A career coach helps you break through barriers, overcome obstacles and identify priorities so you will achieve success as quickly as possible
Career Transition
Research shows that by working with a career coach, a job search process can be 30-40% more effective and efficient, decreasing the amount of time it takes to obtain a new opportunity. I have worked with hundreds of individuals -Millenials to Baby Boomers and Entry-Level Professionals to C-Suite executives with more than 70% of my clients landing in new roles/companies/opportunities as a result of working with me. I will act as your “Accountability Partner” as you work to achieve your stated goals. I can also help you manage the uncertainty and the constant roller coaster of a job search. This includes breaking through barriers, overcoming obstacles and identifying priorities to help you achieve success!
What are you interested in?
A promotion at your current company? A new job in a new company? A revised resume, an actionable marketing plan and/or an engaging and uniquely differentiating LinkedIn profile with many connections? Éxzeto can help you! Here are Éxzeto’s capabilities and service areas:
Whether you have decided to look for a new job or are working through an unplanned restructuring initiated by your employer, this process will take you through a host of emotions that will most likely make you feel like you are riding the roller coaster at the amusement park. Creating a structured project plan with set goals and milestones will help mitigate the highs and lows and will help you reach your goals much more effectively and quickly.
We’ll talk about the emotions, the changes and get that plan in place as quickly as you are able. I have a saying about job search. In order to be successful, you must “use all the tools in the toolbox”. Keep reading to learn about these tools.
Now, the fun can start. Leaving a job can often be “that kick in the pants” that you wanted to take but were afraid to. True, this may not be your doing, but with the right attitude and approach, the time on this journey can be exciting, enlightening, illuminating and fun! What are your strengths? What has made you successful in all your jobs since you began your professional career? Is there something that you have always wanted to try but the timing was never right? Do you need some specific training or a certification? Do you like what you do, but you want to change industries? Or, do you like the industry, but want to try a new functional area?
Éxzeto will work with you to help you figure this out. I have self- assessment tests and exercises that you can take to validate ideas or show you something new. It can be boiled down to three areas- what do you do best, what do you like to do and what are your priorities and values in life? Finding the right position/ job and company to ensure this alignment will bring that success (éxzeto!) for you.
We are usually defined by the job roles we have occupied. Now, that may not exist. So, you need to be able to tell others why that is in a non-defensive factual manner. You will need to have an exit statement prepared so you can answer that “Why are you looking for work?” question.
Then, you have to be able to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question. Often called the elevator pitch, you will need to be able to present yourself- both verbally and in written form in a concise and easy to remember manner. You have to distinguish yourself from all the others who have your same title and experience. By doing this, people can relate to who you are and what you want to do. What is your professional identity? Call yourself something (not necessarily your last job title) and tell your audience why you are the best at what you do. Describe your strengths, your expertise and any particular important personal traits and characteristics that emphasize your work.
There are many different types of resumes that are used in a job search. I will work with you to determine which format is best for you. Chronological, functional and hybrid ones are the most common. We’ll talk about length and all the visual areas that need attention, but also ensure your content will grab the reader to their feet and put your resume at the top of their stack.
Writing accomplishment bullets that are measurable and quantifiable and answer that “so what/ why should the reader care?” question can be challenging to accomplish. Attainable? Absolutely?
I will keep asking you questions to help you drill down on a task to find the specific words to best describe your job responsibilities and accomplishments.
Marketing Plans / Identifying your Target Companies
Being focused in your job search will help you land your next role more quickly. Creating a networking/marketing plan will help you do this. Used in conjunction with the resume, this tool will help you have productive networking meetings and help you get to the decision makers at the target companies where you want to work. Finding that right balance between being open to any industry or geographic area and knowing where exactly you want to work is not an easy task. Be focused, yet flexible. With this approach, you will be open to new possibilities.
It is a fact of life- social media is here to stay and it is constantly changing. It is imperative to have an online presence and having a unique and comprehensive personal profile to help you secure your next role. Think of me as your personal brand strategist. I can help you create that unique and differentiating profile along with helping you use the software effectively- whether that be in connecting to others, joining and participating in groups or applying for a job.
It is important to have something to give to someone when you meet them. You can’t use your old company cards anymore. I’ll help you identify what needs to be on them and where you can get them.
Networking is probably the most important element of the job search process. It is also one of the most hated parts of the job search process! Too often, job seekers spent 75% of their time passively applying for jobs via an online process and only 25% actively talking to family, friends, colleagues and hiring managers and decision makers. These numbers need to be turned around. We’ll talk about the networking process and why it is so important. I’ll show you how to use a networking plan to help you drive the agenda for a networking conversation- in both phone, video and face to face meetings.
Social media tools are a necessary part of job search. Should you use Twitter? Apply for a job on Facebook? Participate in LinkedIn groups? Create a YouTube video? Once you have determined your job focus we can detemine which social media tools will best complement your other job search activities.
The resume has gotten you a screening interview- now you have to be prepared! Your goal is to sell yourself to help you get the job offer. I can help you prepare for phone, video and face to face interviews. We can do a role play and do a mock interview. You must be able to answer all questions about information that is both on your resume and accomplishments that you did not include on the resume. You also need to research the company and show you know what they do and what products/services they provide to their customers.
You must be prepared for the traditional type of interview as well as for behavior/competency based interviews. The “tell me about a time when you…” interview is an extremely effective way to ask a candidate to show their competence and expertise in a myriad of job related areas.
Additionally, you may have a combination of individual one-on-one’s or panel interviews. You may need to create a presentation to showcase a particular expertise the new job requires. Having an effective strategy to manage this part of the process is crucial.
Finally, you will want to have questions to ask of your interviewers. I can help you brainstorm what is important.
YAY! The job offer has been extended. Lots of things to think about? Is it the right job? Right culture? Right salary? Should you take a pay cut? What do you ask for without being too greedy? Everything is negotiable. Most important, know what the market will currently bear for this position. I can help to show you where to find this data, along with providing you with tools to help you objectively evaluate your offer(s) and pick the best one that suits you.
And as I love to say, “Éx-ze-to!” Success! You have a new job! But this process is not over yet. You have people to thank, possible other opportunities to close out and most importantly, planning to do to ensure your transition and onboarding is seamless. I will help you with these steps as well.
