I recently joined The Ladders to increase my exposure to the job market, but I am having second thoughts about its value. Its central purpose is to expose you to exclusive opportunities and recruiters for executive level jobs, but it seems to be a business seeking to monetize its users at every step by offering hard-sell services such as resume writing and other services beyond the monthly subscription. Moreover, the aggregated exposure you gain from paying for The Ladders service is far less robust than LinkedIn’s free account.
The bottom line is you need a strong active network of people to find work. Relationships are how you gain access to unadvertised opportunities. When it comes to posted jobs, sites like LinkedIn, Indeed and the various free job boards offer nearly all the information you pay for in The Ladders.
Free=Freedom?
I recently embarked on an unexpected adventure that has resulted in a substantial perspective change for me. After losing my job to a downsizing, I took no time to get busy doing something to keep me sharp and maintain a productive existence. A friend of mine recently started an amazing company, but he is in bootstrap, start-up mode; he needs to be lean and focus resources on his product. So a typical job was not in the cards at this time. Speaking over dinner, we both decided that I might be able to help him dial some things in for his company.
I didn’t expect to fall in love with the job, the product and the people there, but I have. The vibe, the freedom and the belief that the company is on to something amazing are the perfect combination for a life changing experience. The only downside is that income is a delayed thing–and I have immediate needs.
Resume Anxiety
Everyone has an opinion about what a great resume looks like, but no one seems to agree on a single definition of great. As many job seekers, I have solicited feedback from many people on how I should word, organize and format my resume. And like others, I find myself working with conflicting advise and opinions. Even when I have complete trust in the advise of all the people from whom I have gotten feedback, I still am left with substantial–material differences of opinion.
Here are some examples: I have a robust and diverse background. I have been a project manager, a product manager, an executive and a consultant. In recent years with the volatility on the economy, I have had to be flexible in the types of roles I take. I am capable of many things, so how do I convey what I am really good at. As an example, I have a Masters degree, I am a veteran and have a current PMP certification. How should I highlight those things? I have had VP level jobs and been a general manager, so how do I tie that into my more functional abilities? Do I put my education first or my work experience? Do I use bullet points or should I use a more narrative format? Do I even mention I have a PMP when applying for non project management jobs? Should I de-emphasise my executive experience or my functional experience?
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2009 and 2010 have been rough years for me. Employment has been extremely tough as options are slim and employer behavior has been caught up in recession/recovery mode. But, job hunters have also been caught up in recession/recovery mode. We job hunters have been compelled to make some serious compromises and taking whatever comes along. A tight labor market seemed to create an opportunity to get talent for less money and fitting them into roles below their skill sets. This ultimately leads to tension, especially when things pick up.
Because of the scarcity of opportunities and badly needing employment, I have made some unwise compromises in my choices for employers. Ultimately, the “fit” was not great and I was just hunkering down to see if I can make it work. It ultimately did not and being in the wrong place is not good for either you or your employer.
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How often do you feel your talent is wasted where you are? Or how do you know someone who flourished upon a job change?
Recently, I visited a few colleagues of mine at their new place of employment. We all worked together in the past and I was struck by what I noticed and what I observed in my meeting with them. I have a deep admiration for all three folks to whom I am referring. They are rock stars at what they do. They are highly engaged, proactive professionals who amaze me constantly and they are simply great and kind people. But, when we all worked together in the past, it seemed that something was holding them back. They did their jobs well, had great attitudes…great employees. The difference became clear to me when I saw them together in this new place…a new job.
Being unemployed is depressing. For many of us, work is part of our identity. I frequently am asked by others I meet about what I do. But what is the answer when you have become part of the latest unemployment wave that is plaguing our economy and society? A loss of a job is a loss of a part of your life and with that, it is normal to go through the emotions of dealing with a loss of almost any kind. Recently, I was reading some posts online where people actually became suicidal because of their lack of success finding work. When life and death issues are at stake, we have to take notice and that is why I am writing about this topic. All things in life are temporary, but depression clouds that understanding and can lead to terrible decisions if it gets out of control.
Believe it or not, being unemployed for an extended period of time may make you less employable. I recently was speaking with a colleague of mine about a hiring manager who was less likely to consider a candidate for a position if he/she had been unemployed for an extended period of time. Both my colleague and I thought this state if mind was short sided and actually flat out wrong. Why would a hiring manager eliminate a candidate from the interview pool because he/she was unemployed for an extended period? Is this simply recession think?
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This recession has forced me to take a new look at how approach career development. It has never been more important to network and take a pluralistic approach to the job hunt. But networking often “feels” disingenuous and superficial. When you lack employment and are seeking to fix it, you are at a disadvantage and you want something of someone and have little to return the favor. And these days, there are a lot of people out there caught up in “recession think” on the job hunt who are just trying to get an inside to gain some sort of advantage over the masses with whom they are competing.
The outcome is a short-term contact cycle where if your networking efforts fail be productive, you have to move on quickly. In a normal economic situation, it might be best to continue to grow the networking relationship for longer term goals, but today, people move on and the contact stops. This is not a healthy approach to building up a profile and reputation in the workforce. And, unfortunately, when you have a sense of eternal instability, its too easy to use people and burn bridges for your own gains. Continue reading »
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Have you ever had pre-interview wardrobe anxiety? Has the question of what to wear to a job interview caused you to lose sleep? When you are not in a position of control, small details such as what to wear seem like possible make or break decisions. In a recessive job market, it gets even more extreme as people step up efforts to make the best possible first impression and “clothes make the man/woman,” right?
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This job market is brutal. If you were a casualty of the recession and was laid off from an executive position–it is even tougher to find work at the same level. There are a lot of us out there in the market. I know, I am one of you. Of course, like me, you might see this as your break from the corporate ladder and move back into a more functional role. You might like the idea of taking a less political job where you can enjoy your work again. But guess what… you are deemed over qualified. The door hits you in the face because you have too many skills and too much experience.
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