A couple of pages back, there was a thread (msg # 95509) from someone asking for copies of other people’s résumés, which got me back onto my soap box. This is with apologies (for using your post) and thanks (for giving me a great opportunity to make this point) to Anonymous 71.56.206.79. I have taken this person’s last post (msg # 95606) on that thread (in quotes below) and added my perspective in the hope that this will help some of you adjust your attitudes in the direction I feel they will need to go for you to succeed in this – or any other – business of your own. (After getting carried away with this, I decided to start a new thread so that this doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.)
"All I want to say is that when people post on here asking a question, all they are looking for is guidance."
Wrong. Maybe you didn't realize it, but what you asked for is the equivalent of copying from someone else's paper at school, also called cheating. Write your own! If you're not sure how to do a résumé, research it, work on it, and then ask for feedback. There are many who will offer their honest opinion and give you good suggestions, but after after putting in hours of hard work on their own résumés, they won't just hand it over to you, if they have any sense. If they do, it's probably not worth getting a copy of. (jmo)
"If you feel the question is stupid or inappropriate then don't respont to that particular thread, you dont need to constatly make your voice heard in a disrespectful manner."
Some of the best advice I ever received from a notary MB (once I finally found them...) was pretty coarse, hard to take and to the point, and it helped me a great deal. It's not always easy, but it's a great idea to ignore the style and look to the substance of the responses from those who are successful and know what they are talking about. (And, after a while, it's not that hard to figure out who to listen to and who to ignore.) Keep in mind, that no one has any obligation to offer someone else the benefit of their own hard-earned expertise for free. Any new person coming to this board should be GRATEFUL BEYOND WORDS to have a chance to pick the brain of the pros! And it’s real easy to blame the messenger if you don’t like the message.
"Im sure that there are decent people out there who are willing to help because they remember what it was like to be starting off from scratch."
Yes, that is partly why people help others here. But mostly it's because they are just good, nice people. It's also because of an interest in raising the overall standards of performance of those in our chosen career path. Poor performance (which we are seeing more and more of) reflects negatively on the whole profession, while excellent performance helps generate respect for what we do. (They have nothing else to gain and potentially business to lose.) And I’d bet you that none of the pros who post here would have asked what you are asking for on an open forum.
"Are you telling me that you decided to get into this industry and you never made any mistakes or asked stupid questions or asked for help in general????"
Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning, but I never expected anyone to serve up the answers for me without any effort on my part. (In fact, I was an SA for a year before I even discovered these boards.) You will gain so much more by finding the answers on your own and are more likely to retain the information. If you can't find the answer, come back here and ask a specific question, but you disrespect the people you would have help you by not first doing your own homework. We worked hard to get where we are and, like any business, aren't about to give away proprietary information, such as client lists, contact information, marketing materials, resumes, etc. etc. And you shouldn’t expect it to be given to you.
"....anyway, I guess it doesnt matter. I just dont see any need to be rude, disrespectful or stuck up."
True, but several clichés come to mind: 'beggars can't be choosers"; "don't look a gift horse in the mouth"; and especially "don't bite the hand that feeds you." Remember, you're asking for a favor here. Why should anyone waste their time helping you if you're just going to complain that they didn't say it nice enough?!
"We all start somehow and I think we should be appreciative and help one another."
Yes, you who are asking for assistance should be appreciative of the generosity of those who freely give their help and support. But let's be honest here. This may sound like a flame, but the truth is that I doubt you have much help to offer to me or to any of the other successful SAs who post here, while we could teach you quite a bit. I know of few, if any, businesses where people will train their competition for free. It's just not smart business. And the concept of helping only others who are geographically distant is an illusion when it comes to online posts, because the guy the next street over can read it just as easily. Do you see what a blessing it is to have so much good information offered to you for the asking? Treasure it, but don't abuse the privilege. There are already a good number of highly knowledgeable and experienced SAs that don’t bother posting here any more because so many either didn’t like the hard truths they were offered or complained about the way it was delivered. Everyone’s loss!
