Advice Line | Bob Lewis | InfoWorld | Re-entering the job market | April 29, 2007 09:44 AM

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Re-entering the job market

April 29, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Re-entering the job market

Dear Bob ...

I am the IT Director at a midsize company. I've been with the same organization my entire career and it's been a great ride. But it has become obvious recently that the time has come for me to move on to bigger and better challenges.

My question has to do with how to enter and succeed in the recruiting process. I haven't searched for a job since college. And my understanding is that the popular online job boards might not be the vehicle for the type of position I'm looking for. I don't have a great sense of where to start and how to really be effective in this search.
Any brilliance you could share would be greatly appreciated.

- Back on the market

Dear Marketable ...

I'm really not the best person to answer this question. The last time I faced a similar situation I started my own consulting company instead.

The short answer, which you'll get from everyone you ask, is to "network" - to take advantage of the six degrees of separation that is the maximum theoretical distance separating you from the CEO who wants to hire you but doesn't realize it yet.

The problem with the short answer is that it leaves all of the important stuff - the actual techniques - for you to figure out.

But before you take this step, there's a question you didn't address in your e-mail, which is what you want your next challenge to be. The answer can be multiple choice (I'd be interested in pursuing any of these three directions), but shouldn't be infinite choice (I'll take whatever comes along and looks interesting).

If that's a false assumption, take some time to think it through. Use the "three circles" technique to home in on it: The three circles are what you're good at, what you enjoy doing, and what someone is willing to pay for. Whatever falls into the area the three circles overlap is what you should be looking to do next.

How to start networking: Talk to people you know and trust. Let them know what you're looking for - the type of person you want to meet - and ask if they can help. And if they don't know them, do they know someone who might who they'd be willing to introduce you to.

It's pretty basic, but that's how it works.

- Bob

Posted by Bob Lewis on April 29, 2007 09:44 AM

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One of the problems with networking is that most people see through the ploy of being used and look at you and think "it must suck to be you." I have been there and done that but it comes done mostly to luck and having the right skill set.

Just knowing a CEO (or a degree away) doesn't ensure anything unless you have something to really offer in today's competitive marketplace. Yes, you have to make your own luck by "going out there" and talking/selling yourself to others. It's all a sales/shell game. Lucky you.

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