13 Action Steps to Getting Promoted or Getting Hired

Success

13 Action Steps to Getting Promoted or Getting Hired

Below are thirteen powerful steps to help you be successful in your current job or to make career move.

Step into action:

  1. Offer to help each person you contact.  Building a professional network begins with helping other people.
  2. Become a research wizard.  It is no longer necessary to drive to a library to get information on companies, job openings, and compensation.  Simply entering the information into a search engine will give you nearly all the information you need to know to find your next job.
  3. Work your network by making a list of every possible contact you have ever made in business and contact these people for ideas and opportunities.
  4. Ask for referrals of every person you contact.  Build the most powerful personal and professional database possible.
  5. Lay out your goals as specifically as you can, but be aware that the more flexible you are in terms of money, location, and responsibility the more opportunities you will have available to you.
  6. You should get to know two recruiters you trust.  Contingency recruiter or retained recruiter?  In practice, how a recruiter is compensated is not nearly as important as what contacts he may have.  Typically, retained recruiters are conducting searches where the salary is above $250,000 and involve “C” level managers.   See <a “=”” title=”Working with Recruiters: The Different Types and What They Do” href=”https://www.jaywren.com/headhunters-and-big-diamond-rings/”>Working with Recruiters: The Different Types and What They Do.
  7. Be organized.  Make a list daily of your contacts, what you discussed what action you have taken and what action needs to be taken.
  8. Use some type of contact management system.  Gmail and Google Calendar are great tools that are free. Smartphones offer apps.  Windows Outlook has an integrated contact management systems.  There are others.
  9. Become an expert on what is in the job market for your benefit and the benefit of the people in your network.  Read the want ads in the local newspaper, national publications, and especially trade journals,.  Track these open positions on a spreadsheet.  You may not need the information when you started the day, but you may before you finish it.
  10. Before approaching a company directly for any purpose, research it thoroughly.  How is it structured:  Marketing, sales, operations, finance, administrative?  Public or private ownership?  Do you have a referral to get your foot in the door or who may even work against you.  Who are the key managers in your skill or business area.
  11. Prepare for an interview the same way you would prepare for a major sales call, business review, or planning session where you are the key presenter.
  12. Follow up with your contacts you have made.  An email that says I know I have neglected to stay in touch and not returned your calls but I need your help now may not serve you very well.
  13. Without your contact people can not respond quickly and can not put you into their contact management system.  Put this information every piece of correspondence.
    • Your Name
    • Your City, State, Zip
    • Your phone number
    • Your email address

    Remember as stated above, offer you help every person you contact. A professional contact begins with helping other people.