CEO Job Network The Best Information on Today's Top Jobs

May 21, 2012

CEO Job Network and A Plan of Action

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Interviewing,Network,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 4:18 am

Having a plan of action means you will get an executive job just that must faster. You need to have a plan, but also set goals for what you want to reach along that way to ensure you are hitting you stride while looking for a new career. Many do not think about this and are not as well prepared when it comes time to be noticed and get interviews.

Over the years, we have seen equally talented people producewidely varying results. One will struggle while the other moveswith speed. Those who move rapidly usually have had the benefi tof a game plan—a step-by-step track to follow.In today’s competitive arena most people will never get enoughinterviews with a hit-or-miss approach.

This leaves too much tofate. Think of it this way. Chances are you’re marketing a “product”with millions of dollars of earnings capacity remaining in yourcareer. That much value deserves your best effort. Besides, jobhunting is a numbers game.

So, why take a chance at doing alot of things haphazardly, without a well-designed plan?Since job hunting is a matter of having the numbers on yourside, your action plan should be targeted to produce 25 to 35responses that result in a phone discussion.

The goal is to haveseveral offers maturing at the same time, and you have to berealistic about rejections in the interview process.Similar to any company who is about to market a newproduct, a good plan can cut job hunting time in half and savemoney. It also helps people produce better results, and whenpeople generate a lot of activity in a concentrated time period,they feel better and do better. Much better.

To begin with… (1) Surface the right information about yourselfand set clear goals

(2) pinpoint what you should be marketing,especially your transferable skills

(3) identify industry alternativesto target

(4) if you have liabilities, you need strategies toneutralize them

(5) you need a step-by-step game plan…an action agenda… to get your story told to all the right people.Here’s a recap of what our plans cover: Job hunting goals: Surface all critical information about yourself and then decide on the goals that will advance your career.

This includes specific job titles and income goals.Liabilities & solutions: You need to identify liability issues thatmight restrict your success… and arrive at ways for minimizingtheir impact in all written materials and conversations.

Assets, transferable skills & how to market them: All of yourassets and skills need to be identified. Then, they need to beincorporated into your resume and letters, and your personalmarketing website.

May 14, 2012

CEO Job Network and ALL the Skills

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network,Portfolio,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Admin @ 12:14 am

When you are looking for an executive opportunity or CEO position, make sure you are selling all your skills. Many think they are, but do not realize that there is more they can do. Take a long look at yourself and all you have to offer. The skills you have may go further than what you have done in the past or what you got your degree in. Many have transferable skills from other work and life experiences that will serve them will as they look for a new chapter in the career.

You’ll need to do more than just present your background. Don’ttrap yourself by thinking, “This is simply who I am, where I’vebeen and what I’ve done.” People fail because they never surfaceand communicate all that is marketable about themselves… and they never build their appeal beyond factual credentials.

Your starting point is to organize your lifetime of experiencesand achievements. Whether you are a young attorney ora company president, there is probably much more to your storythan meets the eye.Experience has proven that many people never identify 50% of their own assets, simply because they’re so close to their ownsituation.

We’ve learned that most people need to identify 10to 20 skills that, if properly communicated, can make a majordifference in their career opportunities. Each year, about 20% of the clients who come to us havesettled for less, simply because they are not able to communicatetheir real skills. For example, one client was earning a $65,000base after almost 20 years.

Three years later, she is earning$180,000. Another executive came to us at $125,000. Three yearslater, he is a CEO at many times that amount. The key in bothsituations was to market their true assets.It has been said time and again by psychologists, spiritualleaders and coaches that the most restrictive limits you face are those you put on yourself. So, don’t put any limits on your thinking,and look at some factors that you may have overlooked…which will expand your marketability.

Do you have knowledge of a job, a product, a process or a market…from work, hobbies, alumni relationships, research or suppliers? If so, it may be marketable.

Personality, of course, is just a word for that combinationof traits that either attracts us to someone or leaves us unimpressed. More employment decisions are based on personalityand chemistry than any other factor. For example: “He’s certainlyprofessional and quick-thinking. I like him, and better yet, Itrust him. He’ll fi t in with our team. I need to get him into the firm.” The perception of your personality has to do with yourinterest and enthusiasm. How many people get hired becausethey showed real interest? A lot.