Again, if you take this to heart, I believe you will be much better off. If this upsets you, I’m sorry, but feel free to hurl your abuse my way… I’ve learned to develop a thick skin in this business and I can take it! :>) Besides, if that's the case, I doubt you'll make it for very long at this anyway...
|
| Messages in this Thread |
|  Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Dorothy/MI on 4/22/05 11:00am |
|  Good job, Dorothy-MI! n/m -  Brenda Stone on 4/22/05 11:07am |
|  Thank you again, Dorothy and Brenda, et al!! - Mary Mantz on 4/22/05 4:42pm |
| further evidence of a slow down - anon on 4/22/05 11:48am |
| Loan Signer Training - Anya/LA (CA) on 4/22/05 1:04pm |
|  Re: Loan Signer Training - MaggieMae_CA on 4/22/05 3:23pm |
| Re: Loan Signer Training - Mary Mantz on 4/22/05 4:45pm |
| Added to thread #33325-Counter-point View- NSA training - BrendaTX on 7/13/05 9:06am |
| Re: Loan Signer Training - Carlos/CA on 12/10/10 12:10pm |
| Re: further evidence of a slow down - Stephen_VA on 4/22/05 2:51pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - chelleCA on 4/22/05 2:11pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Knotaree DC on 4/22/05 3:49pm |
| Re: ALMOST everything you need to know to become successful - JanetK/CA on 7/18/05 12:33am |
| Details and Accuracy are Important - adding to #33325 - BrendaTX on 7/14/05 11:00am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Laura_NH on 4/22/05 10:50pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Sansan7 on 5/18/05 9:11pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - David Woodul on 5/30/05 5:30pm |
| CA-Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Elda Garibay on 6/1/05 2:17pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - sweetpea, al on 6/1/05 5:50pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - nkroyall on 6/7/05 4:17pm |
| Additional information - Not an entitlement - Dorothy/MI on 6/13/05 8:57am |
| Bookmark 'em - BrendaTX on 6/13/05 9:32am |
| Re: Additional information - Not an entitlement - Judith_VA on 6/13/05 3:00pm |
| Re: Additional information - spell check - SamIam_CA on 6/13/05 3:27pm |
| Recommended Reading: As a new NSA..here is my perspective - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:32pm |
| Re: Recommended Reading: Added Nicole to #33325 thread n/m - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:33pm |
| Re: Additional information - Not an entitlement - NJDiva on 9/29/10 10:00pm |
| Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:36pm |
| HP Printers/Printer Command Language (PCL) by PAW_Fl - BrendaTX on 6/17/05 8:51am |
| Re: Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - katsr_CA on 8/31/05 2:40pm |
| Re: Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - DTNotaries on 3/16/06 6:59pm |
| Re: 2nd link doesn't work any longer - Jodith/WA on 1/2/10 6:25pm |
| Jodith, this is a very old thread (4 years) - BrendaTx on 1/2/10 6:31pm |
|  Re: Jodith, this is a very old thread (4 years) - Jodith Allen on 1/2/10 6:39pm |
| Re: More advice from Brenda/TX - Dorothy/MI on 6/16/05 9:55pm |
| Beginner's FAQs (Compliments of AngelinaAZ) - BrendaTX on 6/17/05 5:13am |
| Making the Confirmation Call...by Iris-WA - BrendaTX on 7/12/05 2:56pm |
| What Ernest CT says about the Confirmation Call - BrendaTX on 7/12/05 2:58pm |
| Why people are reluctant to post TC info from Nd_WA - BrendaTX on 7/21/05 8:10am |
| Re: Why people are reluctant to post TC info from Nd_WA - tfarmertx on 7/23/05 8:02pm |
| Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - BrendaTX on 7/21/05 9:07pm |
| Re: Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - linda/ca on 7/23/05 9:51pm |
| Re: Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - linda/ca on 7/24/05 3:19am |
| End of Month - Bonnie/FL Explains - BrendaTX on 7/24/05 12:48pm |
| Accepting an Assignment / Quoting Fee / EOM (+ to #33325) - Brenda Stone on 7/26/05 4:13am |
| Small claims court for #33325 by Nicole & by Melody - BrendaTX on 7/26/05 5:05am |
| Quoting your fee to SS's...ASK like THIS - TCMN on 7/26/05 5:19pm |
