Temporary Jobs— Hidden Gems in Disguise

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This time of year is always bittersweet. It’s my birthday but my birthday falls on the same week of the anniversary of my mom’s passing. So instead of being in a celebratory mood, it’s more of a time of reflection for me. My mom has been the most influential person in my life and needless to say, I learned a lot from her. She taught me many lessons; one in particular came to mind recently.

My mom used to tell me, “You can’t predict the outcome to everything. Some things just aren’t clear-cut and easy to see like a hidden gem. So it’s easy to let things slip by. Don’t let a good opportunity slip through your fingers because it may never come back.” Maybe that’s why I have taken on many endeavors that other people may have found risky or not worthy of their time. I never wanted to let the “hidden gem” slip through my fingers.

Last week someone asked me what I thought about temporary jobs. I told her it’s the “hidden gem” of the employment world. Most people look at temporary jobs, as the cliché goes, “the ugly stepchild” of the job market, but to me, especially if you’re unemployed, it’s an opportunity to showcase your skills. I come across a lot of candidates who are hesitant to take temporary jobs because of certain misconceptions or assumptions. This is especially true for those who have been laid off after being gainfully employed for many years. I understand that in general most people want to holdout for the best opportunity, but how do you know for sure what the best opportunity is? Just because it’s a direct-hire position doesn’t necessarily make it better than a job that starts out as a temporary position.

For people who are currently unemployed, I always urge them to consider temporary positions. Many people do not realize how often temporary positions lead to “permanent” positions. No employer will guarantee that a temporary position will become permanent for various reasons. The reality is that even though the unemployment rate remains relatively high, companies are still having a hard time finding good talent. So even though a job may start out as a short-term project, if you go in, impress the employer and wow them, they’ll have a hard time letting you go. A temporary job can be a gateway to get your foot in the door that otherwise may not have been available to you otherwise. And sometimes that’s all anyone really needs, a foot in the door, even if the door is slightly cracked open.

Once in the door, even if it doesn’t lead to a permanent position at that particular company, other positives can come out of that experience. You can continue to build your professional network by developing relationships with other colleagues during your stint that could lead you to other opportunities down the road elsewhere. Moreover, you can enhance your skill set by learning new technology or processes that you may not have been exposed to in the past. The bottom line is, the pros outweigh the cons by a landslide with regard to temporary jobs.

If you’re not working and the only reason you have for not accepting a temporary job offer is because it’s classified as a temporary job, you maybe letting a golden opportunity pass you by. What makes something a “hidden gem”? – When you first look at it, nothing great seems to stand out on the surface. You’ve got to do some due diligence and peel away the layers to uncover the gem. Who doesn’t want the perfect job opportunity gift wrapped to us? That’s not reality. Take my mom’s advice, don’t let a hidden gem slip through your fingers.

New Year’s Resolution: Get a Job!

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Guess what I like most about New Year’s? No, its not watching the ball drop in Times Square on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”. However, I have to admit, I do enjoy watching the show. Actually, my true secret pleasure is hearing people talk about their New Year’s resolutions. And it’s usually the same people who have the same resolutions. For example, I love listening to my cousin talk about this being the year he eats better. Or how my brother is going to quit smoking finally. Everyone seems to think there is a reset button when the New Year begins. The irony is that most people can’t seem to sustain their resolutions, my cousin and brother included. But hey, I give them credit for trying. Some resolutions just seem impossible to stick to. My cousin’s weakness is chili cheese fries and my brother’s is a stick of Marlboro. So with that in mind I thought I would help those who have a more manageable resolution, getting a new job.

If your New Year’s resolution is to get a new job, I have two words for you – BE PROACTIVE. The days of submitting your resume and hoping you get a phone call are long gone. Unless you have a glowing resume or have 100% of the requirements from a job posting, the odds of you getting a call are low. Think about it this way, for every job posting that looks appealing, you can bet hundreds; even thousands find it appealing as well. No employer is going to interview everyone that submits a resume. They’ll probably select a handful of people to meet with. So we’re talking about a very small percentage. Just sending your resume to a bunch of job postings isn’t my definition of being proactive.

