Aggressive job search tips for Executives

Have you noticed that holiday decorations are already on the store shelves, and it is only October? Before you know it, we’ll be celebrating the new year. And are you prepared for the peak hiring season in January? Now more than ever executives need to stand out from the crowd to compete against the increasing number of candidates in the job search pool. After all there’s only so much room at the top of that pyramid.

There are many strategies and approaches relating to job search. Some of these may require you to take a risk or stretch your comfort zone. If what you’ve been doing isn’t getting the results you desire, try something different. Here’s a few ideas:

Focus on highest-priority targets. Be more aggressive than you dared to be in the past. Try any form of communication that might get you in the door – calling, emailing, FedEx, sending industry magazine articles, to name a few. Research company contacts like vendors, competitors, current or past employees and network, network, network. Not only might one of these people know the person you are trying to contact within your target company, they, themselves may have job opportunities that might be a good fit you.

One degree of…. reference. Who do you know who knows (insert target company contact here). Even if you don’t know someone who knows your target contact directly, find someone who knows somebody one to two degrees away. Work your way up the chain of command to the person you want to contact. Think of it this way, most people will buy a product recommended or endorsed by someone they know and respect. The same thing is true when looking for a job, consider yourself the product. People feel more comfortable hiring an executive that has been referred by a respected industry leader who might already know the candidate’s level of performance and achievements.

Hiring managers welcome referrals from company employees or their network of candidates. It gives the relationship between hiring manager and job candidate a personal touch from the start. This results in a higher success rate of being offered the job.

Do the unexpected. What would get your attention if the roles were reversed – you being the hiring manager instead of the job seeker? Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes and think about what would impress them about a candidate? Approach with unexpected, but appropriate, tactics to show you go above and beyond to succeed.

If you have a list of company contacts, look them up on LinkedIn to learn more about them and to give you an edge of familiarity. Ask your network if they know any of these company contacts to help you get an introduction.

Are these suggestions aggressive? Yes, and is it worth it to try one or more of these to get your dream job? What do you think?

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In Honor of Lists and Nursery Rhymes

It is common knowledge that we learn in lists (Here are the three things you need to remember, Johnny) or in nursery-type rhymes (30 days hath September…50 years later and I still USE that one).

Since so many of the bloggers you read use lists, including yours truly.  I thought I would take a few minutes to create some new rhymes for you.  Ten of them.

1. How To Get the Interview

Network and ask,

Network and ask,

Then bask.

2.  First Day on the Job

Pay attention, smile.

At lunch, go;

Bitch sessions, don’t go.

Open your mouth, no.

But have fun, yo.

3.  On Saving Money When Unemployed

Coffee is ok at Pantry Pride,

Gas is pricey, lose the ride,

Cancel package of NFL,

It’ll all be well.

4. How To Search for a New Job

Don’t go where everyone goes,

A Big job board blows,

Check out their career portal,

Or stand on the corner,

and yodel.

5.  What Not to Say

Last company sucked,

Systems I bucked,

I want your job,

May I call you Bob?

6.  Big Questions

Tell me ’bout You?

What happened, this year or two?

For us, got a skill?

Are you ready for a thrill?

7.  Not Going to Happen

Pay me not to work,

My middle name is Shirk,

We should make a rule,

That those who already have a job,

Can’t be cruel.

8.  Advice-Givers

You’re not my Dad,

His advice is always Bad,

Well, most.

He did get smarter,

When I got older.

9.  Can’t Get a Job

But I am charismatic,

Only a slight asthmatic,

I like my iron.

10.  Job Searching

What I do is,

Send out 100 resumes a day,

Only by email,

Saving money here,

Got a beer?

Ed. Note: Hat tip to TheCynicalGirl for reminding me of this, this morning. Number one on my list: Steal Ideas from others.

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Mel’s Whore Chili: Winner and the Sore Losers

So.

We have an Annual Chili Cook-Off here in the LinkUp office.  Usually, I don’t enter my chili.  I prefer to let my peeps enter their own chili, their favorite family recipes, hidden secret ingredients and all that; plus I want to spread the glory around if you know what I mean.  But when I heard each chili entry was going to be anonymous, I thought this was going to be MY year.  I did not want to win by only the SuckUp vote.  My chili was just known by its name:  Mel’s Whore Chili and the number 1.  Fairsy.

Just so you know, I make fun of all those cooking shows, from Rachel on down to that blonde guy who screams at his chefs.  The women in my family read recipe books like dime store novels, passing them around, and giggling over their discoveries.  I could eat Cheerios, turkey sandwiches on white bread, and meatloaf every day with a Diet Coke Chaser if it were up to me.  Kansas.

