Asking for Help in Your Career Transition

Are you struggling with asking for help?
Are you asking yet discouraged by the lack of results?

You may be doing what you think you need to… meeting people, building your network, asking them for help, yet you come away discouraged.  Yet…are you asking the right way?
Imagine that you are the one being asked for help
If you received a call from someone you know that is in career transition and they said something like:
  • “Hi Mary, I’m looking for a new job, please let me know if you hear anything” 
What would you think?  How easy would it be for you to help this friend?

What if – instead, your friend said something like:

  • “Hi Mary, I’m seeking a new career/role that allows me to lead an organization through change and transition.  I’m especially interested in the technology industry and am looking to talk with people in this industry to gain insight and advice as I make my transition.  Who do you know in this industry that you could introduce me to?”   
How easy would it be to be helpful now?

The more specific you are, the easier you are making it for your network to help you.  This works well when it is someone you already know well, that knows you well – a friend, family, former colleague.  Someone you can get right to the point with.

What if you are asking for help from someone you don’t know well or at all?
Now your “ask” will sound different.  Your goal here is first to establish a relationship with this person, so they will remember you, think of you when an opportunity does come to their attention, and be more willing to help.

How do you do that?  Focus on them first!  Now imagine you are the recipient of an email like this:

  • “Hi Mary, Joe Smith recommended I reach out to you (or, I found you on LinkedIn) as you are working in the field I am very interested in exploring as I branch out in my career.  Would you be willing to talk with me briefly about your career path and offer me advice as I move toward this new path?”
What if you don’t know exactly what it is you want? 
That’s OK!  There are many areas you can be specific about – choose one or more:
  • Your job title – if you know what role you want, let them know
  • Your industry of choice – it can be more than one
  • Your field of interest or passion – broader than job title
  • The types of companies (or specific companies) you would like to work for
  • The type of people you want to meet – based on their role/field
  • The strengths you want to use – if you choose this one, also tie it to role or industry or give examples if several
Remember; make it easy for someone to help!
  • Establish a relationship first
  • Get to know them, their career/role/industry
  • Ask advice and information
  • Be as clear as you can about the direction you are making your career transition
  • Ask for something specific when you can

Take Ownership of Your Life

Why is it important to take ownership instead of WAITING for things to change?

When you take ownership, you are in the drivers seat of your life.  There is no one better than you to determine what is right/good/best for you.

When you leave it in others hands, a few things may happen

  • You may be given opportunity you don’t want
  • You may be waiting a very long time to get what you want (if it ever comes)
  • You may be working against the very thing you want by focusing on what has not happened yet

When you take ownership, here is what could happen

  • You get more of what you want, because you determined it and are working toward it day to day
  • You go much farther in life because you are taking an active role in your life instead of a passive one
  • Your life is richer and fuller!

How do you Take Ownership?

  •  Determine what you want – not what you feel you should do/have, but what you truly want for your life – how you want to be, what you want to have and do
  • Decide what you have full control over – which of your wants can happen without anyone else having to do/be anything, without any circumstances being any different.  What can happen immediately once you put your mind to it, decide it and do it
  • Understand where you have influence – how, by changing your approach, your behavior, your interactions – you can influence those around you which can get you closer to what it is you truly want
  • Make no excuses – no blaming others or circumstances for what you don’t have
  • Set daily intentions – ways you will be, things you will do each day toward the things you want

Example

You want to have a happier life, and you decide one of your wants is to be more connected with other people.  Where you have full control is how you interact with others (how open, friendly and social you are).  When you behave the way you want, that influences how others see you, which can change how they engage with you.  Your daily actions may include smiling at everyone you meet or asking your colleagues what they did last weekend.

How will you being taking ownership of your life?

 

Finding Your Dream Job

A Career Transition Success Story

This month I am sharing this inspiring message I received recently… The names of companies, etc have been left generic for privacy and to help you see that this story is transferable/relatable to all fields.

“Hi Stefanie!  Remember me? I was the restless longtime employee of a great company in Raleigh with an amazing dream company on her radar. 🙂  My family and I relocated to our new city 5 months ago, and it’s been a whirlwind.  My job is intense, but good.  I have an amazing manager who is a great mentor, helping me understand “their corporate way.”  The company is humongous and there are so many things to learn, but I’m making headway, little by little.

I wanted to share some insight with you on how my dream company recruits since it’s something you talk about in your sessions.  I had a meeting with two of the HR recruiters for this company a couple of weeks ago.  They are using LinkedIn as their No. 1 social media tool to locate talent.  In addition to finding the right skill set and experience on LinkedIn, they also said they look to see what interest groups a person has joined and/or what other companies they are following.  They really like to find people who have an affinity for the brand already, so if you’re following their company on Twitter and LinkedIn, etc, that is a plus.  I remember once I had decided that is where I wanted to work, I started following a bunch of the company Twitter accounts, LinkedIn sites, etc.  I didn’t realize it would be something they took note of when they looked at my LI page, but apparently it is important.

Social media presence aside, the most important factor for me in landing this job was making connections at my dream company.  I was able to do that because I was on the board of a local professional association chapter in the Triangle and I reached out to the their President in the city where my dream company was, who happened to work at that company!  I honestly don’t think she’d have ever taken my call had I not had that association connection in common!  Once I talked to her, I was able to talk to a couple more people and get my name out there.  Then, when the right job opened up, I applied and I wasn’t an unknown name in a stack of resumes.  So the system works!  Let your clients know that even if you have NO connections to a company, if you are strategic about it, you can find a way to get your foot in the door.

It all started with an “itch” I had that my job at the time wasn’t challenging me anymore.  When I was completely honest with myself, even though I had all the perks that an employee could want while working for this great company in Raleigh, including a supportive manager and fun team,  I wasn’t growing as an individual anymore.  Once I recognized that, I started taking steps to find something that would energize me again.  I attended one of your workshops on building your resume and social media presence, then started meeting every two weeks with a friend/co-worker of mine in the same boat to hold each other accountable to making steps towards change.

So, the first step is honesty with yourself. The next step is action and driving change.  And once you set your sights on a goal and are willing to do the work to get there, there is no stopping you! :)”

I hope you found this story inspiring and that it gave you some ideas and strategies you can incorporate into your career transition!