Four steps to your next six-figure position

By Maureen McCann, BA, MCRS, MCIS, MCCS
Senior Consultant & Strategist, Graham Management Group

If you are a six-figure executive who is standing at the edge of your career – looking into the great abyss, you are not alone. As an executive career coach, I have had many clients come to me with no experience in conducting a job search. This is because most successful executives were recruited into successive positions throughout most of their career. As a result, they may have not had to look for a position in five, ten, and even more than twenty years. If you are in a similar position, you can shorten your job search cycle with the four simple steps outlined here.

1. Stop. Claim your value.

The most important work you can do to prepare yourself for your next six-figure position is to have a full and complete understanding of the value and strength you bring to the next position you seek. Seems simple enough doesn’t it?

You would be surprised to learn how many senior level executives struggle to claim their strengths when asked to answer the question “Tell me about yourself.”

The reason this question can be a little tricky for some people stems from our Canadian culture: we are known around the world for being humble, polite Canadians. It is for this reason that you will seldom find us in a room “tooting our own horn.” So seldom, in fact, that we not only find it uncomfortable to promote ourselves, but we will not even think about or consider the obvious strengths we have to offer. This can make self-promotion a very uncomfortable and often daunting task.

Take steps to identify, write down, and articulate your tangible value. You will need to leverage these strengths in your “elevator pitch” or “thirty second speech” and throughout your career transition.

2. Think. What do you really offer?

To prepare for the inevitable “job interview,” it is essential that you first spend time reflecting on your career accomplishments. Again, executives often tell me that they know what they have to offer their next position, yet when asked to articulate those talents, they stumble.

You might stumble through this exercise as well. The explanation for this may be that you do things in your career so well, that you give them little time, consideration, or value. Yet, these are the very achievements that many organizations seek.

Aristotle wrote, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” To overlook your obvious talents, is to sell yourself short, so now is a great time to think back on your past. Have you won awards? Received powerful recommendations or testimonials? Been presented with larger assignments or promotions because of your successes? If so, spend some time determining exactly what made you the best person for that award, recommendation, or promotion.

I expect that, if you are like most executives, your first response might be a little “off-the cuff.” Some of my clients have answered the question about acknowledgements they had received with the answer, “there was no one else to do it, so I just did it.”

My suggestion: explore your answer much more deeply. Why was there no one else to complete this objective? Was it perhaps because you were the only person who could manage the assignment, the client, or that particular set of circumstances? Perhaps you were the only person who was trusted or experienced enough?

As you begin to explore your own answers to the “why?” Delve deeper and explore the “how?” For example: How did you save the company time? How did you bring in the biggest revenues? How did you improve employee morale?

A few minutes reflecting on these responses will not only prepare you for interviews, but will also enable you to speak positively about your accomplishments throughout your job search process. You will soon find your confidence skyrocketing.

3. Plan. Get from here to there.

As an executive, you understand the importance of writing a business plan to outline your objectives for the coming year. Much like a business plan, a job search plan lays the foundation for your ultimate success.

Putting together a job search strategy will keep you focused when emotions run high, or energy and interest in job search run low.

As you define your plan, consider the key elements of an effective job search strategy. Do you a have strategic, targeted, and branded career portfolio of documents, including a strong résumé and customizable cover letter? Do you know the best way to reach out to companies and/or prospective clients you would like to engage? Have you researched and targeted these prospective employers? What follow-up steps will you take after making initial contact? How will you demonstrate you are the best candidate for this opportunity?

Taking the time to map out your plan now will save time and frustration in the future. In preparing for your job search now, you can ensure a smooth transition when the time comes for implementation.

4. Implement. Make it happen.

Job search implementation can be somewhat frustrating, but this final step is critical to your success. After considering your value, building your array of accomplishments, and identifying your target market, it is time to put everything to work for you.

Completing steps one to three will have you spending more time in your pyjamas than in work attire. From time to time, even the most senior executives will avoid the real work required in a career transition.

Get out there and begin engaging employers. Educate and inform your network of professionals that you seek a new six-figure role in a specific industry. Tell trusted friends and family members what you seek and ask them for introductions to people connected to your objectives.

The investment you make in yourself today will pay dividends in your job search strategy. You will be surprised how an effective job search strategy will shorten your time transitioning back into the market. And, as we are all aware, time is money. Save your money by reducing the time it takes you to get back to work by remembering the four simple steps: Stop. Think. Plan. Implement.

Maureen McCann is an award winning, inspiring, and resourceful master certified resume strategist and career consultant, and senior advisor for Career Professionals of Canada. As senior Consultant for Graham Management Group, Maureen assists executives, managers, and six-figure professionals through the full scope of career transition. You can contact Maureen and find further information and articles directly at www.GrahamManagement.com.

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