STEP THREE: New Career Options

Imagine a New Position that Challenges & Inspires You

Where would it be geographically? What sector? Would it be remote or in the office? Would you prefer to be a consultant, business owner, or a full-time employee? Do you think this could be the moment for entrepreneurship? If so, how can you position yourself to launch? What would it take for you to become your profit center? 

The more clarity you have, the more likely you will be to find something right up your alley.

Detail Your Core Skills

Use your resume, LinkedIn, and other profiles to create an accurate skill list. Keep the list clear and simple. What additional skills would you need to get your Dream position? Is it time for a refresher course in certain areas? 

Focus on Opportunity

Avoid negative input. 

This includes friends who tend to see the downside of life, depressing employment statistics and troubling news. Focus instead on seeing emerging opportunities. Track sector publications that publish data about organizations that are growing, adding jobs, or expanding operations. Figure out how your skills can add value to jobs in those growth sectors. Ignore the rest. 

STEP FOUR: Rebrand & Relaunch

Recreate Your Personal Brand and Messaging

Take time to figure out what you do better than most and create taglines and descriptions that do you justice. You may want to hire a coach to support your efforts. Try out your new messageon trusted friends and advisors. Tweak and continue until you produce materials that make you proud. 

Upgrade Your Skills for your Dream Position

It might be an online course that you can complete in a few weeks. Having up-to-date certifications can help to bridge skill gaps you have identified.

Update your Online Profiles

Times change. Update your profile so it reads well and sounds like the profiles of other professionals in the positions that you would like to hold. This includes bios you may have submitted to boards and organizations. Whenever and however a prospective employer or sponsor looks you up, they should find consistent messaging from you.  

Get A Professional Head Shot 

You may consider hiring an Image Consultant to help you rebuild your social media and online presence. Your photograph will brand you powerfully on LinkedIn and elsewhere. Be sure it communicates your energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism. 

STEP FIVE: Make Targeted Connections

Update your Materials & Find Interesting Career Openings/Job Opportunities

You do not just want a job; you want an opportunity to improveyour business/skills over time. You want your Dream Job to engage you as a total person. For this to occur, your values need to align with the values of the hiring organization. 

To find out more about organizations that share your values, and to recalibrate your resume to respond to specific postings, take advantage of AI options that generate decent drafts in minutes. Of course you will need to retool things to reflect your voice and style. However, this cuts back significantly on the time it will take you to produce responsive, interesting cover letters and resumes in minutes. 

Network with Trusted Associates

To supplement what you find on the Web, on catch-all Job boards like Indeed or niche nonprofit executive job boards like ExecSearches.com, or Job boards for fractional nonprofit leadership positions like Nonprofit-Jobs.org, you will need to network to find out what is available in other sectors and how to position your skills—language changes. The way organizations define their needs is constantly evolving. Conversations will help you frame your materials in ways that invite opportunities. 

 

Tailor your Process to Your Core Values and Interests

Avoid the temptation of sending out a million resumes to unvetted organizations. It may be far more productive to request an information session with an organization that you admire, than to send a resume to a place where you have no connection, no shared values and limited interest. 

 

Evaluate Responses

Follow up quickly on signs of interest. Keep your calendar clear during business hours for interviews, information sessions and follow-up. Be intentional about responding after any interviews. Be ready to ZOOM, speak or visit an office in person on short notice. Thank You notes, emails and texts go a long way. 

 

Use any rejections to tailor the next round of applications. Remember, you can contact organizations who may not have any current interest to find out more about their needs and process. This information can only help you as you move forward.

 

Karen Alphonse is an Executive Coach and Senior Search Solutions Leader. For over 20 years Karen has provided job search coaching and resume writing and editing services for not-for-profit professionals. For more information send an email request for more information with the subject “Resume Writing” or “Job Search Coaching” or “Karen Alphonse” including you contact information and a description of your needs.

Or schedule a free consultation with one of our career experts: Calendly.com/ExecSearches