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Bridges is a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Human Resource Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you found the newsletter helpful, please Send it to your colleagues, friends and family.For those who ask me what it is that I do, I offer Executive Coaching and Human Resource consulting in the following areas: - Business Consulting and Executive Coaching - As an unbiased resource provide advice on business development and business transition, on staffing issues, on developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills. - Career Coaching helping people advance their careers, make career changes and/or career transitions. - Not for Profit Consulting - provide Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development. If you would like to take advantage of an executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com for a complimentary coaching session or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com
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June 2009
Career Tips
In May I had the pleasure of participating at a Career Day co-sponsored by the Greater Mercer Chamber of Commerce and Rider University. The topic I spoke on was New Job Hunting Strategies. One of the benefits of participating in this type of event is that in addition to sharing information, you are able to learn from others. The event was targeted at displaced professionals, many of whom are in the job market for the first time in years and are in need of updated skills as they search for that next opportunity. Some were looking for that next corporate job; others are changing course – different careers, starting their own business. One thing that was clear from the participants in my session is that they were not having much success on the large internet sites such as Career Builder. One person in the audience shared that the most recent issue of the classic job search book “What Color Is My Parachute” reported that folks were getting only a 6% return finding jobs on sites such as Career Builder. The predominant theme of the Career Day was that jobs and opportunity come by building those networks, building those connections. Swamped with resumes, it has been reported that many Human Resource professionals are only spending 10 seconds on a typical resume, and that is if the resume even makes it through on-line filters. When confronted with those odds it becomes increasingly important that candidates find ways to differentiate themselves. One approach is to find someone who can help you stand out from the pack. This is something that business owners have known for years when bringing in new business – it is the personal referral that has helped them grow their business. Now, more than any time in the past, this also applies to job hunting. If you can find someone to recommend you or better yet give your resume to the hiring manager, you are much more likely to stand out and get that interview. So here are a few keys. These apply to those who are looking for a new job opportunity, and also to those who are thinking about the next promotion or looking to grow their business. - Build your networks before you need them – they are the keys to success.
- Build on-line connections through sites like LinkedIn to learn where there is opportunity, to help you access information. I saw a statistic this week that 75% of employers are using LinkedIn to find candidates.
- Take advantage of great resources in your community. One of the best is the local community colleges which offer courses to round out skills or even retraining if you are considering a new field. Another may be your local Small Business Development Center, which offers information and courses on starting your own business. Finally, for some this time of change may be a gift in disguise. Through the years I’ve worked with a fair number of clients who didn’t enjoy what they were doing. Ultimately this change turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to do something they enjoyed.
New Book
Management guru Jim Collins is back with a new book – “How the Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In”. The author of “Good to Great” writes that the five stages of decline are: hubris born of success, undisciplined pursuit of more, denial of risk and peril, grasping for salvation and capitulation to irrelevance or death. Does this sound like any company you know, hopefully not one you work for?
Thank You
I hope you like this new format from Bridges in HTML. I’d love to get your feedback on the new format. A special thanks to two folks Jaci from Webvalence for the great design and to Mark Sherman. Mark specializes in pet photos but takes great people photos also. Check out his website www.markshermanphoto.com
Final Thoughts
Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties. - Doug Larson
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