Inspired by a Swiss . . . Army Knife
There’s nothing more useful than a Swiss Army Knife. If you’re thinking about a career change, here’s my “Swiss Army Knife” of tools you can use as you embark on your journey.
Intentionality. What’s your highest career aspiration? Imagine living in that reality and setting a simple intention that will inspire you to make smart choices and bold moves.
Pro Tip: Swap, I’m looking for a job in tech for a simple intention: I am thriving and making an impact as an international project manager/director with a strong team of self-motivated tech professionals. It’s clear and effective because it’s nonspecific which keeps your options wide open.
AI. Optimize Anne Hunter’s 7 AI Tools to Automate Your Job Search.
Pro Tip: For every application, tune-up your resume and make it easy for the interviewer to see you as “one of the team” and contributing from the start.
Professional Connections. Think strategically and get your resume and cover letter in front of the right people, early in the interview process. Reach out to current and former colleagues, friends, and family members who may have an “in” or know someone who might. People can’t say yes unless you ask.
Pro Tips:
Offer to write a LinkedIn recommendation. It’s a fast and easy way to reconnect. Once it’s written, ask them to return the favor.
Give back by helping people who reach out for help.
Request to connect, on LinkedIn, with everyone you meet during the interview process - recruiters, staffers, and consultants.
Stories That Promote . . . YOU. When you’re interested in a position, focus on the top 5 roles/responsibilities and think through how you will make an impact by transferring specific skills and experiences.
Pro Tip: Craft a few superpower-in-action stories – short case studies that make self-promotion easy. Integrate stories into your cover letters, and use them when answering interview questions, and in follow-up emails.
Two-way Interviews. Engage your interviewers and get them talking.
Pro Tips:
Take good notes. While you are looking interested, you are gathering valuable information that you can use to personalize your follow-up emails.
Say More Than Thank You. Personalize your follow-up emails to each person in the interview process.
Pro Tip: Grab their attention with a contextual acknowledgment followed by something that sparks their curiosity and prompts a reply: Hi Maya, in our conversation on Tuesday, you outlined the strategy for X. . . which got me thinking about a recent project (Superpower in action story.) I am very curious to learn more about X. Thank you.
The self-promotion stops after the negotiations are complete and you accept the final offer.
Good luck & know I’m here to help! Schedule your free, 30-minute exploratory coaching session to a kick start in setting clear intentions and navigating the job search. Have a notebook handy since great ideas that are sure to fly.
