Making You the Most Viable Next Hire – from the “Build the Career You Deserve” ezine

Making You the Most Viable Next Hire

 

Being flexible, creative and adaptable in today’s economy is the cornerstone to survival.  The job search is no different and, with unemployment rising, requires just as much vigilance.  One way you can keep your options open and make yourself even more marketable is by considering Consulting in addition to your quest for full-time employment.  Often perceived as an “either-or” scenario, Consulting offers you just as many benefits as it does your “would be” employer:

·         Track record of Fixing Problems?  Career-wise, people typically fall into one of two categories: those who thrive on problem solving and the prospect of a new challenge –or- someone who is exceptionally good at steering the ship once it is on course.  If the thought of fixing something that is broken appeals to you (versus has you thinking about reaching for the Tylenol), then Consulting might be an avenue to explore.

·         A More Flexible Interview – Quite often, what a company needs is someone to tackle a specific problem, not a new full-time employee.  Identifying this in the interview and being able to present yourself as the solution to their problem (at a lower cost), can ultimately create a job tailor made for you and your skill set.  No one can compete against that.

·         Dating Before Marriage – A consulting engagement can give you the opportunity to see if this company is a nice place to visit or a great place to live.  The only thing worse than a prolonged job search, is ending up in a position that results in you being unemployed again in 6-12 months.  Consulting lets you do more due diligence than you could ever accomplish in an interview.

·         “Consulting” on Your Resume – To many recruiters, seeing “consulting” as your current role without any clients/engagements is just a way to dress up being out of work.  But, with a list of key accomplishments at those engagements, you show that you are in demand, have more control over your search and are broadening your experience.  The latter is extremely important if you are looking to transition industries.

·         Change Agent – For companies looking to make some sort of change internally (and you should like this if you have a track record of fixing problems), consulting is a more preferred approach versus hiring a permanent employee.  It is much easier to come in as a consultant, effect the course correction and then hand it off to the internal leadership.

·         Money – Besides the obvious benefit of having income during your search, it also gives you breathing room to be more objective in selecting your next job. 

·         It’s Easier to Find a Job When You Already Have One – So much of what makes this true is that fact that when you are employed, you tend to be a bit more objective because you have a “bird in hand.”  Consulting (in addition to easing that financial strain, which helps here) can provide the self-assurance that comes along with being employed, which can get whittled away while unemployed.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 17,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com 

Where to Find True Stability – from the Build the Career You Deserve e-zine

 

Where to Find True Stability

Make sure you are focused on what will truly create stability 

 

In a previous article, I talked about how to determine where you should focus industry-wise if looking to make a career shift. Right along with being asked, “What are some good areas to be in right now?” I am often asked about “stability” as it relates to an industry. Too many people confuse “growth” with “stability” in making career decisions. While there are some industry sectors that are more volatile than others, I firmly believe that your professional stability has much more to do with you than the company you work for or sector you work in.  

I spent years running a firm that placed software sales executives. It is an acquisition-driven industry where the smaller companies serve as incubators for new technology and either a) get gobbled up by larger publicly traded companies  b) go public  – becoming that larger company themselves or c) fail (and more fail than succeed). On the other hand, the large, publicly held companies are subject to Wall Street’s mood swings. A stock downgrade means lay-offs. This leaves those in software wondering how they can count on their company. In short, they cannot. But, they can depend upon themselves.

This advice hold true in any industry.  Stability resides within you. As you build your career through accomplishments – meeting and exceeding goals set for you, taking on greater responsibilities and challenges – you create stability in the only brand and product you can truly control: you. While choosing industries that are growing can create opportunities, they do not guarantee them. It is up to you to seize them and make them reality. Ultimately, your ability to do this will create a marketable solution that is resilient to an up or down economy: you.

I firmly believe it is actually easier to showcase a background in meeting and exceeding goals during a down economy rather than when things are good. Everyone can achieve success when the fruit is hanging low. It is a rare breed that can deliver results when the economy is less than ideal. And right now is when companies need that kind of leadership to make it through this storm. 