 

 

May 7, 2012

CEO Job Network and Being in Touch

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 4:11 am

When looking for a high-level opportunity, make sure you are making all the right contacts in all the right ways. There are so many ways to talk to people these days, some forms may slip through the cracks. Do not let this happen or you will be losing out on what might be the perfect opportunity for you and your career.

Why does direct mail work? Every day we all receive directmail. However bad junk mail looks, the ones you see again andagain are working; otherwise, the senders wouldn’t be wastingtheir money.

One thing that makes it work in many cases is that longcopy is used. That’s what it takes to motivate all of us to actionfrom unasked-for correspondence. Here’s an example. Let’s saya lawn mower shop has a new product. And you and your nextdoor neighbor are both out cutting your lawns on a hot day.

However, your lawn mower breaks down.Then, the mail carrier arrives at both residences with mailthat tells you all about a new lawn mower. It gives a long explanationof why it’s superior. Now, your neighbor will look at themailing piece for two seconds and toss it.

He isn’t in the marketfor a lawn mower. On the other hand, they have reached you atthe right time, you are likely to read it. Now when you job hunt,your situation is similar. You need to reach the right person. Noone else counts.Some people don’t believe in direct employer contact. Theythink that anything you send to an employer is thrown away.Certainly, this has some truth, since the great majority willthrow away your materials in seconds.

But if you’ve ever needed someone with certain skills… thenyou know you want the easiest way to fi nd a good candidate.And if a good resume or letter reached you at the right time, youwould take action on it. Sending the right materials… to the right person… will get the attention of some decision makers.

But,timing is very critical. You need to reach a decision makerthat might be looking for someone like you. Even if your timingis bad, companies scan the resumes of the better candidates intotheir database. Then, as they develop a need… this is usually thefi rst place they turn. Contacting employers directly allows youto reach potential buyers quickly. If you want… you can reachthe entire universe of all your best prospects.

Some also worry that direct contact might makeyou look too desperate and hurt your image. But,this isn’t true. If they don’t need you, they will throwaway your correspondence in seconds… or somemay enter it into their database. In other words, it can do some good… but it won’t do any harm.

One thing is for certain… you will never generatemore offers by having fewer people know aboutyou. When more of the right people know aboutyou, more interest will be generated.

March 5, 2012

CEO Job Network and Who You Know

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 1:16 am

It is all about who you know. The more people you are in contact with, the better when it comes to looking for a new opportunity. Networking is more important than it has ever been as there are so many ways in which to do it. Make sure you know of all the facets people use to keep in touch and to meet new people in high places.

Networking is a pyramiding strategy… one where you capitalize on one name to gain an interview with another. The most popular style of networking involves seeking informational interviews.Your purpose here would be to get an appointment with executives and ask them to share with you some information about their industry challenges.

Naturally, if you happened to be well connected, and you maintained a list of contacts into the hundreds, that could help give you a fast start.Unfortunately, the problem with this is that it usually takes a long time. And, some people fi nd it demeaning to approach friends and acquaintances to ask for help in fi nding a new career position.

Nevertheless, it does work if you have the time and inclination to approach your job search this way. Hopefully, some of your discussions will result in referrals to another executive who might have something for you… and be able to use your talents.

While this traditional networking can work, besides taking time, networking people with a new job in mind has become overworked. Just about every executive has been networked over and over again. What’s more, who has 45 minutes to an hour to devote to someone else? Or even 30 minutes?

Networking the new way:

The growth of the Internet and social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Zoominfo, Zing and others, combined with personal marketing websites and the use of email… are ushering in a new era of networking. And, it is a much easier and more effective way to network.

All you need are some superior resumes and an attractive personal marketing website that display your formal credentials, accomplishments and transferable skills in an impressive way. Then, instead of asking for “an informational interview,” you can just send off a well designed email with a link to your website.

