Lesley Carhart May 28, 2023

So... I feel like a total dick for saying this, but 5 out of 7 of my last mentorship sessions have no-showed or cancelled within 10 minutes of their appointments in the past week. Only one person out of those has provided any reasonable reason. I'm really sorry - if this keeps up much longer I am not going to be able to continue the service.

If you aren't respectful of my time, please, please be respectful of the time of others who help you along your career journey. I miss every single Sunday afternoon I could spend with my family for nothing but occasional tips. Some folks wait months for these appointments.

Show threadLesley Carhart May 28, 2023
I genuinely want to help people get into cybersecurity! I love helping solve career problems and get people on the right track! But I'm repeatedly left sitting at my desk unable to do anything productive waiting to see if people show up. I'm really shocked at the number of people who are doing this and not even sending an email or a cancellation. It's so dang disrespectful of anyone, whether that be a service worker at a restaurant or a CEO.
Show threadJerry 🦙💝🦙
@hacks4pancakes I appreciate what you do/have done for the community and i expect everyone will understand if you don't do it any longer.
May 28, 2023 at 6:49pmWeb
Show threadLesley Carhart May 28, 2023
@jerry I got so many people asking for this help outside conference clinics that I decided to give it a shot, and I'm really kind of shocked and deeply depressed.
Show threadJerry 🦙💝🦙May 28, 2023

@hacks4pancakes I know you write a lot about this but have you thought about a podcast/video cast type format to address common questions/challenges you’ve seen? Might be a way to help more people.

I’ve been thinking about doing something to let people talk about their experiences and interests and ideas to help them get some exposure to potential employers. I’m really discouraged by the discontinuities between companies looking for talent and people looking for work in this field. I have no interest in the recruiting or the like, just want to help people find work and grow.

Show threadNick 'The Viking'May 28, 2023

@jerry @hacks4pancakes

Yes please if folks are squandering your help then find another outlet. This is a deeply frustrating situation.

Lesley you have talents that need to be applied to larger groups. You will apply those to the best of your ability, to as large a group as you can, you've proven this and it's mind boggling. Please do not give up.

Jerry I know you less well.
You obviously see an issue in the career development path specifically in your 'industry', IMO it's endemic to 'all industry'.
The relationship between industry and labor is shifting dramatically and it seems time to address it. LinkedIn is very much not the solution.

I can't really comment on a better format with any authority. I prefer reading to a vlog but I'm more aligned with the philosophy than commenting as a potential customer.

Show threadLesley Carhart May 28, 2023

@nlarson830 @jerry Guys, I have a vlog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOA3-vP1JLw&t=560s

Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUCTejWvOs8&t=1s

Podcast:
https://davidbombal.com/stop-making-these-mistakes-on-your-resume-and-interview/

I run clinics at bsides and community cons around the US.

Infosec Resume No-Nos

YouTube
Show threadNick 'The Viking'May 28, 2023

@hacks4pancakes @jerry

<Bangs head repeatedly on desk>

Sorry for recommending you do something you already do. 😳

Maybe you can trick people and hold them hostage long enough to get the job done.
I'll stand up for the charging money part tho.
_________________
In person clinic is value added beyond your vlog/webinar/podcast, so therefore should cost. Use the money to do more of whatever you think helps most?

Show threadJerry 🦙💝🦙May 28, 2023
@hacks4pancakes @nlarson830 I should have figured you had it covered
Show threadNick 'The Viking'May 28, 2023

@hacks4pancakes @jerry

Please do not take this as antithetical to your cause, but you need to charge money for this service. Then people will show up. Even if you have some protocol of giving 100% of it back to the attendees.

Show threadLesley Carhart May 28, 2023
@nlarson830 @jerry I do, from people who can afford it. I don’t get paid either.
Show threadNick 'The Viking'May 28, 2023

@hacks4pancakes @jerry

You need to get paid for providing services. You also need to be paid for providing the opportunity to receive those services.
Your talent for providing services needs to be respected.
The people getting your services need to pay.
Perhaps everyone does not end up paying the same amount, and maybe a select few end up paying nothing at all.

Some people will not respect free content, and the current economic system severely limits more reasonable methods of service/payment than currency.

Show threadAndreas, DJ3EI, he/himMay 29, 2023

Pre-collect the money before the session, maybe?

@hacks4pancakes @nlarson830 @jerry

Show threadNick 'The Viking'May 29, 2023

@dj3ei @hacks4pancakes @jerry

Perhaps yes.

I thought maybe an ornery cancellation fee but it's trying to get behaviour with a stick and that's not so great.

Thinking like It's an agreed cost of $X for the session, if you no-show or bail last minute you pay. If you show up and engage you get a spin on the wheel to get it free. Or something.

Show threadJerry 🦙💝🦙May 29, 2023
@nlarson830 @dj3ei i am sure @hacks4pancakes has thought of all this before. Let’s stop polluting their notifications.
Show threadJiSeMay 28, 2023

@hacks4pancakes @jerry I wonder if something like having a "pop up at this time to confirm your time slot, at the start of the day" and giving others option to mark "I will be free on these days for earlier sessions"?

Sucks that others don't respect your time, and most solutions I can come up with will take more time and effort from you.

Show threadKen '|<3ns41' 🌻 🫰🏻May 28, 2023

@hacks4pancakes @jerry Perhaps there needs to be a screening round, or some demonstrated level of commitment from the requestor, such as a questionnaire with detailed answers that require them to do soul searching and research before meeting with you... Here's my suggestions:

- What is their background? (Including resume or LinkedIn, but also explained in their own words.)
- What independent research have they done, and what insights have they gained from it? What are their favorite books on the topic, or articles that have helped them? (If you collect these answers you could start sharing the common ones to future requestor in advance.)
- What are their short term goals, and how do they align with their longterm goals?
- Where do they feel they are running into problems in achieving them?
- What questions do they have for you, and why do they consider you to be the best person to be asking?

You could also hire a TA a few hours a month to review the submissions and manage the schedule. To cover this, a sign-up fee may also be appropriate, and you could also offer to refund most of the money if they follow through. (like a security deposit)

You may find that helping people plan and ask themselves mindful questions ends up solving the problem they wanted to talk to you about! The Socratic method works.