Accelerate Your Search™ Now

Summer is here.  In fact almost two-thirds of the “100 days of Summer” are behind us.  Are you hot and thirsty?

Harvey Mackay says, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty” and in West Texas we say, “Take your shade with you.”  Shade and water can help you ward off or solve many of the problems that arise due to the summer heat.

Here are a few quick and simple ways to ensure the summer heat does not beat or blister your career.  No matter your industry, career expertise or area of interest, think of these actions as “water and shade” to help you handle any career problems or opportunities that crop up.

Seek out face-to-face connections.  Find professional, industry, and social groups/associations in your geographic area.  For example, the local CPA association, the software developer or WordPress Meetup Group, Rotary Club or the community garden group.  These groups are think tanks, user groups and natural places to make face-to-face connections.  They provide opportunities to build visibility and credibility.  Face-to-face interactions are far more powerful than relationships exclusively based online.  A Google search will help you find the groups in your area.  You can also ask your current network what groups they recommend.

Look for online groups to join and get involved.  LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook all have millions of groups.  There’s one for most anything that comes to mind.  Make a short list of your interests, then search for a group.  You can comment, post a question or add your expertise/technical knowledge to help others solve a problem.  Recommendation: before posting a question, search existing discussions to see if your question has been asked and answered.  If so, comment that you found the information/group helpful.

Connect with people that solve the problems you need solved.  Everyone has problems.  Everyone solves problems.  We need other people and naturally feel a stronger connection to people who like the same things we like and enjoy.  Gardeners help other gardeners with any problem they have, not just things to do with growing a garden.  The same holds true for teachers, Apple junkies, golfers, etc.  Add a keyword to your online profiles to help search features link you with other like-minded people.  In some ways this is better than “carrying shade with you” because it helps shade show up just when you need it from those with whom you share common interests.

Say “Yes” to friends and invitations.  It is sad to me when I hear, “I only connect with people I know well.”  Why?  Knowing someone well takes time, interaction, and effort, saying “yes” can be that first step toward getting to know someone well.  Those you connect with today may be those you know well tomorrow.  They also know people you don’t who may be able to help you achieve your goals.

Connecting with people may be all you need to find water, shade and the solution to keeping the heat from blistering your career.  Enjoy who you connect with during the final “100 days of summer.”  Have fun and add prosperity and satisfaction to your summer, your career and your life.

Have an amazing week!

Is your resume stale and lifeless?  Or is it full of energy and relevant data about you and what you do?

Your resume is an important marketing tool.  If it is as stale as popcorn popped a week ago sitting in a humid kitchen, your reputation, career and next promotion are being impacted.

A resume without energy, pop and sizzle will sit.  In fact, it may never be read.

Think about it.  If you are busy, do you want to read a lifeless, seemingly endless list of job duties or do you want to know who this person is and what they can do for you?  The latter, I bet.  The same is true for busy hiring managers.

If you have not updated your resume in the last 90 days, it is time to do so.  That’s right, update it once a quarter.  Resumes have a short shelf life.

Before you do anything to your resume spend a week with it.  Here’s how:

1. Read it three times a day.  Once in the morning, once after lunch and once in the evening.  One of these times read it aloud.
2. After a week, grab a highlighter and highlight the accomplishments/results you achieved in the last six months or a year.  Where are these within the document?
3. Grab a different color highlighter and mark your relevant brand attributes.
4. Finally, grab a pen and mark out the parts that bore you, date you or are no longer relevant to the work you are doing or want to do.

Now you are ready to begin to update it and make your resume pop.  No more stale, lifeless resume for you.

Are you too close to your resume?  Do you want another set of eyes to give you feedback on your resume?   A resume critique may interest you.

Do you have a resume question?  Post it below.

You are growing fast, maybe faster than those around you.  As you look forward to your next position the terrain looks a bit bumpy.

You know that speed over rough terrain can be very dangerous.  One wrong turn could flip you on your head, cause a spin-out or worse.

This is the time to understand the terrain.  Look around, listen, and assess what your fine-tuned instincts and intuition are telling you about the terrain.  It is time to cut the clutter and step forward with intention.

One of the first steps is to carefully pause and look at your own energy, the energy within your organization, and the energy of your current industry.  When you are growing fast and taking care of day-to-day business, reflective pauses are necessary to avoid missteps and to get an accurate read on your surroundings.

Next, be sure you are ready for and open to the opportunities around you.  Have those key heart-to-heart conversations with your boss.  Ask if he/she is happy with your leadership, direction and results.  Ensure you are aligned with your boss, the organization’s direction and achieving results at the expected pace.

