There are a number of senior professionals in my network who today are "in between" jobs.
In our conversations, they often lament that they have never looked for a job; in fact, the job always looked for them.
And so today, they just don't understand why the phone is currently not ringing off the hook.
Their sense of puzzlement and confusion is clearly evident and to be honest, makes me somewhat sad.
In my years as one of Manitoba's leading executive recruitment professionals, I find that one of the reasons a potential candidate is not receiving indications of interest from employers is the fact that they have lost touch with their professional network.
In other words, they probably "hunkered" down into their last job role, worked long and arduous hours and didn't maintain any personal linkages outside of work.
They deliberately yet inadvertently isolated themselves from the world and now they are alone.
Not only that, many of their friends and contacts have retired and/or moved onto other jobs and so their links into various industries of interest are now long gone as well.
Let's get this back into perspective.
Let's face it, you've been in a business crunch before and you were successful in working it out.
So, put your business hat back on and develop a marketing and promotional campaign for yourself.
After all, you are now the product.
Keep in mind that people have to be attracted to your product; in other words, "you!" So, be careful to create a promotional message that will stimulate someone to take action.
At the same time, you might think you need to reach out and get engaged in online social media...
that's OK, but believe me, face to face conversation in my view is still the best strategy to create a positive impression.
Meeting and mingling, meeting, greeting and following up with more in-depth discussions will create far more mileage in marketing yourself.
Luck is with you because at this festive time of year, there is typically a whole host of free and invitational social events that you can attend.
Here are a few tips on how to take advantage of these events.
Reach out to your professional and/or industry association - at the very least your organization is more than likely a member of some organization.
Check out what events they have planned for this festive season.
Call up a member that you know and invite yourself to join them.
Reach out to members - check out your industry membership directory for people that you know.
Send them an email wishing them a happy festive season.
Select individuals who could help you network and ask them to "bridge" a connection for you with someone else.
Make time for volunteering - if you aren't already a member of a volunteer association, plan to lend a hand to the many Christmas cheer organizations that pack up gifts for needy families, provide food hampers and serve special dinners.
There are plenty of them looking for help.
Think about all the good you can do and the people you can meet.
Keep up that positive attitude - people are attracted to those who are self confident and have a positive attitude.
If you feel self conscious about being "in between jobs," then create a short brief and positive script to explain your situation.
A simple "looking for new opportunities" always does the trick.
Carry a business card - ensure your card also contains key skill statements that define what you have to offer and what you are looking for.
Include all your contact information including an email address and a cell phone.
Send a Christmas Greeting - while paper based Christmas cards have become somewhat passe, there are plenty of nice online greeting cards that can be sent to personal friends, contacts and former colleagues.
All of these individuals are network sources who can leverage you to other contacts.
The Christmas festive season is a great time to "rejoin" society and to revitalize your professional network.
Prepare yourself and get out there.
In our conversations, they often lament that they have never looked for a job; in fact, the job always looked for them.
And so today, they just don't understand why the phone is currently not ringing off the hook.
Their sense of puzzlement and confusion is clearly evident and to be honest, makes me somewhat sad.
In my years as one of Manitoba's leading executive recruitment professionals, I find that one of the reasons a potential candidate is not receiving indications of interest from employers is the fact that they have lost touch with their professional network.
In other words, they probably "hunkered" down into their last job role, worked long and arduous hours and didn't maintain any personal linkages outside of work.
They deliberately yet inadvertently isolated themselves from the world and now they are alone.
Not only that, many of their friends and contacts have retired and/or moved onto other jobs and so their links into various industries of interest are now long gone as well.
Let's get this back into perspective.
Let's face it, you've been in a business crunch before and you were successful in working it out.
So, put your business hat back on and develop a marketing and promotional campaign for yourself.
After all, you are now the product.
Keep in mind that people have to be attracted to your product; in other words, "you!" So, be careful to create a promotional message that will stimulate someone to take action.
At the same time, you might think you need to reach out and get engaged in online social media...
that's OK, but believe me, face to face conversation in my view is still the best strategy to create a positive impression.
Meeting and mingling, meeting, greeting and following up with more in-depth discussions will create far more mileage in marketing yourself.
Luck is with you because at this festive time of year, there is typically a whole host of free and invitational social events that you can attend.
Here are a few tips on how to take advantage of these events.
Reach out to your professional and/or industry association - at the very least your organization is more than likely a member of some organization.
Check out what events they have planned for this festive season.
Call up a member that you know and invite yourself to join them.
Reach out to members - check out your industry membership directory for people that you know.
Send them an email wishing them a happy festive season.
Select individuals who could help you network and ask them to "bridge" a connection for you with someone else.
Make time for volunteering - if you aren't already a member of a volunteer association, plan to lend a hand to the many Christmas cheer organizations that pack up gifts for needy families, provide food hampers and serve special dinners.
There are plenty of them looking for help.
Think about all the good you can do and the people you can meet.
Keep up that positive attitude - people are attracted to those who are self confident and have a positive attitude.
If you feel self conscious about being "in between jobs," then create a short brief and positive script to explain your situation.
A simple "looking for new opportunities" always does the trick.
Carry a business card - ensure your card also contains key skill statements that define what you have to offer and what you are looking for.
Include all your contact information including an email address and a cell phone.
Send a Christmas Greeting - while paper based Christmas cards have become somewhat passe, there are plenty of nice online greeting cards that can be sent to personal friends, contacts and former colleagues.
All of these individuals are network sources who can leverage you to other contacts.
The Christmas festive season is a great time to "rejoin" society and to revitalize your professional network.
Prepare yourself and get out there.