Last week I was invited to be part of a panel discussion for a presentation called Overcoming the Fear: Career Strategies for Success in Today’s Economy hosted by the Human Resources Association of New York.
For many, when they first embark on a job search, they go into the process looking to find a position similar to the one they had last. But the problem with that strategy is that the world is a different place than it was when you accepted that last position. It’s no longer enough to identify yourself by your profession. It doesn’t really matter if you are a recruiter, an investment banker, a mortgage broker, a realtor, or a lawyer. The real question is what skills do you have that today’s employers are buying? Before you jump into your search, review these questions.
- What do you do that you are good at and enjoy doing?
- What are you good at but don’t enjoy doing?
- What skills do you have an interest in and aptitude for but need to develop further?
- Where is the intersection between what you like to do and what current business needs dictate?
To gain a better understanding of employers’ needs start asking these questions at networking events, professional association meetings, and informational interviews.
- What is the most pressing problem your organization or industry is facing?
- What skills are in the greatest demand in your current environment?
- What areas do you wish to build efficiencies in?
Through introspection and conversation you can begin to reshape your role and increase the likelihood of marketing yourself as a candidate that is the solution to an employer’s needs.
To read the thoughts of my colleague and fellow panelist, Jennifer Loftus of Astron Solutions on this topic, check out her blog post on personal branding and its role in helping you formulate a career direction. The content is geared towards HR practitioners but has relevance to all professions.