Developing your Job Search Strategy: Specialists are the Rage
As I draft this post I am reminded of three current clients. One is a small, growing enterprise trying to optimize its resources to aid in profitable development. A second is an established manufacturer reorganizing itself for sale. The third is a large company which has made a number of acquisitions that must be integrated into their core business. Each of these businesses compete in diverse industry segments following different strategies to achieve their objectives. As one would surmise the experiences they look for in potential hires is distinctive. You can be certain, however, that the hiring managers in these companies are looking for senior executives with experience that matches their particular situation. Call it situational experience.
It occurs to me that this is a fair representation of the “new normal.” The career opportunities are declining within large established companies. Major corporations have learned to be more efficient with less. They offer fewer opportunities for middle managers and highly compensated, over-50 aged candidates. However, the organizations currently looking for people are emerging companies or those working to find a relevant niche. Emerging brands, PEG portfolio companies, established companies repositioning themselves and those experiencing major change are looking for people with experience that closely matches their situations. These situations may be more risky but they can be very rewarding. Private Equity Groups want C-level candidates who have experience working with PEGs. If the employer is a start-up, they will be looking for people with start-up experience. If they are preparing for an IPO they are looking for people with IPO experience, especially CFOs and controllers. You get the point. Today, employers are looking for specialists who can make an immediate impact. They are looking for people with situational experience. Generalist backgrounds are not in demand so much, especially for the 50+ age group.
There are three primary components to one’s career positioning strategy: Job Function; industry segment; and your pay grade. All of these components are fairly straight-forward. Begin by evaluating your experience to understand where you have particular strengths and experience which can be packaged as a specialty. Seriously, this task cannot be that difficult. After all, personal experience gained with LBOs, mergers and acquisitions, rightsizeings, and re-organizations are all great examples of situational experience. Perhaps you have been involved in implementing new hardware and software solutions to automate processes. Or you have been involved in re-engineering activities to help employers become more efficient. Experience gained in involvement with a company turnaround can be invaluable.. Maybe you have been in a family-owned business or experienced an IPO. Maybe you have been involved in a successful Chapter 11 reorganization. There are many employers today who face those same issues. They are looking for you!
Hiring managers have become very particular in their requirements. They seek industry-specific candidates with situational experience. The key to a successful job search is to position yourself as a problem-solver who will assuage the hiring manager’s risk aversion. The Over-50 job seeker must have a career story which speaks to high-value, specialized knowledge and experience. The flexibility of today’s word processing software allows you to create resume versions tailored to emphasize certain parts of your background, positioning you as a specialist.
Think about your career. Find those common threads that you can position in a compelling way to fit the new normal.
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
Track Your Metrics For an Effective Job Search:
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Jump Start Your Job Search in 2015: Reflect – Recharge – Regroup
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Exercise During Job Search to Cope with Stress
On May 18 2014, year I posted an article about the importance of improving your image to enhance your job search prospects. Most of that post was focused on diet but it did speak to the importance of exercise to help slim down.
Your confidence and self-worth is likely impacted by your view of your image. If your self-confidence is negatively affected by your image, you will not perform well at interviews or at networking. Your image is important, but, your mental state is being evaluated as well, to be sure. One affects the other. If you cannot work through the stress of job search, it will be evident to anyone you meet. Exercise, however, is an excellent way to moderate stress, especially important during job search. A body engaged in some form of exercise will relieve the mind of worries that lead to stress.
While doing some research for this post I found a few highly relevant articles. So, instead of pontificating on the subject I have linked to articles listed below, which I know you will enjoy.
Workouts for Less Stress: Get ripped and relaxed. By Scott Quill, march 04, 2013: Published on Men’s Health (http://menshealth.com
In this article Scott Quill recaps work by Steve Edwards, Ph. D., professor of sports psychology at Oklahoma State University. Edwards spoke to six distinct exercise personalities and then matches exercise routines to fit each personality type.
Stress Management – Ways to Relieve Stress
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-relieving-stress
“According to Matthew Stults-Kolemainen, Ph.D., a kinesiologist at the Yale Stress Center says that exercise attacks stress in two ways; Exercise promotes production of neurohormones like norepinephrine that are associated with improved cognitive function, elevated mood and learning. And that can improve thinking dulled by stressful events – some research even shows how exercise can make you smarter.”
