Twitter Got Me a Girlfriend, Now It Got Me a Job

by Gradon on February 11, 2009 · View Comments

When’s the last time you heard a guy give his two-week notice?

Over the last several months, I’ve heard countless stories of friends getting laid off. From every industry imaginable. Both of my friends that write DesignBoston with me were let go in the last few weeks (Joyce is on vacation in Aruba, so I don’t feel too bad for her). I even attended a pink slip party after one particularly rough week in early January.

Several of these people told me just be happy I have a job right now. Especially with one that is still making money (thank goodness for Big Pharma, huh).

So I feel I was going a bit against the grain (which reminds me of another “Bands That Help Brands” post, but I digress) when I decided now was the time to find a better opportunity.

After working in customer relations and post-sale account management for the past few years, I decided it was time to get back into true sales. Keeping business is important (It’s easier to keep an existing customer than to find a new one), but growing a business is more fun.

So, one night a few weeks ago, but not really expecting much, I sent out a tweet.

Surprisingly, several people replied (which proves, especially in a bad economy, companies are always looking for good sales people). I talked to a few of them, some more than others, and one in particular.

Which is why, this past Monday, I put in my notice at my current job.

As of February 23, I will be joining the team at FirstGiving. FirstGiving is a five-year old startup that helps charities raise money online via fundraising pages, blog widgets, a Facebook app and more. Sounds similar to what I do for charities with social media, huh?

As I’ve told anyone that’s asked, I’m excited. I look forward to working with Frank Days, David Karp and the rest of the FirstGiving team to help every non-profit possible get the full benefit of online fund raising.

First, Twitter got me Meg. Now, a job. What’ll Twitter give me next?

Tagged as: charity, FirstGiving, fundraising, Twitter

{ 17 comments }

1 Warren Sukernek February 11, 2009 at 11:45 pm: Gradon, fantastic! It sounds like the perfect opportunity for you. Best of luck!
2 Ed Illig February 11, 2009 at 11:52 pm: I missed the tweet, I missed the news but I caught this article. Congratulations, Gradon!

Now get out there and sell something.
3 Meg February 12, 2009 at 3:26 am: I am so very proud of you and all the hard work that went into this. You will be a superstar for FirstGiving, and all the people that you bring to their door.

Love you so much.
4 Jim Storer February 12, 2009 at 9:22 am: Well done sir! Looking forward to hearing about all the great things you do with First Giving!

Jim | @jstorerj
5 FM Days February 12, 2009 at 10:43 am: We are excited to have you on the team!

Frank
6 Bob Collins February 12, 2009 at 1:27 pm: Congratulation Gradon –

The team at FirstGiving are first class – with a vision, passion and drive helping others more easily support their personal interests & fund raising goals. Frank Days and David Karp are amazing folk.

Congratulations once again. Can’t wait to hear more about your new position – you’re a perfect match for their passion in helping others.

Much Success and happiness in your new role,

~Bob Collins
7 Adam Zand February 12, 2009 at 4:57 pm: Congrats Gradon! You and the team at FirstGiving are a perfect fit.
8 wendy February 12, 2009 at 4:59 pm: i’m not sure what’s next, but i do know that you can do anything with enough ingenuity. congratulations, grady!
9 Andrew Rohman February 12, 2009 at 5:00 pm: wow this really hits home for me… I have a job currently (oddly enough it’s in 48 Grove St, Somerville, directly above FirstGiving) but I want out. I, too, have several friends that have been laid off in recent weeks/months, so, in all honesty, I felt greedy. But I still wanted out.

2+ weeks ago, I applied for a new job. Within 3 hours I booked an interview, and within 2 weeks i got an offer. One of the main reasons I landed the interview? The Principal checked out my Twitter feed and liked my personality. Go figure!

Best of luck to you at FirstGiving – they’re a great bunch that seem to be doing some pretty awesome work.

And while you’re in Davis Sq, check out Taipei Tokyo chines buffet, Dave’s Fresh Pasta, and Kick Ass Cupcakes. can’t go wrong
10 Alex Howard February 13, 2009 at 12:53 am: This is a whole lot of wonderful, Gradon. It’s been such a pleasure to get to know you and Meg better of late, not to mention so much of the rest of the local social media community. But…this is about you. And this is really, really wonderful news. Congratulations. And may this be just the first of many posts celebrating joyous new beginnings; given the larger context of our macroeconomic environment right now, happy employment stories are worth raising a virtual toast towards and saying CHEERS! Goodonya. Or maybe Gradon-ya. (One pun too far, as usual.)
11 Kai Chan Vong February 24, 2009 at 6:09 am: Twitter got me drunk
12 John Johansen February 24, 2009 at 1:00 pm: Maybe next Twitter can get you to move to Austin?
13 Alicia March 18, 2009 at 8:56 am: That’s so awesome! I’m glad your outside interest in charities is now going to pay off as a full-time job! I’m very excited for you. I am also trying to find a job via Twitter. Being new to Boston and unemployed is a challenge, but I’m optimistic I can find something in this amazing city, recession or no recession.
14 Walt Ribeiro April 5, 2009 at 11:57 am: This is epic! haha
15 vtmiller July 24, 2009 at 9:02 pm: Going to suggest FirstGiving to a group I'm working with.
http://www.risva.org/
16 vtmiller July 25, 2009 at 12:02 am: Going to suggest FirstGiving to a group I'm working with.
http://www.risva.org/
17 vtmiller July 25, 2009 at 4:02 am: Going to suggest FirstGiving to a group I'm working with.
http://www.risva.org/