President Obama on Thursday urged Congress to pass his $447 billion American Jobs Act to help a flailing economy where unemployment still hovers around 9 percent. Many people are out of work, while others who are still employed are hoping they’re not the next wave of people to get the pink slip.
We turn to Peter Sheahan branding expert, author of Making It Happen: Turning Good Ideas Into Great Results, and CEO of ChangeLabs.
For those of you fearing a pink slip or looking for a job, respond in three ways:
1) Get narrow (2) Get clear (3) Get moving
Narrow: When bosses are watching their dollars, they much clearer about their needs and much more discerning about who they hire or partner with to solve them. Pre-2008, we may have said, “I need some smart young MBA to help keep us on the edge.” Today, they are likely to say, “We need a lateral hire with very specific skills in the area of data and analytics to exploit the opportunity we have with Client X.”
As a result, if we want to take our career to the next level, start a new career or even go and forge a new path in our own business, we will need to get very targeted about the value we can add/bring.
Clarity: Getting narrow is one thing. Being able to communicate that value clearly and concisely is another thing altogether. Having just gone through a round of interviews recently for a new staff member, I cannot tell you how poorly people were able to communicate there value. If I hear “I am really good with people” one more time, I am going to scream. Seriously, in three sentences or less, tell me what you can bring.
Activity: It is tough out there. Regardless, I am not convinced people are doing ALL they can to create new opportunities. Break free from whatever ego or pride is stopping you from going door to door and start knocking if that is what is required. Network your brains out. Meet everyone you know, everyone your friends know, everyone your parents know and work it until an opportunity emerges. For more tips by Peter Sheahan, click here.
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