Benefits of exercise: reduces stress, anxiety, and helps fight depression, from Harvard Men’s Health Watch.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefits-of-exercisereduces-stress-anxiety-and-helps-fight-depression
“Regular aerobic exercise can bring remarkable changes not just to your body, your metabolism, and your heart, but also to your spirits, reports the February 2011 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. Aerobic exercise is the key for your head, just as it is for your heart. It has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax to provide stimulation and calm, to counter depression and dissipate stress. Exercise reduces the levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. “Harvard Men’s Health Watch notes that you should exercise nearly every day. That doesn’t necessarily mean hitting the gym. But it does mean at least 30 minutes of moderate activity. “
Stress Management
“Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.”
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469
“Physical activity pumps up the production of brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, endorphins. Sometimes called a runner’s high. Focus on a single task like exercise or mental activity results in energy and optimism, helping you remain calm and clear.”
“Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Exercise also can improve your sleep.”
9 Exercises for Stress Relief
Kate Hanley, Published December 03, 2014
www.lifescript.com/diet-fitness/articles/t/top_9_stress-reducing_workouts_for_women.aspx
“Chronic tension can be the culprit behind both long-term conditions (depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure) and everyday health woes (headaches, back pain, insomnia, upset stomach, anxiety, anger). “
Summary
While you are between jobs, working on your image will help you manage stress. Practice your favorite routines until they become habits. Intense, rigorous exercise like jogging or cycling is awesome, but it is not your only option. Low impact activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, and dancing can be beneficial. Breathing exercises, and muscle relaxation routines are useful too. Skill-based sports like golfing and tennis are great options, if you are already familiar with those sports. Don’t underestimate the value of mundane activities such as housecleaning or gardening.
Do something for yourself. An appropriate physical activity will help you look and feel better. Achieving exercise goals will improve your image and self-confidence while helping you manage the stress level. Set goals and find a partner to keep you company. Focus on the task at hand while exercising. Don’t let your mind wander. Especially avoid negative thoughts. It will also burn off a lot of the stress that comes from the ups and downs of job-search.
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Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.
Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
Coping Strategies for Job Search: Build a Support Group
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
Coping Strategies for Job Search: Leverage
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
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Coping Strategies for Job Search Develop a Plan/Keep a Journal
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
You Are What You Think About: Coping Strategies for Job Search
In my last post I mentioned that managing the stress of job search is critical as your behavior is being evaluated by hiring managers during this time. Job search is a stressful time for everyone.The stress is unavoidable even for the strongest person.It affects us on many levels including our self-esteem, and our financial well-being.For most of us, unemployment is un-natural, alien territory.If you are unable to work through the stress of the company’s selection process your prospects are dim.So, now is a good time to talk about job search stress management strategies.Be advised that I am not a Psychologist.What follows are some common sense ideas that I have found useful which have been validated by others.
It helps if one has gone through unemployment before so you have an established set of expectations.Experience is a great stress reliever.Personal experience with unemployment and job search gives one confidence.You know that eventually you will find suitable employment.Having experienced unemployment helps you see beyond your current situation to know that eventually you will land a new job.If you have never been unemployed, there is a wealth of helpful information available on the subject.
If you are unemployed, job-search is your job.Like any job, you must plan your work and work your plan.Developing a plan and keeping it current gives one a sense of control which helps mitigate stress.For those of you who have experienced unemployment it will be useful to write down your recollections from that past experience as a preamble for your current job search plan. Although job search is your full time job, it should not consume all of your time.Your plan must factor in strategies to cope with the ups and downs of unemployment.35 to 40 hours a week devoted to job search should suffice.That will give you time to reconnect with friends and family; to work in some physical exercise; and to engage in other extra-curricular activities.These activities are important to keep you balanced during your job search which will relieve your stress.Exercise can be a very effective stress management strategy.It burns off nervous energy and is as a great way to sharpen your image.Make sure to factor these activities into your plan.
Components of a Job Search Plan to mitigate stress.
- Have a realistic time frame to find the next situation.
- Assemble a support group of positive people and keep them in the loop.
- Keep a journal of the experience.
- Stay focused on positive thoughts, and issues within your control.
- Look for the lesson in each negative situation; reflect; then move on.
- Take care of your physical self
- Volunteer or take on short term jobs.
Managing stress is largely about your ability to control your emotional reaction to events.You can choose to be angry or despondent, or not.When a negative thought pops into your mind, recognize the emotion and then refocus your thoughts on something positive, like accepting a job offer, or the excitement of the first day on your new job.I believe that your thoughts direct your actions, consciously and subconsciously.If you dwell on negative, worst-case failure situations you will surely generate that outcome.Stay positive, directing your thoughts toward success in the goals you have set for yourself.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.
Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
The search process is never on your timetable. How Often Should You Follow Up
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com