Ten years ago Tom Peters wrote an article for Fast Company in which he discussed the importance of each of us developing a brand around who we are — Brand you. I re-read the article the other day, and see it is as important now as ever. Here is a link to that historic (and important) article — http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/10/brandyou.html. Take it with you this weekend as you celebrate Labor Day. How do YOU distinguish the brand that is YOU? How could you do a better job of differentiating your brand? Have a GREAT weekend!
I talk to many people who want a new career, but have no idea how to find one. I listen carefully, then show them a process that will help them find the perfect career for this time of their life. Many are surprised to learn that they are not the only person to have gone through a career shift — until they think about it for a minute longer.
In fact, MOST of us know of a few people who are close to us (family, friends, relatives, co-workers) who HAVE gone through a major career shift at some point in their life. Who are those people in YOUR life?
I bet, if you ask them, you will find a specific pattern that each of these people has gone through to make that career shift. That pattern will most likely look like this:
- Assessment of the knowledge, skills and abilities I most enjoy using on the job.
- Research of the job market to see who does this kind of work (what it’s called, and what they get paid).
- Development of a “career marketing plan”.
- Implementation of that plan.
If you would like help putting that process to work, give us a call (503-956-9352). We can help you find the PERFECT career position for this time in your life.
Today’s headline in Workforce Magazine caught my attention!
“Talent Acquisition: Where’d They Come From?
Many companies are spending huge sums of cash to advertise job openings using flawed source-of-hire information, experts say. Steps can be taken to not only clear up the shaky data but also track where organizations get their best performers, which will help them target ad dollars more effectively.
By Gina Ruiz” (For the full story see: http://www.workforce.com/section/06/feature/25/03/26/index.html)
What does this mean for job seekers? Well. . . if YOU could get your marketing materials into the hands of the hiring managers, would you have more or less success in finding your perfect career position? MORE is the answer! MUCH MORE! Here’s how to take advantage of this phenomenon:
1) Be specific about the company (or companies) where you would like to work.
2) Find out who their TOP source for providing providing their BEST employees.
3) Get YOUR marketing materials into the hands of those who provide tops leads for your target company.
This tip will greatly increase your opportunities for getting interviews at the companies on the top of your list. It’s sort of a “reverse marketing” technique — but hey, if it works why not try it?!
August is the time of year when many of us go on vacation. This is also a GREAT time to take on a new task or short term project at work. If there is a particular responsibility you would like to try out (or think you need experience with in order to get a promotion), why not volunteer to cover that aspect for a vacationing co-worker?
It’s the classic “win-win” situation! Expectations are lower, so you will have time to learn a new skill. Your co-worker will appreciate the help while s/he is gone. Customers and other major stakeholders will receive special treatment!
So, while your colleagues are on vacation, volunteer to cover a certain aspect of their duties that you may want (or need) to know more about. Everyone will win, and YOU can rightfully claim to have gained a new (marketable) job skill.
I talked with a client today who told me that local businesses are “cherry picking” sustainability professionals from the state and local government agencies who do this sort of work. That got me to thinking . . . one strategy for getting your dream job is to take a job that will logically lead you to it — even if the next job is a bit “off the mark” from the one you consider to be your dream job. What if you take a job today that will open doors for you to the people who can get you into your dream job? Would you be willing to do something less than “dreamy” for a few months? A year?
For that matter, why not negotiate for the next job while you are interviewing for the first one? Tell your interviewer, “
I can do this job well, and will be a GREAT employee. But the job I really want is __________________ . If I do well in this one (and I know I will), what are the steps I will need to take to get that job?”
If you do this with dignity and respect, your chances of moving up in your new company increase greatly.
Happy Hunting!
