“If you think change is hard, try becoming irrelevant” –Tom Peters
I often get disappointed when a new client comes to me, fresh out of work from a lay-off that was in the offing for at least six months, with a 10-year old résumé, a weak LI Profile with just a few dozen or so connections, and no clue about what the real job market looks like today! They first call me with the hope that they would be able to quickly meet with me and walk away with a great (Inductive) résumé for them to start their marketing efforts! They are disheartened when they discover that even my Intake Questionnaire alone takes more time than that!
Despite my frequent blogs, talks, and public pronouncements about how every professional must keep themselves market-ready, especially when they feel secure and are doing great in their career, very few actually act on that exhortation. In today’s culture it appears much more expedient to pop a pain pill than to stay on a regimen of daily exercise, good nutrition, and vitamin pills (metaphorically, of course!). With today’s uncertainties of the job market and unpredictable changes to how careers are emerging, one would be remiss if they did not keep themselves market ready at all times.
So, what are some of the common guidelines for being market ready to re-launch your job, even your career, in short order? Here is my list:
- Always keep your one eye on the next level and see what skills, experience, and resources you need to get there. Do not be limited by the constraints within your own organization; be open to looking around and outside.
- Purposely seek new assignments that challenge your skills and that take you closer to the next promotion (see # 3, below).
- Find out what you can do in your current job that is not happening and make it happen by telling your boss its importance and seeking their support.
- Keep your résumé current and package it to target the next-level of your job. Seek new assignments to make this résumé more powerful and write the bullets for the tasks you have just undertaken as if you have already completed them. Then make sure that your bullets come true when you are done.
- Constantly expand your LinkedIn network with new connections. Seek out noteworthy people and meet with them. Then invite them to join your network. Anyone worth their salt is not going to merely respond to your request: Since you are the person I trust, please join my LinkedIn Network!
- Get written Recommendations from people that matter about your current or past work. Learn how to get great Recommendations that make your Profile shine. LinkedIn’s new Endorsements feature is marginally useful, if that!
- Find what gaps you have in your skillset for your next level promotion and make a special effort to overcome those gaps through courses, certifications, and experience.
- Stay plugged into the flow of information from the current thought leaders in your area and in areas that interest you. Visit Alltop.com (a veritable magazine rack for blogs) and find sites writing about your field or industry of interest and subscribe to their email RSS to keep yourself up-to-date on trends and what’s new. Write comments on blogs that are thought provoking. This way you’ll be plugged-in with the flow of the latest thoughts.
- Attend key events, conferences, and socials where people and thought leaders in your area of work congregate. Set up meetings with those you target at such events and build your network. Get new insights about their work and their company.
- If you lack a skill that is key to your future (or even current) growth find out how you can acquire that skill through volunteering or through a hobby.
Keeping your career refreshed and ready for any challenge require vigilance and hard work. With this list you should be able to plan that work and get ready with a new habit that incorporates these items!
Good luck!