Finally! A Plan to Get Your Next Job

You’re out of work and want to get back as quickly as possible and are willing to be as aggressive as need be. You’ve heard this a million times, “Make looking for a job, your full-time job”. The question is how?

You’ve got a goal, now here’s a plan to get that new job:

1. Target Companies – Every week create a list of 15 companies that you’d like to work for. Don’t factor in whether they’re hiring or not. Even companies that have had recent layoffs still hire for certain positions. Organize the list into a spreadsheet or some document so that you can make notes and keep track of what progress you’re making in each company.

2. Who to Write to - You are going to send a specific email to an individual at each targeted company. To do that, you’ll need to find out who in that company would be your potential boss. Use Google, LinkedIn or look through the company’s website to determine who you should send the email to. You can figure out their email address by finding a sample on the company’s website.

3. Research – Find out what issues the company is facing. Do this by reviewing their annual report and current press releases. Google them to find out what’s being written and use Google Alerts to keep you current with things happening in the company. Enter this information on your spreadsheet so you know at a glance what’s going on in each company.

4. What to Say - The email you send needs to be company specific. Mention the issues they are facing and how your background can help them address these issues. For example, “I’ve read recently how the company is looking to deal with rising costs of raw materials. As a Purchasing Manager, I was able to reduce costs of goods by 10% and increase profitability. Given this, I believe I could be very effective on your team”. Keep the email short — no more than 200 words. Attach your resume and also paste it (below your signature line) in the email. Don’t attach a link to your resume. You want to make it easy for someone to review it.

5. Follow-Up – Call each person a week after emailing them. That means 15 people each week. Have your spreadsheet handy so you can address specific issues if you are fortunate enough to get someone “live”. Your follow-up call or message should state why you’re interested in working at the company and how your background can add value now.

6. Network - Make it a point to connect in person with three people in your network every week. Attend networking events or form a group of your own which is a great way to learn what other people are doing in their job search. Take people who are employed out for coffee and find out what’s going on in their industry. Ask them for a referral to someone who is working in an industry or company of interest to you. Even if the company is not hiring, get a name. There is always value in meeting new people. Regarding networking sites, keep your profiles in Linkedin and Facebook fresh. Put your email address on your LinkedIn profile. That makes it easy for recruiters to contact you.

7. Informational Interviews - Have one a week. This is a great opportunity to make new contacts and learn something valuable about a company or an industry. When you set up these meetings, make it clear that you’re not asking for a job, you just want to learn more about that company or industry. Have at least three insightful questions to ask and get a referral. Send a thank you email as a follow-up. Informational interviews can turn into jobs!

8. Respond to Job Sites – Spend a couple of hours a week responding to job postings. Given the volume of people that respond to these jobs, we wouldn’t recommend spending any more time than this.
So, work your plan: every week send 15 targeted emails, make 15 following up calls, meet with 3 people in your network, have an informational interview, research 15 new companies and spend a couple of hours responding to job postings. This will take you roughly 40 hours a week with about half of that spent out of the house (do #1, #2, and #8 at Starbucks). This plan of working fulltime to get a job – will get you a job – a paying one!

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

You’re out of work and want to get back as quickly as possible and are willing to be as aggressive as need be. You’ve heard this a million times, “Make looking for a job, your full-time job”. The qu…

You’re out of work and want to get back as quickly as possible and are willing to be as aggressive as need be. You’ve heard this a million times, “Make looking for a job, your full-time job”. The qu…

Leave My Job in This Market?

You’ve been itching to leave your job for a while now and nothing exciting has cropped up in your current company. A recruiter calls with a great opportunity. In the past you would have jumped at this. But this time, there’s a nagging voice that’s telling you “You can’t leave your job in this market. If you do, and there are layoffs in the new company, then you’ll be first to go.” So, you stay put wondering if you are making a big mistake by not pursuing this potential dream job.

Should you stay or should you go?

