Fighting Alligators:
Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
By: James E. Weber
2016
When you are up to your neck in Alligators it is easy to forget that your primary objective is to drain the swamp. You may be looking for a new job, or you may be gainfully employed, but your primary objective is to manage your career.
The world is changing rapidly, restructuring to a new economic paradigm. Fighting Alligators explores Job Search in the new normal. My goal is to help the reader navigate employment opportunities in the face the new economic model created by the Digital Age.
I wish I had read Jim’s book two years ago!
Jim Weber has written the definitive ‘career management’ book for Baby Boomers thru Millennials. The big take-away is not just his advice for preparing resumes, job interviews, etc., but a reality check that there is a ‘new normal’ for employment and his advice for how to prepare to be in control of your career.
Well done and solid advice.
Best Regards,
Artie
“Jim, I just read your book. I am impressed. It is simple and profound in what it addresses. I always knew you were very smart and talented and this book confirms that clearly.” R. Wallace Hite, CEO Reconstruction Partners
“Jim – thank you for the opportunity to preview your e-book. Among the many things I have come to admire about you over the years is your communications savvy, and this work is a great example! You have a way of connecting, simply and genuinely. I do think this book will be an excellent tool, providing good guidance. Very well done! Cari Pirello,” Sr. VP Marketing Workshop
“Jim, this well done. It’s to the point against the Key areas. Puts a tough process for the reader in perspective. It’s valuable today. Thanks for letting me have a pre-release preview.” Ron Weinstock.
The primary strategy I have employed to market my business is writing articles on employment issues. I began by contributing to the Alumni Voice, the quarterly publication of the University of South Florida Alumni Association. That column, called “Employ-A-Bull” (USF Bulls; get it?) was targeted to younger alumni, beginning their careers. I also posted those articles on my website for broader distribution. This humble little column led to new opportunities to speak to larger groups. Helping my clients and candidates, whether I make a placement or not, is a win-win, business-building proposition.
After writing articles for the Alumni Magazine, I hit on the idea of writing for a broader audience to help promote my business. While interviewing a colleague for my first article, I was advised that I should speak to the value of social media, including blogging as a valuable tool for finding a new job. My friend said that I should consider blogging as a part of my marketing mix. He even suggested that I investigate Google’s Blogger. I will admit that I had thought of beginning a blog but could never justify the time. Pondering the scope of my first article was the justification I needed.
I took his advice and started my blog: Innovative Employment Strategies, now rebranded as Fighting Alligators. Since it launched during the Great Recession, I planned to speak to employment issues relevant to the current economic situation. With so many people on the market, standing out from the crowd was a big challenge. Additionally, the people that seem to be most affected were younger folks at the beginning of their careers, and the more mature among us, especially the most highly compensated professionals. The employment forecast was pretty grim too. The conventional thinking was that it would take five years or more before the market could absorb these folks. A new way of looking at employment was needed. I set out to reevaluate traditional job search methods. Needless to say, this topic got some attention.
I talked to people who had been successful in their job search efforts. I was also interested in talking with those who had chosen to start their own business or became self-employed. The goal was to identify innovative methods leading to success. I thought this work would be useful information that I could share with clients and candidates. And it was.
Now, five years later, I decided to take the next step. It was time to consolidate my experience and knowledge into this book. Since this book has grown out of my blog, the target audience is the professional who is well into his career. Although most job seekers will benefit to some degree, the more senior level managers will find this material most useful.
“Fighting Alligators” is not for everyone, nor is it meant to be. Think of it as a menu, not a cookbook. My focus is on broad themes, relevant to job search and career management in the “new normal.” It is about strategy, and to some degree, tactics. I assume that the reader is well-equipped to fill in the details to execute a 21st Century job search campaign. I hope; you find my insight to be interesting and useful.