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

October 14, 2011

Opportunities and CEO Job Network

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 11:25 pm

If you don’t know all the opportunities that are out there, you are bound to miss out. At your level you need to know all that is going on when it comes to a spot you would be perfect for in a company.

Every day, events occur in tens of thousands of firms that lead decision makers to begin the process of privately looking for new people. These events are often reported in local and national publications, newsletters and online. They are essentially signals of emerging jobs… and that hiring will soon follow. What kinds of news events signal emerging jobs?

*An employer receiving new capital

*A firm kicking off a new productn Executive appointments

*Word of new local business operations.

*New contracts being awardedn Planned relocations

*Major licensing agreements

*Announcements of growth expectation

*Announcements of record sales & profits

For companies undergoing transitions, chances are they will need to attract good people to handle problems or capitalize on their opportunities. Their activities won’t just be limited to one or two functions. They can be expected to need people in all categories: sales, marketing, finance, etc. What’s more, these situations will generally be much less competitive than public openings.

Ripple effect thinking

When you read about a company that is giving out signals that they may be hiring at an above-average rate, don’t stop at the obvious implications. Use what we refer to as “ripple effect thinking.” This is simply taking the time to think about changes that may be occurring in the company up and down the line and across many functions.You may also get some good ideas about using information to find opportunities with a company’s suppliers, customers and even their competitors. Consider the following example.

An obvious “emerging” opportunity

You read that a firm is starting a new division to sell a revolutionary cell phone… one that can compete with the iPhone and the Blackberry. The obvious implications are that this company could very well need people in marketing and sales. Since it’s a new division, you might also expect that there will be some need for finance people as well.If you’re a design engineer, you might also project a need for that capability to support the design effort. Those possibilities would be real enough, but now let’s use “ripple effect thinking” to see if we can infer some other needs. If you’re an industrial engineer with knowledge in this product area, you know this concept will concern competitors. You might contact them to help in the new product area.

October 7, 2011

Easy Networking and CEO Job Network

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Admin @ 9:09 pm

The more you network, the better. No matter how high up on the ladder you get, you always need to know someone a little higher up there. Making contacts and having people in the right places will help you down the road when you are looking for that next great opportunity.

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 find it demeaning to approach friends and acquaintances to ask for help in finding 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 wayThe 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.Our client handbook 61People 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.But we all have what I refer to as acquaintances on another level.

Here I’m referring to people who might be golfing partners, politicians, lawyers, ministers, investment bankers, etc., people who might legitimately be able to easily refer us to others based on a short telephone call (after seeing your personal marketing website).

 

August 19, 2011

A Little Easier

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 9:08 pm

Anything you can to meet people and make contacts is gong to be huge through the course of your career as an executive. No matter where technology takes us, the human interaction is still supreme and needs to be doe often in order to keep with with the amount of faces you will meet while an executive and CEO.

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 find it demeaning to approach friends and acquaintances to ask for help in finding 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?

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.

 

August 10, 2011

See the Sites, then Join

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network,Network — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 1:33 pm

Think Facebook, Twitter and blogging are just fads your children are into?

Think again.

In this day of technology and communications growing at rapid speed, you must know all the social channels for creative approaches to making contact with an employer.

Whether you are looking for employment, or want to advice at another company, social networking is a key into today’s market.

Facebook

In the article “Businesses but best Facebook forward,” appearing in the Denver Post a few months ago, businesses interviewed said they are turning to Facebook to market new products and to look for possible employees. This means social networking has gotten to a point where employment may actually be seeking you — don’t miss out.

Facebook not allows you not just to stay in touch with friends from college and past jobs, but also to discover more businesses and to sell your skills to those who are looking.

Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help, even if is your own children. Knowing how to network, and where information is these days, is imperative, but also simple once you know your way around.

Twitter and Blogs

Use all the tools at your fingertips when looking to make contact for employment or better opportunities. Read blogs by companies you want to become a part of, and follow updates on business and economy news by joining Twitter. Use these sources to contact jobs if you have skills that are being sought.

