Top Exec Blog (Web Log)

Sometime ago, way back in the '60's, before iPods, CD's and the Internet, a pop music group, called Tommy James and the Shondells, recorded a song called "Crystal Blue Persuasion". It's a shimmery, echo-laden song about something (love? memories? success? future success?), but the message of that old pop tune isn't what's important for those on the "Career Path Express" (our rock 'n roll train metaphor). What's important is considering how to take your message, your brand or your career goal and express it to others in the form of "Crystal Clear Persuasion".

Without any doubt, in the experience of many, you (the seeker) must clearly articulate what it is you seek (the job, the assignment, the key to life), to those with whom you interact (the hiring manager, the guru, the mentor). If not, then you may find many of these same wise people may not have the time or make the effort to try to figure out what it is you seek. Therefore, you must be crystal clear in your communications about what you are asking. Beyond that, you must have crystal clear powers of persuasion as to how and where your request can serve not only your purpose, but help in some way, the person(s) you are communicating with. (Remember, you, too, have skills, contacts, knowledge and other offerings that can be of use to those on the receiving end of your request.)

Ask and you shall receive, says the Good Book. In addition, you should offer to give, so that you might receive, especially in the hunt for introductions, contacts, companies, decisionmakers, hiring managers, etc. Be clear about your request, be succinct in your purpose and make sure that your request is heard and understood. Don't assume that because you said it or wrote it or posted it on your website that folks really know what you're asking for.

Whether you turn on the reverb, use echo effects or invoke other sounds or embellishments, you must make sure that the "sweetening" of your message does not intefere with what you ask for. Some suggestions:

Tell people specifically you're on the hunt and you're looking for introductions to contacts or industry/company suggestions for your career path efforts.

Tell them what it is you're offering in terms of skills, background and experience.

Explain to them as precisely as you can, what type of position or opportunity you seek, in the "ideal world", and where it might be located (geographically or in a company's hierarchy).

Be prepared to expand and refine your request and explain it in greater detail as questions arise.

Summarize the request and make sure it's understood, offering to send a resume, bio or other supporting material, then follow-up, including "thank you" and "I'll keep in touch" and "If I can return the favor...".

With all of these basic efforts you're going to improve your capabilities of turning your career path expressions into "Top 40 success" with crystal clear persuasion. (Apologies to Tommy James and the Shondells)

Your comments and ideas are welcome. Good luck and drive safely on the Career Path Expressway.

 © Daniel A. Cabrera, "Career Path Express" ™ All rights reserved, 2007. 

Invariably, as any job hunt progresses, for those on the Career Path Express™, a decision point is reached. Which job offer should I accept? Which opportunity is the right one, taking into account ALL the elements that an ideal job would mean to the career seeker? Have I exhausted all the opportunities? Have I uncovered all the contacts and companies that might be well-suited to my skills, talents, interests and expectations? Does this choice limit me, or open the future up to me?

For those who are interested in reading a very cogent article on this topic, pick up an issue of Business Week (May 28, 2007) and read The Welch Way, by Jack & Suzie Welch. The article is entitled "Which Job is the Right Job?" and it highlights the Welch's opinions on this important topic. You can find it via the weblink, The Welch Way, although you have to be a registered user (it's free) to see the whole article. It's also available (paid for?) as a podcast. Perhaps, too, your local library can help you take a look at this item.

As an old, wise man has said to me many times, "Life is a matter of choices". So true, and so important when you are on the Career Path Express™. Good hunting!

Your comments and input are welcome. Thanks for reading.

© Daniel A. Cabrera, Career Path Express™, 2007. All rights reserved.

Taking a chance in life means doing what it takes to stand out from the crowd. Finding your passion on the Career Path Expressway™ is something that requires leadership and courage, so that you not only land that opportunity (a top priority), but that you also establish your brand and make your name known, individually and collectively, to those whose career openings mean something to you.

Essentially, all parts of the career path, search or transition require the use of sales and marketing tactics. The fundamentals are:

* Establish and promote a "product"

* Explain and articulate a "value proposition"

* Justify to the hiring (buying) manager the advantages and benefits that he or she will gain by hiring your skills and talent

* Ask for the business (I want this job!)

In order to make this happen, you cannot just wait for the resume you sent to have a favorable impact at "Bull's Eye, Inc." Even with the power of the Internet and Job Search Engines and other technology, you have to find a way to stand out! It's as basic as a warm smile and a hearty handshake when you're at a networking meeting or job fair, or as impressive as a website or blog that highlights your skill set and career offerings.

