Success is not off-limits for nimble executives willing to retool their search techniques and expectations.
Seven Positive Trends We're Seeing Now
1. Top talent always lands; that has not changed. Where you land has.
From small business to mid-cap firms, business leaders are excited about their new ability to capture top-talent. Companies that could not afford you or pirate you away are now vying for you. They are even ready to ante-up salary-wise so they can get you on board.
2. Career transitions are less difficult.
Companies (especially those in distress) want (need) fresh ideas. If you have a strong value proposition that is "portable" and can cross industries, it's possible you've never had a better time to move.
3. "Seasoning" helps.
Those who have successfully navigated companies through multiple US and global recessions and recoveries will be newly valued. A touch of silver in your hair gives you "street cred" in this environment and is not an issue when a company is looking for salvation.
4. On-line means on-radar.
Recruiters are using Google, LinkedIn and other on-line social networking tools more than ever to narrow the field to a manageable slate of potential candidates (and to work more efficiently as well). If you've not been focused on building on-line identity, get busy ASAP!
5. Green is gold.
The economic crisis has affected the financial sector in a big way, yet there are growing opportunities within the green, sustainable, and alternative/clean energy fields. That means new jobs, better jobs, and good salaries -- in public and private enterprise and in education, too (that new workforce has to be trained).
6. Contraction is expansion.
When an industry contracts another industry often benefits. For example: Auto mechanics, tire companies, and replacement part manufacturers will thrive -- even as new care dealerships are hurting -- as people keep their vehicles longer. Suppliers to the new-home building industry are hurting, but those in home repair and renovation have a growing market.
7. Active, passive? Who cares?
Historically, retained recruiters sought "passive" currently-employed executives to persuade away from their positions. Companies and recruiters shied away from "active" (meaning unemployed or "looking") executives. Now with so much talent on the street they can no longer limit themselves to passive candidates. If you have a strong value proposition and clear record of ROI contribution, "active" is no longer a dirty word.
Ten Executive Job Search Techniques We're Seeing Work Now
These positive trends help, but they do not assure success. Executives must learn to navigate the increasingly complex world of careering to convert new trends to opportunities. Here's what's working:
1. Start with the known / Seek growing fields.
If your field has suffered great contraction, pursue companies, industries, and functions that have some connection to your field. Examples might be healthcare to biomediclal; teaching to educational sales; consumer products brand management to B2B marketing.
New, growing, and emerging fields like green technologies, clean energy, social media, and others, will have fewer job applicants trained in those precise areas. They are looking for the best, and know that the best will often have to come from somewhere else.
2. Concentrate on unique transferable value.
Determine the value you bring -- value that transcends the boundaries of industry or function and underlies all your successes. Examples might be an ability to 1) consistently deliver growth no matter what the circumstances, 2) always find the one thing within an already good process that make s it deliver even more productivity or revenue, or 3) motivate a team to gel and excel in difficult circumstances.
3. Begin before you need to.
Do your research; use social networking tools like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Visual CV, or a customized electronic portfolio and/or blog/write articles to build visibility around your value proposition and thought leadership. Attend industry events, make connections with movers and shakers, do field research by speaking with those doing the work you want to do, learn the industry trends and buzzwords that will make you seem like a "local" not a "tourist." When you decide to make your move, you'll be known, have a targeted Google presence, a robust network, and "walk the talk." Do not wait until you lose your job to do this!
4. Jump-start your search.
If you lose your job, you need to act FAST. Don't be tempted to use the first few weeks (or months) of your unemployment as unexpected vacation time. Get busy and build your branded value proposition, PR engine, and research machine ASAP. It's vital to your search and the positive activity will help with the array of emotions related to job loss.
5. Create employer desire.
Don't assume a decision maker will immediately understand how your value will translate to the company. Do the work to discover the company's (and industry's) trends and needs. Using that information, project impact with value-driven accomplishment stories and value-driven solutions that predict success and translate directly to the bottom-line.
6. Don't spend all your time on-line.
Job search is a "pavement pounding" exercise. Use technology and social networking sites as people connectors, not as substitutes for real relationship-building. Build your resume to be a concise impact- and value-driven sales tool that builds a future forward case for success by connecting the dots of your old accomplishments to new advantage for your target company. Then work your network to get that resume in the hands of a real person and to get face-time with decision makers
7. Develop a suite of value-driven career collaterals.
At a minimum, today's jobseeker or career-savvy executive needs a targeted resume, accomplishments brief, executive biography and micro bios for articles and speaking gigs, 30 second elevator pitches for different targets/networking, executive value statement and branded tagline, a brief list of top "selling points," and a list of company research sites and contacts.
8. Do the job to get the job.
When you land your interview, don't be a passive interviewee. Ask questions about problems, needs, and issues. Then initiate a brainstorming session that allows you to show how you can think on your feet, deliver solutions, and create opportunity. You don't have to give away your "trade secrets" but you can allow the interviewers to sample your value and style in a very concrete way.
9. Stay connected and educated.
Isolation lets job-loss depression and inertia sneak in the door. It saps your energy. Fight it! Keep in touch with colleagues, attend networking events and professional meetings, have breakfast and lunch meetings with new contacts and old friends. Attend professional development classes, find education leading to certification in a new field of interest, teach a class in a local college. The connection with people and knowledge is a powerful stimulant for success.
10. Be prepared to wait and don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Career moves in volatile markets, are longer job searches. Plan for it by creating a flow chart of job search activities and by getting your finances in order so that you can make your resources last. And don't put your search on hold while waiting for the offer you are certain is coming. Even if you think the job is a sure thing after a great interview, in this market, there's a real chance it isn't.
Best tip of all? Don't look for a job!
Conventional wisdom says the time to look for a job is when you start your new job. Today's wisdom says the time to look for a new job is never.
Use the above tips to transition to the job you need now, and concurrently begin to engage in active career management -- career management that relies on value, continuous learning, proactive positioning, and generous "give to get" networking.
Over time you will become visible, viable, and valuable. You will be the hunted, not the hunter. Opportunities will come to you. Your biggest challenge will be deciding which one you want.
Helpful resources.
Executive job outlook from The Wall Street Journal
Career transition advice:
New industry for a new job? - from The Wall Street Journal
Top 15 strategies in a volatile job market - from CareerHub
Job search for Wall Street pros from The Wall Street Journal
Industry and employment trends by region - a free executive job market report from JobBait.com
LinkedIn for senior executive job search article from ExecutivePowerBrand.com
Twitter for senior executive job search - article from Job-Hunt.org
© Copyright, 2008, Deb Dib. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About this author: Deb Dib, Job-Hunt's Executive Job Search Expert, has been a careers-industry professional since 1989. For the last few years, Deb has focused on coaching CEO's and other C-suite executives in finding their next opportunities. Deb is the founder of Executive Power Brand, and co-author of best-selling Twitter Job Search Guide, Find Your Ideal Job and Build Your Career in Just 15 Minutes a Day (March 2010, JIST). Connect with Deb at her website at www.executivepowerbrand.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/debdib, on Twitter at @CEOcoach, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DebDib, and via email at info at executivepowerbrand.com, or at 631-475-8513.
