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

August 11, 2011

True Help and Inspiration with ERI

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 4:23 pm

It is not always enough to have the tools you need when looking for a job, but to also have someone who is a great guide and offers encouragement when needed. I decided to do an extra blog this week on this topic because I was so impressed with a letter I recently received from a woman who said the help and guidance she was given from ERI Personal Marketing is what made all the difference in finding her current job, where she is earning $250,000 a year.

Bonnie Nelson said she needed the support and advice from the staff at ERI in order to get the job she wanted in the industry she had been in all of her life. She said her greatest resource while looking for work was her career coach at ERI, which she referred to in her letter a “the angel on her shoulder.”  That told me that her career coach made a huge difference in her finding success in a high-paying career. She said she had no complaints even though finding work is stressful.

Having the staff be there whenever she needed them and knowing that she had the full support of all she needed, when she needed it, is what Nelson said gave her the greatest aid when finding work. She said she would have found success with just the tools alone that ERI offered, but it was also important to have people who helped her persevere while not getting too down concerning the hard road that is finding employment in a struggling economy.

Nelson said she is making more money than she had been since she entered her industry and was able to get a great benefits package as well. She said there is always opportunity for those who seek it, it is just a matter of seeking the aid of those, like at ERI, who can help propel you back into the working world.

The important part is to not get too down or be too hard on yourself, Nelson said. Having a great support system, like Nelson received at ERI, made all the difference in her success.

For more information on ERI Personal Marketing, visit executiveresumes.com.

 

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.

 

July 27, 2011

Map out a Plan

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network — Tags: , , , , , , , — Admin @ 5:14 pm

No matter how much experience you have, and how many executives you’ve lead, you have got to have a plan when you are looking for the next amazing career opportunity. A plan needs to be put in place. The best chance of finding success in the shortest amount of time with be done with a plan set in motion.

It may surprise you, but many people actually pursue the wrong job titles. However, if they understood their real transferable skills, they could be repositioned for different goals, and sometimes for much more advancement than they thought possible. Regardless of your most recent position, you need to think of yourself as “one of a kind” with diverse potentials.

We all have seen many career fields change dramatically over the last decade. Fields that once offered great opportunity have become financially confining with limited growth possibilities.

Does print advertising offer the same career possibilities as it did a decade ago? Does selling in the steel industry? Does being a doctor and a general practitioner? Career fields change at a much faster pace than most people realize. Experience has proven that if you take a narrow view of yourself, you could be making a mistake. For example, if you see yourself as a specialist (e.g., a banker), you may believe you are locked into a given career. On the other hand, you may feel you have few options because you are too much of a generalist.

More and more professionals are finding that they can have several different careers over the course of a lifetime. Sometimes you can’t see them and you stumble into them. Someone could be a radio sports broadcaster, then become an actor, then a politician and subsequently governor of a major state and president of the United States (Ronald Reagan). And, of course, we all know many other examples, many famous and millions not so famous, but successful at many levels.

It may be that you should consider positioning yourself for more than one possible goal at this time, and running what we refer to as a “dual campaign.” For example, a logical step may be seeking a new job as a VP of Marketing. But you might also have accumulated knowledge and experience that would allow you to seek a position as a General Manager, or perhaps Chief Operating Officer, or even Chief Executive Officer in the right type of organization, in the right industry. Or you may wish to run a search for a higher paying job as a sales producer, while also exploring situations to move into a sales management role.

 

 

July 11, 2011

Be Social

Filed under: Advice,CEO Job Network — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 7:12 pm

To truly know all your options, you have to look at every area where you could find a lead on a great job as a CEO.

Now is the time to take full advantage of social networking websites, which are no longer just for keeping track of friends, but can help secure employment.

Sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have evolved from a way to keep track of people in your life, to an arena where businesses promote both products and career opportunities.

Finding gainful employment in any economy, in any position, is knowing all the paths available to you on your search.

Now is the time for people to educate themselves on the growing changes in how networking is done. It’s no longer simply done over chance meetings or drinks; it’s now on the Internet as well.

Some people may feel a bit intimidated with the new social media outlets, but that is a feeling that must be overcome in order to optimize all the opportunities to find employment.

It’s OK to ask for help when getting started with anything new and social networking is no exception.

So why has social networking grown so large so quickly? In August, users for the first time spent more time on Facebook than on Google and Yahoo sites, according to data from research firm ComScore. A year ago, users spent twice as much time on Google sites than on Facebook, which requires users to be registered with the site, the Denver Post reported.

