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Taking My Own Advice … Almost

October 6, 2010 By

Now that I’m back into search mode again, I am reading my own material.  

I can recall the events and meetings with fellow candidate that served as the source for every post and tool.  What stands out for each is either discovering a more practical method for search or how to improve our expectations.

Getting back into search has helped me remember why I gave the guideline to use ideas on the CandidatesChair as a starting place, even though they are all based on real-life experiences.

As much as candidates want to be seen as individuals, the same is true for networking contacts, hiring manager, recruiter, etc., everyone comes with their own set of circumstances.

Before you deliver a pitch, hit send, etc. – take a moment and ask three questions about the person you are addressing.

ONE:  How many times will they receive a similar message/pitch?

TWO: What is important to me to know about this candidate?

THREE: How well do they know you?

Let’s use some live ammunition from my current search: My e-mail template for setting up a networking meeting (See “Tools You’ll Need”).  I can use the template word for word and know it works pretty darn well – it can work better.

For questions one and two, it’s as simple as adding an extra sentence can cement the connection (e.g. same college, profession, company), establish credibility in area (e.g. specific experience addressing one of their needs), or increase their desire to network with you (e.g. people in your network of interest to them).

For the third question, I may use other means to deliver the message than e-mail, to help boost the level of connection or jog their memory.  I’ll use LinkedIn, College Alumni message board, ExecuNet, or with a forwarded article of interest.

The lesson I have relearned is that the advice and tools give you a jump start in creating a message.  Asking myself these three questions helps me make it more effective.

Good luck today.

Mark

Filed Under: E-mail to set up networking meeting, Preparation Tagged With: ,

What I Believe, What I Need to Believe

June 1, 2010 By

As a CFO/Finance executive, I’ve looked at and/or produced a couple hundred business cases. To determine the validity of a business case, I’ve developed a simple system to figure out where to ask more questions. I ask myself “What do I believe and what do I need to believe”.

For example, if our company was expanding an existing product line. I would believe they can do that. If they are going to sell it to an entirely new customer set. I would say I need to believe it. So I would spend trying to determine if we understood the new customers’ needs, if the product fit, etc.

Now take your resume and ask the same questions of believe and need to believe, but from a prospective recruiter, HR, or hiring manager viewpoint (or chair).

Most people who read a resume can figure out by a title and company size if the bullet points generally fit the role a person had. They can establish the ‘what they believe’ based on your resume and knowledge of the industry, profession and role.

Generally, what they ‘need to believe’ are the results claimed (e.g. ‘Saved $5 million annually from ….), because unless they were at the same firm, it is tough to validate. But just imagine the power those statements would have if they were validated.

So whether through your referrals, non-confidential copies of past work, 3rd party references, awards, etc. try to line up as much of what needs to be believed as possible. Actions do speak louder than words, so help prove it!

A quick author aside, I have been tremendously humbled by the success of the Candidates Chair site – with over 20,000 visitors from 75 countries, as it has been fellow candidates sharing with one another that have been a major part of the success. So please know you have my thanks and keeping the sharing.

Good luck this week!

Mark Richards

www.candidateschair.com – Tools and Advice from a Candidate’s viewpoint to help get past job search roadblocks and keep your spirit strong. Please take a visit.

Copyright CandidatesChair.com

Filed Under: CV, Interviewing, Interviewing Preparation, Resume

Moving to a smaller firm – getting ready for success

May 17, 2010 By

A frequent conversation I have with fellow candidates is the desire to seek employment in a smaller firm due to expected greater, ability to influence the outcome and generally less office politics. (Bonus: If you are in a start-up, you can add the expectations to wear jeans and use an Mac vs. a pc).

Having myself both worked in a 60,000 employee firm and a 4 person firm, there is truth in that you have more influence on the outcome.
To help you get prepared for possible networking/interviews, here’s a few of my lessons.

One: You have to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. My colleagues learned what I was good at and what I was not in quick fashion, and I did the same with them. The sign of a good team is that you figure out how to compensate for one another.

Two: You do not have a big team to back you up. As CFO, I have gone from designing our chart of accounts to pitching for $2 million of investment in the same afternoon. I’ve also designed pages on our website and developed our initial social media strategy. You just need to be ready to work above, at, below and alongside your title.