One of the best ways of getting a new job is through networking. Believe it or not, a high percentage of companies rely very heavily on employee referrals. In fact, I bet your current company probably has some sort of employee referral program in place. Employers love employee referrals because those individuals tend to be higher quality. These candidates come prescreened by the referring employee and there is no way that he/she wants to ruin their reputation by referring someone sub par.

Before you start spamming various job postings with your resume, pause and think about all of your relatives, friends, classmates, and former coworkers. Reach out to them and see where they are working. Ask them if there are any job openings there or if they know others who maybe looking to hire. Ask them to put in a good word for you; ask them to refer you to other hiring managers; ask for names of other people you can connect with. There is no shame in asking, don’t be embarrassed to network.

Incidentally, one of the best employees that I ever hired got an opportunity because he reached out to me through a referral. If he had submitted a resume, I probably wouldn’t have given him the time of day. His resume had many holes and really didn’t have the ideal background for what I was looking for on paper. However, after speaking to him, I saw something in him that you couldn’t see on a resume so I gave him a shot. He is still with me to this day eight years later.

In any event, if you are one those individuals whose resolution is to get a new job, don’t just point and click submit with your mouse. Pick up the phone and make some calls. Talk to people. I guarantee you will have more success with your resolution than either my cousin or my brother.

Five Traits That Will Help You Land a Job

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Dear Song: I’ve recently been laid off from a job I’ve been at for the past decade. Now that I’m unemployed, I have this daunting task of finding a job. I’m nervous about the interview process. I haven’t had to interview for a long time. I’m confident about my experience and technical skills but I understand that there are other things employers look at besides experience. What do you think are the most important things that employers look for other than work experience? —Darren in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Dear Darren: You are absolutely right. Your work experience and technical skills are only a part of the equation in terms of the hiring process. That is what we like to call “hard” skills. However, when the final hiring decision is made, it usually comes down to the “soft” skills that determine equally qualified candidates. But that is the dilemma. Soft skills are very subjective from employer to employer. Some companies may value certain traits more than others. It can even change from position to position even within the same company. Traits that are valued in a sales role may not be as valued in the accounting department. So you first have to figure out what traits are valued with respect to the job you are interviewing for. Nevertheless, from my experience dealing with executives, these are the five traits that they look for the most:

1. A strong work ethic—Who doesn’t want to hire someone that works hard? Companies want to hire people who will go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to get the job done, not someone who watches the clock anxious to leave at 5p.m. on the dot.

2. A positive attitude—Have you ever worked with someone that was always upset about something and had a gloomy disposition? Not much fun to be around is it? Every company wants to create a positive corporate culture. You can only do that with positive people.

3. Strong interpersonal skills—In this day and age no one works in a vacuum. The ability to communicate effectively with others is an asset. Not only is that important from a work collaboration standpoint but every employee is a walking advertisement for the company.

4. High integrity—What happens to morale if you can’t trust one another at work? When you work with a group of people with values and morals there is naturally a strong bond formed knowing that everyone is out for the best interest of each other and the company.

5. The ability to overcome obstacles—Anyone can be successful if the road is smooth and easy. However, the reality is, in business you are going to face obstacles and challenges constantly. If you have a knack for working well under pressure and demonstrate the ability to deal with challenges well, you will be high in demand.

Obviously, we all want to make a great impression during an interview. But if you want to gain an edge, illustrate these points as clearly as possible. During the course of an interview various questions will be asked by the interviewer to see if you possess these positive traits. Be prepared to give concrete examples from your previous jobs that demonstrate your attributes.

For example, early in my career there was an important deadline that my manager had to meet. I was asked if I could work longer than usual to help him out. It wasn’t mandatory but I agreed to it not really knowing how much longer, just long enough to complete the project. By the time the project was finished, I had worked from 9a.m. Monday to 11a.m. Tuesday, straight. So whenever someone asks me a question about my work ethic during an interview, I give them this example to illustrate this particular trait. As my old high school writing teacher would tell me, “show not tell.” Show the interviewer these traits with situational examples, don’t just tell them.