Even websites like Twitter, where people update the world about things like the awesome caramel they just ate, apply to job seekers.  an example of how it can work for you is, if you get laid off, and you post (on Twitter) that you just lost your job and now the 5,000 people following you know you are looking,  said Andrew Hudson, a longtime Denver public relations specialist who runs a website that lists job openings in public relations, marketing and advertising, among other fields (andrewhudsonsjobslist .com).

For that strategy to work, you first need that big group of followers. That is why it pays, said Hudson, to fixate upon self-preservation and networking — whether or not you are employed — in this rotten job market.

The technology boom can be overwhelming, but it is Ok to ask for help from professionals who know the ropes or others, such as your children, who use social networking sites everyday.

 

June 27, 2011

Sit Tight

Filed under: Advice,Interviewing — Tags: , , , , — Admin @ 5:27 pm

No matter how impressive your resume and prior experience are, the interview is where you are going to close when attempting to become the next CEO of a company. You have to know that this is when you are going to show a room full of executives that you are the person who is best suited to lead the company in to a successful future endeavor.

In addition to the interview, your negotiation skills have to be immensely shape to get all that you are worth once you are sitting  in the big chair.

Since most people seldom face a personal negotiating experience, it should come as no surprise that few of us are real experts at negotiating for ourselves. While they may be excellent company negotiators, we have seen many strong people leave serious money on the table when it came to negotiating their own package.

Now, the first thing you need to decide is when to start a negotiation process. Some people mistakenly think negotiation is a continuous selling situation that occurs throughout their interviews. However, before you ever attempt to negotiate, you have to make sure that the employer is “sold on you.” Once an offer has been presented, you can’t negotiate unless there is some hope you can get the employer to offer new terms. You need to sense this on an individual basis. That’s where negotiations begin.

Coming to grips with what should be negotiated is, of course, different for everyone. Not too long ago we handled a marketing executive from Kellogg in Michigan. His primary goal was to have his family move to a new area that met outdoor lifestyle requirements, and he started by suggesting to us that a 20 percent reduction in income would be acceptable.

However, after a three-month search, he accepted a top position in Boca Raton. When we finished helping with his negotiations, his compensation ended up 15 percent higher, and he received a signing bonus, as well. Another executive was with J & J. He wanted out of the major corporate environment. He left his large company career behind when he landed with a venture capital group. His assignment was to oversee ventures that the firm funded by serving as acting CEO. He was to complete the initial setup, find a permanent CEO, and then move on to another assignment, but remain on the board. Based in Castle Pines, Colorado, he will handle two ventures simultaneously for six-month periods—eight over two years. His base of $200,000 was a decrease, but if just one firm goes public, his equity benefit will be in the many millions.

 

 

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.

June 13, 2011

The Letter

Filed under: Advice,Portfolio — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 3:29 pm

At your level, a resume may not be enough to make other executives see that you are the man they want in the driver’s seat. Yet, an executive letter changes the game for you as you look for that next great opportunity.

Today, the number of resumes in circulation exceeds the imagination. GE receives 800,000 resumes a year, but they only hire about 4,000 people. That’s 1 out of every 200. Other well-known firms say they get over 1,000 resumes for every opening. And, when it comes to submitting your resume to an attractive ad, you should know that employers are now getting hundreds of candidates. Leading recruiters, like Korn Ferry and Heidrick and Struggles, now claim to receive more than 1,500 resumes a work day, 30,000 each month.

Despite the enormous competition, many people create a resume, show it to some friends or family members and then assume it’s fine. Ann Landers is famous for many quotes, but one applies here. “Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” While many professionals still use traditional resumes, with this amount of competition, the fact is they don’t work very well anymore. The reason is that most of these resumes have common weaknesses that can restrict job hunting success.

Letters, along with a resume, will show you in a different light.  Certain people who must avoid revealing liabilities should use personalized letters, but they need to be focused and motivating. Custom benefit letters, tailored to the needs of organizations, can be highly effective. Typically letters are created for the following 12 different occasions:

* For responding to openings

* For contacting recruiters

* For contacting venture capitalists

* For responding to emerging jobs

* For direct contact with employers

* For third-party letters to employers

* For contacting directors of associations

* For networking associates and friends

* For networking alumni

* For networking influential people

* For setting up potential references

* For following up your interviews

You can’t have a resume and letter that forces the reader to try to figure out how to use you. If so, you won’t get many calls. Why? Because people simply won’t take the time to study resumes. They’ll put it in the “no pile” or toss it. Your resume and letter have just 20 seconds to make your case and get people to read further, or, better yet, call you. If it doesn’t do this, you won’t even get in the game.


