One of the biggest challenges executives in transition struggle with is turning their efforts into dollars. True, everyone is networking, linking in, twittering and creating elevator pitches but are these efforts getting results? Honestly, I have been on LinkedIn for years and I bet less than 10 people have ever cultivated my list and asked for referrals. As a career coach I have listened to hundreds of elevator pitches and sadly they are the same old thing… Here’s who is am, here’s what I did and here’s what I want. Employers don’t care! They want to know one thing… How will their life be different with you in it!
Let me ask you, what would happen if you did the basics in career search better than anyone else? What would happen if you made sure every activity was targeted to your success? Would you create more chances and close that dream career opportunity sooner then your competition? Being successful is about monetizing every minute of your search. Your intro needs to excite them, your stories need to impress them and most importantly your defining statement needs to demonstrate why they need you more then anyone else. This is a job market where being good just won’t cut it because there are too many good people competing against you!
Everyone in transition has tough decisions to make and you need to be making them. Is your resume strong enough to stand alone? If its not then you have to find ways that make the employer desire you long before they see your resume. You also need to ask whether you are communicating your expertise as best as you can? Experts build brand that attracts opportunity to them. For example, are you standing up in groups and presenting yourself as a compelling thought leader? As I have said to a number of execs, an effective career search is definitely a full contact sport.
Execs in transition need to take a hard look at every activity they do and ask it’s effectively monetizing their time? One trap I see happening is people become support group addicts. They have their Monday session, their Tuesday evening session, their Wednesday coffee club and the list grows on! What if you decided to only go to one group a week and you took that extra time to attend another networking event where the people who can hire you go?
Let’s be clear there is a time to help and there is a time to ask for help! One of the biggest faults I have noticed today is people do all this helping but they are reluctant to ask for help in return. Keep in mind this is your life we are talking about and there are people out there who can help you if they simply know what you need.
Now this last tip may surprise you but I want you to take some of your time to play really hard. A career transition is stressful, its humbling, and for more than a few it can be devastating to the ego so you need to find a release. What do you think would happen if you really worked hard for three and a half days and then let loose doing something that rejuvenated your mind body spirit. You need to find balance or the stress will show through when you least needed it to.
Here’s to your success!
Curt Skene is a popular speaker across North America and a powerful career coach to over 40 HAPPEN members. His website is www.curtskene.com
MODERATOR NOTE: Curt will be speaking at the Burlington HAPPEN meeting on Wednesday (August 26th) so come on out as he delivers 75 rapid-fire insights for finding more career opportunities!
