Career Planning and Job Search Strategies

Thursday, May 19th was a big day for me. It was the day of the event! I conceptualized, co-planned, and co-hosted “Career Planning on a Napkin 2011” which was held in Stamford. It was an amazing day of presentations by local experts offering career search strategies for anyone between successes. The timely topics included the importance of networking (and
how to do it); financial planning for job seekers; managing your stress and using creative visualization as part of your process; developing a great value proposition; applying corporate brand positioning strategies to your job search and the importance of social media; and the benefit of being overqualified, rather, being perfectly qualified.

People were tweeting! (check out the #CPN2011) The energy was incredibly positive! People were even laughing!

So, I thought I’d share with you a few of the take-a-ways; some job search strategies just in case you are looking for your next best opportunity.

1. Networking is critical to a successful job search. Statistics show that over 80% of jobs go unadvertised, so you need to meet people in your target market. It’s about laying groundwork for future relationships. It’s about taking a proactive approach to meeting new people with the prospect of helping them. It’s about them until they make it about you. Michael Goldberg, keynote speaker called networking a “we” thing, not a “me” thing and gave us the “pool rules” of networking. My favorite was, “no selling, ever.”
2. You can apply corporate marketing strategies to your job search. You’re not just a product, you’re a brand. You have a target audience, and you need to tell your target audience what’s in it for them if they hire you. You need to build your campaign, launch it and then track and measure your results. And, you need to have a strategic mix. Don’t rely on one form of advertising!
3. Social Media is not a fad. And, you can think outside the “resume box” when you’re in job search. In addition to LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, try creating a Google Search Story on YouTube, embedding it into a QR Code, and adding that to your business cards or your resume header. Find a way to stand out and demonstrate your expertise. You need to prove that you can do what you say you can do. Check out HireEffect for more social media tips for job seekers!
4. Visualizing the win can really help you get there. It’s like mental practice, and practice makes perfect. Studies have been done with astounding results on the benefits of guided visualization for the job search. It also can help with reducing stress, as can many other great techniques. My favorite, E.F.T. (Emotional Freedom Technique.) Speaker Stephanie Dalfonzo had the entire audience relaxing and reducing their stress!
5. You need a well-crafted value proposition for your job search. You need to understand and be able to articulate who you are in regard to a role and what skills you bring to the table. You need to know what sets you apart from your competition. You need to be able to validate your skills, and demonstrate results. This will help show the decision makers that you are the expert they want to hire. Linda VanValkenburgh gave everyone some Value Proposition Homework, and I'm certain everyone went home to do it!
6. You can’t be overqualified unless you believe you are overqualified. You are “perfectly qualified” and there are ways you can show that. How about asking why someone would settle for a Chevy when they could get a Mercedes for the same price? Abby Kohut, a.k.a. Absolutely Abby  gave some fantastic advice on overcoming the overqualified objection!

These are just a few of the great things participants heard at Career Planning on a Napkin 2011. If you would like more information about strategizing for your job search, let me know. I’d be more than happy to help you identify which one of our speakers would be best suited for you. And, visit http://planningonanapkin.com/ for program materials, a twitter transcript of the event, and more!