(reposted from The Epoch Times Career Corner column 12/01/11 issue):

http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/12-Dec/01/A6_20111201_NoCA-US.pdf

Make Your Résumé Stand Out From the Crowd

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Dear Song: I really enjoy reading your column and love your perspective on the various topics you’ve covered. With that being said, I was hoping you could help me improve my résumé. I was recently laid off and have sent my résumé to over a dozen or so companies in response to their job postings. Unfortunately, I have not gotten a response from anyone. I believe I’m qualified for all the jobs I’ve applied for but I don’t understand why I can’t even seem to get my foot in the door. Do you think there could be something wrong with my résumé? — Bob in Milpitas, Calif.

Dear Bob: Without looking at your specific résumé I can’t be one-hundred percent sure what the root cause could be. However, if I can make some safe assumptions about your background and résumé, I believe what ails your résumé is as common as the commoncold. First of all, if you’re applying for a job you’ve seen posted online, you can bet that hundreds or even thousands of others have applied for the same job. Those odds are tough to overcome for anyone, not just you. There probably isn’t anything inherently wrong with your résumé, it just probably doesn’t standout or looks very similar to most of the résumés that have been sent in. Just imagine the human resources department sifting through hundreds of résumés. Do you really think they are going to take the time to read every single one word for word? I wouldn’t bet my house on it.

I remember when I was in college many moons ago; I was known to frequent a frat party or two. Those of you who’ve ever been to those parties, you’ll know that the ratio of the coeds were probably 25 to 1 (male/female). Those aren’t great odds on landing a date unless you look like Tom Cruise and unfortunately for me, one of my friends actually really did look like Tom Cruise.So obviously I had to do something to stand out or differentiate myself from the rest. That is what you have to do with your résumé. Make it standout out from the
crowd.

Easier said than done? Not necessarily. Most résumés list duties and responsibilities, sort of a job description for every company that one has worked for. That’s not enough to differentiate yourself. When a hiring manager looks at your résumé, they are not just looking to see if you have done the job or not. They are looking to see how successful you have been in those jobs. You have to show proof. Listing duties is not going to show that. You have to list accomplishments as well. And within those accomplishments, you have to fi gure out a way to quantify them as much as possible to demonstrate how successful you’ve been. You have to show measurable results. The business world is about results. Companies want to hire people who have a proven track record of delivering results, especially if you are applying for a highly competitive, highly sought after, job, at a company everyone wants to work at. How many résumés do you think get sent into companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple on a daily basis?

So if you want your résumé to stand out from the crowd don’t just put down, for example, “Developed and managed social media marketing programs.” Instead, you can add, “Increased social media traffic from 1500 followers to over a million followers in less than one year.” By simply adding a measureable result to part of your role, you’re adding more “punch” to your résumé that lets the hiring manager know how “good” you are. I’m sure you think you’re “good” at what you do. You have to prove it.

(reposted from The Epoch Times Career Corner column 11/03/11 issue):

http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/11-Nov/03/A6_20111103_NoCA-US.pdf

First Impressions Don’t Guarantee Long-Term Success

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My friend Allen wanted to share some great news with me last week, but he also wanted some advice. Apparently he got a great new job. His commute went from an hour to now only 5 minutes. He even got a significant increase in his salary. And most importantly, he will be doing the type of work that he has always wanted to do. So I was a little confused on why he needed any advice. In fact, I was a little envious to tell you the truth, especially since he just hit the employment trifecta — money, commute, and “dream” role. However, as we talked, his big concern was that he wanted to make the best fi rst impression possible, which obviously makes a lot of sense. He’s got this great new job now and he wants to keep it for a long time.

What is it about first impressions that cause so much anxiety in all of us? Think about your own daily lives. Whether it’s an initial business meeting, an interview, or even a first date we all want to make a positive first impression. The difference between a new job and the three examples I just gave is that if it doesn’t go well with the latter, you don’t have to worry about seeing them again. However, if it’s a new job, obviously you are going to see these people day in and day out and your success or failure in your new role could defi nitely depend on how these coworkers view you.