People on the receiving end will get it and be impressed and you will have their time. And, you can use this method to contact hundreds of people in a very short time… people who have a high probability of being able to help you.What kind of people?

I’m not suggesting that you do this with your genuine personal contacts and real friends, who will look forward to visiting with you on a personal basis. However, they would also be very interested in seeing your personal marketing website.

January 16, 2012

CEO Job Network and Reaching People

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Admin @ 7:37 pm

Today there are more options than ever to network. If you think you know them all, there is a chance you do, but most likely a new one has just started, which is the new rage. You need to know all the best ways to reach people if you want to network for the chance to be in the best place for a great job opportunity. The old fashion ways of drinks and golf are nice and still work, but there is so much more you can be doing.

The growth of the Internet and social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Zoominfo, Zing and others, combined with personal marketing websites and the use of email… are ushering in a new era of networking. And, it is a much easier and more effective way to network.

All you need are some superior resumes and an attractive personal marketing website that display your formal credentials, accomplishments and transferable skills in an impressive way. Then, instead of asking for “an informational interview,” you can just send off a well designed email with a link to your website.

People on the receiving end will get it and be impressed and you will have their time. And, you can use this method to contact hundreds of people in a very short time… people who have a high probability of being able to help you.

What kind of people? I’m not suggesting that you do this with your genuine personal contacts and real friends, who will look forward to visiting with you on a personal basis. However, they would also be very interested in seeing your personal marketing website.

You can also target industries of interest and get contact information on key executives who would be good targets. Infl uential alumni have also proven to be very responsive to this approach. Other possibilities to contact include executive directors of associations who have many “lines” into their industries.

Editors of business magazines and newsletters may also have an inside track on the needs of specifi c organizations.Other good executives to target can be those who have been quoted in articles. This makes an introduction easy and natural.

Also be sure to track down lost contacts in past organizations. As far as informational interviews go, you can do that while abiding by some time tested rules. For example, your discussions must be kept brief, and you need to have your list of questions prepared. You will do better when you have researched a fi rm and are asking for feedback on ideas that may benefit them.

January 9, 2012

CEO Job Network and Contacts

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 1:55 am

When you are looking for a CEO or executive level career, remember to make all the contact you can in very fashion there is. People tend to think they have  enough contacts or have the best fashion of making contacts, so they may overlook the best ways to open new doors.

Why does direct mail work?

Every day we all receive direct mail. However bad junk mail looks, the ones you see again and again are working; otherwise, the senders wouldn’t be wasting their money.

One thing that makes it work in many cases is that long copy is used. That’s what it takes to motivate all of us to action from unasked-for correspondence. Here’s an example. Let’s say a lawn mower shop has a new product. And you and your next door neighbor are both out cutting your lawns on a hot day. However, your lawn mower breaks down. Then, the mail carrier arrives at both residences with mail that tells you all about a new lawn mower. It gives a long explanation of why it’s superior.

Now, your neighbor will look at the mailing piece for two seconds and toss it. He isn’t in the market for a lawn mower. On the other hand, they have reached you at the right time, you are likely to read it. Now when you job hunt, your situation is similar. You need to reach the right person. No one else counts.

Some people don’t believe in direct employer contact. They think that anything you send to an employer is thrown away. Certainly, this has some truth, since the great majority will throw away your materials in seconds. But if you’ve ever needed someone with certain skills… then you know you want the easiest way to fi nd a good candidate. And if a good resume or letter reached you at the right time, you would take action on it.

Sending the right materials… to the right person… will get the attention of some decision makers. But, timing is very critical. You need to reach a decision maker that might be looking for someone like you. Even if your timing is bad, companies scan the resumes of the better candidates into their database. Then, as they develop a need… this is usually the fi rst place they turn. Contacting employers directly allows you to reach potential buyers quickly. If you want… you can reach the entire universe of all your best prospects.

January 1, 2012

CEO Job Network and Basic Tips

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Interviewing,Network,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 7:20 pm

Yes, after you have been an executive and CEO, your name will carry more weight in your industry. This will of course work in your favor when looking for a new job. However, do not make this mistake of thinking networking alone will open all the doors for you. There is more that can be done to give you all the best opportunities when looking for a new corporation or business to be a part of for the future.

