Security Guard Closes Draw Bridge on Innovative Job Seeker

I don't know anything about the Minneapolis Skyway System and the security guards who frequent the place. I definitely think the situation could have been handled differently. But, I don't think a different outcome would have helped Tommy land a job. Creativity and innovation are great in a job search, if they match the type of job you are looking for. In Tommy's case, he uses a handwritten sandwich board and doesn't tell you what kind of job he is looking for. It says, he has a resume and his salary requirements. The resume part is decent, but I would still like more information about the type of job he is looking for. The real problem I have is with the salary requirements. Who brings up salary requirements before the first interview. In my humble opinion, it looks like Tommy is creating this big scene hoping to just get paid. He ultimately had good intentions, but I think his plan fall a bit short.

I commend him for going out of his way to land a position. Sports positions are extremely competitive and limited so individuals must always be open to move around the country. Pay is usually awful and a single position can get hundreds of applicants. As I responded on to your twitter account, I worked in sports from 2002-2003 and I moved from NY to California for $8/hr just to work in sports. After getting laid-off, I swore I would never go back into especially since it took me 1.5 years to land that position. Don't get me wrong, I love being around the game but the lifestyle was just not for me anymore. He cannot give up the good fight and must network with the right people to land those types of position. It is not what you know; it is who you know, especially in sports. Good luck to him! Regards, Steve

This seems crazy to me. If Tommy had instead walked around handing out resume's (like others do with flyers) then he would have been okay to stay but because he had a placard on he was asked to leave? Great idea by Tommy to use lunch as a networking approach and a shame that he was asked to leave. I guess a guy in a suit isn’t the type of guy security wants hanging… who knew?

Wow, you have such a good point and thank you for highlighting a story equally as interesting but one that didn't receive the glorious media attention that Ted did. People are SO sensitive and I just don't understand why. Why don't police or security guards remove people who solicit meals or are homeless in clean, public areas? I doubt he was hardly bugging anyone and I think what he did was interesting. You really could come across anyone from the Mayor to a VP who is hiring. Too bad...and great post :)

Those of us who live in Minneapolis know how ridiculous it is that the City Center security guards kicked out a guy looking for a job. It is probably the most crime infested building in downtown Minneapolis. You can't walk 100 feet without being "asked" if you have any spare change or being required to dodge a group of six teens walking shoulder-to-shoulder with "just try it" look on their faces. I made the mistake of using a cash machine there shortly after moving to Minneapolis. If a cop hadn't walked in to do the same, I would have had the pleasure of making a charitable donation to some less than needy group. So rather than kicking out the punks for vagrancy, disorderly conduct, solicitation, or any number of other violations, the security guards pick on a guy is clearly isn't a threat. Hmmm. I wonder if they figured that he'd be an easy way to justify their existence.

There's a pretty big difference between their approaches, and you can tell just from looking at their signs. Ted's said, "I have a God-given gift of voice. I am an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times." Tommy's just says "Have degree & resume. Unemployed & need career!" Though Ted's sign is a lot smaller and more crowded, you at least have an idea of what he can do. With Tommy, it's as vague as can be - there's nothing telling you what skills or talents he has, besides wearing a homemade sandwich board. In fact, the blurb about him at the bottom of the post was more info than on both of his posters. Maybe if he had included some of that info, it would have been helpful to anyone thinking of giving him a job, or for those who looked, laughed, and complimented him - maybe they would have followed him on Twitter, and posted about him to others who could have done something to help. Ted Williams found success because of a viral video. Tommy could have found a way to make his sign viral if he'd added some way for people to talk about him specifically, instead of as "some dude with a sign on the Skyway". Or if he'd made a bigger stink about being kicked out, it might have been picked up on the news, though that might be such a good thing. Also, Ted Williams just went into rehab, so that might cut his job prospects a bit short for a while.

I even shaved off my Elvis chops to look more professional! Thanks again for telling my story.