Time2MarketU

Show up Prepared

Woody Allen quotes that showing up is 80% of success. I'd add that preparation can make all the difference to our success in getting what we want and need when we do show up. Combining the two concepts, this week’s tip is to show up prepared.  It’s intended for the Touro Graduate School of Business students who I’ll meet with on March 10 for resume development.  They've got 7 more days to prepare for our meeting and can start with top tips from one executive recruiter here.  Next week, we'll explore putting those tips and more in action to pursue new and promotional roles.

Develop Resumes that Work!

Once you are clear on your objective and know how you’d like to put your skills to work and further develop them, it’s time to work on your communications strategy, developing critical tools like your resume.  On Sunday, March 10, we’ll be working with students from Touro Graduate School of Business developing resumes that work.  I think executive recruiter Kathy Ulrich has some great points in her article here to help you get started.  

For those seeking new or promotional roles, the tip this week is to create an updated resume, so you’ve got it ready to share as you explore opportunities.   Get started reviewing and following Kathy’s advice.  Then, I'll provide samples and more during the March 10, Resumes that Work, webinar.  Touro Graduate School of Business students, mark your calendar and join us.

Consider Your Career Vision and State Your Objective(s)

• Where do you see yourself in five years? I’m referring to what professional role, company/industry, geographic location, etc.
• What do you want to do next?
• What will you be recognized for in your profession?

I frequently explore these questions with coaching clients, as we focus in on their career vision, specific career objectives and action planning to pursue promotional roles.  The tip this week is for you to consider these questions. Outline your career vision and state your short, medium and long-term objectives.  Write them down and be clear. Then, consider the inventory you took last week, and get your primary and secondary research underway to explore promotional roles and opportunities. 

Promotional Readiness - Take Inventory Today

Over the next 14 weeks, we’ll be focusing again on promotional readiness with the graduate students at Touro College’s Graduate School of Business.

How, where and when can professionals put existing and newly emerging skills, knowledge and expertise to work in new and promotional roles? We start today (yes - Sunday, our weekly career day), considering this question, formulating a plan and taking action.

To work toward promotional readiness, this week's career tip is to take your personal inventory.  Assess your:
- Skills, abilities, competencies (existing and developing)
- Personality characteristics and interests
- Values, life and career vision

When considering next steps in your career, you will want to examine all of the above. Learn more about tools to help. Schedule your introductory meeting here.

Determined to get results in 2013?

"People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions", according to statistics here from University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, published December 13, 2012.   So, if obtaining a new or promotional role is one of your goals in the New Year, be sure to make yours.   Get started considering 10 New Year's Resolutions Every Job Hunter Should Make, a timeless article that can help you put resolutions in action now. 

Put yourself in a position for achievement. Make at least one career resolution, and stick with it.  You will more likely achieve results.

Wishing you much success in the New Year!

Progress your promotional planning

This past week I had the pleasure of meeting with a few professionals who have secured promotional roles this year.  Progress is a key motivator for workers, and there’s nothing like a promotion to reinforce that progress is being made. But, once promoted, how can you ensure your continued progress? This week’s career tip can help.  Ease your transition into new and promotional roles exploring three areas for your career progression:
1. Building strengths – What has made you successful so far?  Can you succeed solely on these strengths? What additional skills need to be developed?  How will you do that?
2. Monitoring blind spots - What aspects of your new role are critical for your success? Which aspects do you like most and which do you like least?  How will you master those aspects you like least?  How will you identify and overcome blind spots?
3. Seeking advice - Are you mentally prepared for this new role and able to fully understand and meet expectations? Who can help you, providing mentoring, coaching, counsel or advice? Are there experiential assignments, or other activities, to help you proceed in a more prepared fashion?

Your exploration can start here.  I also recommend you read The First 90-Days, by Michael Watkins, and take a proactive planning approach to your career progression.

