3 Ways to Be Ready to Seize the Opportunity or Shorten Your Job Search

In today's job market, everyone is looking for ways to shorten their job search.  I am constantly asked for ways to shorten the process and provide shortcuts.  The best answer I can give is to always be prepared, because unexpected things happens in life and the business world every day. 

In a recent survey conducted by Execunet, they discovered the length of time to find a new executive level job is 11.9 months.  Before the recession in 2007 and 2008, the expected time to land an executive level position was under 10 months.

So, what are three things you can do to help you prepare for your next opportunity or job search? 

1. Do your research & leverage your network.  Take the time to develop your own personal marketing plan which includes target companies you are interested in working for.  Do your research.  This plan improves the quality of your networking conversations and makes it easier to request informational meetings to learn more about what's happening in these targeted companies.  You are also able to research hiring trends and growth patterns from watching your targeted companies on public job boards, sites such as Glass Door, and Google even if the level of position you are looking for is not typically posted by the Corporation or executive search recruiter.
2. Get Social.  If you do not have an on-line presence on a social network such as Linkedin, you have decreased your chances of being found for your dream job.  Recruiters are looking for far more information about you than just your "resume" -- they want to know who you really are - your thought leadership, your network connections, civic organizations you belong to, volunteer activities, on-line recomendations -- anything relevant that presents a total picture of who you are as a person and a leader.
3. Be "Opportunity Ready."  Keep your resume up to date, know your unique value proposition, and have a clear understanding of your market value.  Have your elevator speech ready so when a potential opportunity comes up, you are already prepared and ready to talk to the recruiter about your value to the new organization and determine if this might be the right  next opportunity.    

Lisa Proctor, CEO and President, Sanford Rose Associates –Lake Lanier Islands, an executive search firm. www.sanfordrose.com/lakelanierislands  Contact:lisa.proctor@sanfordrose.com.