Nor is your job search - usual, that is. If you are conducting a 'usual' job search, you may be frustrated at the time time it is taking to find the right opportunity, land interviews, and get the offer you desire. Without a change in mindset and approach, your job search may be further protracted.
With these unchartered and rapidly changing times, the global economic collapse and huge numbers of layoffs at all levels and industries, it takes a radically new mindset to gainfully and quickly secure your next position.
No longer can you simply 'put the word out' to a few select executive recruiters and wait for a barrage of phone calls with wonderful opportunities that you can't pass up. The recruiting community is feeling the downturn also - they don't have as many companies with plum opportunities requesting their services right now either. If you are top talent, they may still want to talk with you and keep up-to-date with your status, but they may not have an opportunity for you - yet.
So, what does this mean to you, the executive, or professional, in search mode? It means you must adopt a different way of thinking about marketing yourself - and take different steps than you have in the past.
It's a new era - you must think in a new way. No matter what you do for a living, you are the CEO of your own company in today's marketplace - "Me, Inc." as Tom Peters said. "Me, Inc." is your career and livelihood, and your own business, as it were. You must think like a CEO, and indeed, like the Chief Marketing Officer for your career.
What to do? Use innovative thinking strategies - new times call for new measures, new ways of doing business, new ways to market yourself. Think outside the box.
First of all, determine what it is you do - no, I don't mean your title or the responsibilities you have at a company, but what you deliver - consistently. What results do you bring time after time to the companies you work for? To the clients you serve? To the teams you lead? Qualify and quantify the business impact. Add your unique style to it and create your own personal brand. Show how you make a difference and bring outstanding results that no smart company would want to pass up.
Secondly, make sure your resume and other career documents are stellar and that they reflect this value proposition. Consider professional assistance to ensure that your message is powerfully articulated and presented.
Now apply innovative thinking to your job search strategy. How would you market a product or service? What steps would you take? What is working well in today's environment?
You might, for instance, create a list of potential 'clients', i.e. companies that could benefit from the results you bring. Research what their problems are and how you can help them solve them. Consider contacting them (the hiring executives, not HR) directly or through a networking referral, and put your value proposition to them. Be specific on how you can propel their business forward even in, and especially in, these economic times. You just may land the job you desire.
Use the internet to your advantage. Executive recruiters and companies will most likely google your name before calling you for interview - if so, what do they see? A recent study showes that 43% of companies are disqualfying candidates based on what they do or do not see when they google their names. Do you have an online presence? Do you show up strongly on the first 3 pages of your name search? What content do potential companies see? Have you established yourself as a thought-leader or subject-matter expert on the 'net? If not, you may be at a disadvantage in today's marketplace.
The internet has also changed the way people network. With the surge of business networking sites and groups such as LinkIn.com, Plaxo.com, Ziggs.com and executive job search sites such as NETSHARE.com, you can reach out to people easier than ever. Use these methods to find companies, leads and opportunities, as well as make the right connections to further your job search. Consider answering questions, offering advice and leads that may help someone else, you'll be amazed at what comes back to you.
By the way, companies and recruiters are trolling these sites for great talent; make sure your online profiles are strong and well-written to gain attention.
There are a myriad of ways to market yourself. The key is to be willing to take a risk, adopt an innovative mindset and create a solid plan to market yourself. You do this at work, why not do it for yourself and your career? You'll be much more successful today, if you do.
