Inspiration and a new year

We've navigated the slow entry into 2012, January felt like a grey morning that was trying to wake up but there's been a steady incline of activity and entry into a hopeful new year. Employment numbers are eking upwards and there seems to be optimism creeping in the air. Yeah!

Inspiration to move forward with a job search can come in many forms. For me its the clarifying and articulating of my target. Now that I have a realigned focus for my job search - consultant with a small to medium sized firm - I am inspired to see how closely my 'felt sense' of alignment meets the real world. Having taken the StandOut assessment I feel affirmed in my own strengths - yes I knew they were there but somehow having words and phrases that can be used in my interviews provides me with a sense of magic about me and the melding of need and skill. Yes I am a Pioneer, I love working with what's new? I know there is opportunity within the ambiguity. Yes I am a Creator, I know that combining the disparate elements of a situation often provides solutions. It is great fun to play with these capabilities that I have taken for granted for so long!

Work deep & travel light

It occurs to me that the employment market is one filled with lots of effort and serendipity. Sometimes these two connect, sometimes not. What I mean is the seekers out there are diligently pursuing jobs through whatever avenue they can - online listings, networking contacts, creating new opportunities, you name it. Results are not always attached to the immediate effort, thus I call this a market of serendipity. Jobs & offers appear when we least expect it. Sometimes they show up in a completely surprising way. That is why I remind myself (and others when I can) that its important to work deep and thoroughly in our efforts to find employment but its also important to be aware that our next opportunity may have nothing to do with our productive activity. Let go of control, its not possible to gain control over the results, whimsy and personalities are the final arbiters of decision. Work like mad to win the job but let go and move on when the alignment is not there. Move forward quickly & lightly.

I'm still at it....job search goes on

As I said in my last post (is it true that 3 months have passed?), the process of meeting people and learning new things about companies and industries continues to intrigue me. I am fortunate to have developed an extensive network as a consultant and a recruiter so am able to reach in to many companies to get first hand perspective. It helps that I'm not too shy. Although I am focused on identifying needs when I speak with these people I am also open to the possibility that my conversation with uncover a new need that I can fill! ...I don't know where that optimism comes from but its there.

A new area that is holding my attention now is that I've begun to explore an idea about connecting very experienced people with companies that could use that experience. That seems like an obvious objective but you'd be surprised how limited that interconnect is when people have accumulated a good number of experience and years on the planet. There are those that have 20 + years of experience, but the language of the experience doesn't align easily with the new language and perhaps new tools. My goal is to translate some of those skills and some of those requirements so that these talented people find a rewarding next step in their careers. Stay tuned I'm working on the business plan as we speak

The pleasures of a job search

I know that most people consider a job search a scourge, a terrible thing to live through. Aside from the lack of income (and maybe a rejection or two) I think it is a great experience. For once you can explore your options without feeling bound by convention or your own self imposed limits. It is a legitimate time to explore what might be a possibility for you. When you are working for a company or for your self in a predefined role, you tend to focus on the immediate and the specifically relevant aspects of your 'work'. Generally you don't have time to 'explore' or consider new things because of what is immediately in front of you. When I am in search mode, I'm looking, considering and remaining open to what shows up for me.

Right now I'm searching for a business development role focusing on strategic partnerships. Specific enough to have a discussion, but not so limiting that I can't explore new arenas. Most of my career, aside from a short stint in executive recruiting, has been in telecom, satellite communications, software, internet etc. During this search mode I don't feel limited to those industries. The magic of putting companies together for mutual benefit in strategic partnerships works for the same reasons across industries. There may be some industry structures and competitive landscapes that impact a partnership, but the specific industry doesn't really affect the important part of a partnership. So, I'm exploring some new (growing) industries. New people, new technologies, new companies and for the moment am being warmly received by people in these industries. They are open to having a discussion with me & giving me feedback on whether or not my background/experience would be suitable for their industry.

Why do I like a job search?
1. I keep learning.
2. I meet interesting accomplished people.
3. I can try to connect with just about anyone.
4. I get to be creative in approach.
5. I keep solving puzzles.
6. I get to satisfy my curiosity.
7. I explore things I might not otherwise have time for but discover I'm interested in.
8. I validate some of my assumptions about companies and industries. Or not.
9. I learn about new industries
10. I find out about things I didn't know existed.

I guess its clear that the learning piece is an integral part of the process. Let's see what I learn today....