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The Day I-85 Fell In Atlanta

OK, I wasn’t anywhere near Interstate 85 during the fire and the subsequent collapse. That event, although tragic, didn’t affect me at all, well, at least not yet. In fact, I was at least twenty miles to the Northwest in Marietta at a networking event. I didn’t learn about the incident until driving home.

Al Maxwell and Dawn Barrs hosted the event I attended.  They are business associates who teamed-up to sell real estate under the Keller Williams brand.  This was the fourth gatherings they have hosted in the past year, with plans to have one event each quarter.    It is a component of their marketing outreach. I’ve known Dawn for over 12 years.   I met Al at their first event last year.  Both are first-rate networkers.

The event was held at Sage Social Kitchen and Bar, which until recently was a Chequers restaurant.  It is a great venue, conveniently located, with a private room to mix and mingle.  The hors d'oeuvre table was strategically located in the middle of the room.

I invited Faith and Hope to attend as my guests.  They were my guests at the last event, which proved to be a productive time for each.  That was my contribution to help Dawn and Al.  Faith couldn’t make it, but Hope was available.  

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Hope and I arrived at the same time, and entered the venue together. We were among the first, my plan to beat rush-hour traffic. Arriving early is a good way to spend quality time with your hosts before they become involved with other guests.  We checked-in, accepted our name badges and made small-talk with Al, who was manning the reception table. Dawn was across the room on her cell phone.  She eventually made it over and greeted me with a big hug. Almost immediately she and Hope were deep in conversation, discussing mutual interests.  Hope is an Interior Designer; working for a remodeling company so connecting her to Dawn was ideal.  By this time, I was getting to know Terry, who arrived immediately after Hope and me.

KEY POINTS TO HOSTING A SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING EVENT

  1. Find a convenient location with proper food and beverage capabilities.
  2. Schedule the event so that guests are not fighting rush-hour traffic.
  3. Use a tool like Evite to invite and manage guest communications.
  4. Use a greeting table to welcome guests and provide name tags.
  5. Locate Food and beverage service so as to facilitate mingling.

Terry is a former AT&T executive who became an entrepreneur when he retired.  He owns a business that helps smaller companies manage their IT networks and infrastructure. We had a nice chat about cyber security, the hottest topic in his field, and certainly top of mind with the politicians in Washington. Terry could be a good contact as we both serve similar customers.  I gave him my card, but he did not seem to have one.  Later, I sent a 'thank you' note to Dawn and Al, and asked for his contact information.  I probably spent too much time talking with Terry, but he was interesting and friendly.  Eventually, I made a gracious exit and began circulating.

Two hours into the meeting, Hope had to leave as she had another appointment.   I spent the next twenty minutes or so making my exit, thanking my hosts on the way out. 

I would have to say that this was a successful event. It was well attended, and I met eight people who I plan to see again.  One is a potential candidate and four are potential referral sources. 

My work is all about meeting new people and strengthening existing relationships.  I attend at least one networking event a week.  Some groups are not as productive, and the events are not well planned.  Not a surprise if I don’t accept their next invitation.  Dawn and Al run the model networking meeting, which I always enjoy.   I will make every effort to attend their future events.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.  

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is important to me so; please leave a comment.

 

Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

JimWeber@NewCenturyDynamics.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assignments

1. COO- Atlanta-based Casual Dining Restaurant Company – New

2. Director of Business Dev, Atlanta-based B2B Professional Services Company: Complete
3. Payroll-Benefits Manager, Atlanta-based Retail Company:  Complete
4. Senior Accounting Manager – Atlanta-based Manufacturer. Offer Accepted
5. Controller – Atlanta-based Restaurant Company:  New

 

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More Questions About Working With Executive Recruiters

To complete the recap of my presentation and follow on discussion with the BENG Group earlier this month, it is appropriate to address the remaining questions posed to me.  Those three questions are addressed herein below.

1. After all these years, why are educational credentials still an issue?

One would think that after thirty years of experience, one’s educational credentials would not be such an issue.  Generally speaking, your education is less important over time because employers hire you for your experience and accomplishments.  But, that is not always the case.  

Recruiters and their researchers work off scripts.  They are given Job Descriptions and Candidate Specifications by the client.  In many cases, I help my clients write job descriptions.  Education credentials are usually a baseline, not necessarily a deal breaker.   For the mature executives with long careers, education becomes less of an issue than for someone beginning their career.   For technical fields, where mastery of state of the art is required, academic credentials are more important.  For most of these occupations, it is unlikely to have built a career without the proper educational credentials. 