There are a lot of discouraged job seekers out there, with good reason.  Job recovery is lagging behind economic recovery.

 

But there are still over 4 million good jobs going unfilled.  So how do you get considered for them if you’ve gotten no responses from answering ads and your personal network is limited?  Take heart.

 

Most people never distribute more than 100 resumes, contact just a few recruiters, and don’t network effectively.  They aren’t even aware of creative things they could do, so they should be encouraged because there is still a lot they can do.   Here are some things to keep in mind:

 

Use Active Approaches, not Just Passive

Answering ads and going to recruiters who advertise are passive approaches, where the employer takes all the initiative to make the opening known, and you throw your hat in the ring along with hundreds of others.  The odds are high.  Why limit yourself to them?

 

Instead, take the initiative.  Contact employers who have not advertised, but are the most likely to need your talents.  Before a job ever gets advertised, it is often filled by referrals, networking, recruiting from competitor firms, or a letter hits the desk of the decision maker at just the right time.  It could be yours.

 

You need to contact a lot of employers because only two or three out of 100 will have a need at the moment you contact them.  SET makes it easy to identify hundreds of prime target companies and decision makers, so people can “beat the odds,” “but even without our technology, if you are willing to put in the hours of research, you can uncover a lot of good prospects.”

 

Get Creative in Your Networking

Instead of just asking a few friends to let you know if they hear of anything, get creative.  Develop some ideas about how you can make contributions to employers, in light of trends in their industry.  Then identify key people in companies in the industry, and write them, letting them know you’d appreciate feedback from a knowledgeable industry source as to whether your ideas make sense.

 

When you follow up on the phone, even if they don’t think much of what you proposed, you’ve added to your network!  You can thank them and ask if there is anyone else they’d advise you to talk with, or any actions they’d recommend.


 

 

December 23, 2011

CEO Job Network and Man of Action

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network,Portfolio,Unemployed — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 4:25 pm

You have always been a person of action, that is why you have risen to the top. Now that you are here, you can’t stop. When looking for your next great career opportunity, you need to be a man of action with a plan of action . This is the best way to have the most success in your search for a great CEO-executive career choice.

Over the years, we have seen equally talented people produce widely varying results. One will struggle while the other moves with speed. Those who move rapidly usually have had the benefit of a game plan—a step-by-step track to follow.

In today’s competitive arena most people will never get enough interviews with a hit-or-miss approach. This leaves too much to fate. Think of it this way. Chances are you’re marketing a “product” with millions of dollars of earnings capacity remaining in your career. That much value deserves your best effort. Besides, job hunting is a numbers game. So, why take a chance at doing a lot of things haphazardly, without a well-designed plan?

Since job hunting is a matter of having the numbers on your side, your action plan should be targeted to produce 25 to 35 responses that result in a phone discussion. The goal is to have several offers maturing at the same time, and you have to be realistic about rejections in the interview process.

Similar to any company who is about to market a new product,  a good plan can cut job hunting time in half and save money. It also helps people produce better results, and when people generate a lot of activity in a concentrated time period, they feel better and do better. Much better.

To begin with… (1) Surface the right information about yourself and set clear goals; (2) pinpoint what you should be marketing, especially your transferable skills; (3) identify industry alternatives to target; (4) if you have liabilities, you need strategies to neutralize them; and (5) you need a step-by-step game plan… an action agenda… to get your story told to all the right people. Here’s a recap of what our plans cover:

Job hunting goals: Surface all critical information about yourself and then decide on the goals that will advance your career. This includes specifi c job titles and income goals.

Liabilities & solutions: You need to identify liability issues that might restrict your success… and arrive at ways for minimizing their impact in all written materials and conversations.

Assets, transferable skills & how to market them: All of your assets and skills need to be identified. Then, they need to be incorporated into your resume and letters, and your personal marketing website.

Industry alternatives: More and more people are changing industries. The key is to identify industries with characteristics that match those where you have experience.

