" Career Success Story Online Coaching Series"
Coaching Session 12/09:
Decrease Your Time Searching for a Job
One of my clients was downsized out of an executive position last year and began searching for a new position during the latter part of 2008. Six months later he landed a new position with a global financial services firm based on Wall Street.
If you re-read the two sentences above, you may believe that you're reading fiction: how does someone find an executive-level position within 6 months...during one of the worse economic downturns in the US....within an area (financial services) that was laying off massive numbers of staff daily? I can attest to the fact that this is an actual account of a regular job seeker - - with a remarkable plan to continually follow his Career Success Story despite setbacks and layoffs and job market collapses.
What was so remarkable about his Career Success Story plan? He maintained his vision; he used the time while searching for a new job to enhance his skills and research various companies; he targeted specific companies to reach hiring managers; and, he utilized his well-developed network to get the behind-the-scenes stories of companies and their staff. Although I helped him strengthen his resume, what I did not advise him to do was send it out - - until he had marketed his capabilities through his network.
There were five key steps that quickly helped this job seeker get in front of the right person. And when that happened, he was offered a great opportunity within the company's headquarters on Wall Street. He was able to successfully manuever under the negative conditions we're facing in the US job market and find a company that was looking for his specific skills.
During this complimentary online coaching session, focus will be placed on these critical steps to help you succeed within your job search. Most importantly, these steps will help you implement a strategy to shorten your job search.
Step 2: Do Your Research
There are numerous ways to research prospective employers - - and an overwhelming list of research-oriented websites, industry magazines, books, etc., to get your hands on. However, the best two steps to start this search involves checking out the company’s website and then finding current employees who work at the company.
The company website is primarily a marketing tool to advertise how well the company is structured and positioned to achieve its goals. Typically the websites read like a glossy brochure. However, you can find mission statements, reports, current goals and objectives, department listings, company locations, and in some cases, the names of key company personnel.
Go through the site carefully and pick up clues that explain how the company handles key initiatives: core servicing, employee development, hiring practices, etc. You may also find clues that explain critical problems in which the company is facing as well. Click through the links and see where they lead. Use search engines to find out additional external data about the company and key executives of the company. It’s up to you to figure out if this is the company that closely matches your skill sets and goals.
Do you know current employees at the company? Do you know someone who knows an employee at the company? If you do, then get in touch with the employee and let them know that you have some interest in finding out more about the company. Keep in mind that if you come across a disgruntled employee that the information they may share will be skewed. So, try to engage in a conversation to ensure a certain degree of objectivity.
Frame the conversation so that the employee doesn’t feel as if you’re looking for “dirt” on the company, rather you have a genuine interest in getting their personal perspective. What’s great about the company? What type of employee works best at the company? If you can find two or more current employees, you should be able to get a well-rounded story about the company.
If you have no way of reaching current employees, you can consider additional ways to reach people through social and business networking websites. For example, LinkedIn.com is a site that facilitates networking across numerous industries and professions. Considering the extent this topic, I will devote another coaching session on social media networking.
Step 3: Target the company
This is a very simple step: make a decision about the specific companies which align with your career interests, path, advancement possibilities, and goals. Create a list that includes 5 or more companies that you believe match with your goals and background. How do you decide? Some may be drawn from your familiarity of the types of businesses and industries in your area (whether local or regional depending on your relocation desires). Some may be currently seeking resumes and have posted available positions. Do the necessary research to review your targeted companies' background, objectives, position needs, hiring practices, etc.
One note of caution: if your targeted company has undergone layoffs, carefully use your network and research to uncover the back story. It's typical for companies to begin rebuilding their talent pool after layoffs. But you do not want to walk into a burning building. The client that I mentioned in the beginning was successful in securing a new position at a company that had undergone massive layoffs and restructuring. He specifically targeted this company because he felt it matched his interests and, despite the layoffs, would ensure attractive career opportunities. However, he fully mined his network prior to taking one step to approach the company directly.