In the service sector, a formal education may be overcome by on-the-job training.  Where interpersonal skills are more important than technical skills, educational requirements may be less relevant.

Sometimes educational credentials are a cultural imperative, especially if the company is a highly desirable employer.  If you have a lot of people who want to work for you, increasing the hiring standards is a natural progression for selection.  If there are a lot of candidates interested in the job opening, the hiring manager will be more discriminating.  In this case, if not a match with the hiring criteria, one would be well-advised to look elsewhere,

The issue may not be confined to having a College education, but the prestige of the College you attended or the degree you received.  Assuming a leadership role is easier if the employee has a more distinguished education, “street cred,” as it were.  Window dressing or hiring managers with impeccable educational credentials is usually more significant for the most Senior Executives in Public Companies.  However, there are exceptions to this rule as well. 

[Tweet “All things being equal, your accomplishments;  history of success, trumps all other criteria.”]  Overcoming educational deficiencies later in one’s career may not be a productive use of time.  However, a wise strategy for any career-minded person is to invest in continued professional development.  Continuing education and professional certification may well mitigate a weak educational background.

 

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2. How much information should I include in my LinkedIn profile?

Recruiters use LinkedIn to find viable candidates.  If you are looking for a new job, LinkedIn must become a prominent part of your job search strategy.  I recommend that you step up to a paid subscription, as the added features will enhance your ability to find a job in less time. 

You must leverage the value of LinkedIn.  Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is a complete representation of your career history. It should include every bit of career information you present in your resume, and more.  Use industry-specific terminology and keywords relevant to your functional discipline.  Edit your status to indicate that you are between situations and actively looking.  Make sure your contact details are available and easy to find.  Make periodic updates to keep your network engaged.

Use LinkedIn’s full capabilities.  Actively build your network by becoming linked to more people.  Be involved in groups and follow target companies.  Become a subject matter expert and publish articles relevant to your career.   Ask for as many recommendations as you can. 

3. How does one find an executive recruiter that specializes in my professional niche?

This was the easiest question to answer.  Even so, it was a bit of a surprise.  I assumed that this would be common knowledge for these folks. Lesson learned! The obvious places to find Recruiters that specialize in your industry sector include Trade Associations, The National Association of Personnel Services, and by old-fashioned networking.   Additionally, you can locate this information by searching LinkedIn.

Kennedy Information Inc. and the Association of Executive Search Consultants publish directories and provide database services for a fee.  Before making an investment in these services, check with your local library as they may be a subscriber.

Free directories to consider are RileyGuide.com, recruiterlink.com, onlinerecruitersdirectory.com, searchfirm.com and i-recruit.com. 

The role and function of the Executive Recruiter are often misunderstood. One does not need to grope around in the dark, however, as there is information available to improve your knowledge base.  All that is required is a few commands typed into your search engine.  Or better yet, follow my blog for useful tips and insight.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.  

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is important to me so; please leave a comment.

 

Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

JimWeber@NewCenturyDynamics.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assignments

1. COO- Atlanta-based Casual Dining Restaurant Company – New

2. Director of Business Dev, Atlanta-based B2B Professional Services Company: Complete
3. Payroll-Benefits Manager, Atlanta-based Retail Company:  Complete
4. Senior Accounting Manager – Atlanta-based Manufacturer. In-Process
5. Controller – Atlanta-based Restaurant Company:  New

 

 

Posted on

Free: Executive Resume Cheat Sheet

SEND ME THE FREE EXECUTIVE RESUME CHEAT SHEET!

 

I see a lot of resumes, believe me!  It is a fundamental part of my job.  Most of the resumes I see are dreadful. They are working against the job seeker, forcing them into a prolonged period of unemployment.   Unfortunately, most job seekers don’t appreciate that their poorly written resume is hurting them.

If you are unemployed, you can only think of getting another job to protect your financial well-being.  That is understandable.  You might not know that your resume is working against you.  That it costs you time and money, you cannot afford.   It is hurting your career and your financial goals.   Do you want to get back to work, or suffer a prolonged period of unemployment?   The solution is in your hands.