| Birth, Labor & Delivery of a mortgage loan - by Renee Kovacs - BrendaTX on 9/19/05 1:07pm |
| Clues to spotting a Signing Services to void by Charles_CA - Iris Grayson on 9/19/05 4:11pm |
| Pricing and Fees by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 - BrendaTX on 10/7/05 1:47pm |
| Re: Pricing and Fees by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 - Nathan Ellsworth on 10/19/05 11:19pm |
| I disagree - the $10 @ is justified - ALL SONOMA MOBILE NOTARY - Judith Neeley on 2/19/08 9:13pm |
| Required Reading - NSA 101-Orientation by Roger OH - BrendaTx on 11/14/05 3:56pm |
| Required Reading - NSA 101 - UPDATE to #33325- by Roger OH - BrendaTx on 5/17/06 5:24pm |
| Adding #76283 to the thread of Message #33325 - BrendaTx on 1/27/06 12:21pm |
| Jersey Boy's 2 cents... Adding to #33325 - BrendaTx on 2/3/06 10:21am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Brenda Stone on 2/5/06 3:50pm |
| For Income Tax starting place, see Msg #94550 - BrendaTx on 2/5/06 3:52pm |
| A Lesson on Attitude for New SAs... - BrendaTx on 2/9/06 3:00pm |
 | A Lesson on Attitude for new SA's .... by JanetK_CA - TitleGalCA on 2/9/06 8:27pm |
| above post by JanetK_CA, not TitleGal N~M - TitleGalCA on 2/9/06 8:28pm |
| Posted from msg 95364 - Brenda_TX - Newbie Msg for Today - Dorothy_MI on 2/10/06 2:37pm |
| Re: Posted from msg 95364 - Brenda_TX - Newbie Msg for Today - lulu on 2/10/06 3:11pm |
| Msg List - Going Mobile - adding to #33325 (From BeccaFL) - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 10:20am |
| Mobile Office - adding to #33325 (From BeccaFL) w/ Keywords - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 10:25am |
| From CharlesCA - Adding to 33325 - True Professional Society - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 3:07pm |
| Tina of MA re: Fees - When to renegotiate a fee - BrendaTx on 3/28/06 4:06pm |
| The Other Side of the Coin (back by popular demand) - BrendaTx on 3/28/06 5:04pm |
| Discussing the title company solicitation....added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 3/31/06 2:55pm |
| No HUD with the package from PAW-FL //added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 4/2/06 12:59pm |
| Signing errors through the lenders eyes by Renee Kovacs - TitleGalCA on 4/5/06 11:31pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Anonymous from 71.66.111.249 on 4/30/06 6:24pm |
| Deed of Trust/Mortgage by Atty - Kevin/CT added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:28pm |
| Re: Deed of Trust/Mortgage - PAW - Added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:30pm |
| Notary Certifying Copy - See Thread beginning w/Msg #117135 n/m - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:32pm |
| Additional Info -- especially if you live alone - Dorothy_MI on 5/5/06 1:28pm |
| Manufactured Homes / Finding Info by Lawrence OK - BrendaTx on 5/7/06 7:55pm |
| Adding to #33325 - My First Signing & Marketing by eboughey - BrendaTx on 5/11/06 7:43am |
| Adding to 33325 - StamperWI - Standard Fees Calculation - BrendaTx on 5/12/06 9:18am |
| Msg to New Signing Agents from Sylvia_FL added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/17/06 11:44am |
| Demand for payment letter - adding to 33325 by droman_IL - BrendaTx on 5/18/06 7:22am |
| New Signing Agents-Read This First! Adding to #33325 Marlene - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:24am |
| Signing prior to printed date ReneeK - added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:32am |
| Re: Signing prior to printed date BarbaraL-CA added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:37am |
| How to get help on this forum - CaliNotary added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 4:48pm |
| About Backdating... by ReneeK adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/22/06 1:59pm |
| Professionalism and Responsibility - BrendaTx on 5/27/06 2:22pm |
| Apostille (or apostilles) Adding to #33325 [by Gerry VT] - BrendaTx on 5/31/06 5:55pm |
| Addition to 33325 - First & Second by ND-WA and CMS-NY - BrendaTx on 6/1/06 10:39am |
