taking charge™ bloghttp://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/en-US2010-03-09T23:38:30ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)holiday hunting: myth busting!http://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/12/3/holiday-hunting-myth-busting.htmlwendy taylor2009-12-03T16:00:48ZThe holidays are a good time to take a break from your job search, right?

Wrong!

Here are five reasons why you should speed up your search, rather than slow it down:

1. For a lot of hiring executives, their 2010 budgets are set in stone now. They need to hire in December to fill those positions they (finally) have budgeted in 2010.

2. For a lot of hiring executives, if they don't spend what's left of their 2009 budget, they lose it for 2010. Can anyone say "hiring bonus"?

3. Many hiring executives curb their travel schedules during the holidays, so it will be possible to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of your networking.

4. A lot of executives and professionals in transition believe the myth and have halted their searches during the holidays. With less competition, you have a leg up.

5. Holiday spirit makes many people more open to meeting new people (think networking), more generous with their time and money (networking and negotiating), and generally more open to change (making a hiring decision).

Keep that search going. You may have a new job by the new year!

]]>holiday hunting: party season!http://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/12/1/holiday-hunting-party-season.htmlwendy taylor2009-12-01T20:00:14ZAnother benefit of the holiday season for the job seeker is the holiday party. Every professional association, Chamber of Commerce, civic association, neighborhood, country club, and church has a holiday event of some kind. Take advantage of the busy calendar and fill your dance card with opportunities to build your network and nurture your network relationships.

Assuming you've done your homework and have a clear value proposition positioned for the current global marketplace AND a solid networking strategy to land your next job, and the one after that, and the next and...

It is time to party.

A few things to keep in mind:

Networking is about relationships, not asking for a job. Which person would you rather talk to: the down-in-the-mouth guy who offers his card to anyone who will take it, and attends every event he can, talking about how he really needs to find a job OR the interesting professional who engages you in conversation and learns more about what is important to you?

Look at every holiday event as an opportunity to grow your network and build relationships.

Yes, I know, you need a job, NOW!

The fastest way to your next job is to grow that network.

Go to those holiday events, meet new people, learn about what makes them tick, and how you can help them. Then, follow up.

Of course, do let them know who your current target companies or leaders are, and see if they can recommend someone you should talk to.

It is that simple. You will leave each party with follow ups and introductions that will grow your network, strengthen your relationships, and shorten your search this time, and the next.

What a gift!

]]>the missing link to recession-proof job searchinghttp://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/4/21/the-missing-link-to-recession-proof-job-searching.htmlwendy taylor2009-04-21T15:00:14ZThe recession has been good to LinkedIn. Check out this article from Fortune: http://tinyurl.com/d9no89 featured in our reading list.

How can LinkedIn make the recession good for you?

1. LinkedIn can help you build your network.

2. LinkedIn can help you build strong relationships in your network.

3. LinkedIn can help you build your value-add offerings.

4. LinkedIn can help you build your credibility and brand as an expert in your field.

5. LinkedIn can help you meet the people who can hire you.

Want more information? Stay tuned.

]]>taking charge!http://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/4/16/taking-charge.htmlwendy taylor2009-04-16T15:00:59ZRecent job numbers have unemployment at 8.5% and 663,000 jobs lost last month. Employment markets are said to lag the overall economy by about 3 months. So, if the economy bottoms in summer or fall, 2009, then the employment markets are likely to bottom by end of 2009.

What does that mean for you?

You need a game plan that recession-proofs your career.

How do you do that? Follow the lead of any good entrepreneur:

1. Know the market. Follow trends. Know what will be hot next year, the year after. Identify blue ocean opportunities and avoid red ocean opportunities.

2. Know your product. In this case, you. What makes you stand out in the crowd? Why should customers (aka employers) buy your product (aka hire you)?

3. Have a strong sales and marketing strategy and execute it.

It is that simple. The keys to taking charge of your career in any economy.