From time to time I help my candidates craft an effective resume for a fee.   My most successful candidates understand the need for an effective resume and are willing to pay a reasonable price for my help.   No, resume writing is not my primary line of business, but I am happy to help when I can. 

I understand that conserving cash is a priority for most unemployed people.  I get it! 

So, what if you knew the secrets to crafting a killer resume; one that would shorten your job search.  A resume that will help you get the job you want.  Wouldn’t you want to know that secret?  Wouldn’t you want to shorten your time between jobs?   I certainly would!

Fortunately for you, I have been presented with a fantastic resource which I can make available to you, compliments of my friends at CareerTuner.   I have been authorized to share the secrets of the best resume writers, at no charge to you.  That’s right.  I am allowed to help you craft a killer resume at no cost to you.  I have been granted the right to send you The Executive Resume Cheat Sheet, free.  I wholeheartedly endorse this fantastic tool!  It will ensure that you have a professional resume which will help you land that ideal job in the shortest time possible.

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Need a Resume for a Manager Level Job?

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Need a Resume for a Non-Manager Level Job?

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Need a Resume for a Career Change?

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Are You a Recent Grad in Need a Resume?

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Five Steps to employment for the over-50 Job-search Part 3: Your Image Matters!

A few years ago I let my image deteriorate.  I put on a lot of weight that slowed me down and affected my self-worth.  I had outgrown my wardrobe so I decided to take action.  For me, that is a big deal as my suits and trousers are organized by "thin," "normal," and "big-boy."   When I began to move beyond "big-boy" status, I knew that I was in serious trouble.  Okay, to be honest my golf group had a bet to see who could lose the most weight before our annual Spring Trip, six months out.  So, now in my mid-50s, I knew that weight loss would be a bit more challenging.  In the past, when I went on a weight-loss program, I counted and logged my calorie intake and had a solid exercise routine.  This time, I followed the same formula, but signed up for Weight-watchers’ on-line program.  Their app is loaded with useful tools and convenient to use when added to your iPhone.  My exercise routine was a little less aggressive, substituting a brisk 30-minute  walk five days a week for my former jogging routine.  Hey, I don't want to stop playing golf because I ruined my knees.

 

Additionally, I did some dietary research to learn the latest in healthy eating.  From that research I learned two things.  First, I needed to get more protein in my diet, approximately 90 grams a day.   Also, white starchy carbohydrates, especially salty snacks, had to go.   I am happy to say that within 6 months, I had reached my ideal weight, and won the bet.  Of the 12 people in the who started, only two of us stayed with our goal.  Both of us were using the Weight Watchers program, otherwise we were not that different from rest of the group.  The fact that we are Fraternity Brothers probably did not make much difference either.  My biggest take-away form this effort is that a proper diet becomes more important to weight loss as we age because the ability to power through via exercise becomes more difficult.

(Your image makes a difference!) It is important to the prospective hiring manager, and to you!  The hiring manager is making an evaluation of your health and stamina, reflecting your ability to keep up with the demands of the job.  She is also considering how the company will be judged if you are its representative.  Your confidence and self-worth is likely impacted by your approval of your image.  If your self-confidence is negatively affected by your image, you will not perform well at interviews or at networking.  The self-confidence that comes from having a good physical image will result in a more successful job-search campaign.

images woman holding mirror

I am by no means an image consultant so the wisdom I am passing along is based on my personal history.   My intention is to reinforce some obvious points and pique your interest.  In doing a bit of research on The Web, I found quite a bit of information on the subject.  If you are interested in exploring this topic further, you are only a click away from a wealth of information.  Now, to be fair, (when I think speak of image, I am thinking "age-appropriate.")  I do not recommend trying to craft an image better fitting a twenty, or thirty-something.  Believe me, you will not be taken seriously if you go in that direction.  The benefit of age is experience and wisdom.  Personally, that is exactly what I want my image to reflect, plus a healthy dose of energy and zest for life.  I hope you agree. 

images trying to be youthful

(While you are between jobs, work on your image.)  Do something for yourself.  An appropriate physical activity will help you look and feel better.  It will also burn off a lot of the stress that comes from the ups and downs of job-search.

images mature couple walking

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

 

Also, I have a one question survey that will help me determine the best topics to cover.  Please click on the link below provide  your feedback.