Don’t get left behind because you think social media is a fad, it’s not. Not only is it here to stay, it is going to become stronger and become even more prevalent in how we operate as a society.

Jump on the social networking bandwagon now and begin to see where the job market and businesses are going.

How It’s Done

The sites, Facebook and Twitter, are all free to become a member of and relatively easy to join, it’s just a matter of getting started.

Begin with just one site; Facebook. Set up a profile. Once done, search for a company you’d like to work for. Do they have a page? Odds are they do, which is full of information you probably wouldn’t see other places.

Now you have begun to make your repertoire even stronger to look for employment. The more you get your name out there, the better. Don’t be the invisible man looking for work, get your name and face out there every way available to you.

 

June 20, 2011

Know What’s Out There

Filed under: Advice,Network,Portfolio — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 5:44 pm

Knowing all that you can do is vital to your success, but knowing all the options and opportunities out is what is going to take you the furthest.

Transition to a new industry is easier than it used to be. Historically, people have overrated the barriers and underrated their abilities to move into new areas. The vast majority of all new jobs are created by small and mid-sized businesses. So, while major employers are still important, you may want to explore positions with startups or emerging companies.

If you choose the right industry, you will have more growth opportunities, perhaps meaningful stock options, an environment that is likely to be more positive, a chance for more regular pay increases and probably advancement.

Identifying new industry options

The first way to do this is to increase your awareness of the fastest growing industries and companies. These firms have to go outside their industry to find the best talent and skills. The second way is to list characteristics of your industries, and find similar industries. We use software to compare your industry’s characteristics with 2,500 others,  e.g., 35 industries may be an 85% match.

Keep in mind that projecting some form of an “industry hook” is the next best thing to having industry experience. Group your possibilities three ways:

(1) close industry hooks, easy possibilities

(2) medium industry hooks, next best

(3) far reach or stretch industry hooks.

When changing industries, you also don’t want to overlook your leverage power, the added benefits you may bring by virtue of your contacts or knowledge. You may be able to bring a team with you that helped in similar situations. Despite our recent economic slowdown, new companies have sprung up throughout America. Established organizations are reexamining the way they do business. Medium-sized companies are expanding. New industries exist that are employing tens of thousands.

The more you appear to know about an industry, the easier it is to generate interviews. Virtually all employers look for “common ground” when hiring a new person. For example, do you have experience in or knowledge of similar product lines, distribution channels, manufacturing methods or problems in their industry? There can be other similarities. Consider the scope of operations, the role of advertising and promotion, the importance of the sales organization, the influence of labor, and other items.

Naturally, the harder it is to demonstrate knowledge of an industry, the less likely an executive is to make a move into it. That rule applies to all major disciplines: sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing and operations. It is less importantin staff disciplines.

May 23, 2011

Beyond Limits

Filed under: Advice,Network — Tags: , , , , , — Admin @ 7:50 pm

Don’t make the mistake of holding yourself back by not knowing your limits and assuming you have them to begin with.  At your level, you need to know all you can do, and then some, to continue at the same, if not greater, level of success.

People in healthcare and energy might not be interested in considering other industries, since so many good jobs are being created there. But are they missing something?  And for everyone else, why would you want to limit yourself to just one industry?

Executives in administration, HR, accounting, finance and legal functions, switching industries is often not a problem. But others face a challenge because they usually have no experience and little knowledge about other industries. Still, they can improve their chances dramatically by doing five things.

1. Identify industries similar to yours

You’ll need to put some time in on search engines, but this is important and worth the effort. Search for names of industry trade magazines that interest you.

2. Know and sell your transferable skills

This is equally important. Ask yourself, what skills do I have that could be put to use in a target industry. There is always more you can do than you either have realized or have given yourself credit for, now is the time to get it all out on the table.