Three: You need to think like an owner. In a small firm, business gets down to the bare essentials: Client needs, sales levels, spending and available cash/capital. You have to watch each like a hawk and understand what drives each one.

Four: The good news: A small team that talks often. The bad news: You talk often. You need to keep up your outside network to make sure you get an unbiased opinion of your strategy, etc.

Like all my posts, consider my ideas as a place to start. If you start looking at a smaller firm, sit down with a few colleagues who have made the transition to help you prepare.

Good luck this week.

Mark Richards

www.candidateschair.com – Tools and Advice from a Candidate’s viewpoint to help get past job search roadblocks and keep your spirit strong. Please take a visit.

Copyright CandidatesChair.com

Filed Under: Interview Prep, Moving to smaller firm, Networking efficiency

Insight into Switching Industries

May 2, 2010 By

You are interested in role within an industry where you do not have do not have experience in the industry.  You may receive “you do not have industry experience”, but  have heard it can be difficult.  Take heart, it can happen.

I have had five distinct industries shifts in my career (commercial travel, financial services, telecommunications,  Saas (retail) and manufacturer of fire suppresants.  There’s your proof it can happen. 

We all believe we can succeed because our skill set will transfer intact. As each of my industries have been very different in size, scope, regulatory, competition and technology, let me share what I believe transfers well.

ONE: Understanding the business model – Most people figure out how a business makes money pretty quick. Generally speaking, each area of the business has 3-4 key items.

TWO: Technical skills – While the application of the skills may differ, the understanding of the technical skills (e.g. marketing, accounting, etc.) for your professional move across.

THREE: Communication and Personal skills – These are the skills and experiences that make you truly unique from other candidates, so they transfer very well. Again, how you apply them will be different, but usually it’s these skills on what seals the deal when getting hired.

Okay, so you read that and think “So what’s the big deal? Why are people hung up on industry experience?”

Here it is: A intuitive sense of the business.

When switching industries you must learn the language, trends, competitive forces, etc. When someone says “ABC Company just raised their price 2%” – you will not know how to react, because you need to learn what the price change means. Within your first year, you’ll encounter this dozens of times (if not more).

From the hiring manager’s viewpoint a new perspective or outside view is always a benefit.  However, you need to recognize that they need to trust that you will be willing to work hard as all get out to as efficient as others until you learn the industry. 

The stronger your proven ability to network and build relationships within your peers, their team and industry insiders, the more likely you will have a chance to convince the hiring manager you can make the transition – so the payoff to realize your full skill will be short.  Also, you have shown the hiring manager you will not burden them with teaching you (they are busy enough).

If the business is in trouble, it is a reasonable assumption that people will feel more comfortable with those who understand the industry.  They have an immediate need (or pain) that you simply may not fill it as quickly as someone from inside the industry.

When looking at a new industry, besides emphasizing your technical skills.  You should highlight the navigation of a major industry change, launching a new business, working in different geographies – basically, anything that shows you understand the challenges of making a change and have been successful in doing so.

Also, have a plan of how to learn the industry. The best way to make that plan is to spend time with someone currently in the business – they will help you point you toward the best sources of information and connections worth pursuing.

Good luck today.

Mark

www.candidateschair.com – Tools and Advice from a Candidate’s viewpoint to help get past job search roadblocks and keep your spirit strong. Please take a visit.

Copyright CandidatesChair.com

Filed Under: Changing Industries

Sharing the Secret Sauce – E-mail template to set up a networking meeting

March 5, 2010 By

For the vast majority of my job search networking meetings I did not know the person I was asking to network. I suspect that is what you face as well.

So we both know the trick is getting someone who does not know you to take time to network.

We also know that it is often through the good graces of another that you receive a contact or lead that will help land the role. So let me share some secret sauce to help you land that meeting – a simple e-mail template that got me a 90% response rate (after much trial and error!)

For a copy, please visit: http://candidateschair.com/?attachment_id=630

Like any other tools you see – consider my template a starting idea – take time to make it work for your situation.

Good luck today!

Mark Richards

Copyright CandidatesChair.com

Filed Under: E-mail to set up networking meeting