Jeff Taylor chat transcript

Our chat guest on Thursday, Sept. 6, was Jeff Taylor, founder and former CEO of Monster.com. In addition to founding and growing Monster, Jeff has written three Monster Careers books. And most recently he founded a new web venture, Eons.com, for people 50+.

Boston_com_Monster: Welcome, Jeff!

Boston_com_Monster: Jeff will field your questions on job and career transitions as well as his own career as a highly successful entrepreneur.

Jeff_Taylor: glad to be here....lots to talk about. love being in career mode. who's first?

seeker_2__Guest_: Hi Jeff. I've been in my career for 10 years and really want to get out of the business (real estate). I was thinking about going back to school for computer graphics design. Problem is, I have 2 kids and I still owe a lot on my house. I dont have free time in the evenings and need to work during the day. Am I stuck until my kids grow up?

Jeff_Taylor: i dont think anyone is stuck...biggest challenge is how do you add another day to your busy life. big career changes require more time. you are going to need to find time to take a night class to see if you even like computer graghics. this step will leaqd to you finding more time with your new passion and ultimately with your new career. dont wait! jeff

Liz__Guest_: What are some of the signs that signal a good time to transition?

Jeff_Taylor: you know best. i love the simple test. when i describe my job....i light up with enthusiasm and its always an easy answer...if this isnt happening you should at least be pushing yourself. maybe to new job options or maybe just to lean into your existing job.

bush_whacked__Guest_: Hi Jeff, Thanks for taking this question. I'm approaching 40 with a great marriage and family life but am feeling stuck in a career rut. Can you suggest any resources that help identifying careers directions - including any books you migh recommend. I've taken the strong cambell interest inventory, myers brigss etc...

Jeff_Taylor: first of all-this is normal. you've got your personal life on track with marriage and family. now you're looking for more in your career. i think for you at this point its less about tests and more about your gut. do you have to change companies or can you push yourself to take your job/career to the next level. if a job change is in order, can you stay in the same field where you will command more dollars and will hit the ground running...last option, at 40 changing careers is hard, will require more time and potential cut in pay. all doable but be careful jeff

December__Guest_: Hi Jeff: One of the realities around moving from a "corporate" job to a transitional one (that may be part time) is maintaining health insurance. Have you seen anything in that arena, do you see that changing, or any ideas in general

Jeff_Taylor: health insurance seems to become more important the older we become...just remember the opportunity with part time or voluntary transition that you control also comes with advantages. more time for hobbies, with your family or a chance to persue alternative career options...these need to be measured against the health coverage/cost issue. we're beginning to see innovation in private pay health options but there isnt much out there today jeff

DouglasEis: Jeff, hi. How hard waa it to leave Monster after you created it an built it up and start all over again with Eons? Were you apprehensive at all? Did that idea also come to you in the shower?

Jeff_Taylor: not a shower idea although im always brainstorming in the shower. very tough to leave my baby (monster) that said, i felt like a had a 360degree entrepreneurial experience. i experienced literally the world of business, built a household brand and had lots of great employees...loved it all. Eons is a fantastic continuation career for me. working with baby boomers not on their jobs, but on the challenges in their life. very excited about the new challenge

Ambitiousgal__Guest_: Hi Jeff, I admire your tenacity in starting 2 successful businesses. Having worked for a few start ups I realize the risks and challenges but still feel I am ready to dive in. What is the best piece of advice you can offer someone who is ready to give it their all?

Jeff_Taylor: my defn of an entreprenuer is when everyone around you thinks your crazy and you still think you have a good idea AND you act on it! the rest is up to you :)

MAT__Guest_: I have more than 15 years in the same industry (finance), but really want to make a move to something more marketing related. What is the best way to prove to a potential employer that I'd be a good fit even with no direct experience in the field?

Jeff_Taylor: the very best way is to try to get that marketing job within your existing company. they know you and your talents and commitment...maybe they can provide some way to have you "project" your way into marketing.

Ed__Guest_: Jeff, I'm in the process of being laid off my current IT Networking position. My company has offered outplacement services. Can you provide any insight on what these services are like and what I can expect? Thanks!

Jeff_Taylor: i think companies generally try their best to provide quality resources to outgoing employees. many of these services are helpful and can provide good visibility into the current job market. but dont stop there, get your networking hat on immediately--your own network will produce the best leads for your next job

Roger12__Guest_: As a startup whiz, how difficult and/or expensive is it to launch and grow a business in the Boston area vs. other markets?

Jeff_Taylor: first of all-whiz-is all relative :) i love boston, went to school here and always worked here and have started many businesses here so...boston is what i know. the VC community in and around boston is looking for big ideas,theres a lot of talent coming out of local schools, my new office is right on the water in charlestown. i say yes to boston

Career_Bouncer__Guest_: Hi Jeff, Do you think that it takes an overly confident belief in yourself to be successful in a major venture or is it more brain power? I am creative and have GREAT ideas that could really take off if I were to start my own business, but really lack a mind for the business side of things.

