Nine innovative job-search tactics

John Heckers //October 26, 2011//

Nine innovative job-search tactics

John Heckers //October 26, 2011//

As I promised last week, here are a few innovative job search and networking tactics for you to revitalize your job search.

1). Use ColoradoBiz magazine. ColoradoBiz is a treasure-trove of information. Not only are there great columnists (ahem) on here, but there are a ton of resources. Reading through the many columns on your career can really help your job search. Utilizing the many lists and resources of ColoradoBiz can help you find the best companies to apply to. An in-depth article on how to use its resources is here.

2). Get aggressive with building your network. Few people network enough, especially at the executive level. The most effective and sometimes the ONLY way of getting a top level job in Colorado is to build and work your network. Ignore most of the huge networking events and concentrate on the smaller, exclusive networking venues. Find out about these from your industry publications, events calendars, word of mouth and associations. Register for them and go. Don’t give up on this! It is essential!

3). Network with more people. I have my clients do 12 – 15 networking coffees a week. This may seem excessive, but networking for a job is absolutely a numbers game in this economy. Always have advice or a lead to give at these networking meetings. Begin the meeting by telling your networking partner how you can help him or her, not by begging for leads. Network with the unemployed that are in a different field than you. You can help one another look out for jobs in your respective fields.

4). Check out start-ups and very small businesses. Mega-corporations are laying people off. Get the “big company mentality” out of your head. Look to start-ups and very small businesses. These folks may not have an actual opening, but might be amenable to hiring you if you talk to the owner and show him or her how you are able to make the company money. Forget huge salaries and massive benefits, however. Those belong to a previous time. You must be flexible on hours, salary, benefits and title to work at a smaller company.

5). Make a list. Make a list of everything you are capable of doing. Good. Now look at that list and ask if there is anything on there that can be turned into an innovative business on a shoestring. Try to think of something else other than “consulting.” Everyone and their sibling is a “consultant.”

6). Start an accountability group with others. Meet weekly for breakfast or lunch and keep one another accountable. Don’t commiserate! If someone is “Debbie Downer,” out they go. And keep the group pretty small: 5 – 7 is an ideal size. Don’t go to groups where everyone is moaning about how bad things are, as true as that might be. Keep it positive!

7). Let a business “try before they buy.” Ideally, you would come on as a paid consultant doing the job you want to do for the business. That may not work with a start-up that is pre-funding, however. If you are able, work for deferred compensation and equity share. Don’t work for a business for free for more than a few weeks, however. Get everything in writing and have your attorney look it over carefully. Deferred compensation and equity share gives everyone a share in both the risk and the rewards of entrepreneurship.

8). Speak. You, theoretically at least, have some very unique experience and skills. Get on the speaking circuit. Who is the best guy to help you with that in Colorado? The venerable and affable Joe Sabah. I highly recommend his classes and workshops. Tell him “hi” for me and that I sent you!

9). Take anything but keep looking. It is no secret that many employers are discriminating against the unemployed. Work at anything (even if it is not paid) that will let you show that you’re currently employed. But DON’T work at the “consulting” firm you started with your name in the company name or anything else that makes it obvious that the company is “You, Inc.” This is the kiss of death on your résumé.

I know it isn’t easy to find employment in today’s market. You must think out of the box, be flexible and be creative. Let me know in the comments below or at my email address other creative ideas you have to get employed.

Are you in the management or executive ranks and looking to network with those who have great job leads. Please join me and up to 30 of your colleagues at Structured Networking on Nov. 14. Registration and more information here.
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