Before you decide to pass on this great opportunity, consider our Take Five:
1.The New Company is Hiring – While there are no guarantees, the fact that the new company is hiring in this economic climate is a good sign. Companies that are hiring in down markets are usually in industries that are not as negatively impacted by the recession. Because of this, they are less likely to be downsizing in the near future.

2.There’s a Need for the Position - This new position is part of some strategic plan that they just put in place. After all, if they didn’t value the position, they wouldn’t be hiring for it. So, don’t automatically assume that if a layoff does occur that this position will be affected. During the course of your interviewing, find out from the company how this position fits into their long term strategic plans. If they see it as something that is integral to their long term future, that’s a good sign. Even if there are layoffs and you’re new, don’t assume that all layoffs are a function of tenure – LIFO (last in, first out).

3.Great Jobs Don’t Come Along Every Day - You can’t steal second with your foot on first. As Oprah says, “The greatest risk is never daring to risk”. If you never put yourself in a position of potential risk, you will significantly reduce your ability to advance your career. This job sounds like a great opportunity because it is! The greater risk might be staying where you are.

4. There’s No Security Where You Are - Wouldn’t you kick yourself if you didn’t take the new job for fear of being laid off, only to get laid off from your current company? No job carries with it a “lifetime guarantee”, so you need to actively and consistently evaluate your career to determine when a job move is warranted.

5. It Ain’t Happening at Your Current Company - This isn’t a dig at your current company, it just means that this great new job doesn’t exist where you are. If your current company can’t offer other challenging positions, then it’s just a matter of time before you’ll leave anyway. If you decide to wait until the market turns around, you’ll miss out on this great opportunity.
If you are presented with a great new job opportunity evaluate all the pros and cons carefully, but realize that advancing your career can sometimes entail a certain degree of risk. There are no guarantees in life. You can minimize that risk by doing your homework, but don’t let the fear of what might happen down the road prevent you from taking advantage of what appears to be a good career choice.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

Keeping the Job You Love

It’s all over the news and all around the water cooler -more layoffs, layoffs, layoffs. Fortunately, your job seems to be safe – for the moment – but you worry that you might be next. What an uneasy feeling that is. Of course, if it’s a mass layoff, then there’s probably nothing you can do about it. But, if the layoff is more selective, then maybe you can do something now to keep the job you love.

Here’s Our Take Five:

1. Innovate! - Clearly, these are difficult times, but that doesn’t mean companies aren’t innovating. Some people make the mistake of maintaining the status quo and not trying anything new. They think, “This is not the time to focus on new strategies. We have to keep our heads down and get the work done”. While your company might be contracting in some ways, they are always looking for ways (and the leadership) to grow the business and that means implementing new ideas. You have innovative ideas, so this is the time to bring them forward. Don’t make the mistake of just keeping your head down. If there was ever a time for optimism it’s now. Being an innovator will separate you from your peers who are afraid to risk trying anything new in this climate. If the company does have to layoff a select few, who do you think will go first: the people who keep innovating in tough times or the ones who just want to hunker down?

2.Increase Your Visibility – If at all possible, give a presentation, run a team meeting or get on a committee. Alternatively, you can simply reach out to other people within the organization – sales, marketing, finance, etc. Have frequent, positive contact and offer assistance where needed, so that people will say “That Linda is a keeper”. During times of stress, it’s the person with a plan (e.g., new ideas) who will attract the positive attention of senior management.

3. Be Your Boss’s Co-Pilot - Ask your boss, “What can I take off your plate?” Yes, you’ve got a lot on yours, but, the more you do, the more indispensible you’ll be. When it comes time to decide who gets the ax, your boss is going to look around to see who is doing what. If you’re doing more with the same resources, and/or have your hand in projects that affect multiple areas, you’ll be the one management must keep in the organization.

4. Become More Productive – Do your job as though you just got it. Do you remember that enthusiasm you had in the beginning? Well, bring that to work with you every day. Take a fresh look at every part of your job and figure out a way to do each 20% better. You get more productive by streamlining processes, reducing meeting times, doing things less frequently – one report a week instead of two – and delegating. This is a time when companies are looking to run leaner organizations. Demonstrate by your attitude and productivity that you are aligned with senior management and you’ll be less at risk than those who aren’t.

