How Executive Networking is Different

Handshake

Networking is now and has always been THE most effective job search strategy. But it certainly has changed with the advent of new technologies. That said, it is also true that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

For all job seekers, whether you’re fresh out of college or direct from the board room, networking is an important tool that has been highly impacted by websites like LinkedIn and Facebook. When it comes to networking for a job, LinkedIn is your better bet. But both of these online resources help you expand your network exponentially.

Even with these new technologies, the important thing to remember and the thought that prompted the above proverb is that while you can vastly expand your network online, to really be successful and develop quality relationships with people who will help you, you have to take the discussion “off line.”

This means a blend of old and new school. New school is using these online networking tools to build your network, old school is actually picking up the phone or sending an email and suggesting a face-to-face meeting. Your connections are more likely to want to help you if you’ve met in person, established a rapport and are building a relationship.

Often times clients will tell me they’re on LinkedIn but nothing is happening. That’s because you have to make it happen. To be a successful job seeker you have to do more than post your profile and add connections, you have to step away from the computer and actually meet with people.

This brings me to your message when you’re suggesting a meeting and requires a different approach depending on whether you’re an executive or someone in the beginning stages of their career.

When you’re first starting out, your message can be about exploring different industries or different occupations and wanting to tap into your connection’s knowledge base. When you’re an executive, you’re bringing a lot of experience to the table and should be thinking about the person with whom you’re interested in networking and “what’s in it for them.”

A lot of executives I work with are initially reluctant to network because they tell me they don’t want to appear like they’re begging for a job. I frequently have to coach them through this reluctance which requires a sea change in their thought process.

The thing to remember when you’re an executive networking is that you bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Your networking meeting is a peer to peer meeting that can be mutually beneficial. The bottom line is, rather than asking for a favor, you may actually be doing the person with whom you’re networking a favor (but don’t let that go to your head).

~Linda

One Job Hunting “Must Have”

What’s the one thing that all job hunters need regardless of the industry they’re in or the position they’re looking for? Well if you want to make a good impression then the “must have” is an attention-grabbing :30 commercial.

Are you tongue-tied when people ask you about yourself? Do you start back to where you were born and where you went to high school? Are you getting bogged down in irrelevant details and information that makes the listener’s eyes glaze over?

What you should be doing is developing and practicing your :30 commercial, giving your listener a scintillating snapshot of who you are and where you’re heading. This brief introductory statement helps form your first impression and should focus on what’s most appealing about you and your background.

Why so brief?  Have you ever been introduced to someone who goes on and on about themselves. At first you’re listening, but as they continue ad nauseam you find your attention wanes, your eyes dull, your smile stiffens and the little voice in your head is thinking of ways to escape? It makes an impression all right, but not a favorable one. There’s another reason for brevity. In these days of 140 character tweets and 160 character texts we just don’t have the attention span to listen to an entire monologue.

When developing your own commercial take a cue from the ads you see on TV. The advertisers aren’t telling you everything there is to know about their product, they’re focusing on its most sellable and appealing aspects and you should as well.

Your commercial should include what’s most marketable about your background including pertinent positions you’ve held and the skills and accomplishments that make you stand out that would benefit the listener. Also, if you’ve worked for prominent companies don’t be afraid to namedrop, this is not the time to be humble.

Remember when you’re involved in a job hunt or career transition, you are your product. Therefore, whether its a networking contact or an interviewing opportunity you want to be prepared with a commercial that keeps your audience tuned in and turned on.

~Linda

Is Anyone Hiring?

Yes, they are. But you wouldn’t think so if you watch or read the news. In fact, with all the doom and gloom being reported these days, it’s a wonder that anyone looking for a job bothers to get out of bed in the morning.

I’m here to tell you that there is a reason to get up in the morning, that people are in fact finding jobs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s easy, but there are jobs out there and finding them means taking a strategic and aggressive approach. Today’s competitive job market requires you approach the job search with a well thought-out, targeted marketing plan.

The foundation of the marketing plan is an outstanding resume. I often speak to HR professionals and they tell me that they’re not finding quality, talented applicants. How can this be with the number of people available? Perhaps it’s because there are good people, they just don’t know how to get their message across with a well-crafted resume that highlights what makes them stand out.

Your resume should be targeted to they type of position you’re seeking. Not only should it show how you’re a perfect match for the job, it should also illustrate how you’re special. I often run into people who say they don’t like to “blow their own horn.” Well if you don’t, who will? Writing a resume is the perfect time to brag about your accomplishments and if you can’t, find someone who can.

Even when people do include their accomplishments on their resumes, they’ll often fail to put in the results. For instance, they’ll talk about improving a process but fail to mention how that reduced costs or how much it decreased production time. Another example, they’ll talk about building a sales team, but not include how much more revenue that team brought in. In other words, how did you help improve the bottom line?

Quantifying your accomplishments with dollar amounts paints a vivid picture for the reader and adds credibility to your success stories. These important details are what makes the difference between a resume that gets over looked and a resume that generates calls. Besides getting the attention of hiring managers, a well-crafted resume also helps build your confidence and that comes through the moment you pick up the phone or walk in the door for your interview.

Remember, don’t get caught up in the media madness, make your own headlines by starting off with a positive outlook, a marketing strategy and a winning resume.

~Linda