Comments on: The Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Your Job Search http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/the-use-of-testimonials-and-endorsements-in-your-job-search/ Wed, 16 May 2012 13:25:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: TomRyan http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/the-use-of-testimonials-and-endorsements-in-your-job-search/#comment-24385 TomRyan Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:44:15 +0000 http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/?p=2642#comment-24385 Your “piece” regarding testimonials was very interesting. In fact, I can see what you are saying more to my specific instance. I am an artist, a creative type, but a solitary person by nature. I forced myself into business to “make a living” and support my family and over the years, though I tried to succeed, and did to some extent, I continued my solitary ways. Eventually, through events not germane to this correspondence, in a general sense, I did not maintain relationships, lost my contacts and now, I am starting over. I can see moving forward how useful your words are, not in only finding employment but succeeding in selling my true self. The inspiration to look now, at the people around me, who appreciate who I am and what I bring to their life, is a good thing. Thanx Your “piece” regarding testimonials was very interesting. In fact, I can see what you are saying more to my specific instance. I am an artist, a creative type, but a solitary person by nature. I forced myself into business to “make a living” and support my family and over the years, though I tried to succeed, and did to some extent, I continued my solitary ways. Eventually, through events not germane to this correspondence, in a general sense, I did not maintain relationships, lost my contacts and now, I am starting over. I can see moving forward how useful your words are, not in only finding employment but succeeding in selling my true self. The inspiration to look now, at the people around me, who appreciate who I am and what I bring to their life, is a good thing. Thanx

]]> By: Harry Horner http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/the-use-of-testimonials-and-endorsements-in-your-job-search/#comment-24310 Harry Horner Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:52:34 +0000 http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/?p=2642#comment-24310 Dear Mr. Barnes, Your essay contains some of the best examples of "apples and oranges" analogizing that I have had the pleasure of reading. It is one thing to suggest to a supervisor that a history of past performance may be predictive of future performance; it is another to suggest to a supervisor that present performance should be evaluated not only based on past performance, but on someone else's perspective of that past performance. I am frankly amazed - and saddened - that you had the misfortune to have encountered so many unprofessional teachers. While bias due to the "halo effect" is well recognized, what you describe is wide-spread, almost pathologic, lack of self-esteem and abandonment of professional responsibility. I offer my condolescences to you, on one hand, for the lack of integrity you seemed to have encountered. On the other, I suggest that the point of an education - and perhaps a well-lived life generally - is to benefit from as much honest, well-informed, constructive criticism as one can garner, rather than attempting to dismiss these opportunities for growth by perpetuating only the "positive" responses one receives. Best Regards, Harry Dear Mr. Barnes,

Your essay contains some of the best examples of “apples and oranges” analogizing that I have had the pleasure of reading. It is one thing to suggest to a supervisor that a history of past performance may be predictive of future performance; it is another to suggest to a supervisor that present performance should be evaluated not only based on past performance, but on someone else’s perspective of that past performance. I am frankly amazed – and saddened – that you had the misfortune to have encountered so many unprofessional teachers. While bias due to the “halo effect” is well recognized, what you describe is wide-spread, almost pathologic, lack of self-esteem and abandonment of professional responsibility. I offer my condolescences to you, on one hand, for the lack of integrity you seemed to have encountered. On the other, I suggest that the point of an education – and perhaps a well-lived life generally – is to benefit from as much honest, well-informed, constructive criticism as one can garner, rather than attempting to dismiss these opportunities for growth by perpetuating only the “positive” responses one receives.

Best Regards,

Harry

]]> By: Julia http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/the-use-of-testimonials-and-endorsements-in-your-job-search/#comment-3141 Julia Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:21:25 +0000 http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/?p=2642#comment-3141 "Other peoples’ opinions about my academic work mattered more than the opinion of the people who were my teachers at the time. This sounds incredible and hard to believe; however, this is something I quickly learned. Teachers seemed to believe that the opinion of others were more important than their own." I think it's a bit wrong. When you are deciding what to take for a breakfast, other people's choice may influence you. But it doesn't mean that other people's opinion matters more, than yours. Also, it may work against you if you mention someone's opinion, and that person is in conflict with your current teacher/partner. However, the post is rather interesting, thanks for sharing! “Other peoples’ opinions about my academic work mattered more than the opinion of the people who were my teachers at the time. This sounds incredible and hard to believe; however, this is something I quickly learned. Teachers seemed to believe that the opinion of others were more important than their own.”

I think it’s a bit wrong. When you are deciding what to take for a breakfast, other people’s choice may influence you. But it doesn’t mean that other people’s opinion matters more, than yours. Also, it may work against you if you mention someone’s opinion, and that person is in conflict with your current teacher/partner.

However, the post is rather interesting, thanks for sharing!

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