"You really are a TERRIFIC MENTOR, John. Thanks so much."
Dr SB (Scientist)
"Thank you so much for being such a Terrific Mentor and for helping me to net the job I've always really wanted. I owe you so much. Please accept this as a token of my love and thanks. (accompanied by a bottle of Champagne and a box of chocolates)"
Kathy xx
"Since my termination, I haven't been blessed with such kindness as you've given me. Thank You!"
PU (lawyer)
"Just read your latest articles, and what can I say, you are a marvellous CEO."
King Eng Ong, IT Executive
"I'm delighted to inform you that I have found a job. It gives me a good career prospect as I will be one of the pioneer members of their new IT team. All thanks to your guidance on the resume. I got a lot of interviews since I've used it. In fact, I also got another offer which I turned down."
Christopher A, IT Manager
"Thank you so much for your help with my career recently. My re-designed CV was snapped-up by a recruiting agent and I begin a 6-month contract on Monday supporting V****** as they implement wholesale changes to IT in the Police Service. I hope that it will lead to much greater things in the near future."
N Brigham, Police Sergeant for seventeen years.
"I do appreciate your keenness to help me. Looking forward for further pointers from you."
Agnes W, a Singaporean being bullied by her boss.
"Thanks so much for spending time to write such a detailed piece of advice. I really appreciate your help. I've spoken to the 'elephant' and his 'bigger elephant' on my problems with the snakes. (It took a lot of courage to speak up... but I had become desperate) They have helped to specify our job scope clearly so that the overlaps inwork are minimised."
AL
"Thank you very much for your advise, I really do appreciate them. Honestly, it has been a great morale boost for me. Once again, THANK YOU!"
Catalina W
"I appreciate your kindness and advice, especially your very prompt reply."
Elise
"Bumped into your article, and BANG!!! man...you made my day, I'm inspired and I've got a smile in my heart for what you wrote."
Hamida
"Your advice is greatly appreciated."
Lynn
"YOU WILL BE ALWAYS IN MY MIND!!"
KY
"Thank you so much for your reply and valuable advice."
Steven S
"Thank you Sir, for sharing your kind advice and experience in the AsiaOne Careers column. I personally find them very useful and inspiring."
Terry G
"I often read your articles on the former Asia One web site and am impressed by what you wrote. I am currently at a crossroad and would like to seek your advice."
YL
"Only through this analysis did I realize what I am really good at and not good at"
LPK, Bachelor of Technology (Electronics); MBA (Strategic Marketing)
"I do appreciate you taking the time to listen and reply. Your compassion truly makes you a rare gem"
LP, Hospital Administrator, New York
"After the SWOT analysis, I have a better idea what I shall look for when I am searching for jobs now."
Steven S
"Good thing I have you as my angel to cheer me on and direct me as the going gets tough."
EC, Fund Manager (used in AsiaOne article 24Feb06)
"John, you have been very supportive and I am really grateful for that. Thank you."
EF, Finance Manager
"It's with your expert advice and prompt assistance that I have made great progress."
EF, a Financial Funds Manager
"Your candid and straightforward column is a welcome inspiration to me, as a trainer and communicator."
Adeline S, an English teacher in Shanghai
"Wow, I never really expected your reply that fast! True enough, reading your reply makes me smile, and your final question about what I truly want in life kinda hit the nail on the head."
Ms A Chan
"Thanks so much for your thoughtful answer."
Audrey H
"I appreciate your prompt response. I'm getting very pleased with myself for joining this package."
EC (Fund Manager)
"As usual you manage to hit the nail on the head. Ouch!! I'll see if I can pep it up over the weekend. It's fun. I'm having a great time working with you."
EF, a Financial Funds Manager
"It's with your expert advice and prompt assistance that I have made great progress."
KW (Open University)
"Dear Mentor,
You are so wonderful. I have not thought about this it is like a kind of catharsis to talk to a neutral person on my personal problems."
TC (Senior Manager)
"Brilliant! A BIG thank you. I really appreciate your comments."