Still, I just knew I could win the chili contest.  Have you heard Billy’s Pretty Good at Drinking Beer song?  I am pretty good at eating chili.  How hard could making it be?

The entire office staff sampled, compared, and swirled chili around their mouths just like Bobby Flay would.  I was away from the office during the contest.  Truth: I was simply too nervous.  But…drumroll, I won.  A fair vote, I did not give anyone even a sly wink as in “Vote for the boss’s chili.”  I am above that.

The office was shocked when it was announced who the winning chef was—how did I have time to create this awarding winning chili?  Someone else must have made it for me, someone said.  Another said, “Did he buy it from a restaurant?”

I agreed to write down my recipe just to prove it.  So, here it is.

Mel’s Whore Chili

1. Go to Target

2. Buy 8 cans of chili

3. Only 2 can be the same brand

4. Pour in crockpot, stir

5. Heat on low for 4 hours.

This cooking thing is easier than I thought.  Methinks Naming the Recipe is the trick.  Mel’s Whore Chili, get it?

I kill me yet again.

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Objectives on Resumes Are SO Last Century - Really??

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Four Simple and Powerful Words

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5 True/False Statements About Finding a Job

There is so much information on executive job search today it can be confusing to decipher what is true and what is false. Let’s examine the top 5 statements that affect executive job seekers:

True or False: No response – no interest

False. It is very discouraging not to hear anything, no communications at all, when you have submitted a resume for a job. Don’t assume the worst. In today’s fast-paced world, recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to respond to every since inquiry they receive related or unrelated to their current search assignments.

There are so many factors that come into the equation during the hiring process (interviewer goes on vacation, the company has a hiring freeze, they decide to hire within, etc.) Follow up with a courteous email once or twice.

True or False: Match me to another position

False. Some recruiters and companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) and are able to run your resume through their system to find matches based on your resume keywords. However, most people are focused on the position they are currently hiring for and laser in on that job. Your resume may or may not be saved in the system. Don’t rely on modern technology to hold your place in line for the next available job opening. 

True or False: Experience counts

True. Especially in the world of executives, experience is your ticket to open doors. Of course there is the all-important aspect of the “right fit” which plays a big role in the hire, but experience is what gets you in the door for an interview. 

True or False: I’m stuck – no chance for career change

False. Even if you are one of the rare executives that has followed their college major into the business world, it may be wearing thin at this point in your career, and you’d really like to make a career change, but don’t think it’s possible.

Believe this or not, some employers seek out executives who can bring a different perspective to their company and executive team. What’s most important is being able to highlight your transferrable skills, leadership talents, etc. that translate to any industry. Continuing professional development is also significant to show prospective employers you are learning about new industries and developing new skills. 

True or False: No jobs available

False. Whether you’ve been an executive for one year or 20 years, you know that some jobs are filled before they are advertised. Networking and social media can make the difference in what might seem like a bleak job market.

Building your network before you need it is the best strategy, so you can tap into it when you are ready to make your move. Social media can help you connect to former colleagues, bosses, and friends who may know of available positions, and can refer or introduce you to the recruiter or hiring manager. 

[photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net]

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What An Almost Five-Year-Old Can Teach Job Seekers About Interviewing

Over the weekend, I attended a pre-holiday gathering. One of the little boys there – we’ll call him Jessie – was 4.75 years of age, soon to be a full five years old! Jessie is hilarious, smart and not afraid of asking questions – many of them. He doesn’t think questions are weird, uncomfortable, complicated, strange, stupid or silly – he just thinks they are questions.

I have been thinking about Jessie and his incessant questioning.

Will you roll down the big hill with me?

Do you want to play in the “leafs?”  

Can I frost the cake with you?

How come you don’t like whipped cream?

Why do you wear lipstick?

In a conversation this morning with a client, we were chatting about the questions she feared being asked. How would she respond? What would she say? How will she remember everything? What if she messes up? What if her answers are wrong?

Jessie isn’t afraid of questions – yet.

He hasn’t learned how not to ask questions – yet.

He hasn’t learned how to fear questions being asked of him – yet.

He doesn’t know how not to be curious – yet.

He doesn’t worry about what someone else will think about his "brand" – yet.

Jessie doesn’t care if he falls down, gets dirty and gets “leafs” all over himself  – give him two seconds, and he’s back at it again – full steam ahead.

When you go to your job interview this week, here’s an idea to consider:

Ask good questions. Give the best answers you can. Be curious; stay curious.

And, if the interview doesn’t go the way you want, give yourself a couple of seconds and get back at it again – full steam ahead.

cross-posted billiesucherblog

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