Rita Ashley, Career Coach. Field tested advice for executives.

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By admin, September 10, 2008 7:12 pm

The simple fact of networking is people want to help. You know you always feel good when you can lend a hand. Well, other people feel the same way when they can help someone find a new job.

All you have to do is communicate exactly what you need and what you expect.

Executives in $100,000+ jobs know networking is the most effective way to find a new job. Over 75% of executive jobs are filled by word of mouth. Executive jobs are typically not advertised or landed using job boards.

You know all you have to do is pick up the phone or send an email to request assistance to find leads though it is very difficult for a lot of people. And attending business social networking events to find leads is even harder. Yet, A recent job search coaching client uncovered 14 opportunities in less than three months because he knew what to ask and who to ask.

Let’s Simplify Networking: Craft an excellent elevator pitch or brand identity. “I am a technology executive with a track record converting software products to SaaS applications with no disruption to the bottom line.” Tell what you can do and the results and include a metric if possible.

Include a request for what you need. “”My last stint as VP Marketing allowed me to penetrate global markets with a hand-picked dynamic team of marketing professionals. We landed new named accounts and opened branch offices in four countries which made the investors very happy. I hope to replicate that performance with a new employer. Perhaps you know a company about to go global who might benefit from my experience.”

When talking to people who know your work you might say, “I would be grateful if you could introduce me to three people who know about program management jobs in Wireless.” Ask for a specific number of referrals and you are more likely to get what you want.

The Money Shot: When contacts struggle to recall what you do or to whom you need a referral, they probably won’t do it. To simplify networking ask for exactly what you want: “My background includes building an inside sales organization from the ground up. We contributed 65% of the company revenues in 18 months. I am looking for companies like [name of a prospective employer] who are focused on building or expanding their inside sales efforts. Can you introduce me to [hiring authority at target company] and two others like her as possible connections to leads?”

Simplify networking with these steps for a great pay off of leads and new connections. Keep in mind, they are simple techniques, but they are not easy.

For more advice on effective networking, read, “Networking Debugged.”

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By admin, September 8, 2008 7:47 am

My friend Michael told me he had been ruminating about his possible need for a coach. He told me he wanted someone well connected who could provide introductions and who could help him define what he wanted to do. I think it his is a common desire.

Unfortuately, it is not a realistic one. No professional coach would offer connections and introductions to a client. The coaching relationship is changed significantly if the coach takes such an active role in the coachee’s career. Plus, the likelihood is low that a person actively engaged as a coach would also be actively engaged in your niche employment market. Instead, a good coach teaches how to make those connections.

The second part of his coaching proposition is equally flawed. If you are an executive and you don’t know what you want to do, you need to talk to someone qualified to administer personality tests and such; typically a psychologist. A coach helps you get you where you want to go and while a good coach helps you refine that goal, they do not engage in selecting the destination.

Clarification:

Life Coach: This is a very recent addition to the coaching scene and appears to be a catch all for miscellaneous aspects of ones life. The Internet features many pay for click options to be come a Life Coach which seems to attract a lot of people who have burned their bridges and are casting about for a new profession. Many focus on spirituality and aspects of life not directly related to landing a job.

Executive Coach: Ongoing coaching to perfect your executive talents. Many people like to have someone watching their back, others have challenges they are trying to overcome. A confidential relationship with an Executive Coach can make the difference between just slogging away at a job and enjoying your career. It is not unusual for a company to hire an Executive Coach on behalf of an employee to up their game or correct a problem.

Job Search Coach: Works with you to master all the resources needed to get a promotion or new job. Highly targeted and mutually agreed on goals are clear at the outset and a road map to succeed includes life skills. Look for a coach who has been an executive, does more than rewrite your resume and who understands your market niche.

Psychologist: Runs test to help you determine with where you might succeed. Psychometric/Vocational Tests are often administered by non-accredited practitioners. No matter what the battery of tests, it is the interpretation that makes the difference. Be caution of charlatans who push their favorite tests at great expense to the client, it is often the case the testing company pays them a commission.

Career coach: Help you build or repair your career. This title is often used to include job search coach but does not guarantee special expertise in that task. Be warned, anyone can call themselves a career coach. It is incumbent on you to vet career coaches very carefully. If they are graduates of an on-line career coaching program, run away.

Now for reality, the lines of all four are often blurred because, other than the psychologist, there are no governing boards, licensing agents or industry standards. Anyone can call themselves a coach.

It is up to the prospective coachee to determine their needs, vet the prospective coach and have clearly defined objectives and metrics for success. Even then, Caveat Emptor.

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