Step 4: Identify the business need
Using your list of targeted companies, use your research skills to identify the current and prevailing business need. For example, after researching a specific organization, I uncovered that the company had an extensive growth plan to be implemented over the course of five years. Through this company's website, I was able to uncover a pdf. file that tracked the anticipated staffing needs to ensure the company reached it's growth goals across the country. From this type of data, you can make general assumptions regarding how someone with your qualifications may fit in with a targeted company's mission or goals. Through use of the internet, track down company press releases, events, financial information to get as much information as possible.
Step 5: Market yourself BEFORE sending your resume
How do you get into your targeted companies? Searching for a job is not always the most rewarding experience. It’s typical not to get an immediate response (if one at all) from recruiters and companies. To combat this problem, it’s important to use your existing network to uncover the hidden job market and to get direct access to hiring managers.
Regardless of the industry in which you have worked, it’s possible to tap into your business associates, friends, clients, former employers, neighbors, and uncover a rich network of resources to tap. However, keep in mind that a network needs continuous development and nurturing to be effective.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 48 percent of job seekers are successful in finding new positions through their network. Only five percent of job hunters find new jobs by responding to job ads posted in newspapers and on the Internet. Interestingly enough, one quarter of job seekers obtain new jobs by using a “cold calling” method which involves contacting targeted companies directly.
Due to the high number of unqualified responses, a majority of companies do not post open positions on the job boards. In order to reach the right type of job seeker, many companies advertise available jobs on niche boards, or specialty job boards. In this way, they are able to minimize unqualified applicants and maximize screening in the right candidates.
If companies in your industry or profession are attempting to narrow their reach to the right type of job applicant, then it makes sense for you to do the same, As outlined earlier, one of the most important tactics for job seekers is to employ a targeted, focused marketing campaign which gets you in front of hiring manager who are working where you believe you’re best suited. To make this plan work, it’s important to expand and utilize your network to increase your new job opportunities.
Beacon Career Management, LLC * POB 1271 Hightstown, NJ
Pamela Watson
Beacon Career Management
E-Career Consultant
Resume Writer
Institute for Executive Development
Coachville
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Resume Writer Expert, Star-Ledger Newspaper
Professional & Affordable Resume Writing Services
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Pamela Watson
Beacon Career Management
Contact me at if you should have any questions about this session
Step 1: First, Know Where You're Heading
Most of the clients that I have worked with are either preparing themselves to deal with an unknown circumstance that may change their lives; or, are currently handling a reality that has already begun to create a drastic change. Losing a job is never easy. But if you anticipate the possibility of moving to another opportunity, even when you’re gainfully employed, then you’re less likely to perceive the change as “losing.” The change in your circumstance is now one that you’ve prepared yourself to face; it’s a move in the right direction rather than an unexpected, game-changing loss in your career. We have to know that we’re heading in a specific direction and that we may face obstacles and changes as we follow that path. In this way, we can be prepared for the unknown.
If you have yet to look at how your career will end, then you need to establish a Career Vision. Your first step in creating a strategic job search requires that you understand the big picture of your career. The most successful job seeker is not the one who has found his perfect, to-die-for job: it’s the one who has a five, ten, or twenty-five year plan of action that will lead to a number of places and help him reach his overall vision. Sometimes things will work out well - - sometimes there are unanticipated delays. However, the career path or journey is the most important part, of fulfilling your Career Vision.
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Let's continue networking - - and Best Wishes to Your Career Success!
Self Assessment: Given your industry and employment conditions, what obstacles are you likely to face now? In five years? How will these conditons affect your long term career goals?
Coaching Assignment: For more info regarding opportunities during
layoffs, listen to a podcast I recently completed with NPR radio.
Self Assessment: Does your resume convey the results of your individual
actions in the work place...or does it read like a job description? Review your resume and see if it effectively identifies the beneficial outcomes of your work.
Pre-Assessment: Are you stuck in your job search? Does your current position offer no opportunities for you to grow further? How do you define success in your job search..in your career?
Post Assessment: Can you include the five steps above into your job search strategy or your career development efforts? If not, what obstacles do you face? How can you further create a successful Career Vision for yourself?