Action plan for getting interviews: You want to lay out a step-bystep plan… a weekly agenda… that will guide your search. This is your complete track… a game plan. This includes a plan for interviewing and negotiating (your approach to these important matters)… which should be decided on in advance.

November 26, 2011

CEO Job Network and the Change

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 2:08 am

A great opportunity may not always come from a job title that existed before. In this day and age, talents are at an all time high with technology knowledge, so positions are being created for those talented enough. This fact is the same with CEOs. Although a CEO position is not created, the face of that position will change with the talents of the person who will best fit it.

Keep in mind this simple thought. We all hire top people when we are persuaded that the benefits of having them on board will sufficiently outweigh the dollar cost.You can get offers, even if no job openings are said to exist. You simply need to present yourself as a solution to a problem.

The “create a job” approach is for executives who want a job tailored to their best abilities. A few examples might include an executive who can develop new products for a company, a sales executive with contacts in particular markets or a general manager who can start up a division in a specific industry.

Aside from executives, the “create a job” approach can also be considered by anyone who may have difficulty winning offers through other means. This includes those who have a narrow market for their talents, people who wish to change industries, or those who have been unemployed for a while or who want to stay in a specific geographic or industry area.In these situations, to win the job you want, you may have to create it by making an employer aware of your ability to make contributions.

The following pages will give you some guiding principles as you consider this approach. You must focus on small to medium sized firms, go directly to people with the authority to create jobs, have a clear benefit proposition, take strong initiatives in your first meetings, and stir the employer’s imagination.
The first principle to understand is that to have your best chance at creating a job, your highest probability targets are likely to be small to medium sized companies. This includes firms that are growing rapidly, bringing out new products, forming new divisions, acquiring other companies or reorganizing.

These are the firms that need good people, often from other industries. They are free to move quickly. Large corporations are the least likely to respond to this approach. Budgets are usually allocated far in advance, and hiring practices tend to be relatively slow and methodical.

Of course, there are exceptions. All you need to do is assess your talents and contact the firms most likely to need you, regardless of their size. And if you know a market well or have talents in a particular function, just consider the industries where they would apply.

November 12, 2011

Knowing What You Want and CEO Job Network

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 1:17 am

At this point in your career it is all about knowing what you want. You have the skills and the work history to go as far as you please, but that doesn’t mean you know what you want. This is key in following that path that is your executive future.

Do you want to be a consultant?

The field has seen tremendous growth. If you decide to become a practicing consultant, your perceived professionalism will be very important. Thousands of people begin thriving consulting practices each year. Recognize that you will need some form of specialty if you are to get off to a fast start. For those attracted to consulting, remember, the knowledge you have to offer must somehow be sold. Success rests squarely on your ability to attract and keep clients. And, the biggest reason for failure is that people don’t foresee the business development effort required.

If selling is not your suit, but you feel you have a great deal to offer, you will have to attract one or more partners or employees who will sell your services. Some of the most popular consulting specialties include finance, marketing, new product development, IT and systems, executive search and outplacement, cost reduction, and public relations. There is also good activity in labor relations, engineering, design, and other technical disciplines.

If you would rather join an existing firm, there are thousands of organizations that can benefit from adding new talent. It is an easier way to get started than striking out on your own. Regardless of the type of consulting you choose, remember that the special knowledge that makes a consultant valuable today may be obsolete in a few years. So you’ll need to keep current. If you enjoy variety and intellectual challenge, consulting could be your right move.Could you work as a producer?Producers bring in business. Some examples include recruiters, financial planners, stockbrokers, real estate brokers and outplacement specialists.

If you have contacts and need a shift, this role can be attractive. There are opportunities for producers in every discipline. The key is to focus on something you can do well, and that you enjoy doing.Can you make an investment in some form of ownership?Some executives have capital and look to find an opportunity where their efforts and capital can be joined to offer them entrepreneurial rewards. Perhaps you have some ideas about improving a product or product line that is already being marketed. Or, you may be able to put together financing for a firm’s needs. Your ability to raise capital from VCs, private investors or even friends could be critical.

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