There are a whole slew of things that I could mention and talk about. Most of this is plain common sense. Any article or advice column you read will list very similar things such as:

• Present a professional appearance
• Have a positive attitude
• Be proactive
• Listen more, talk less
• Avoid gossip or offi ce politics
• Come in early, work a little later

I could go on and on. Nevertheless, what I have learned through my own experience is that first impressions are just that, first impressions. How many of us have been wowed by the new coworker in the beginning only to fi nd out later that it was just someone trying to make a good first impression? Once he or she settles in their true nature comes out which in many instances are the opposite of what they demonstrated early on.

I once worked with someone who started out as a temporary employee. He would come in at least fifteen minutes early and would be the last one to leave. As soon as soon as he became a permanent employee, he stopped coming in early and actually was usually the last one to arrive. He no longer worked late as he had in the past and in fact, his whole personality was quite different.

So how important really are first impressions? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to minimize the importance of fi rst impressions, but what I’m trying to convey is that it’s more important to make a positive lasting impression, a “sustainable” impression if you will. Don’t worry so much about first impressions. Rather, focus on demonstrating your ability to add value to the company long term.

If you can noticeably add value, your job will always be secure. The simplest way to do this is by being a team-player. This term is used quite often but not emphasized enough. If you go out of your way consistently to help your colleagues whether it’s your responsibility or not, you will make a lasting impression. You will be viewed as indispensable and everyone will want to work with you. Don’t be the person that no one misses when you’re gone on vacation. Be the person who your coworkers can’t wait for to come back from vacation. That’s how you’ll know you’ve made a sustainable impression. Good luck in your new job, Allen.

(reposted from the Epoch Times Career Corner column 10/06/11 issue):

http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/10-Oct/06/A6_20111006_NoCA-US.pdf

Short-Term Sacrifice is Key to Long-Term Success

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I’ve been getting a lot of requests from recent college grads and individuals looking to start-over mid-career lately. Looking back, it’s ironic that I too at different points in my life belonged to both categories. So I can definitely relate to the struggles that these folks are going through. The biggest quandary I faced back then was the double-edged sword of “potential” vs. “experience.”

As a brash new college graduate, I was sure that I was going to take the world by storm. I was going to have the pick of the litter in terms of jobs. Boy was I wrong. I had a tough time even getting interviews. It seemed as though my resume was going into an abyss. All throughout college, I thought all I had to do was get good grades and companies would line up to hire me on the spot. So I studied hard, graduated with honors, and even won a scholarship award from Chevron as the top student in my major. In fact, the first job I applied for online was a job posting from Chevron. The sad irony was that I didn’t even get a response from the company that just gave me a scholarship award—no interview, no phone call, not even an email.

I laugh whenever I think about that, but it wasn’t funny at the time. In fact, I was quite bitter. So bitter, that I boycotted getting gas from Chevron for a long time. So for years I went out of my way to get gas at other stations even though Chevron was right around the corner from my house. I learned a harsh lesson back then that no matter how good I thought I was and that I could do the job, it was not going to mean as much to hiring managers than if I had done the job. Here’s another equation for you:

Could do the job. < Have done the job.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but by and large, most hiring managers want to see “done” over “could.”

So how do you get the experience if you can’t get the job? It’s not impossible. For me, as a young grad, the first thing I had to do was take my ego and expectations down a notch. For a longtime, I passed up good opportunities to get the experience in the field I had studied for because I had it engrained in my head that I needed to make a certain salary. I also had to change my short term objective from trying to get the highest salary possible to getting the highest learning opportunity possible. The fact is, there are employers out there who do want to hire high potential, you just have to alter your expectations and adjust your attitude to be able to spot those opportunities easier.

Making those adjustments was like taking a blindfold off. I saw opportunities in a new light and sure enough, I found a job that was in line with where I wanted to take my career. The starting pay wasn’t great, but I realized what I lacked in salary made up for the learning experience I was going to gain. You have to understand that your career is a long journey and that short-term sacrifices are needed to get the pay-off you want in the long run.