RW (Mentee)
"I truly agreed with you on the article "Do you care?" that you have composed. I am truly touched by all the words that you have chosen in this article"
LA (Reader)
"Thanks a million for your help."
EC (Securities Dealer)
"I really don't know how to thank you except to say once again, thank you – from the bottom of my heart."
SN (Legal Counsel)
"You're the sunshine that showered warmth onto me, keeping me growing."
PT (Entrepreneur and Business Innovator)
"I'm more than happy to have you on board."
PT (Entrepreneur and Business Innovator)
"I GOT THE JOB AS DIRECTOR OF SALES...A HUGE HUG and heartfelt gratitude"
MC (Job applicant)
"If not for your help this (last) 6 months, I doubt I could have gotten the job."
RT (Job applicant)
"My business plan is on track. Thank you VERY, VERY much."
LSY (Entrepreneur)
"With your help I straightened out my career plans. I know where I am going."
SdeM (Marketing Manager)
"I learned all of this and more from you John, and just wanted to say thank you. I was very lucky indeed to have had an example such as yours from which to learn. I will forever be grateful."
SF (President of a large Canadian Corporation)
"Through you I learned what it means to treat people well and the loyalty that results. I learned to trust my senior people and expect the most from them. I find, like you, I believe, that people live up to their expectations. I learned that to be generous to an employee pays off very well in the end (the alternative is an utter disaster). I learned the power that the CEO's personality brings to the culture of an organisation. I learned to identify and focus on the key issues facing the business, leaving aside the myriad small and obfuscating issues that can easily consume one's day.
I can say in all honesty that I wouldn't have landed this role without the tremendous help of John. He gave me a new lease of corporate life and I will always be grateful."
Mentee who got herself a job in the Royal Navy
C1 PASDAQ
"This was an excellent package. This really gave me the chance to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. Until this point I really believed that I wanted to work for myself. I began to explore my reasons for this and it soon became apparent that this is what I thought I would have to do given my age and prior experience. This package made me realise that I do have qualities and skills that I can take to another employer. Suddenly I had choices. It also made me realise that I do not necessarily want to work on my own. It was the isolation that I disliked most at my previous organisation."
D1 Future Financial Needs
"This package provided a useful (scary) insight into my future financial needs. I quickly realised that I have very little time in which to amass £ 900k (a bit short of the £1m you kept mentioning John). This fact concentrated my mind and made me determined to apply for posts that would give me a realistic income. It also made me reflect very seriously on my worth when planning my career. I would not sell myself short again to a potential employer."
E1 Career Plan
"This package again made me think about what I wanted from life. It made me plan and take actions based on what I wanted now and in the future. This was extremely useful when I went for interviews. It gave me control. I was seeing if I wanted to join them. If they were offering the terms and conditions that would satisfy me now and in the years to come. I was no longer being a passive spectator of my own life.
This helped me enormously at interview stage. I had 3 interviews and all 3 offered me a job/associate status. I felt confident. My approach was clear, professional, positive. 3 people told me that I had interviewed very well. I think this was because I had a clear idea of what I wanted and a very good CV that provided a wonderful introduction to me. The next package also helped tremendously."
I1 Prepare for and handle the interview
"Again I think this preparation helped me feel confident and in control. Being relaxed I felt better able to answer the questions. I was clear, I didn't get flustered and I was totally myself."
J1 Negotiate your salary and terms
"All the packages were good but this one was definitely the one that helped me achieve the package I wanted. The company I'm joining tried to take some salary (£11k) into performance related pay. I resisted and I was willing to walk away. I sat with my exercise sheet in front of me with the 2 positions 'would like' and 'must get' completed for this job. I followed your advice John and I got the £10k commuted back into salary. I wanted an extra £1k on my car allowance. In the end they also commuted this to my salary. Performance related pay is now £15k instead of £21k so the total package is still higher than first discussed."
Mid-Career University Lecturer Mentee over fifty years old