]]>style vs. clothes and shoeshttp://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/4/14/style-vs-clothes-and-shoes.htmlwendy taylor2009-04-14T15:00:52ZIn order to cut through the red tape, and land a job fast, you need to be clear about what you have to offer and who your ideal target companies are. How do you do that? Start with your skills and talents. Do you know what your skills are? What your talents are? Do you know the difference?

Skills are like the clothes and shoes in your closet. They may go out of fashion, or they may be something that survives the trends. You need them, but they aren't necessarily going to last.

Talents are like style. Style is never out of fashion. Neither is talent. Talent, like style, doesn't just survive trends, it thrives, no matter what the trend.

So, do an inventory and know what your skills and talents are. That way you come to every networking event, every informational interview, and every job interview able to offer the value that is uniquely you. Your personal style will come through and you will land your next job fast.

(Editor's note: Special thanks to the client with a passion for fabulous shoes who inspired this analogy.)

]]>following the economic indicatorshttp://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/3/31/following-the-economic-indicators.htmlwendy taylor2009-03-31T15:00:57Z

Okay, so we told you that we think it is important to avoid doom-and-gloom coverage of the economy. That doesn't mean you don't need to pay attention to economic indicators. What's the difference you ask? Simple.

In order to take charge of your career and your economic destiny, you need to be positioning yourself for opportunities in growing geographies, growing sectors, and growing businesses. So pay attention!

For example? Is Idaho the next Silicon Valley? Maybe. If the shoe fits (meaning your passions, interests, skills and talents are in demand in the businesses in Idaho), go for it. And remember, this is a recession, so all normal rules about relocation (I don't want to move my kids, I like where I live now), are off. Your goal is to take charge of your career. Idaho may be the place to be. Check out the article from Entrepreneur Magazine here: http://tinyurl.com/bu66ol

What businesses thrive in a recession? Check out an article on the new economic indicators here: http://tinyurl.com/bu66ol.

Remember, following the economic indicators is the yellow brick road to taking charge of your career. Follow the yellow brick road!

]]>avoiding the interview trap!http://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/3/26/avoiding-the-interview-trap.htmlwendy taylor2009-03-26T15:00:37ZEntrepreneur Magazine's March issue featured "10 Signs not to hire the person you're interviewing" in its +ten [Observations on a cocktail napkin] column. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/dfap85.

Here is our own take on how to avoid falling into this interview trap:

1. Show culturally appropriate respect for the talents and contributions of the company's leadership.

2. Get plenty of rest, exercise, and nutritious food in the 24 hours before an interview. You need to take your A game, so be professional-athlete-ready for the game.

3. Highlight your strengths. Downplay your weaknesses. Presenting yourself in an interview is like putting on make up (my apologies to those of you who have never had this pleasure, but read on and I'll explain). Well-applied make up accentuates your best features, say, for example, your eyes, while downplaying your less attractive features, say, for example, your nose.

4. Be completely focused on the interview and the interviewer. Remove all distractions: your blackberry, cell phone, anything that says, "You, Mr. or Ms. Interviewer, are the most important person in the world to me right now." Is your wife in labor? Your mother having heart surgery? Well, then you shouldn't be in an interview to begin with.

5. Make sure you answer questions in a way that is compelling and forthcoming (without disregarding #3).

6. Compensation, including benefits, is appropriate to discuss when you have an offer on the table.

]]>avoid the gloom-and-doom and have a new attitude!http://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/3/24/avoid-the-gloom-and-doom-and-have-a-new-attitude.htmlwendy taylor2009-03-24T15:00:36ZThe fastest path to NOT land your next job? Stay home, glued to the gloom-and-doom coverage on a Television or Computer screen near you. Check out these great articles: http://tinyurl.com/aqpmfx and http://tinyurl.com/darwbl.

Remember, those talking heads on CNN and their competitors are paid only if people watch their programs. Their goal: create drama, create tension. People watch drama and tension.

But, you're on a mission. We're not telling you to bury your head in the sand. But you've got to take a page from the great sales people you know.

What would you do if you wanted to be a successful sales person?

