Break the Old Rules and Win the Six-Figure Job Offers

By Sharon Graham, Canada's Career Strategist
Principal Consultant, Graham Management Group

If you are searching the internet in your quest to win a six-figure job offer, you probably have already read many of the old “laws” about resume writing, interviewing, and job search. You’ll find formulas that promise to help you find the ideal job, write a perfect resume, and execute a flawless interview. The problem is – that if you are strictly following these rules, then it is very likely that you are not being strategic in your career transition.

As a top professional, your job search is not all about rules. It is about distinguishing yourself as a leader in your area of expertise. To execute a successful job search, you need to think strategically, present yourself creatively, and perform distinctively. Here are some of the myths that you should consider if you want to manage an effective career transition.

Myth #1 There is a formula to find the ideal job.

Many job boards assert that if you use the internet exclusively, you’ll find the best positions. A top site even suggests that you’ll “move your resume to the top of the recruiter’s stack.” This is far from reality for most six-figure job seekers. Consider that the most popular Canadian job board boasts that they have 3.3 million candidates every month. Realistically, how can you expect to be found in such a massive pool of job seekers?

More than ninety percent of well paying senior-level jobs are not found on the internet. Instead of spending all your time online, use the internet to research opportunities and spend the majority of your job search time developing contacts for those positions. If you are good at what you do, you will likely find your job through your well-developed network. If your network is not as developed as you would like it to be, you’ll still find more jobs through well-respected, high-level recruitment firms. So, forget about a passive internet search. Pick up the phone and start making the connections you need to succeed.

One well known “job search rule” suggests that if you want a position within a specific company, you must go directly to the human resources department. You can try this if you like, but in many cases, the corporate recruiter may not know about senior positions that are available. Moreover, they might not even be aware of what is coming down the pipeline in the future. So, why not go directly to senior-level decision makers.

Internet job boards and postings from recruitment firms that do not cater exclusively to six-figure professionals may not be critical, but your online presence is. These days, top recruiters regularly Google senior-level candidates before inviting them into an interview. Make sure that you can be found on appropriate social networking sites. And, if you want to approach companies and people who are in a position to retain you, consider creating distinctive, technology-friendly marketing collateral such as networking e-letters, electronic presentations, and online profiles.

Myth #2 There is a formula for writing a perfect resume.

Don’t adapt your career to fit a textbook style resume template. Job seekers are often told to use reverse chronological or functional formats only. You can bypass this rule and use strategy to sell yourself. Instead of sticking with a formula, why not determine all the strengths and talents you bring to the table. Then, strategically position all the information to make the best features stand out. By structuring your resume in a way that highlights your strengths and minimizes your obstacles, you are giving yourself the best chance of being viewed in a positive light.

Rather than following the common rule of fitting your career into a two-page resume, try creating a resume that showcases your worth. If you are a six-figure professional with a rich and full career that is brimming with achievements, why cram everything into two pages? Just to follow the pack? If you must incorporate more content to adequately and effectively highlight your value, then you may need to generate three or four pages. This will be much more effective than creating a dense, unreadable document, or worse – leaving critical points out.

These days, some experts say that if you are looking for a senior-level job, you don’t need a resume at all. In fact, it is true that you might not use your resume the same way, but you will certainly need a resume at some point in the process. In your current job search, your resume does hold power. Even if you don’t use it to open doors, you still need it to confirm your background and support the first impression you made.

The lion’s share of Graham Management Group’s clients are successful in attaining high level jobs by networking first and delivering their resume second. Instead of using your resume to apply for positions on the internet, use it as a supporting document. Rather than walking into your next interview with just a resume, consider developing something special that really makes you stand apart from your competitors. Create a portfolio that includes your resume and differentiates you with a branded design and individual value proposition. Use interesting text, design elements, visuals, and dynamic charts and graphs to showcase your worth. You’ll outclass your competitors by presenting a lasting reminder of why you are the ideal candidate. Your portfolio should include any documents that market you well; including a wide range of creative documents such as a marketing letter, case study, business case, t-chart and reference list.

By forgetting about resume formulas, and focusing on your strengths, you’ll create a portfolio that stands out as being different and better than the rest of the templates. Of course, you still need a resume to apply for positions – especially when a recruiter requests one. In this case, you must comply or risk being labelled as a maverick.

Myth #3 There is a formula to executing a flawless interview.

There are a number of books and guides on the market that provide formulaic interview questions and answers. Some even profess to give you the “right answer,” which you can then memorize and deliver in interviews. The problem with using this strategy is that it is very likely that your competitors are using the very same formula to answer questions. If you fall into the trap of answering similarly, you’ll start to blend in with all the other unmemorable candidates.

Your job is to stand out from the group of people that are competing for your next position. Do prepare for your interview, but do not memorize your answers and risk sounding like a robot or a clone. Think strategically about how you will convey your unique strengths, talents, and value. Consider the objectives and challenges that will be encountered in the role and determine the best tactic to address them. Delve deeply into issues and obstacles in your past that may concern your interviewer and figure out how you will mitigate them.

One definition of an interview is “a conversation where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.” A job search interview is far from this. Your interview is a two-way conversation; it is not an interrogation where you are expected to sit back and answer a series of questions. Know what information you want to communicate and make sure to cover any points that will be important to the interviewer. Your prospective employer will want to know all the pertinent information to select and appoint an effective professional. Developing rapport is critical to success and you cannot do it just by answering questions asked. Ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully when the interviewer replies. Then, follow-up with your well-considered response to the interviewer’s interests and concerns.

One so-called rule about interviewing is to display confidence. However, there is a very fine line between confidence and arrogance. Some candidates feel the need to dominate the meeting in order to show their authority and strengths. Unfortunately, this strategy often comes across as aggressive and confrontational. Treat everyone you meet with respect and as an equal, regardless of what level that individual holds. During the interview do not be controlling. Never exaggerate, brag, or use sophisticated terms just to look important. As a six-figure professional, you must show your leadership qualities. If you do this respectfully, you will have a much better chance of creating the positive relationship you require to receive a call back.

Most successful six-figure job seekers do not get the best positions by following the pack. If it were this easy, everyone would find great jobs. For every rule there is an exception; and for every job, there is an ideal candidate. You offer an exclusive combination of value, qualifications, and talents to your target market. If you strategically position yourself while everyone else is following the old rules, you will stand apart from the competition and win the six-figure job offer.

Sharon Graham is Canada’s Career Strategist. A recognized career transition expert, she is president and principal consultant for Graham Management Group, founder and executive director of Career Professionals of Canada, and author of Best Canadian Resumes. Graham Management Group is known for excellence and innovation in resume, interview, and career strategy. Sharon assists executives, managers, and experienced professionals through this leading career firm. You can find further information and articles directly at www.GrahamManagement.com.

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