/ 202 LIFE / coach’s corner
By Career Coach Sherri Thomas
BULLET PROOF
M
ore than likely, you’ll earn more money between the ages of 40-52 than any other time in your life. After the age of 52, many professionals begin losing the time, potential and motivation to continue driving their career. And while you’re in your prime earning years, every day that you’re unemployed, or in a lower level position, means wasted income. Days can turn into weeks, weeks can turn into months, and before you know it, you’ve just lost $10,000, $20,000, or even more had you been employed. So how can you bullet proof your career so that you stay in high demand? A new client I’ll
6 Key Strategies to
YOUR CAREER
sites such as LinkedIn.com to get connected to industry leaders and company decision makers. Make it a priority to get connected, and stay connected, to people who can inspire you, hire you, or introduce you to potential employers.
tion to be a general manager. But Jim didn’t step up and get the training he needed. What Jim was actually doing was downsizing his career, his morale, and his paycheck by electing not to get the training. Never let your career sit on a shelf longer than six months—never! Keep the same drive and discipline that you had when you were employed, get focused and get a plan. (Wallowing isn’t allowed.)
Keep yourself marketable
call “Jim” recently called me and said that he had gone through a change in management which resulted in losing his seven-year position as the general manager of a prestigious golf course. After a year of searching, he had taken the “only job he could get” which was working part-time in the golf pro shop at a different golf course. After talking for a few minutes, it became painfully clear why Jim wasn’t able to get back on his career path. Here are the six things he needed to do, and what you can implement to bullet proof your own career.
Create opportunities to keep yourself marketable. Use your “in-between” time to get any training or education you may need. If you’re not working, then start freelancing or consulting. Join an association’s Board of Directors, or at minimum, a committee. These strategies will help keep you visible, expand your network, and boost your resume.
Never give the impression that you’re hungry for a job. Instead, be seen as someone who drives initiatives, solves problems and leads teams. This is one reason why you want to consult, freelance, or volunteer when in between jobs.
Be a resource to others
Get personal with your professional network
Fish where the fish are
Jim mentioned that the golf industry was changing and that companies were requiring a specific kind of training and certifica-
Another mistake Jim was making was not having a solid job search plan. Where are your potential employers? Find out by reading trade magazines, industry publications, company websites and classified ads in your local newspapers to learn which industries are hiring, which companies are hiring and what the hot jobs are. Then, start attending industry conferences, trade shows, business networking events and association meetings. Also, join professional networking
Send out links to reports, case studies, press releases and websites that you think might interest them. Invite them to business networking events, and introduce them to other movers and shakers. Influencers are drawn to those who are resourceful.
Give your resume the “It” factor
When it comes to resumes, looks are everything!Hiring managers can have stacks and stacks of resumes piled high on their desk which means that if your resume doesn’t have the “it” factor, you’re toast. Don’t lose out on a great job because your resume doesn’t stand up against the
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202 MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2013 / 202magazine.com