New Year, New Job: 3 Steps to Achieve Your Resolution

Careers 2013Among the most common New Year’s resolutions, besides losing weight, getting into shape and spending less money is finding a new job. This is true for both employed as well as those currently unemployed. In fact, according to a survey of 2,250 U.S. adults conducted by Glassdoor, one in three employees plan to look for a new job in 2013.

As we all know, while important, it takes more than resolve to achieve your goals; it takes a plan. The following are the first three steps you should be taking toward achieving your career resolution:

Step 1: Set Your Sights on a Target.

It’s important to begin with the end in mind. Without a destination it’s difficult to map a route. The same is true in a career transition. In what has become a very competitive job market it’s essential to first have a goal in mind and then create a compelling, consistent communication strategy and marketing message that conveys your personal brand and value proposition as it relates to that goal.

Step 2: Get Your Resume In Order.

With your goal in mind, update your resume. Remember resumes need to be targeted towards the position you’re seeking. It should include a scintillating marketing statement, your outstanding business achievements (quantified when possible), of course your career history in reverse chronological order and your education.

Step 3: Update Your LinkedIn Profile.

LinkedIn continues to dominate as one of the most effective tools in a career transition. Having a captivating LinkedIn profile can mean the difference between a fast, efficient job search or a long, drawn out campaign. Not only do recruiters and hiring managers mine for candidates on LinkedIn, it’s the most useful tool to target companies in which you have an interest and to improve your network exponentially.

As Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu said, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Here are three steps that will get you started on your new path and a new position that could be a thousand times better than your last. But, if you really want to fast track your journey, hiring an expert in career transition could be the best and most important step you take.

~Linda

A Gift That Keeps On Giving Throughout Your Career

GiftAs you’re madly rushing around this holiday season, remember, this is a good time to take a moment and give a gift to yourself. The gift of introspection and reflection. Things generally tend to slow down as we approach year-end, making it a perfect time to stop and assess where you are in your career and where you want to be.

I’ve had many successful clients who contact me, saying they’ve let their careers drive them and while this has led them on a great course thus far, they now want to look ahead, take control of their careers and choose their own paths.

As you’re thinking through the direction in which you’d like to go, a great thing to think about are your past accomplishments. Looking back at prior achievements will help you in two ways: not only will it assist you in identifying what you’re most passionate about and when you most enjoyed your job, it also highlights your best skills. Having this insight will help you move through the career transition process.

Keeping track of your accomplishments, complete with quantitative figures (i.e. dollar amounts for sales and revenue growth or reduced expenses) will help you better market yourself to future employers. These accomplishments are the stories that you can use on your resume to illustrate your prowess. They are also the anecdotes you’ll tell when you’re interviewing for potential new positions.

Whether you’re thinking about a career change now or in the future, chronicling your success stories is a gift that keeps on giving. It enables you to be prepared at any time to speak about your strengths and highlight your career history. That way you’re ready for that unexpected phone call from a recruiter, the unanticipated downsizing, or the planned and well thought out transition as you take control of your career.

~Linda

 

Executive Job Seekers Dive Off the Fiscal Cliff

The Fiscal CliffWe’re rapidly approaching it, December 31, 2012. Midnight of the new year brings with it the proverbial fiscal cliff with its tax increases and spending cuts that some economists believe will stifle growth and drive the country back into a recession.

As the sluggish economy heads towards the fiscal cliff, businesses have already reduced their spending and expansion plans, uncertain whether lawmakers can agree on a budget. But times of uncertainty and change can bring with them opportunity.

Many of the executives I have the pleasure of working with are leaders in change, fearless risk takers who can peer over the cliff and see a path to prosperity. They’re the people who know without risk there is no reward. They’re individuals who are used to taking control of their own destiny by taking calculated risks on behalf of their companies and for the betterment of their own careers.

During these uncertain times, they’ve taken the leap and successfully landed in better situations, not letting fear of uncertainty hold them back. We can learn a lot from these fearless leaders who refuse to be crippled by circumstances. No matter what happens, businesses will continue to operate, goods to be produced, and services provided.

Now more than ever, companies need visionary leaders to help them navigate through these troubling times, which is good news for talented executives who thrive on challenges and who have a record of driving change.

As John Fitzgerald Kennedy said “There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change.” Successful executive job seekers know this. Where others see uncertainty they see opportunity, they look over the cliff, plan a course of action and execute a flawless dive, oftentimes making a large splash in their industry.

~Linda