1. Know your product. Love your product.

2. Talk to as many people as you can and build deep relationships with them.

3. Deep relationships turn into profitable customers.

4. Know what the needs of your customers are.

5. Know how your product meets the needs of your customers.

6. Be evangelical about how your product meets the needs of your customers.

You are the sales person. You are also the product.

Gloom-and-doom? Negative attitudes? You don't have the time of day for that stuff.

You've got sales out there to get. Go get 'em!

]]>are you waiting for your glass slipper?http://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/3/19/are-you-waiting-for-your-glass-slipper.htmlwendy taylor2009-03-19T15:00:00ZWaiting for a recruiter who is going to find you your dream job is like waiting for a McDreamy Prince Charming to show up with a glass slipper. You're going to be waiting for a LONG time.

Recruiters have one customer or client: employers.

Retained recruiters are paid for their consultative work with client-employers. They typically have developed, established relationships with their client-employers. This means they know a lot more about the business, what the business REALLY needs, and which personalities will be a good culture fit. When you are placed by a retained recruiter, you can have a better sense of confidence that it will be a good fit.

Contingent recruiters are paid when they place a candidate with an employer. They typically do not have developed, established relationships with employers. This means they are playing a numbers game. The more jobs they know about, the more candidates they know, and the more candidates they send to employers for open jobs, the more likely they are to hit the lottery and win a contingency payment.

Notice a trend here? This is not about you. This is about employers and recruiters, not job seekers.

So when allocating your investment of time and energy during a search, know that recruiters should be a small percentage of your effort portfolio.

Does this mean you don't need to have a relationship with recruiters who specialize in your area of expertise, and/or those who have clients who are target employers for you? You do. What is the best way to build that relationship? Help them! Recommend qualified candidates for their openings. You will win twice for this: you will build a relationship with that recruiter by adding value for him, and you will also build a relationship with that candidate by adding value for her. Win-win. A good investment of your time.

]]>the kitchen cabinethttp://www.takingcharge.biz/taking-charge-blog/2009/3/17/the-kitchen-cabinet.htmlwendy taylor2009-03-17T15:00:36ZWe ask a lot of our mates when we are looking for a new job.

We may be asking too much.

You need to grieve the loss of the old job, no matter the circumstances of your departure.   When it comes to career transitions, endings deserve as much respect as beginnings.

You need a supporting cast who can help you through the roller coaster of emotions that come with a job search.   People whose sole care is for you to land the RIGHT next job.   Not just THE next job.   People with up-to-date knowledge of job searching in a global dynamic marketplace and in the era of web 2.0.

It is not fair to ask your significant other to play this role.   Your income, in most cases, has a significant impact on them.   They have their own work responsibilities and worries, whether they are a corporate executive or out of the workforce to raise a family.

What you need is a team of advisors.   Actually, two teams.

You need a board of advisors. Former bosses and mentors and colleagues, people who know your work, and who are interested in supporting you career through advice, mentoring, and referrals. Picture meeting them in your dining room or in a virtual board room.

You also need a kitchen cabinet of advisors. These are folks who would literally sit around your kitchen table with you.   Your kitchen cabinet members are people who know you REALLY well. You can share your deeper concerns with them and they with you. They make referrals. They may provide advice. And, as your career develops, the cast of your kitchen cabinet may be equally impressive as your board of advisors. But the kitchen cabinet is your go to team when you want to celebrate a success (no matter how small or large), when your ideas are still unformulated and you need to talk them through, and when you are still hurting from your last career loss.

Your search will be a roller coaster ride.   You will need people with whom you can hold hands and scream. Maybe not literally, but who knows?   It will be a wild ride.

Find your kitchen cabinet, and treasure them, even as you build your board of advisors.   If you don’t have a kitchen cabinet available, you can build one. Find a group in your area of people who are also in transition.   If a group doesn’t exist, start one. Meet every other week, or more if you’d like. Hold each other accountable. Most importantly, support each other.

And, consider finding a professional coach or consultant to partner with you.   Your significant other will thank you.

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