It's acting the role of "host" at a meeting or networking event; it's taking a leadership role in an industry association; it's writing an op-ed piece for a trade magazine or local publication. Fundamentally, it's using creativity and ingenuity to be "out there" above and beyond the crowd that is chasing the same career openings that you're after. Given the amount of information overload that we all suffer, this is no small feat, but it's something that the successful Career Path Express™ driver (not rider) must do.

Thanks for reading and look forward to seeing you "out there" on the Career Path Expressway™ driving your product to ever better destinations.

© Daniel A. Cabrera, all rights reserved, 2007.

No doubt about it, if you're wired into networking, then you know the exponential power of making one contact into three into seven and so on. You also know that to weave your "net" you have to "work"! (Perhaps that's the genesis of what it takes to build and maintain a network).

What tools do you find the most effective? In recent weeks, this author has worked a number of possibilities to expand his list of active contacts around the world. Here's a brief set of examples:

1) Instant Messaging - some contacts just sit there and don't chat for some time, and then, voilá, by instituting a quick IM chat you find that another door opens to a possible career opportunity. Happened recently in south Florida and the chase is on....stay tuned. Naturally, this is an approach that relies on a previously-established "buddy" relationship or other IM connection, but each of these tools will harvest names from your email database, and allow you to make the self-introduction to get the relationship started, if you choose.

2) LinkedIn - this powerful tool (http://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcabrera ) is semi-addictive, once you get the hang of it. It allows you to post your full background (work, career, interests, etc.), and then invite contacts to join your network. Amazingly, folks from many years gone by, from all corners of the Earth respond, allowing the user to expand his/her network out via these contacts and the same, vice versa, is extended to the responding party. If not "Web 2.0", then it's very close. Yes, they have their interests, just as you do, in expanding the network (e.g. executive recruiters, staffing agencies, etc.), but it's a fair exchange, and you have the option of saying "no thanks". This writer thinks it's a great tool.

3) Email direct - you pull out the old database (ACT!, Outlook, etc.) and you start plugging away at those old contact names, phones and addresses, and soon you'll find a lot of folks are still alive, still in action, still ridin' the range. This often gets a response to your "howdy partner", and often as not, another place at the chuck wagon, where you can enjoy the vittles and expand your contact list.

4) Alumni Associations - how many of these can you get involved in? There are the employee-oriented ones, like the HP Alumni Association (http://www.hpalumni.org), exclusive to alums of HP or Agilent; there are the university-oriented associations, such as http://alumni.usc.edu/, plus any number of others that you can tap into. Work it with some diligence, hone your message accordingly, and before you know it your "studies" will pay off in more contacts opening more opportunities for you. Extra credit, anyone?

5) Volunteer opportunities - Have you ever heard this maxim? "You have to give to get?". Well that's how it works, in the real world. Join a local trade association, interest group, political action committee, civic organization or any number of charitable, nonprofit organizations, and you have an instant source of contacts and network expansion tools. You'll also gain the chance to contribute your talent, skills and work, so roll up your sleeves and check it out. Here's one this author is involved in currently that is taking shape in south Florida right now: Tech Show It combines the type of industries and topics that play to personal interests in technology, software and high-tech, while also allowing for personal involvement and contributions in-kind.

6) Ask and you shall receive - this is the person-to-person approach at church, the swim meet, or anywhere else you interact with folks you know (or don't know). Speak up. Tell them what you do for a living (or want to do), and ask them the same. Find out if there are similarities or differences and then ask for contacts, introductions, ideas, suggestions, etc., that can help you with your own career path expressions. It helps to have a 90-second "commercial" about yourself and your professional interests to guide these new contacts in expanding your network of contacts.

7) Websites, blogs, email campaigns - there are many other tools available to you in building your network, such as this blog or your own personal website, where you offer services, knowledge, information or other material that builds your reputation and establishes your credibility. One example of outbound communications (via email) that alerts people to your career interests and other information is shown in this document, Career Path Express, which has received favorable comments from many in recent weeks.

The bottom line is that networking takes effort and followup. However, if you put some time and effort into it, you're likely to find that whether you're employed or "in transition", you can still reach out and communicate with many current and future contacts via these suggested methods. By doing so, you will build a strong and vibrant network of colleagues, friends, acquaintances and others who are likely to be willing to respond to your expressed interests.

Care to share your experience with networking (good or bad)? Please do so. Thanks for reading, and good networking!

© Daniel A. Cabrera, "Career Path Express" ™ All rights reserved, 2007.