Embedded, & MacOffice). As Talent Community project manager, I support the Staffing Managers (3) and a Recruiting Team (25) with a strategic talent initiative that will identify prospective talent in the areas of engineering (software, hardware, & design), marketing (entertainment, music, PR & lifestyle branding), IT, Solutions, Art/Graphics, Finance, and Operations (manufacturing, procurement, & supply chain). Tue, 29 May 2007 21:42:41 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/139114?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/193877?answer_class=AnswerBase Memories can be good or bad. In terms of the latter, selling private camping club memberships door-to-door left a lasting impression. Door knocking is challenging at best. My take-ways from that experience: houses that say "no solicitors" are the most likely targets because someone at that house has probably purchased a lot of products over the years to cause a spouse to put that sign up. Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:14:31 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/193877?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/193875?answer_class=AnswerBase My dream job involves working for a great company in a role that I can make an important contribution. I think developing talent communities for Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices comes very close to that standard. I have the opportunity to create talent communities in technical, operations, engineering and finance areas. This is new math. This type of initiative has never been done before at Microsoft. This endeavor will use Web 2.0 and beyond. We have an opportunityt to impact the success (short and long-term) of the E&D business as well as, enhance the careers of talented professionals. And we are still dreaming. Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:04:19 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/193875?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/193863?answer_class=AnswerBase First jobs are sometimes the most difficult to land and the most important to career. First jobs out of college are difficult to land, since sometimes there is a gap between the theory of acedemia and the real world in which the first job resides. Internships have helped to bridge that gap. The more the companies are familiar with a particular program, the ease of tranistion to a first job in that enviornment. Advice: Take advantage of internships at your school or set up volenteer internships with companies that you have targeted. The fact that most jobs are created with smaller firms also impacts the first job out of college job search. Not only are the majority of jobs with smaller companies, the companies are most likely involved in providing a service, as oppoosed to manufacturing a product. The chosen few in accounting, engineering, software, or IT are destined to land roles with large firms that have a legacy of providing a defined career path. But most of us, are faced with the challenge of idenifying and defining a role with a company that may or may not know how to assess our skills and how to put our gifts and abilities to work. Advice: It is a numbers game; contact as many companies as possible to increase your exposure and possibilities. First jobs are very important in that they set up your career in a given function or a specific discipline. As our economy has become subject matter expert focused, the sooner a person discovers their passions in work and seeks put their talents in action, then the more leverage a person can have over their future career/job choices. Advice: Before taking a role, do some research to make certain that this is the kind of experience you can leverage into your next roles. If not, temp until you find the opportunity. Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:46:43 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/193863?answer_class=AnswerBase