Say what you want, but I think you're missing the point. When I started working at SEOmoz, there were only four employees. I could have called myself anything I wanted except CEO and it would have been true. We all did a bit of everything just to get it done. And the title "Project Manager" was one they gave to me, not vice versa. Whether or not you think I'm "good enough" doesn't change the fact when and if I leave for another job, I could just as well put that title on my resume as well as any other.
I find it ridiculous that you think it a worthwhile effort to belittle me because I'm a recent graduate. I got where I am - one of the top five companies in the industry - by my own competence and effort. And while I know many people who were fortunate (or rich) enough to have their high-level jobs handed to them by friends or family, I am not one of them. I worked throughout college so that when I graduated I'd have more to show for my education than credits. I edited and published a magazine at my university. I was in charge of tech support and project consulting for multiple university departments. At the same time. And on top of that, I'm confident that I have the brain power required to master any job put in front of me - with or without experience.
Yes, I am taken aback by your need to nitpick my job title. You are suggesting, and I quote, that to be a Project Manager I am "good enough in therotical (sic) approach only." You are belittling my intellect, my abilities, and the work I do for my company. It may be a case of simple misunderstanding, due to the fact that English is apparently not your first language. But I think you've made yourself clear and I hope that I have as well. I'm sorry, but I cannot in good conscience provide you with further assistance. I hope the next time you want help, you choose to ask without first insulting the person you've contacted.
Sincerely,
Kat Ortland
( This is in response to the email exchange under the cut... )
On Jul 31, 2006, at 7:25 AM, ***** wrote:
how can u b a proj. manager at the ag e of 23
do u 've ne exp. to handle proj's
tell how do u handle seo operations at ur end
-----------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Kat Ortland
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 2:55 AM
To: *********@mpcs.co.in
Subject: Re: SEO - hi
Hi there,
Project Manager is a bit of a misnomer for what I do. I'm not involved with Project Management in a traditional corporate sense because we're a very small company. Everyone at SEOmoz wears several hats. When I signed on, my title was Project Manager because I was in charge of organizing and tracking project milestones and other critical data. I suppose a better title now would be "Search Marketing Consultant" or something similar, though we all do a bit of everything-- design, consulting, blogging, SEO work, etc.
I had no experience in SEO before working for this company, but I've worked in tech on hardware, software, networking, and web dev since before I was seventeen. I also have field experience in publication and linguistics. I pick things up fast-- and I think it's silly to assume that someone my age couldn't do any job they put their mind to. With or without experience, it's really a matter of the proper environment and training. I've been blessed with a company which allows me to develop skills I feel are important to me. And a company which provides quality services along with that flexibility.
As for our SEO operations, you can get a good idea of the services we provide on the main SEOmoz.org website, listed under "Our Services." To learn more about our do-it-yourself SEO advice, read the Beginner's Guide: http://www.seomoz.org/beginners.php
Cheers,
Kat Ortland
Project Manager | SEOmoz.org
www.seomoz.org
web2.0awards.org
------------------------------
On Jul 31, 2006, at 11:39 PM, ****** wrote:
Hi Kat,
Okay so you are not a "Project Manager" (as you accepted you are "Search Marketing Consultant") I made that conclusion just because of several reasons like you graduated in year 2005 and after college you started directly working as a project manager, isn't it strange. whereas people take several year to gain
the development knowledge then the team leading expertise and then they come accross managing the entire project. And your company claims you to be a project manager at 23 just after your graduation irrespective of the fact that you have not managed any of the projects/assignment/tasks before. As anyone can think of the new guy who passed in 2005 doesn't possess much experience as they are good enough in therotical approach only.
Any ways, that was the other part of conversation. I was actually searching for some S.E.O. tips to optimize my site (www.*****.com) Its a B2B construction community portal. Still I believe that we can't put our best efforts to optimize the application to make it listed in first 10 search engine listing/ranking so the reason I was searching for a S.E.O. Company to get my clients site optimized. But we want
to put our efforts first to optimize it some extend.
Thanks,
Regards
*****
ARGH. I didn't send the letter at the top of the post. I'm not sure he's worth the reply. What do you think?
Posted on August 01, 2006 @ 5:15 PM | 6 comments
Comments:
Dood, are those two emails from the same person? The first one is at least SOMEWHAT articulate (albeit insulting to you personally), whereas the second one appears to have been written by a 12 year old myspace troll.
That said... I see myself as a "traditional" age for a second year grad student (23). Yet, whenever age and persuits come up, I am always handed a similar line... "23! You're too young for grad school, I'm 45 and I can hardly handle it!" (Well, it's not my problem that you chose to do other things first, nor is it my problem that you're declaring yourself to be nearly half a century old and STILL too dumb to handle a few classes. WTF.)
Rock on, project manager.
By 
Lazy Lightning, at
5:43 PM, August 01, 2006
maybe he/she should have just checked out your work rather than quibble over semantics. wtf.
By 
, at
8:25 PM, August 01, 2006
I agree with both ladies comments. It is hard to believe both correspondences were written by the same person. I also agree that he should have looked at a portfolio of your work prior to making an assessment of your abilities.
Writing this letter was probably a good way to get this issue off your chest. I find it does indeed help to write down issues.
Secondly, although the letter well written, I would not send it. Just be confident in your abilities, which you are, and move on. Chock this one up to experience and realize that difficult people will always be part of our lives, unfortunately.
By running42k, at
4:37 AM, August 02, 2006
I agree with running42K on this... it's good to write it down, but I probably wouldn't send it at this point. To do so would play right in to the guy's ideal - he may think such a response (though well written) is petty or immature. And you're a high-ranked professional - you have more important things to do with your time than waste it on some screwbag who's probably just upset that his success didnt' come as quickly in the working world as yours. (Hmm, I smell a fast food job right outta college...)
By Lazy Lightning, at
4:44 AM, August 02, 2006
Ditto. Ditto all of it. I am really bothered by people who have bad grammar and his letter makes me crazy to read; just my personal pet peeve. Beyond that you don't need to waste your energy on this loser. You are fabulous and that is what matters. Don't let him pigeon-hole you into the "too young to be any good" category.
Cheers,
Susan
By , at
9:04 AM, August 02, 2006
You. . . are a highly motivated, intelligent, trained, extemporaneous, and valuable asset to any project team. As it's leader, I'm sure that any project under your guiding hand (unless deliberately or inadvertantly douche-dogged by picyune pedant pederast pussilanimous pissants like those above) would prosper and rise to its rightful place, the top.
Don't give it a second thought. Continue to do the great work that you do, and let this waste of breath continue to wonder why he's still got rug burn on his knees while you get the new office.
By , at
4:38 PM, August 03, 2006
