June 1, 2016

Do You Find The Employer? Does the Employer Find You?

A paradox? Not really; I’ve had it happen both ways during my 30-some years as a Vice President & General Manager. That said, for the most part my next positions came from my network of friends (both personal and professional) and strong acquaintances, mostly through business (former bosses, employees, peers, and customers). They kept me gainfully employed my entire career and I hope that I helped them do the same. You’ll find that most executives have a similar story. It's never too late to get started!!

Along with my previous articles, there have been hundreds written about the importance and ultimate success of your ‘network’ uncovering positions that were never posted.

​EVERY executive and manager has mediocre performing employees they would replace IF a great resume got under their nose! Hard to do? Not at all. Need help? That’s why there are Certified Professional Career Coaches (CPCC) like me! It’s where about 85% of all opportunities lie and your competitors, for the most part, won’t think about that approach!
 
If you wait for an employer to find you, that means that it is a posted job and only about 15% of positions are posted. Not only that, but the ‘world-wide web’ will draw about 5,000 to 15,000, or more, resumes depending upon the position and the industry. Talk about competition!! To make it even more interesting, Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software is in use almost everywhere since no one can print, or read 5,000 to 15,000 resumes for each posting. That software will expel your resume for a myriad of reasons: margins too thin, page borders, text boxes, columns, headers, footers, graphics, photos, and on and on. This is why so many online applications and resume submissions haven’t even gained you a ‘reply!’ It’s not you – it’s your resume! Yes, things have changed.

Choosing what you would like to do next.

​What really interests you? Where does your professional passion lie? Do you have any previous experience? Do you have a college major in that arena? Have you gone to trade school for that set of skills? Are there many industries of that sort in your town, or city? Are you open to relocation? What about your spouse’s job? The questions are virtually endless, but you must give it serious consideration IF you are thinking of taking your career in a different direction. About one half of my clients do!
 
I have changed industries four times in my professional life and looking back, I would make the same moves again. Each change came through my ‘network,’ but I still needed a marketing masterpiece of a resume and great interviewing skills to land the position! Was I just lucky? Uh, no. I kept in touch periodically with my business and personal acquaintances and helped them when asked. I always kept a reasonably up-to-date resume, even if an internal opportunity arose. If the coach called my number, I was ready to play! How about you? You owe it to yourself, your family, and your future!
 
There are numerous, online resources to check vibrant industries and companies. There is a tool on LinkedIn that will probably give you the name of your potential, future boss; EMAIL THEM along with a great resume! No one else will and I guarantee that mediocre performing employees show up at that company every day and perhaps today is the day when that executive, or manager says “I can’t take it anymore. Here’s a great prospect (based upon your resume) so please give this person a call to set-up an interview!” It happens all of the time for my clients.
 
“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”  - Michelangelo