Every week, NETSHARE hosts Ask the Coach, a phone-in coaching session with leading career management experts. Here is an excerpt from the most recent session with Debbie Ellis, President of the Phoenix Career Group.
This week’s coaching call was back to basics. As Debbie pointed out, everyone looking for work in today’s economic climate is frustrated, but for those who don’t know how to attack the search, the frustration factor grows exponentially. It’s time to stand back and look at the basics.
Start with your core values. Know yourself and what you have to sell. Identify potential customers. Debbie suggests making a spreadsheet to compare your strengths, skills and abilities against the needs of target companies. Then spend your time studying and learning about these companies and go after them. If you can show your value and connect the dots for them, they will hire you.
You also need to build your marketing materials defining your core, innate values. Those talents must be consistent across all your documents, and they must translate into results that improve the bottom line. Remember that companies are interested in the most recent experience. Do a GAP analysis, identify what is required and desired, and find ways to fill in the blanks.
Your marketing documents or portfolio help you provide an in-depth understanding of your brand and value. A one- to two-page Executive Summary is perfect for first contact with hiring authorities, recruiters, and networking contacts. Your complete Executive Resume (which is longer and very comprehensive) is usually more desired by the Board. If you have your information in sections, you are able to mix and match parts to form a marketing document that is perfect for any situation.
However, Debbie is not a fan of changing your resume. The trouble with making changes here and there is that unless you know what version you sent to whom, you don’t know what works. You also are at a disadvantage during the interview, since you may have stressed different information in your resume. If you have a good, solid resume that shows your core value, then you don't need to make any changes. Your value to the company will be evident. Your resume should be an authentic representation of you. Your resume should inspire a need for contact.
Although it’s tempting, don’t try to mold yourself to fit the job description. You’ll end up being nothing to everyone. It’s better to spend your time on a targeted search, using networking as your single most important management tool. Remember to check out professional associations and trade journals, and stay in touch with those leaders who are on the leading edge of your profession. They know the trends and who is hiring.