Jeff_Taylor: first of all-confidence is a huge driver of success. a big idea is critical so that your energy is put against something worthwhile. knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is key, if you dont have the business experience you should look for a partner with complimentary skills

michael__Guest_: How did you come up with idea for EONS? Did people think you were on to something right away?

Jeff_Taylor: ive been working with baby boomers for most of my tenure at monster. seemed like a natural transition to continue working with this group as they consider retirement(or i like to say graduation) and see if i could somehow assist this new generation of 50= spirited adults to live the biggest life possible!!! i generally think people get the idea of Eons and like it right away. many say they thought about doing something like this.

SpongeBob__Guest_: Hi Jeff - I've gotten 3 jobs using Monster so it's agreat tool. Now that I've buttered you up, can you discuss your side passion of Shelby Mustangs?

Jeff_Taylor: like to see a "happy" monster client!! i grew up/high school in the mid to late 70's. all my generation drove muscle cars. i wanted to restore some-develop a collection and realized early on that i would lose money unless i restored high end, rare cars from that era. i always liked mustangs so the shelby series 1965-1970(13300 cars) fit the bill

sue__Guest_: In 2001 I was downsized from a consulting firm and since then have been underemployed (working well below my capabilities). The trouble is, that now my resume seems to indicate that I am a lower level employee than I really am and I find I am not even considered for other positions. How do I stress my previous experience and find a more challenging role?

Jeff_Taylor: sounds like you have 2 choices, be a little less romantic about the past(6 years ago) and work within your current outlook OR take a very hard look at your skills, maybe take a couple focused classes and work to place yourself in a company with potential where you can prove yourself.

Boston_com_Monster: Great questions, everybody. But we have time for just a couple more for Jeff, so get 'em in now.

mc__Guest_: Hello Jeff, I am currentlty in the IT sector with many years experience and doing well financially, however I fear that in my golden years looking back this career may not equate to much satisfaction. I am looking into becoming a state police officer but the pay cut would be drastic but short term satisfaction and long term sense of worth may be as stake. Thoughts?

Jeff_Taylor: sounds like you're answering your own question--you have passion and direction and seem to be able to weigh the downside(short term pay cut) in a way that works. dont second guess your momentum. go for it

Stacey__Guest_: I'd like to transition from a traditional management job into an artistic endeavor. In the meantime I want to be able to work to make enough money and keep benefits while allowing a little extra time to pursue the art. Any advice? Should I talk to my employer about this?

Jeff_Taylor: my advise--do your artistic work part time at night and on weekends. keep your day job till the day yourartistic job has a glimmer of being able to pay the bills.

tc__Guest_: what's the standard for negotiating salary. Do you only negotiate with HR when it's an internal promotion?

Jeff_Taylor: best person to talk money with is the person you are working for. especially if you're doing a great job. hr is great for brainstorming, even providing hints to your current boss but ultimately your direct boss will need to approve the dollars so get as close to the source as possible

Muddville__Guest_: Do you have current openings at Eons?

Jeff_Taylor: we are a small start up with a narrow focus at a very big market. to be the first and largest social network for spirited adults lovin life on the flip side of 50. we probably wont add to staff till 08

DouglasEis: Hey, Jeff - new job, new life - that is you! But in your working life it seems you have not really taken a job as much as you have started companies, thereby creating your jobs. Do you recommend this approach to others? How risky is it?

Jeff_Taylor: i think this is more my personal style...not so easy to tach or to emulate. i think it is risky to leave a very safe, successful job and walk off the cliff to start a new company. feels good, though :)

coach__Guest_: jeff, how important is coaching/mentoring in starting and maintaining a young company?

Jeff_Taylor: i think leading sits on top of both coaching and mentoring. a lot comes from life experience and for me, loving having employees

Lisa__Guest_: Hi Mr. Taylor. Can you recommend any good resources (books for coaches) for how to figure out what you're passionate about and making a career move into it?

Jeff_Taylor: books...monster careers is the book i cowrote with doug hardy...what color is your parachute is an older book but deals with these issues.

Boston_com_Monster: That's all we have time for today, chatters.

Boston_com_Monster: Jeff, 1,001 thanks for joining us today and all the great words of wisdom.

Jeff_Taylor: great questions.seems like a lot of people want to change careers. this is difficult with all the pressures of being a wage earner, and being a responsible adult. try to keep your day job- use the system...take classes, volunteer, use your network...these things will begin the momentum you need to make a wholesale job change.

Jeff_Taylor: if you're over 50 i invite your feedback on my new effort, eons.com and if you're not you can sneak in at 49. thanks jeff

Boston_com_Monster: Look for this chat transcript on Boston.com under "The Big Help."

Boston_com_Monster: And join us again tomorrow when Bill Coleman of Salary.com will answer your questions about money.

Boston_com_Monster: And good luck in the job hunt!