 

 http://survey.constantcontact.com/poll/a07e93f58mxht4f5wqw/start.html

 

Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

www.newcenturydynamics.com

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Five Steps to employment for the over-50 Job-search Part 2. Networking: Your Job-search Engine

 

 

If self-assessment is the foundation, networking is the engine for job-search.  Most jobs are still landed through networking so this is where you need to spend  your time.   Your network is probably your most powerful asset, especially in job search, and a competitive advantage for the more mature job candidate.  With time, job moves, and geographical moves it is likely that your network is larger and more powerful than younger competitors.  There is a vast library of articles devoted to building your network.  My point today is about helping you become more effective using your network to land that next job.  Your success in job search will depend on the vitality of your networking.

So, let's assume that you have alerted your network that you are in the market and they have helped you shape a positioning strategy to find that next, great opportunity.  You have researched the opportunity you seek; you understand the industry segment and you know the job you want to pursue.  You have identified key people familiar with that opportunity who are hiring managers or linked to hiring managers.  You have made a good start, but now what? Well, now you must keep your network energized and active on your behalf.

Effective Communication is the key to managing your network.  These folks want to help you!  You must make it easy for them to do so.  You need to stay top-of-mind  without being intrusive or obnoxious.   Your Facebook and LinkedIn networks are easy enough to update, but how do you manage the bulk of your network who may not be connected to you on these venues?

networking-image nodes

How to communicate:

  • Avoid long, drawn-out telephone calls.  My preference is to use email.
  • Put your network into Groups or Circles so that you can efficiently communicate your updates and status.
  • I would urge you to use a merge-mail function, a feature in Outlook, to personalize your emails.
  • Save phone calls for important, targeted communication.

What to communicate:

  • Routine updates as to your progress every few weeks.
  • Any change in direction or dead ends encountered.
  • Successes/problems you are having executing your plan.
  • Keep it short and to the point.  No tomes!
  • A note about a personal interest is always a welcomed addition.

For new contacts, make it easy for me to know how to help you:

  • Be crystal-clear as to what you are trying to accomplish.
  • Help me understand how I can help you.
  • Your elevator speech must be compelling, so I will remember you.
  • Do your homework. Be prepared for our conversation.
  • Don’t make me guess at what might be a good connection for you.
     

Make it easy for me to introduce you to my network:

  • Give me a handful of your business cards.
  • Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+
  • Send me updates on your progress and what you are trying to accomplish.

Make it easy for me to contact you:  Don't waste my time looking for your contact information.

  • Your email correspondence must include a complete signature section.
  • I rely heavily on my IPhone so having the ability to tap your phone number, email address, or website is a critical time saving function.
  • Understand your networking contact’s preferred method of communication and comply.

group of biz people

Networking must be a way of life for professionals, especially if you are over 50. It is all too common for people to neglect their network while they are working, and then hustle to reconnect when between jobs.  Failure to nurture your network while you are working increases your time to reconnect when you are not working.  You have a lot of simple tools at your disposal to stay in touch easily and effectively.   Use them!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

 

Also, I have a one question survey that will help me determine the best topics to cover.  Please click on the link below provide  your feedback.

 

 http://survey.constantcontact.com/poll/a07e93f58mxht4f5wqw/start.html

 

Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

www.newcenturydynamics.com

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New Century Dynamics offers free 20 minute Consultation in roll-out of Mentoring Program

New Century Dynamics offers mentoring programs to help you achieve your goals.  These fee-based services are tailored to your particular needs whether to find a new job, build your business, start a new business, or even to help you buy a business or franchise.   See the Mentoring Services Tab on the main menu for more details.  Contact us immediately for your free Consultation.

“When the decision was made to take our part-time consulting business to a full-time venture, I sought Jim’s counsel. His feedback was most helpful. Jim is a great listener and he provided me with very specific advice which was instrumental in generating a record number of clients for our firm in a very short amount of time. I highly recommend Jim Weber.”   Dr. Lee Patouillet, PhD., President, Patouillet Consulting, LLC.

 

About New Century Dynamics 

 

Founded in 1999, New Century Dynamics Executive Search provides Executive Search, and manpower planning support to our clients in the Service Sector, including Franchising, Food and Beverage, Hospitality, and Retail.  We specialize in the confidential search and for PEG-owned brands.

 

For more information and for your referrals we can be contacted at:

JimWeber@newcenturydynamics.com or 770-649-7051770-649-7051

 

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