What Do We Do Now?

By William Craig, III

Saturday night, a little after 10 o'clock, my phone rings and suddenly stops. I look at the number...upstate New York...I call back...it's George Kilpatrick of iHeart Radio 's "Inspiration for the Nation" show!

After talking for nearly an hour (which only felt like 10 minutes) George invited me to be a guest on his show. He wanted some 'words of inspiration' for his audience. The question he posed was "What do we do now?"

I was thrilled to be a guest on Inspiration for the Nation for several reasons. First, George and I attended the same high school, the prestigious and world renowned Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts in New York City. Our school was the subject of the hit movie and eventual TV series "FAME !" In fact, the movie was shot at the school during my senior year (I've got a great story about why you don't see me in the movie, but I'll save that for another time).

Another reason I was excited to be on the show was because of George's leading question (as referenced above). You see, about 10 years ago, I asked myself that same question. The country was still in the throes of the Great Recession, I was unemployed, and as I like to say "I couldn't buy a job" (see my article "You REALLY Don't Have a $$$ Problem! " for that very interesting story). I had pretty much lost everything!

Like many, I know what its like to not know where my next meal will come from, or how I will pay my bills. I've used food pantries to help feed my family. I've had not one, but two cars repossessed, and lost a beautiful home. I know what its like to pass by a restaurant and WISH I could go in and have a meal. I know how it feels to smile and say "I'm doing great" while secretly hoping people don't see the holes in my shoes! It reminds me of the lyrics in a Smokey Robinson song: "The tears of a clown...when there's no one around "

Fortunately, during this very stressful time, I was able to 'cash in' on the gems of wisdom deposited in my life by a handful of people who actually wanted the best for me and wanted nothing in return.

Long before I would ever hear of a guy named Barack Obama, my mother, Mrs. Ruth D. Craig, hammered the words "yes I can!" into my brain. She would say, "if you go out for a job and they ask if you can do something, say yes I can...and if you don't know how to do it, come home and learn it." She would continue, "you've got to know all you can, and can all you know." It may seem foolish, or even a little dishonest, but those pearls got me into a lot of opportunities great and small.

Finally, yes, I was excited to be a guest on the show because I had something valuable to share! For nearly 10 years, I've been helping others find and prepare for their dream jobs, and careers, and business opportunities. I have trained, taught and coached at the college level, for government agencies, corporate entities, and global and local nonprofit organizations. In a very strange kind of way, the Novel Corona Virus Pandemic had presented the perfect opportunity for me to share some of the secrets I've perfected over the years, and more appropriately, since the pandemic started.

Through my work with my company Global Workforce Trainers , I have helped job seekers of all ages get hired in the midst of a global crisis. What's my secret? So glad you asked!

During my 12 minute, 43 second interview with George, I shared my four R's (not to be confused with the three R's I shared in my article titled: "Successful Leaders Use the 3R's to Win!" - truly a must-read!), and here they are:

1. RESET

2. REFLECT

3. RETOOL

4. RELAUNCH

I won't go into more detail here, but I invite you to take 12 minutes and 43 seconds to watch the interview and find out how to apply these nuggets to your situation (or share them with someone else)! Here's the link:

What Do We Do Now?

At the end of the interview, I provide a free resource to help anyone looking to get hired during these trying times.

William W. Craig, III , has quickly become one of the most sought-after workforce development speakers, coaches, and trainers in America. His work with AARP Foundation's national BACK TO WORK 50+ program is helping to reboot the dialogue between the 50+ population and prospective employers.

The recent host of the NOW cable network's show: "How to Find a Job in 6-12 Weeks!", William has been featured on NBC-TV; in Black Enterprise magazine, the New York Daily News, the Amsterdam News, the Maryland Gazette, as a guest on iHeart Radio and other professional platforms.

Here's how William is revolutionizing the pursuit of the American Dream for job candidates nationwide:

“I Help Job Candidates Utilize LinkedIn Profile Optimization, Interviewing, Networking, and Research Skills to: 1. Identify and Commit to Their Dream Career, 2. Package Themselves in a Way that Highlights Their Value and Establishes Their Unique Professional Brand, and 3. Get Hired…on Average, in 6-12 Weeks! Need help? Call me: 608-709-9950"