5. Be Positive - Remember… you still have a job. Don’t complain about the workload or engage with people who want to rehash how bad things are. Don’t listen to rumors that your group may be out next and don’t run to your boss asking “What have you heard?”

Maintain a positive attitude. Who would you rather work with, someone who is fearful and complaining or someone who takes things in stride with the best possible outlook? Your boss and those you work with are no different.
The more positive you can be about your job and the better you can be at your job, the greater the likelihood is that you will be retained when others are let go. An added benefit is that you’ll feel better about going to work each day, appreciating the job you have and demonstrating that you are committed to improving the company, especially in hard times.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

You Had Me At Hello – Finding Your Dream Job

It’s no secret that a lot of people are unhappy in their jobs.   Given all the hours spent at work, wouldn’t it be better to do something you enjoy rather than stay in a job where you’re bored or unhappy?   “Yes, BUT I need to pay my mortgage and this is no time to change jobs.”  You’ll always have financial obligations and there’s no guarantee your current job will be there tomorrow.

 

Here’s our Take Five on how do you go about finding that new exciting career that brings you back to life: 

 

1. Use Your Current Job As a Starting Point – Even if you hate your current job, there might be aspects of it that can lead to your dream job. Let’s say you’re a brand manager and know you want to make a change.  What part of the job do you like best?  Is it the packaging, advertising, promotion, or market research?  Maybe you decide it’s the market research.   Do you like the qualitative side or the quantitative side?  If you prefer the qualitative side, your new career could be a focus group moderator or someone who runs ideation sessions (this sounds like fun), or generates creative for a naming company, just to list a few.  If you like the quantitative more, maybe you should go into risk management, become a go-to-market strategist, or a business consultant. There are many potential paths you can take that will enable you to do the aspect of the job you love most.
2. Listen to What People Say You’re Good At – Your co-workers, family and friends sometimes see you differently than you see yourself.  If you hear people saying “oh, you’re great at staying in touch” consider opportunities that involve sales and networking.  People might say “you’re good at giving advice.” Then ask yourself is there a teacher, trainer or coach lurking in you?
3. Make a List of What You Like Doing – Don’t filter your responses. Make a laundry list of what gives you joy including things you used to do as a child.  As a child, did you like to build things, write stories or perform?  In addition to what you like to do in your current job, how do you like to spend your off hours?  Next to each item on your laundry list, ask yourself what about the activity gave/gives you joy.  See what epiphanies might occur and how you can translate these into your next job.
4. What’s Your Personality Telling You? – Some personalities are suited for certain positions.  For example, if you handle rejection well and enjoy constantly meeting new people, sales might be right for you.  Knowing who you are is a big part of finding the right career.  Would you like to be a big fish in a small pond?  If so, you may be cut out to be an entrepreneur (if you’re okay taking risks) or take a bigger role in a smaller company.   Conversely, you may want the resources and cache of working at a large company and are willing to deal with multiple layers of management.   Do you like being in a leadership role or a support position?     Do you like working independently or in a team?   Do you like project work or positions that require on-going building? It’s so important to find something that meshes with your personality.  Otherwise, you’re a square peg in a round hole. 
5. Be Open – Be open to ideas which can come from anywhere: when you’re reading books, newspapers and magazines; watching TV; talking to your family friends and co-workers.  What ideas do you spark to?  Being open means being inclusive – every idea is worth considering. 

 

If there are a few career options that you have identified and need to know more about, go on informational interviews. If you’re still unclear as to what career suits you best, there are many great books like, “What Color is Your Parachute?” or career coaches (like us J) who can help.

 

It may be scary at first to think about changing careers, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time.  But isn’t it better to face the fears than to stay in a job that’s not focused on what you enjoy doing most?

 

Yes!

 

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

www.whelanstone.com