Career Perspectives

In light of the current economy, how does the average Professional negotiate his/her career path? My advice? Very carefully. The paradigm has shifted, from a ‘demand’ workplace to a ‘supply’ workplace. Growth in most large organizations has been curtailed. The recent scandals involving questionable valuation and accounting practices in our largest businesses has had a ripple effect on entire vertical markets and industries.

Does this mean, we should all just hunker at our stale jobs, hoping there are no RIF’s? Hardly. It simply means developing a specific search strategy if the only way to move UP in your career is to move OUT of your current job/company. There are still VERY worthwhile career opportunities in most professional disciplines, it just takes more ‘sweat effort’ to identify them. All companies and industries WEREN’T derailed by the economy, 9/11 or any other indicator. Seek out companies in consumer products, industrial, heavy manufacturing, professional services. These industries (with some exception) have experienced continued health, growth even, in some cases. The market is different, but it’s not closed!

Steps in putting your career in perspective. First, do a personal career assessment. Are you really IN NEED of a different/better/new career? If the honest answer is ‘no’, okay, keep a resume current, but if you’re challenged in your work, paid decently to handsomely, perhaps lying low on the ‘monster boards’ of the world is the best strategy. This isn’t the easiest or best market to parlay your skills into a higher paying/higher org chart job with your competitor. Chances are, they’re running as lean on personnel as they can and aren’t likely to be trying to buy your attention with a huge salary increase. Similarly, companies have the luxury of hiring experienced management and executives, reducing the number of ‘step-up-a-level’ opportunities.

Next, if you’ve determined a. You DO need to make a move b. Your company may be moving toward a downsizing/closure/RIF, do your homework on the particular market for your talents. In some cases you’ll be surprised at the number of opportunities out there. In other cases, there won’t be any likely ‘fits’ for your expertise. Market research will give you specifics on YOUR search in this economy.

If you notice a few legitmate opportunities, it’s time to play for keeps. In a tightened employment market, presentation is even more important. Brush your resume up. Focus on achievement in previous jobs. Be specific! Hiring Managers even want sales people to be aware of the costs and expenses that drive bottom line profits. Show your awareness of how operations can positively or adversely affect the bottom line in your body copy in your resume. This makes the Hiring Manager’s job easier.

Pay more attention to verbal presentation skills. With fewer potential interview possibilities, you must brush up on your interviewing skills. See our white paper ‘Pillars of a Successful Interview’ for a wealth of tips to differentiate yourself in interview.

Keys to successful presentation.

Focus on the state of whatever industry you’re interviewing is in. Develop your resume and verbal presentation/posture based on successes that take the current state of their industry in mind, for example: If you’re a sales professional, highlight new account development, total growth in your territory or vertical; any specific pertinent information that indicates you see the big picture and are a bottom line thinker.

Emphasize cost cutting measures, return-on-investment, any measurable gains to your previous companies’ bottom line sales increases or operational savings. In this economy, Executives and Hiring Managers are looking for people with an eye to the financial picture. Even a detail like you coming in under your travel expense budget can be significant if you’re in a heavy travel position.

Approach every interview opportunity as a ‘must have’ job. Assume (correctly) that your competitors for this job are all as good as, or better than you. Hiring authorities have more potential candidates in this market than they have in years, so they believe they can be particular.

Move the process along. Hinting that you have other offers isn’t that viable a strategy (unless you have an offer letter in hand). However, there’s so harm in continually updating yourself in each ensuing interview as to the time frame/urgency of the company filling this role. The candidate who can move him/herself through the hiring process without sounding desperate is in much better shape to field multiple job offers than the person who politely waits by the phone.

Good luck in your search!