Are You a Best-Kept Secret in Your Job Hunt?
When it comes to your job search, are you out in front
of the right audience--or do they know next to nothing about
you?
If there's one mistake that executive job hunters make over
and over again, it's being a best-kept secret: at their jobs,
on their resumes, and during their searches. They are reluctant to
toot their own horn, so to speak, thinking that it will be seen in
a negative light.
Well, it does cost them, but not in the way they might
think--and in the job hunt is where it matters
most. See if any of this applies to you, and what
you can do to change your job search results and career fortunes
for the better:
1 - Come out from hiding on the job.
No, I don't mean literally—but too many executive
leaders believe the world automatically takes stock of their
contributions and the 110% passion they have for their careers.
However, getting this type of recognition requires spreading the
word about your qualifications outside of your inner circle.
To stay on top, initiative and drive are key, but visibility
rules. Becoming the influence behind key projects, starting a blog
about your firm’s core competencies, or standing out as a
thought leader in your industry are great ways to stay on
others’ radar screens.
The fact is - highly visible players who have expert knowledge
and USE it at every turn get promoted faster and maintain their
jobs longer.
And even if the axe falls, they've got a ready group of
colleagues who remember their contributions, and can serve as great
networking sources for their next job search and transition.
2 - Quit hiding on your resume.
This may not be too surprising, coming from someone who
creates resumes for a living... but I really don't believe that
most people sell themselves on paper very well.
Case in point: the self-written resumes that cross my
desk frequently talk at length about tasks, NOT achievements.
They focus mainly on where the candidate is right NOW, instead
of putting them into a new role with demonstrations of fitness for
the next level up the career ladder.
Worse yet, so many people are confused about how to create a
truly captivating resume that they resort to copying phrases and
lines off others' resumes. This leaves them with a document that
doesn't even represent THEIR strengths and abilities.
So, consider getting someone else who knows you and your work
to contribute input
to your resume.
Anyone who has seen your efforts firsthand and can attest to
your successes might have a different take on what you really
offer. If you seek out help with your resume, ensure that the
organization you approach gathers sufficient information that
reflects your personality, strengths, and leadership brand.
Throw out old ideas about resume writing, and simply get to
the core of what you know and offer. Then, capture it and ensure
that the reader doesn't miss it.
Compelling, powerful executive resumes always present this
information so prominently that it's never hidden or
confusing.
3 - Get yourself out in front of the online
world.
True job searching really doesn't start the minute you're laid
off. It begins with establishing credibility and a presence among
the hiring audience and the professional world while you're still
employed.
There is no better way to do this in today's market than to
create an online presence and to monitor it carefully. I can't say
this last part enough - you might have a Facebook profile, for
instance, but what does it say to
employers?
Can anyone read your musings on the job and whether you're
happy there? What do the pictures you post say about you as a
professional?
There ARE ways to enhance your credibility by putting your
professional life on display, and they're quick, simple, and
cost-effective to boot. For instance, do you blog on professional
topics? Publish your resume on a website? Comment on other blogs
related to your career?
My top pick is a LinkedIn profile that gives the world a
robust view of who you are and what you do. LinkedIn is,
hands-down, the best resource for getting your name out
professionally and cultivating an online identity. If you're not
already familiar with it, go to www.linkedin.com
and get started by creating a free profile.
Build as many connections as possible, not just for
visibility, but to keep your profile on top of search engines. Keep
in mind, too, that recruiters frequent LinkedIn to find new
candidates to source. You CAN get hired just from being found
– it happens frequently.
In summary, these 3 ways to maintain visibility will not only help you in your career ascent, but when marketing your skills for a new job. Remember to shed your status as a best-kept secret so that you can be found--and HIRED--by the right audience.
© 2009
