November 24, 2015

I Don’t Want A Job. I Want A Career! Now What?

First of all, a “career position,” by my definition, is that role that you want to have, in your heart. You believe that you have most of the qualifications, it’s in your former, current, or new industry; it provides the professional challenges that are of greatest interest; perhaps closer to home, or dream location. A DREAM? NO!
 
For me “job” is a “J.O.B.,” meaning Just-Over-Broke, Just-Over-Boredom, Just-Outta-Bounds. You seek it because you think that it’s all you’re “qualified” for due to your work history, your education, et al. That said, because of the lack of the aforementioned, entry level positions ARE jobs, but working hard, being reliable, ongoing education, vocational training, certifications, etc. will enable you to move up within the company and probably into other companies. We all, for the most part, began our careers that way!

Where Do I Begin?

​First, define a few career positions; the job title(s), the industry(ies), the location(s) – DREAM (reasonably). Prioritize them. Now…how do most executives, sales’ superstars, and others advance their careers without ever blindly applying for a job? NETWORKING! Years ago, I never knew of that term, but I never “applied” for a position in my life, not even my first one. Well, how did you move up the corporate ladder? It was people that I knew! Oh, so someone you knew hired you? Uh, actually no, but they knew someone that needed someone with my talents, or they knew someone that knew someone. With that referral, I come with instant trust and credibility since I was referred. No one can interview for trust and credibility, but they are two important ingredients for a great employee!

Sounds Great, but I Don't Know Anyone!

“I don’t know anyone but Marines” was said to me by a former client. Well, each Marine that knows you has family, friends, neighbors, business acquaintances, and so on. They see and talk occasionally at the Walmart, the church, the kid’s ballgame, the grocery store, etc.
 
This is called the “Six Degrees of Separation.” Search for it on your computer! The people that you know are the 1st Degree, the ones that they know (and you probably do not) are the 2nd Degree, and so on. In my case, my 81 Connections on LinkedIn, know 3,400+ people ON LINKEDIN and THEY know more than 2.3 million on LinkedIn. What about those that are not on LinkedIn and the people that THEY know?!  I coach my clients on how to “penetrate” the 1st Degree connections so that it will quickly filter down to the 6th Degree with them knowing the title of the person I am seeking (my future boss, or boss’s boss) and the industry.
 
Proactively, email anyone that would help you if you asked and you would help them if they asked. Do not tell them the job title YOU are seeking, rather the title of your future boss and the industry. NEVER ask them to find the position you are seeking since 85%, or so of jobs are never posted…a real waste of time and energy.  I know the job titles, or pretty close, to everyone that I know!
 
I had a client from Belgium that thought he had no “network” in the U.S. – none! After a few weeks he had the largest network of any of my 900+ coaching clients and THAT is how he gained his interviews and new CEO position without ever applying for a posted position! Start with listing former bosses, former employees, former peers, and former customers. Now add other professionals that you know that would help you if asked. This provides a 360-degree look at you. These are your (1st Degree) Connections on LinkedIn!
 
Be sure they know the title and industry of your future boss. Marketing principles demand that you will have to tell them five to seven times before it hits their mental "hard-drive." DEPENDING UPON WHAT YOU READ AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE – 40% TO 80% OF ALL NEW POSITIONS COME FROM NETWORKING (and there is probably NO job posting)! Get on it, it’s easy! (Well, easier than submitting hundreds of applications and resumes, generally without a reply). Good luck out there!