Career Development
the crown in the business world right now when it comes to social media.
4. Be a Business. Position yourself as a resource, and
approach the market as a business con- sultant, not as a ”needy” job seeker. Job seekers tend to put companies on the de- fensive unless it’s a situation where they have found you to fill a need. It is much easier to stride through the corporate door as a resource than as an out-of-work exe- cutive. Remember that in this world of short-term work, you will move back and forth from employee to consultant to em- ployee, perhaps peppered with stints as an entrepreneur or a future in ”portfolio work,” using your core strengths and ex- periences over multiple income streams. If you’re in a traditional job, always be
prepared with a back-up, like teaching, that you are equipped to jump into, should your current position no longer be availa- ble. Approaching your work as a business can put you in the driver’s seat.
5. Assemble a Board of Advisors.
In his best-selling book, Keith Ferrazzi
advises that you put together your own permanent ”job search board.” Start with an individual who wants to join you for weekly or bimonthly breakfast meetings. Once you’re comfortable and have estab- lished the routine, you should each invite another person to join. Down the line, the four of you can invite more people until the group maxes out at 8 to 10 members, for the best results. The more diverse the group is, the more benefits it can provide.
Continue to attend the meetings when you have a traditional job; networking is a lifelong activity that will only be there when you need it if you cultivate the rela- tionships over time.
6. Get Organized. Keep records of all your contacts, in-
cluding how and when you met them and a word or two about their strengths. Store the information by category in a database program like Outlook or a website like LinkedIn. Organize your schedule to in- clude meetings, events, reading and rese- arch, exercise, meals, food and fun. Keep manilla files for important projects, spe- cial people, events, saved content, reading material and marketing. Instead of hoard- ing e-mail, get in the habit of printing, sorting and deleting them. Put the appro- priate items in ”action” and ”later review” files. Use e-mail to continually connect with your network and save new contacts. When you’re in transition, you should be sending out a minimum of 8 to 10 update e-mails each weekday.
7. Shape Up, Mentally and Physically.
It’s never been so important to remain
at the top of your game, both mentally and physically. Our fast-paced, ”always con- nected” business environment demands it. Exercise at least 4 or 5 times a week. Eat healthy, low-fat and low-carb meals focu- sed on protein. Meditate daily, even just for 15 minutes of ”mind rest” every mor- ning before you start the day. Focus exclu- sively on the positive, and you’ll continue to think more positively all day long. Just remember that opportunity may
take a different form than it has in the past. Be prepared to identify and even create the opportunities you desire. Change is the only constant. Even in tough times, people are promoted, moving, retiring... Opportunity abounds, even in the depths of a downturn in the economy. Use these seven secrets to make sure you’re ready when it does.
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The Black E.O.E. Journal
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