It’s funny; I even put gas in my car today from a Chevron station. I guess you can say I’m no longer bitter. In fact, I’m quite thankful for the experience.

(reposted from The Epoch Times Career Corner column 9/08/11 issue):

http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/09-Sep/08/A6_20110908_NoCA-US.pdf

The Consequences of Accepting a Counteroffer

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I was on a plane to Vegas last week and couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between two guys sitting right next to me.  I tried to close my eyes to take a quick cat nap but they were speaking pretty loud.  To say the least, I was a little annoyed with myself for not bringing my iPod.  Nevertheless, an interesting turn of events occurred, they started talking about jobs which unbeknownst to them was right up my wheelhouse.  I’m not an eavesdropper but when I hear something about jobs, I must admit, my curiosity does rise.

The guy in the aisle seat was telling his buddy who was in the middle sitting right next to me about his dilemma – whether to accept a counter offer from his current employer or to start his new job next week.  Boy, did I want to jump in and give him my two cents, but it was none of my business.  I showed extreme discipline keeping my mouth shut.  However, his friend kept advising him to take the counter offer and remain at his current job.  His reasoning as he so eloquently stated,”Hey dude, they’re going to pay you more money, just stay there.  In this economy, you’re lucky to get a raise!”

It took even more restraint for me to not hammer fist his buddy on his head after hearing this.  I kept lamenting to myself, why didn’t I bring my iPod?  And just as I was reaching in front of me to grab a Skymall magazine in the seat pocket below the tray, the “buddy” taps me on my arm and says, “let me ask you a question, don’t you think he should accept the counter offer and remain at his company instead of jumping ship to start a new job especially since he’ll be getting more money?”

“That’s a great question,” I calmly stated (feeling relieved that I no longer have to restrain myself from jumping out of my seat to choke him).   Little do they know that I’m a recruiter and as a recruiter, our biggest pet peeve is someone accepting a counter offer.   I explained to them that unless it was your intention just to get more money than it would not be a good idea to accept a counter offer.  Your loyalty to the company will always be in doubt.  In addition, you will be viewed as a fidelity risk, and no longer be considered as someone they can count on and be a part of the “inner circle”.   Anytime you use a new job offer as a bargaining chip with your boss, you can bet that there will be some lingering resentment from your boss, it’s just human nature.  They will never view you the same.  Loyalty isn’t about money.  Furthermore, if you ever accept a counter offer, the company that made you the original offer will no longer trust you, or, have faith in your ability to keep your word.  The job will go to someone else, and, if you ever do want to leave again, the opportunity won’t be there anymore with that company.  And I’ll tell you what; executives in the Valley have long memories.  If your name ever comes up amongst other executives you can bet that your reputation amongst them will be tainted.

I leaned forward and looked at the guy with the dilemma and said, “It’s just my opinion, but I hope this helps you with your decision.”  His buddy sitting between us leans over to his friend and says, “Don’t listen to him, what the hell does he know?”

(reposted from The Epoch Times Career Corner column 8/4/11 issue):             http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/08-Aug/04/A6_20110804_NoCA-US.pdf

How to Earn a Promotion

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I was in line at Starbuck’s the other day and oddly enough someone recognized me from the previous column and mentioned that I looked younger in person. I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth or just buttering me up for some free advice. Nevertheless, I thanked her. Right before I placed my order she asked me if she could buy me some coffee and sit down for a few minutes with her. So we sat down “free” coffee in hand and I said, “fire away, how can I help you?”

“I have a problem,” she explained, “my dilemma is that I’ve been stuck in the same role for the last few years. What can I do to get a promotion?”
“First of all,” I said “you should be thankful you have a job jokingly.” However, the frown on her face told me she wasn’t too amused with my sense of humor. So, Julie from San Jose, this column is dedicated to you.

