Forget Job Titles: What is it you do, really? What is your skill-set? What do you bring to the party? Are you a problem-solver; a business developer; a great leader; or maybe a process re-engineering expert? Your first task is to assess that which makes you unique, has led to your career successes and will be important to employers. Think of challenges you have faced. How did you work through those situations? What strengths and skills did you rely on? What problems have you encountered? What did you do to find solutions? Maybe you have managed through a crisis. What did that reveal about your abilities? The important point of this exercise is to get to your essence. The exercise should reveal your fundamental talents which can be packaged into a marketable profile. Think big picture, especially if you are over 50. By this time you should be thinking “big picture,” not small potatoes, tactical skills.
Corporations are still comprised of people. People need direction, inspiration, and motivation. They need leaders. If you are skilled at building teams, inspiring workers, and achieving results, you have a particular skill that will always be in demand. Team Building is a key component of leadership, and is vital to attract top talent to work with you.
Employers need people who can find solutions to vexing situations. Process re-engineering, problem solving writ large, can be of great benefit if it is directed across a large swath of the business. If you are good at simplifying and stream-lining processes and procedures, this talent is in demand. Companies continue to look for people who can help them become more productive, leaner, and less bureaucratic.
Brands are in a fierce battle for market share. The old adage that nothing happens until a sale is made still rings true. My clients are adding to their Business Development Departments. They are looking for closers who have strong networks of prospective customers. If your electronic roll-a-dex is large and current, growing companies are looking for you!
It is natural to feel a bit embarrassed to tell people that you are unemployed and looking for work. It is not natural, however, to allow that embarrassment to prevent you from doing the work necessary to find a new job. Get over it! You are not unique, and you do not have a contagious disease! Reach out to your network. Use them to help you take stock of your capabilities and focus on new opportunities. This effort will provide great benefit. You will likely learn of capabilities you had not considered. You may be reminded of problems you faced, but had forgotten. Other people may see strengths you possess that you had not considered. Or they may help refine your thinking around strengths you think you possess. Individually and collectively they will have a perspective that will sharpen your focus and reveal opportunities to employ your skills. Listen to them, don’t debate! Ask questions to seek clarification and understanding. Employers are in a market-share-profitability-battle for survival. If you can help them bring in new customers and put more dollars on the bottom line, you are needed! The strengths and skills you bring to bear for an employer are your key selling points. They should be prominent on your resume, above the fold. You must build in examples of these strengths in your work history and in your bio. All of your communication should reinforce these skills. Use them in your elevator speech. It is not as important to discuss the type of company your want to work for, or the industry segment you prefer; as it is to imprint the skills you bring to the party and the contributions you can deliver. Take stock, understand yourself!
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
