Job Searching this summer? Do not wait untill the Fall.

Here is my advice for job seekers in the slow summer months.

Do not postpone your search activities until the Fall.

Use this time wisely to prepare and focus while also enjoying your summer.

Many executives in transition make the mistake in trying to show flexibility when it comes to their next position.

This reactive approach is wrong and it will often prevent you from conducting a Self-Assessment which is essential for assisting you in landing your next position.

Summer is the perfect time for a Self-Assessment.

A failure to take a Self-Assessment often affects one’s presentation, it portrays a poor career commitment level, displays a lack of understanding of one’s core skill-set, and it also shows an inability to showcase strategic thinking and comprehension of the big picture.

If you have not done a self-assessment, I recommend to do the following:

1. Make a list of all your strengths (do approximately 50 in terms of quantity)

2. Make a list of all your shortcomings.

It is important to know what they are, accept them, and to focusing on playing your strengths to compensate.

By reviewing your strengths first, it will make it easier to accept the shortcomings.

This will boost ones confidence in the value that they are bringing to an organization.

Confidence in turn will help deliver a stronger impression in an interview and will display career focus.

3. Create a list of industries that are of potential interest because of, related industry experience, relevant business experience, customer experience or personal interest.

Place a greater value on the first three as personal interest still accounts for the least of the four from a company’s perspective.

4. Create a company list for each industry identified in your industry list.

5. Use Linked-In and other on-line tools to determine who you know that work at each of the companies of interest.

6. Practice your 30 second elevator pitch as to your interest in that company, the type of role that you are interested in as well as where you can bring value to the company.

PRACTICE THIS PIECE UNTIL YOU CAN SAY IT IN YOUR SLEEP.

It should be easy to remember as only the company and the first sentence is likely to change in the pitch.

A tight elevator pitch shows focus and an understanding that is vital for executives to display.

7.Continue to network with personal contacts as well as the names that you uncovered during Point number 5.

Summer is actually a very good time to network because the pace of business slows, people have more time to speak when they are in the office, and the summer weather usually puts people in good moods with positive and optimistic outlooks.

Farewell,

Mike