3. Develop your selling proposition

This is a brief statement of the major benefits you bring to an employer. The more specific the better.  Can you help them open new markets, develop new products, increase sales, cut costs in some area, or develop important new IT capabilities?

4. Identify enough possibilities in industries of interest

You have to contact enough good prospects and the right person. Use all your contacts and network. From other executives to golfing buddies, know what you are looking for and go after it with the information you receive from those closest and trusted by you.

Knowing what you are worth is more than trying to figure out a price tag for your skills. You can’t truly even get to that point if you are missing out on a spot in a new industry that you may be more suited for than pervious. Once this is the case, then that price tag figure will really go up and that is when you play hardball in the salary negations. Be successful and break those limits.

March 28, 2011

Taking Action

Filed under: Advice,Network — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 5:10 pm

Creating a personal marketing plan will give you more insight into the current job market and put the numbers in your favor.  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, resulting 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.

To begin with:

1. Surface the right information about yourself and set clear goals. Take all the ciritial information from your career past, making sure you highlight the strongest selling points.

2. Pinpoint what you should be marketing, especially your transferable skills. See what you can do as a professional that can crossover. Just because some of your skills are not sought for a specific job, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be highly valued once discovered by the employer.

3. Identify industry alternatives to target. Read and see what else is out there. Are there new industries where you would fit well? Discover if you have the skill set to completely crossover into a different industry where you will become even more successful.

4.  If you have liabilities, you need strategies to neutralize them. Find out if there are liabilities on your resume that are holding you back. Examples are periods of unemployment and lesser degrees of job titles as you’ve moved forward, rather than the other way around.

5.  You need a step-by-step game plan — an action agenda —to get your story told to all the right people.  You want to lay out a step-by-step 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.

It has been proven people who have an action plan have a much better chance of getting hired to that next big firm because they have all their assets at their fingertips. What’s more, they have found all their strongest selling points and were able to neturalize their liabilities, making them look like a dream candidate. In addition, while putting the plan together, you take a hard look at yourself and realize skills and other attributes you may not have thought of when valuing your abilities in the past. Have a plan of action, a personal marketing plan.

 

March 23, 2011

The Social Network

Filed under: Network — Tags: , , , — Admin @ 8:23 pm

It’s no secret everyone seems to be on a social network, such as Facebook, these days in order to keep in touch with friends and family. Yet, did you now businesses are taking full advantage of these pages, as are those job hunting? Social networking sites are only gaining momentum, so it’s time to jump on board if you haven’t already. To put it another way, Time magazine reported Facebook made nearly $800 million in revenue in 2010.

If you are looking for your next career opportunity, it would be advantageous to become a member of some of these networking sites. Another site used specifically for career networking is LinkedIn. LinkedIn reports more than 100 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Yeah, it’s become substantial.

Networking has become so much more than just meeting with people for a drink and talking business. Not to mention the fact plenty of people are still looking for work as the economy and market recovers, so it’s important to have as many assets at your disposal as possible.

Get on some of the social networking sites and see if your previous companies are on there. Odds are, they have pages. Now check out some of their followers, anyone you know? The Wall Street Journal recently did a story stating businesses, big and small, are doing more than ever with their social media pages as they have become more prominent than their websites.

So start connecting. First, you never know who you will bump into on these pages. You will find old friends and co-workers. That right there has just increased your chances of getting a lead on a job. There are also links to blogs on these pages, which will give you better insight on the changing of the market and what companies are looking for in applicants.  Any position that has to do with communications will required some amount of social media knowledge, so for some, these skills are make or break.

The biggest mistake you can make in your job networking is to underestimate the importance of social media. Add all you can to your repertoire and better you chances of landing a great job, quickly.

It works, and works well, as long as you treat this fashion of networking the same as you would networking in person. Once on, you need to be an active member. Also, just as networking in person, first impressions last forever, so make  sure your pages represent who you are and what you have to offer. You never know who might be looking at them.

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