Then, ask about the future and where your boss views you in six months and two years.   You may be looking to make a move outside the organization or industry, that is fine.  No matter your direction, you need to know how others view you and the actions/results they expect you to achieve.  Not understanding your boss’ expectations creates a blind spot.  Blind spots can be deadly as you speed over rough terrain.

Finally, create a process for yourself (and one that your boss will appreciate) to follow up, check in, and communicate what you are doing and your results.  Most people believe others know about your actions and results — it is the old “actions speak louder than other words.”   Allowing your actions to speak for themselves might have worked in 1950, but now it a sure way to be out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

Ditch the “I refuse to brag about or tout my results” mindset.   If you want to get promoted and earn what you are worth, help others know and understand the value of your results.  Life and work are busy, helping people keep up-to-date also helps others navigate the terrain ahead and is viewed as a valuable service.

Navigating the road ahead is not just about you and what you want.  It is also about helping others get what they want.   An intentional path with a specific, well executed plan accelerates your journey over the roughest terrain and helps you avoid an out-of-control spin.

Do you have a question about navigating your next promotion?  Post your question below or contact me directly.

Building your know, like and trust factor (aka KLT) is a critical component in a successful career.  Whether you have stepped into a new position, or soon will do so, know that it requires sustained engagement with influencers and advocates in your industry to be known, liked and trusted.

Yes, knowledge and experience are first steps, yet to be trusted as an expert your must also be known and develop clout, both in your organization and your industry.  To build trust, you must also market your expertise and your results.

Begin to build your visibility by assisting others and by being a strong brand ambassador for yourself and your organization.  Grow your external visibility by volunteering and staying connected to channels of trade that support your industry.  This allows you to stay engaged with key influencers inside and outside your industry and organization.

Share your knowledge and passion in relevant ways.  Write for a newsletter or mentor others.  Talk regularly to your boss and other key influencers.  Understand who the thought leaders are in your field and follow and engage them — making sure you have a strong online presence.

Here are three actions not to overlook:

1. Actively manager your online profiles, keeping them accurate and up-to-date.
2. Build your own thought leadership.  Write articles or a blog.  Curate and share content about your field/industry.  Become known as a subject matter expert.
3. Engage and stay engaged.  Relationships do count — both in person and online.  Read, comment and share information.  Introduce like-minded people.  Connect with thought leaders at meetings, conferences, and online.  Make phone calls. Write notes and send them by ‘snail mail’.

Read the reports and articles of others in your organization and industry.  Learn what is important to them.  Note what they are reading and watching.  Listen twice as much as you talk.  Social media has made connecting and sharing information with individuals in your industry so much easier than in years past.

Creating KLT is an ongoing process.  It requires that you build and maintain expertise; build and maintain relationships and share what you know.  Doing so provides proof of your influence and shows hiring managers that you are liked and trusted by people in your organization and industry.

Do you remember how enthusiastic and excited you were after your first interview?  I hope so.  You will need to continue to share that level of interest with the hiring manager as the process continues.

Candidates who fail to communicate sincere interest throughout the process are certain to miss out.  It is difficult to stay interested when an organization has a different timeline than yours.  It is easy to let the voice in your head tell you that the company is not really interested in you.  When you are in career transition and want to return to work quickly two weeks can feel like two months!

Instead of waiting for “the” phone call, use your time to pursue other opportunities.  Focusing on only one opportunity at a time may extend your search by months.

Also use the time to learn additional information about the position for which you interviewed and the company you are looking forward to joining.  Doing this prepares you for your second interview — preparation is rare at this level and it will set you apart from the competition.

Here are some easy ways to make the most of your second interview:

1. Read the company website and press releases.
2. Learn about the company’s products and services.
3. Read LinkedIn and online profiles of employees, leaders, and managers who work for the company.
4. Connect with appropriate people in the organization, online and in-person.
5. Read and learn about the company’s competitors.
6. Practice interviewing.
7. Know how you come across and how you demonstrate interest, eagerness, and enthusiasm.

Being able to authentically communicate how you fit and how your experience will help the hiring manager achieve his/her goals will help you ace the second interview.

It is a challenge to wait for the next interview.  Make the most of the time and prepare.

If you liked this post, please share it with your friends using the links below!  Post a note, share your questions and thoughts in the comments.

If you want help accelerating your search and landing the job you want contact me HERE.

No doubt you have heard of the “Golden Hour.”  In photography, it is that amazing period of time at dawn’s first light or the last hour of light before sunset.  In medicine, specifically emergency medicine, it is the critical period of time believed to make the difference in saving a life after traumatic injury.