| By BrendaTX 5/26/06: *...for those who understand business* - Ndwa on 6/2/06 4:20pm |
| Id on the Amish - Stamper/WI - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/6/06 7:04pm |
| Newbies - a lesson on attitude by Janet K - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/8/06 10:54am |
| Date Clarification - Roger OH - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/23/06 2:52pm |
| Considerations for getting started/Dorothy MI /add to #33325 - BrendaTx on 7/9/06 1:15pm |
| For the Newbies.. Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - Brenda Stone on 7/17/06 1:24pm |
| More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:41pm |
| Re: More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:55pm |
| Re: More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - Brad/AZ on 4/3/07 2:30pm |
| Slow down in Business - Surfers or Signers - add to #33325 - BrendaTx on 7/19/06 2:11pm |
| Adding to 33325 - From One Newbie to Another - Great advice - BrendaTx on 8/12/06 12:05pm |
| Re: Adding to 33325 -Check list of compter needs for working - hcampersFL on 10/30/06 7:10am |
| From one Newbie to another…Sharon Nunley - BrendaTx on 2/9/07 6:43am |
| Re: From one Newbie to another…Sharon Nunley - BrendaTx on 2/9/07 6:44am |
| History of the loan industry and how it affects NSAs today - Laura Vestanen on 3/18/07 6:36pm |
| If you're a newbee and take $50 signings, PLEASE read - Laura Vestanen on 4/2/07 7:54pm |
| Update to Famous Message 33325 - Tim_Mphs/TN on 4/28/07 3:02am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Stella Gonzales on 5/3/07 7:23pm |
| Dressing Professionally - by kcg/IN - adding to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/4/07 12:12pm |
| All of the VA Crespa questions - by Shannon Va- +'d to33325 - BrendaTx on 5/28/07 9:18am |
| First, learn the basics of signing. Added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 9/4/07 6:41am |
| Important for NSAs in Illinois, Maryland, So Carolina, Mass - Laura Vestanen on 11/11/07 5:35am |
| Before you think about starting - by CJ in CA - add to 33325 - BrendaTx on 11/15/07 2:47pm |
| NSA Professional Standards - MistarellaFL on 8/16/08 11:36am |
| The Client/Vendor Relationship -- a MUST see video!! - Marian_in_CA on 5/31/09 4:28pm |
| True skinny: Notary advocate / presentment / honor-dishonor - Laura_V on 10/1/09 5:54pm |
| Re: True skinny: Notarial protest / certificate of dishonor - Robert/FL on 11/12/09 11:51am |
| Believe in yourself! - John_NorCal on 10/24/09 10:22am |
| Forgot to add..... - John_NorCal on 10/24/09 12:52pm |
| Our fees + their relevancy to state of industry - Laura_V on 10/29/09 11:25am |
| Re: What is a good rate to set and keep? - Laura_V on 11/25/09 11:57am |
| A perspective on our business Posted by JanetK_CA 1/5/10 - Laura_V on 1/5/10 6:34pm |
| Post by Les CO re the current state and probable future of.. - Laura_V on 1/12/10 10:05am |
| Better is not always cheaper & Cheaper is not always better - Moneyman/TX on 12/4/10 1:11am |
| You are an Independent Contractor...not an employee... - Lee/AR on 4/12/10 8:16am |
| Buddy's Lessons - For New Notaries 101 - BrendaTx on 6/2/12 9:03am |
| SS&TC Research Our Industry-We are Certified for God's Sake - bygrace/PA on 6/21/12 6:33pm |
| Decide if you are a Checker, Poker or Chess Player - bygrace/PA on 6/21/12 6:37pm |
| Tipsabout using signing central and NR forum from NJDIVA - SheilaSJCA on 8/23/12 11:07am |
| Please send information to... - Olivia Mosley on 1/13/15 11:56am |
| Olivia Mosley - you are in old files - jba/fl on 1/13/15 8:05pm |
| Sequence of events - Lender to NSA by Deborah Breedlove - BrendaTx on 9/27/12 10:15pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Janice Stephens on 10/19/12 12:36pm |
| Don't work for Low Ball, No Pay Companies - BrendaTx on 10/20/12 1:46pm |
| Sample Loan Document Package - BrendaTx on 11/25/12 3:58pm |
| Re: Sample Loan Document Package - HisHughness on 11/25/12 4:23pm |
| LOL~! n/m - BrendaTx on 11/25/12 7:45pm |
| Key Tools for Maximizing NSA Success (adding to 33325) - BrendaTx on 2/4/13 6:32am |