Try SMART networking this holiday season

This time last year I had just begun a 4-week project for a corporate client, establishing onsite career services at the client's office location and offering workshops, one-to-one coaching and employer outreach to about 100 professionals who would need new jobs in the coming year.  One of the most effective tips for those clients, and for others I work with, especially this time of year, is to learn and use the SMART networking framework.   80% of new jobs are landed through networking.  So, whether you are looking for a new or promotional role, be sure to try SMART networking this holiday season.  It’s easy to remember, and it's an effective approach to communicate your message and get your relationship building underway.   Connect with new opportunities the SMART way:
 S=summarize your message and include your professional objective
M=share your marketing plan (highlighting targeted employers if you are looking for a new job externally, or promotional roles if you are looking internally)
A=ask questions about the organizations (or departments) your are looking to work with, identifying possible opportunities and openings
R=referrals. Ask for introductions to company insiders, specifically hiring managers.
T=trade information. Make this a two-way exchange.  Always explore the interest and needs of your conversation partner, following up with information useful to them.

Consider the advertising rule of 7

The advertising rule of 7 suggests that it takes seven exposures before a consumer will purchase a product.  Can you apply this concept to your search?  I think so, but only knowing it could very well take more than 7 exposures to get that new job or promotional role you seek. 

I frequently hear how disappointed candidates are when they send a resume and hear nothing back. They think that's all it takes to get an interview, despite the fact they've been told that in today’s market a lot more effort needs to happen. A good start is to pick up the phone and follow up on your resume submission the same week.  Similarly, when someone is overlooked for a promotion, they wonder why.  When asked how they positioned themselves for the promotion and how they pursued it, there may be little evidence of anything more than responding to an internal posting.  In that case, do they really need to wonder?

Don't keep wondering or finding yourself in a state of disappointment. The tip this week is to consider the rule of 7 as the minimum number of times you and your professional credentials must show up as hiring managers, and their teams, search to fill a role.  For your search, these are 7 key touch points/exposures:

• A referred introduction
• Your resume submission
• Follow up call(s) to ensure your resume was received, and ask if it is being considered
• Networking (not just online, do it in-person too)
• Send a thank you letter after interviewing
• Make follow up calls after an interview to inquire about next steps
• Submit your recommendations (when asked, or if you are a strong match, perhaps proactively)

If you are not yet getting the traction or the results anticipated in your search, keep trying! But, focus on matching your activities to the list above, ensuring a minimum of 7 exposures throughout the process.

Give thanks!

This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving in the US, and it seems the best time to focus in on this important career tip, which can really set you apart from the competition. Give thanks to those involved in your job search, as you pursue new and promotional opportunities.  When exactly would you do this?  At multiple points throughout the process.  I'll share 5 examples of what some clients do, for you to consider too:

• Daily – writing down what you are thankful for and how you will put your talents and capabilities to work. I always remember one client's story emphasizing this as the exact approach taken during a prolonged search.  It helped this client maintain a positive attitude, and in turn, land a great new role with an employer of choice.
• Following networking meetings and/or referrals.  Thank all those involved in networking and connecting you during your search.
• After an interview.  Send a thank you letter, or e-mail, within 24-hours following your meeting.  If that's too fast for you, make sure to send it during the same week.
• Anytime anyone offers to help and makes attempts to do so.  It may be that someone sends you an article, or tells you about an opening at one of your target firms.  Be sure to let them know you appreciate their interest in your search and their assistance.
• When you complete your search.   Thank all involved, letting them know where and when you land, and providing your updated contact details to keep in touch.

Ask: One key to your best offer

Whether you are negotiating a new or promotional career opportunity, I encourage you to master the skill of probing, or more specifically, asking for what you want and need. The tip this week is to ask. We talked about the importance of probing and asking questions to successfully navigate the interviewing process in our webinar last week. When you move beyond interviewing, to evaluating offers, your probing skills become even more important for you to drive a meaningful difference between your first and final offer and to secure what you want and need in that new role. Failure to use probing skills at this critical juncture could cost you a lot. In fact, Linda Dishman quantifies that in her article The One Career Mistake That'll Set You Back $500,000.  I encourage you all to read it and learn more about why and how to ask for your best offer.