Getting a promotion isn’t something that’s entitled to you. In fact, that phrase bothers me a little bit. I prefer the phrase “earning a promotion”. Sometimes I would hear people talking about how they never miss a day, they are always on time, and that they do good work. Yet, they haven’t moved up the ladder as they had hoped. What some people fail to realize is that these are all the things that are expected of an employee as a minimum standard. Just doing your job well is not good enough. That’s why you were hired in the first place. You weren’t hired to do a mediocre job, to miss work or be late from time to time. Here’s a mathematical formula I like to use:

show up + be on time + good performance = keep your job + your compensation

You have to understand the employer’s perspective. If you were the employer, who would you promote? Who would you entrust a multi-million or a multi-billion dollar business to? The one common theme that is consistent with all the executives that I come in contact with when discussing promotions and career advancement is ATTITUDE. One by one, every executive will always talk about needing someone with the right attitude.
So what is the “right” attitude needed to earn a promotion? Ask yourself, are you just doing your job or are you doing things outside your job scope knowing that you won’t get paid for that type of work. This is a very important factor because it shows the employer that you are not selfish and are committed to the greater good of the company.

Early on in my career, I helped train and mentor new coworkers without anyone ever asking me or giving me that responsibility. I did that not because I was a saint but in our business we were only as good as the weakest link. Thus, if someone wasn’t doing well or didn’t know what to do, the overall business unit would suffer. I took a lot of pride when our unit did well overall. I was also very passionate and believed that the only way I could be truly successful is if we were successful as a team and as a company. I didn’t know it initially, but this was the biggest factor that played a role in my first big promotion. I went out of my way and did more than was expected and demonstrated that I truly cared about the company without expecting anything in return. I earned my promotion.

Thanks for the coffee Julie!

(reposted from The Epoch Times Career Corner column 6/30/11 issue):

http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/06-Jun/30/A6_20110630_NoCA-US.pdf

Job Outlook on the Rise

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     The life of a recruiter is never boring. That’s one of the reasons why I love what I do. You can even say that I’m usually the most popular person at a party, especially after they find out what I do for a living. As a recruiter and someone who is at the forefront of the employment market, everyone wants to know the same thing – “how is the current job market?”
     The quick answer to the $64,000 question is that the hiring outlook in the Bay Area is at its strongest in nearly three years. Job openings are up across all sectors from Technology and Accounting to Healthcare. As the economy continues to gain momentum, more and more employers are feeling confident about making the necessary investment hires to sustain their growth. So what does all this mean to you? Well, with more job openings, this means more competition for top tier talent. With this increase in demand, you can start to expect a modest increase in salaries.
     In addition, from what we’re seeing in the market, the top three functional areas of job growth currently are lead by sales, information technology, and customer service. With the overall economic outlook improving, it’s not surprising that companies are increasing their sales focus and want to be out front in terms of expanding their market penetration and growing their customer base. So I don’t anticipate this trend to end anytime soon. The other major hiring trend we’re seeing is that there is an uptick in the use of temporary hiring; it’s also at its highest level in three years. More businesses are utilizing temporary workers to support the growth in their organizations. These are all positive signs in the job market. A surge in temporary hiring historically has been a precursor for long term jobs recovery and that’s something that everyone is hoping for.
     This leads me back to the most popular “party” question that people ask me. You may not have been surprised by what the most common question is asked of me, but what may in fact surprise you is that lately almost everyone who asks me this question is gainfully employed. These are early indicators that people are gearing up to switch jobs especially after surviving three years of layoff worries, pay freezes or in some cases pay decreases, and work overload. People are looking for greener pastures and are more confident in testing the waters as they feel more confident about the financial stability of the nation.
     So you can now see why I’m so popular at parties. As a recruiter, they know I have jobs – good jobs in fact with top companies in the Bay Area. So people love to buy me drinks and pick my brain to get insight on how they might be able to get a leg up in the current job market. Luckily for all these folks, I have a passion for helping people with their careers and it won’t really cost them much except for maybe a drink. Cheers.

(reposted from The Epoch Times Career Corner column 6/2/11 issue):              http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/us/sfo/2011/06-Jun/02/A6_20110602_NoCA-US.pdf

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