1. How would you prepare to market yourself?

Prepare your marketing strategy, incorporating goals and objectives. This includes:
☛ Listing target positions:
☛ Industries and organizations
☛ Desired organizational characteristics
☛ Geographic preferences
☛ Compensation range.
Narrow the target list based on a realistic assessment of your value in the industries, organizations and roles that interest you. As a rule of thumb, focus on a maximum of two or three industries and 10 to 20 organizations. Choose another 10 organizations for a backup plan.

2. What if you are not sure what do you want to do next?

Any good job search begins with a thorough self-assessment. Ask yourself these questions, and spend some time reflecting on the answers:
☛ What are my values?
☛ What guides me as I make my decisions? Money, making a difference, security, challenge?
☛ What are my professional and personal priorities and objectives for the next few years?
☛ Where do I want to be in my career in the next five and 10 years?
☛ What are my core strengths? What's my value proposition?
☛ What provides meaning and purpose in my life?
☛ Where does my career fit into my vision of life?

3. What is the most effective way to conduct my job search?

Networking is the most effective job-search method. All research and studies indicate that 80 percent or more of all senior-level opportunities come from networking. Remember that networking is a two-way street, and establishing a network takes time.
Start building your network while you are actively employed. Be sure to identify what you want from your contact, such as information about a specific company or a connection to a specific person. Have a strategy and clearly defined goals.

4. What would you do if you hate networking and it feels like you are begging people for a job?

First of all, you are not asking for a job when you network. You are asking for advice, contacts or information. Start with your inner circle of contacts and educate them about your background, skills and what you are looking for next. When you initiate contact, make it clear what you want from the person, how they can be of assistance, and the next step. Reach out to those you have helped in the past. They will feel honored that you are requesting their assistance. Make sure that you keep your network updated on your progress and status.

5. What is the relationship of client with the company?

Upon request, the sponsoring company will receive general feedback on how the individual is doing or when the program has been completed. All conversations with the individual client remain confidential.

6. Why to work with a coach?

A coach provides individual attention vs. working with an outplacement firm who manages groups of people whose needs or requirements may vary dramatically.

7. What do companies support career transition coaching that offer outplacement?

Companies that offer outplacement support do it for several reasons that include good will and risk avoidance. Make the investment count by offering the service that is most meaningful to the ex-employee and accomplishes your objectives.

8. What are the alternative approaches to outplacement?

One of the best ways companies can help exiting employees is to think about the type of services that will best assist them and offer alternative solutions such as working with a career transition coach, who assesses the individual's needs and develops a personal plan that is monitored with execution support. Career transition coaches often work with the more difficult situations where re-employment may require additional effort or focus.

9. How would you find a hidden job market?

Finding a hidden job market of opportunity requires networking and research.

10. What is the hidden job market?

The "hidden job market" refers to jobs that are not published or visible in the job market. These are the jobs that have not gone to search, or perhaps those that a company has not realized it needs yet.

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