So, as you look to create a more stable situation for yourself and your family — and in your career – your focus needs to be inward not outward. Build your brand, solidify your track record and your reputation. This is something tangible that you can take with you anywhere and transcends any industry or economy.

 

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 Avoid the job boards, 

work around recruiters 

and find the job you want in half the time.

* * * * * * * * *

 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 17,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com 

 

2008-2009 © Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

What Can I Do for You? (from the Build the Career You Deserve e-zine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Can I Do for You?

 

I appreciate you taking a minute (and that is all it takes) to complete this survey. I will be using the results to deliver some really BIG things for you this year.  And my way of saying “thank you” is to give all the participants a free trial membership when I roll out the Career Mastermind Program.

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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!

 

2008 – 2009 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Build the Career You Deserve e-zine – So What?

 

 

 

So What?

 Last week, we talked about Your Solution and one of the benefits it brings when you use this technique in your job search.  Another thing it will do is make a compelling case for why an employer would want to hire you.  Your hire should be a “no brainer.”  When clients are working to develop their “Solution,” I tell them to constantly ask themselves “So what?”

 In this market, it isn’t enough to demonstrate you want the job.  It isn’t even enough to show you can do or have done the job.  Again, “so what?”  You need to make a compelling argument as to how your past performance is what that employer is seeking to be their next hire’s future performance.  And, how you are the fix to whatever their problem might be.

 This is exactly why you need to keep asking yourself “So what?”  Until that question is answered with some “meat” – quantified and qualified – that is exactly what a future employer is going to be thinking – “so what?”  And, rest assured, the job (and the most money) goes to the person who can best answer that question.  Shouldn’t that person be you?

 If you do not go into interviews with a finely tuned “Solution” that makes a “no brainer” value proposition, you are really rolling the dice.  There are no do-over’s.  Second chances to make first impressions just do not exist in this marketplace.  Too many other people are chomping at the bit to simply get that interview slot.  So, shouldn’t you go in fully prepared to make the best case possible as to why that company can’t afford not to hire you?

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 Avoid the job boards, 

work around recruiters 

and find the job you want in half the time.

* * * * * * * * *

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 17,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com 

 

2008-2009 © Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Big Thing – from the Build the Career You Deserve e-zine

 

 

The Next Big Thing

Make sure your career move isn’t following a fad

 

“What are some good areas to be in right now?” This is a question I am asked daily and, to put it simply, a very loaded one. While I think there are some industries that have a promising future (see below), I think there are some bigger questions to answer that lie within you – not the marketplace. So, here are some things to consider:

There are a handful of verticals that look to be growth oriented. Alternative energy is one area that will only continue to grow, particularly if the Obama administration makes good on its energy initiatives. “Green” technologies, solutions and business also show promise, but some are more viable than others. Technology that provides a low cost (SaaS – Software as a Service, Virtualization and Cloud Computing) and solid return on investment (ROI) is very promising. As well businesses (consulting, services or technology) revolving around financial compliance.

Do What You Like, Like What You Do. Any fans of the “Life is Good” brand will know this slogan. But, it is a good one to live by. Whatever path you chose, you need to feel passion and the desire to evangelize for it. But, when assessing a new opportunity, make sure not to put emotion over intelligence. To borrow from the “green” movement, ask yourself this simply question: “Is it sustainable?”

Warren Buffet says, “Investment must be rational; if you don’t understand it, don’t do it.” Your career path is your largest investment and the seed from which all else grows, so I think heeding his advice is key here. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If after interviewing with a company their enthusiasm outweighs what seems to be a sketchy plan, it might be wise to keep moving. Bottom line: if it doesn’t make sense, you should pass.

Don’t confuse finding a growth-oriented industry or vertical with stability. Stability resides within you, not within the industry, vertical or company. You can read more about that here.

 

* * * * * * * * *

Avoid the job boards,

work around recruiters

and find the job you want in half the time.

* * * * * * * * *

 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 17,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com

 

2008-2009 © Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved

 

 

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