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Choosing a Career Coach

Editor’s note: Jason Sanders is the Vice President of Executive Search at Ivy Exec, whose guest post is a reprinted article with the permission of Ivy Exec.

Most of the resumes that I receive nowadays come from job seekers using career coach services during their executive job search. They may receive advice from an outplacement company hired by their employer, or they may have hired someone themselves.

We have always received unsolicited resumes, but it now seems like using an outside agency is becoming standard practice. That can be great for recruiters because it allows us to decide whether to hit the delete key with much more accuracy.

If you want to set yourself apart from the pack and enhance your ability to network, you have to choose the right company. Here are some things to look for in a career coach:

1. How will their presentation of your credentials set you apart from the pack?
2. Do they offer access to networks that they have nurtured themselves?
3. Would you feel comfortable considering a complete change in the direction of you career, if advised by your career coach?

Notice, that I do not refer to resume templates, databases, mail merges and other such basic tools. Talking about those items as differentiators is like saying a telephone and a laptop make you an outstanding consultant.

If you want to reach a new audience in a new way, you will need a creative, well-connected counselor, who you can trust like you would your doctor.

by SandraTedford

Is Social Media Keeping You From Getting A Job?

Editors note: Sandra Tedford (@WeTalkToday), CEO of WeTalkToday.com and her guest post aligns with my belief that job seeker’s discretion using social media is essential to the job search.

Have you ever posted to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, only to discover afterwards you had typos, misspelled words and used more words than necessary?

Then you think better change that, because all my old classmates who thought I was so smart in the tenth grade will see this.

Gotta protect the rep, right?

Effective communication, in business and as a job seeker can either make or break your chances at landing that much coveted contract or getting hired.

When we post to social media websites, we sometimes find ourselves editing our words to make sure we don’t sound like an idiot.

That’s a good thing.

However, what do you do when someone throws fighting words at you? Maybe you’ve pushed the limit, by responding with a few choice expletives. Well, maybe this one doesn’t apply to you.

Nevertheless, it’s essential for everyone participating in online discussions of some sort to be a good communicator. What we write is just as important and can have lasting impact, as the pictures we post.

We share about vacations, new restaurants, celebrities, shopping experiences, online purchases, friends, family and the list goes on. Sharing our experiences helps us express ourselves to others.

When we post to social media websites and the post is long it forces us to choose our words carefully. Being a good communicator can open doors that you didn’t even know were there. Here are a few tips to use to make communicating easier and a lot less time consuming.

1. Don’t Be Long Winded. Replace words with a larger character count, with shorter words of a similar meaning. Writing on Facebook and Twitter in particular, forces us to be concise in the words we use to convey our thoughts to the reader.

2. Be Prepared To Give An Answer. When we write online we may be subject to criticism when someone disagrees with our post. How would you respond? Are you short, using some very choice expletives to convey your thoughts? Or, do you turn the other cheek?

3. Provide Value Added Feedback. When you comment on someone’s blog, provide comments that offer value to readers. The articles author and the readers will appreciate you taking the time to provide thought provoking feedback, rather than the standard “great article” or “good post”.

If a potential employer or company looking for a contractor to do business with, contacts you on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, what would you say? And yes, they are looking on Facebook and Twitter. Would you be embarrassed by your posts or tweets? I’m not saying everyone has to be buttoned down, however, make sure whatever you post online today, is not going to somehow embarrass you in the future.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

4 More Ways of Basic Salary and Employment Negotiation

A friend recently negotiated a $10,000 bump in a salary offer because he used reasoning with a company that came after him. The current company paid $16,000 for his master’s degree, and asked the approaching company to invest part of what he would have to pay back. The company was impressed and agreed to work with him. Note that he only requested a portion and not the whole. Negotiation is an critical discussion in closing the deal. The ideal approach sets the tone for a prosperous career. Remember, reasonable. Read on!

1. Patient salary negotiation earns respect from employers

If you are tactful and respectful in making a request for anything using sound reason, the reciprocated respect is worth more than a salary bump. The word “REASON” is a powerful negotiation tool because it can make or break your efforts. To present a reason as a one-way often fails because the candidate is self-seeking. To offer sound reasoning is a value exchange: “I would like to work from home a day or two a week in exchange for working 6-8 hours overtime at the office.” This may work better with an employer who promotes work/life balance but it is only an offer.

2. You’re experienced. How about flexible?

If you have given a range of an expected salary, I hope is a thought-out, calculated, and measured answer. What about the other issues important to you, such as schedule, benefits, and perhaps holidays? If you have read articles on negotiation, they will say you should create a “must-have” list. Remember, be reasonable in requesting your “must-haves.” Negotiate with the professional relationship in mind.

3. Wait for it…in writing

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If you want clarity wait for the offer in writing before convening the Geneva convention. Depending on the professional level, the offer based on the value communicated. In lower level professions (hourly wage) the wiggle room is very small, which means you will have to consider non-salary negotiations (not true for every case but common).

An article in The Central New York Business Journal suggested,

If the desired salary isn’t available…make sure a position will offer other incentives prove beneficial later in a job candidate’s career.

Top Mistakes Professionals Make When Negotiating Their Salary. (2011). Business Journal (Central New York), 25(20), 10.

4. Salary negotiation is not a list of demands. It’s a business conversation

This approach is easier on both parties. No one is holding anyone hostage. Understand that for each “must-have” or request you make, expect requests. The success of this meeting will be the positive energy and mutual satisfaction (as stated in #6). Anything less than that you lose. Like the song says, “Know when to hold ‘em, and know when to fold ‘em…”

Again, the advice is basic, and by all means, read books on the subject if you desire a thorough knowledge base. Successful knowledge base rooted in expert knowledge of the value you offer and how to ask for what you want. Do you have tips to share? Please share in the comments.