The ABCs of Career Management, Wrapping It Up

Over the past few weeks, you've been working through the ABC's of Career Management. Here is the final installment of this series. Are you ready? Get set! GO!

• V Are you vigilant and alert to new job opportunities? Have you applied SWOT analysis to your job search? What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that you face in your job search. Do you sharpen your skills by taking advantage of training and educational seminars? Do you attend professional organizational meetings where continuing education units are offered? What would you need to do to take your career to the next level?

• W Would you agree that you have the opportunity to write-your-own-ticket and obtain a rewarding career position? Or would your mindset see only the despair surrounding your unique situation which you feel is stymieing your career growth? At this writing in most markets 94% of Americans have jobs and in certain areas of the country that number is higher. But in other areas, the number might be slightly lower. What would it take from you to keep the job you have (if you are employed) and broaden your skill set? Should you find yourself jobless, why should a company hire you?

• X Are you like many of my trusted associates? What can be used as X? Writing around difficulties offers the opportunity for creativity, when presented with a box or dead-end. One could coin a new word or words. Why not xplore your immediate career opportunities? Then there was xamine your strengths and weaknesses in order to transition into your new position. Use your xpertise to become a content expert and add value to your next position. Or take a moment to xhale and catch your breath before you launch a job search. The list is almost endless with ex words transformed to X words. There is value to brainstorming when you find yourself faced with dilemma - it is very interesting how the brain works.

Why not X? Since, X is the Roman numeral for TEN. What would be the first ten things you would do if you found yourself unemployed or needing a new job?

I. Who and what do you know? How many people are in your network? Make a list and add to it frequently. Whether you maintain a file of business cards or use an on-line service, your contacts are valuable. Find a reason to keep in contact with your network or centers of influence quarterly.
II. Have you created a career disaster plan? Financial Plan? Action Plan? If we have learned anything since 9/11 and the natural disasters that followed in this decade, it is that we need to expect the unexpected. Even seemingly secure companies and industries can be faced with challenges that cause them to examine their workforce and reduce expenses – and cut staff.
III. Do you know where the jobs are? Based on 25 years of experience in the career business the following numbers hold true (plus or minus 4% based upon the economy). If you want to research actual numbers the US Department of Labor will have statistics, but the statistics for this year will not be available for a couple of years:

a. 40+ % of jobs are with the local/state/federal government or public funded services such as education
b. 5%-8% of jobs are secured by applying on line
c. 5%-8% of jobs are secured through temporary agencies; this is a good way to test drive a career, before taking the leap to a new company or new career.
d. 5% of jobs are placed with recruiters or as they are known in the industry –Headhunters. The best way to get a headhunters attention is to excel. Their client companies only want to secure the “best” talent when they are paying a fee. If a recruiter contacts you, listen and keep their contact information.
e. Print ads in the classified, jobs publications or industry trade journals account for 10% to 15%; during a downturn in the economy the number of classified ads shrinks.
f. College professors may introduce their top students to their company contacts. This is an excellent incentive to shine academically.
g. Job Fairs account for a small percentage. When talking with company recruiters at job fairs many tell me their goal is to find one or two good candidate. Other companies are there for mass hiring. Have realistic expectations when attending job fairs.
h. Using your network and getting a personal introduction is the best way to secure employment. Build your circle of influence one contact at a time.
i. Applying directly to companies is another way to secure employment
j. Using social networking is an emerging way to secure contacts and open lines of communication in order to obtain an introduction to a new opportunity.
k. One of my favorite ways to apply is to let a decision maker know that someone with your exceptional skill set is available.

IV. Once you have identified where to look for a job, shouldn’t you create the written and on-line tools to let decision makers know you are available? Of course, you need a resume. You will need one to apply to online positions. Also, you will need one that is graphically impressive. Additionally you may need a bio that discusses your accomplishments. There are those who will tell you that you don’t need a cover letter. But wait a moment, before you buy that argument hook line and sinker. If you are applying strictly on line, an argument can be made for that point of view. However, if you are delivering, mailing or networking, a cover letter is an excellent way to show the decision maker that you can write. If you are serious about the interview, you will need to take a copy of References and let the interviewer know that you are interested in the company and the position (if that is true). You will see requests for Salary History more during a downturn in the economy. So expect to be asked about yours.
V. There is no substitute for researching the company’s on-line website and related information. You need to be armed with knowledge, before the interview. You can find a wealth of information by using Google. In just a few minutes you will find out if the company is stable, their vision and mission. Would the company be a good fit for you?
VI. Follow directions clearly through the on-line application process. On-line applications can be tricky. You must complete them fully. One corporate recruiter said, “Our on-line application process is critical if a candidate wants to work for us. We see too many incomplete applications where candidates just attach their resume.” She went on to say, “We have opt out questions that will disqualify candidates.” Perhaps you should spend a few minutes reviewing the application to see what those questions might be.
VII. Prepare for the interview. Most interviews begin with the telephone screening process. You need to take the telephone screening process seriously. When looking for a job, keep your résumé at hand. Remember your number one goal is to schedule a more in-depth interview with key team members. A good interviewer will have three to five qualifying questions. These questions may be framed in any number of ways to see if you are a good fit for the company.
VIII. The interview is not over until you have a few minutes to ask the interviewer a question or two. Experts agree that you SHOULD NOT ask about money, hours, benefits or those matters that interest you. Instead you should probe to see how you will fit into the corporate culture, contribute to their goals and set the pace for performance. By asking good questions, you will distinguish yourself as a candidate worthy of consideration.
IX. By following up promptly you will show the company that you have a sense of urgency. First you should send an email thanking them for their consideration – remembering this may be deleted. But don’t stop there - send correspondence by snail mail – thanking them for their time and consideration.
X. In many positions, it is important to ask for the job – because you will not land the position until you do. Hiring authorities tell me that it is refreshing when a candidate say, “I would like to work for your company.” If you can honestly make this comment and you are not desperate for just any job, make sure you communicate your interest to the interviewer. Should you feel the position is a good match for your skills, tell them so.

• Y You may find yourself saying YES to a position that is beneath your potential or you may find yourself saying YES to a project that would cause you to stretch your capabilities. Most jobs are what you make them to be. At worst you will learn something about yourself and your work style and at best you will develop new skills. Each experience has the seed or kernel for career growth. Unfortunately you will have to do many things you don’t want to do on your path to your perfect job. In fact successful people do many things they don’t want to! Your next yes may offer the opportunity of a lifetime.
• Z Using a zoom lens can put your career into perspective, wouldn’t you agree? Should you get the lens focused to closely on the subject, perception can be distorted. However if you examine too much of the background and do not identify the subject it can be come hazy and the target lost. Only you can put your career in proper focus. Use your career ZOOM Lens to focus on the target that will take your career to the next level by finding a good fit in your next career position.
  

So there it is. A complete list of Career Management tools from A to Z. What you do with them from here is up to you!


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