Each of these references relate to a concept of time that when leveraged either creates or sustains important life moments.  One can mean life or death.  The other can mean an amazing image captured for eternity or lost forever.  While no two medical situations or sunsets are created equal, skilled professionals understand they must be fully present in each moment, apply their skills and leverage what is before them to ensure the best possible outcome.

Careers, too, have a golden period.  Professionals who are aware, prepared and ready to act can turn those periods into gold.  Conversely, failing to see or leverage critical moments can result in a traumatic blow to your job satisfaction or even the death of your career.

For all careers there are golden periods when making the right moves and decisions make the difference in landing your next position.

Are you like the photographer witnessing the dawning of a beautiful day, but without your camera?  Do you have the right tools to land the position you desire?

Are you ready for a new position?

What is the impact on your earnings for the next five years if you fail to leverage the opportunities presented in your golden period?

What do you need to do today to make your golden period work for you?  Post your comments and/or thoughts below.

Networking gets a bad rap sometimes.  I think it’s because networkers forget the basic reason for networking — connecting with people and building relationships.  That’s it.

The goal is not to get something from someone.  The goal is to get to know people.  People are amazing and fun — and great resources.

Here are 6 tips to help with networking, whether you love to do it or if you want to improve your skills:  

1. Identify well-attended events.

Select events that will help you expand your contacts within your industry.   Leverage the events you always attend and add other events to your calendar.  Look for events where you can meet new contacts.

2. Set a budget for networking

You will have expenses:  business cards, attire, event fees, food or beverage, or a donation to a charity or cause.  Be willing to invest in yourself — and do it with a grateful heart.

3. Set a schedule for networking

There are so many events you could attend.   Plan which events to attend, who to connect with, what to wear, and how you will follow up.  Having a plan and a schedule will keep you focused.

4. Leverage your existing relationships and connections.

Are there people you want to see or speak with?  Is getting an appointment on their calendar tough?  Seek events where you know those people will attend.  Connect ahead of time and arrange a time to talk at the event.  This uses your time (and theirs!) effectively.

5. Stand out in the crowd

Know how you want to differentiate yourself from others at an event.  You want to gain favorable attention with key contacts and those who can help you land your dream job.  Know who will be at the event and be open to the opportunities before you.  Don’t sell, rather ask questions and get to know people.

6. Leverage your online network and online events

Many events are growing and some events combine both online and face-to-face experiences.  If you get an “Evite” with an RSVP treat it as you would any invitation with an RSVP.  If you need to check in – do it.  Check the list for who is attending — you may wish to add someone to your “connect with” list.  If you can’t join in person and the event is live-streamed join online.

Do you have a networking tip or comment to share?  Post it below.

Are you at a four-way stop or a fork-in-the-road with your career?  Here are some of the signs that indicate you may have reached a career crossroad:

• You are bored,
• You are no longer a top performer, and
• You stopped learning and growing.

If you are over 40 and like most people, you think about your career and its future, at least once and a while.  You may be asking yourself, “What do I want to do for the next 25 or 30 years?”  Maybe you long for additional success or more satisfaction from your work.  Maybe you are looking to increase your income to help achieve other life goals.

If you actively managed the first 20 years of your career you no doubt have envisioned your next promotion or career move.  You already have a map or GPS system to guide your next turn.  Your four-way stop/crossroad will feel like a peaceful drive in the country on a Sunday afternoon.  Congratulations!  You will glide forward smoothly and create 20 more years of career success!

What was that?  You say you took a different approach?    Maybe you elected to abdicate managing your career to chance, your boss or the organization you work for — you are not alone.  Maybe you are someone who actually “quit” your job yet continue to show up and collect a paycheck.  Yes, there are quite a few who take this approach at the crossroad.

If you opted for this approach, I hope you are among the lucky few whose boss has been too busy to notice or hire your replacement.  Either way, you can bet your days of producing just enough to meet minimum expectations while hoping no one notices are numbered.

Whatever your choice, don’t worry, you can still quickly create a map to help you move forward from this crossroad.

Here are the steps to help you quickly move forward:

1.  Assess where you are and ask yourself, “Where do I want to be in one year? In three years?

2.  Decide how much time you will invest each week in managing your career.

3.  Create a one-year plan with weekly action items.

4.  Execute your plan.

Before you know it you will have map or GPS system to guide you through your mid-career crossroad.  The second half of your career and next 25 – 30 years is often the most fun, as well as the most profitable and satisfying.

Enjoy creating a sustainable, fun and profitable career.  It is an amazing experience!