June 6, 2011

The Fashions of a Successful Resume

Filed under: Advice — Tags: , , , , , , — Admin @ 1:29 pm

No matter what your skills or experience, at your level you are still going to need to impress people with how all your information is presented. You resume tells everything about you work wise to land a tremendous job, but if it is not constructed in the right way, it can be less powerful when viewed by executives.

There are different resume styles for different approaches to landing a six-figure job or being the head of the company.

An “interview” resume – An interview resume is 2 to 3 pages. It is for presentation during or after interviews and reveals more about you when employers want to know more. If you used this too early to develop interviews, it might not work well since it would reveal many more details about your industry background. (If you have an executive biography, you would not need this resume.)

An executive biography – This is a 3 to 5 page narrative document, written in a third-person style. It uses interesting stories, rich in detail, and is favored by top recruiters and senior executives. Today, these are the “Mercedes of presentations.” Those seeking $150,000 to 1 million dollars+ should have one. Decision makers often forward resumes to others to get consensus. And sometimes, you never meet the top people, but nevertheless they will often review your resume. The offer depends on a “thumbs up” from the resume presentation.

A universal resume – The most essential is a universal resume—a one-page document that will be your introductory resume. Most people mistakenly believe that they need to tell their whole story in their initial resume. The reality is that you get better results when your initial resume is interesting, with a feeling of action—but short. This resume must be suitable for key word scanning, have short paragraphs, and be compelling. It must be headlined by a job title listing (e.g., Director of Marketing) that an employer might have available. Remember, your resume is an ad, not an epitaph.

An “Internet (or electronic)” resume – This second resume needs to be a narrative… usually no more than two-thirds of one page. It is surprising how few devote any thought to the way their resumes appear at the receiving end of an email transmission. When you are online, less is more. All you want is a positive response.

A “quick-response” resume – This third resume makes it easy for you to respond quickly to emerging situations you read about. It positions the text on the right-hand side of the page so you can write handwritten notes and dispatch a resume without a cover letter.

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.

April 25, 2011

Power of the Phone

Filed under: Advice — Tags: , , , , , — Admin @ 6:20 pm

In this high-tech world the phone may not seem as important as the Internet, but the phone can still wield the power to land you a great job with a top firm.

This can be a fast way to get the right interviews, and using the phone is easier than you think. Of course, some people are totally confident in their ability to use the phone. However, 90% of all job seekers are reluctant to make a “cold call.”

Believe it or not, it’s a mostly friendly and helpful world out there. Most executives are courteous and polite and go out of their way to project a good image of themselves and their company. The same holds true for others such as secretaries or administrative assistants. Still, there is a certain misconception that all secretaries and assistants will always keep you from speaking with their bosses. They do screen calls, but it is part of their job to make sure that contact is made when appropriate.

Using the phone to set interviews is especially important if you are in a small or mid-sized population area, a market not generally considered to be in the country’s top 100 markets. It’s easy to target your best prospects, and you just need to get into action. And, don’t be deterred if your first call doesn’t get you in the door. If it is a company you would really like to join, just call other executives in the organization.

The are different fashions in which to make a call in order to get ahold of the person you are seeking in the company.

One example is acting very assertive.

“Mary, I was surprised to learn this morning that you had sent my letter addressed to Mr. Jones to your Personnel Department. What happened? My note simply suggested a meeting with Mr. Jones. By now it may be all over the company that I am looking for a job.” This could sound too strong if not said with a smile. If you don’t get the response you need, go on. For example, “What we ought to do is this: I need your help to recover the letter from Personnel and have Mr. Jones look at it himself. Obviously, he is the man I must see. Can we do something about that? Should I write to him again and mention what has happened? Perhaps I could send you a copy with a note to give it to him?” Another way of using this style is to say,  ”I must speak to Mr. Jones right away, Mary. This is serious. Someone has sent a confidential letter that I addressed to him to other people in your organization, and that worries me very much.” This frequently makes the breakthrough, so be ready with your telephone script for him or her.

 

 

 

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