"The harder I work, the luckier I get" has become a catch-phrase, but carries with it excellent guidance in the current economic environment. To succeed in the current downturn
and beyond, you are going to have to work harder.
This doesn't suggest longer hours, or giving up quality-of- life issues. It does mean working harder to develop your career, bringing new value to your current employer and
building new skills to add to your resume for the next job--whether with your current employer or another.
First, two facts.
Regardless of economic conditions, public and private organizations are always interested in "stars"--those with established and respected track records in specific
communications fields-- and those who can bring to the organization a much needed menu of skills or talents. Even now, several months into the economic slowdown, the demand for
stars is outstripping supply.
Regardless of economic conditions ? depressions and very severe recessions aside ? organizations continue to hire at the same time they are laying off. For example, an
organization may lay off technology staff because projects have been put on hold but are hiring investor relations professionals because they need to pay additional attention to
their stock price. In addition, communications people retire, move to new posts, and sometimes even change careers entirely. Organizations need to fill such posts.
Put another way, you needn't give up on your desire to move ahead now.
Of course, compared to a year ago, organizations are moving more slowly in their searches. Likewise, some aren't as forthcoming as they were in terms of benefits they are
prepared to offer to obtain specific skills and talents. For example, up-front sign-on bonuses may be lower; stock options may be less plentiful; and special corporate benefits
(such as cars, extra vacation) may be more limited.
Starting from that platform, here is what my colleagues and I advise those who are looking for ways to grow -- and if necessary, move on.
Start a personal inventory.
What special skills do you already have, what skills have been dormant for a while, and what skills would you like to have move forward?
For example, you already do a good job at media relations but what do you know about investor relations and would that skill help you in your current post? Or, are you
interested in moving from a private company to a public company?
Perhaps to show your current employer some initiative (or for your own growth reasons) this is the time, either through corporate educational allowances or your own funds, to
sign up for professional courses through a university or professional association.
Next, match your personal skills against the needs of your organization. Do you have a background in internal communications--long unused-- which could be volunteered to the
human resources team or the editor of the in-house publication?
Likewise, how about offering up that kind of skill to a local volunteer organization, whether to raise funds to fight a disease, improve the community in which you live, or
some other similar group? Not only does it give you "practice" but you never know who you will meet at one of those "volunteer" meetings.
Also, consider how active you have been in your professional associations. As executive recruiters, we often talk to board members and committee chairs of professional
organizations seeking recommendations for our searches. Does anybody have you as top-of-mind? How well known are you in your own organization by the heads of the various
communications-related departments (internal communications, investor relations, media relations)? We call them, too. And, yes, we often get referrals to people within their own
organizations.
Along these lines, how helpful have you been to recruiters calling you about searches they are working on? We tend to remember those who have been helpful and when the job
requirements fit, we go back, first, to those who have helped. But, a word to the wise: when recruiters call, don't offer yourself up for the post. More often than not, we know
you don't have exactly what we are looking for on a particular search. We are looking for a referral.
Finally, if you have developed a relationship with an executive recruiter, drop him or her a short note to let the recruiter know you are thinking about moving on and would be
interested if anything comes along for which you are suited. Include anything which has significantly changed in your career since the last contact or some new fact which might
alter the possibility of receiving a call: you are now, for whatever reason, receptive to a move to Boca Raton.
Don't expect an immediate call and don't start peppering the recruiter with calls. You can be sure your interest and information will get into the databank.
In the interim, continue building your credentials. In today's world, more is sometimes better.
Lisa Ryan is a senior vice president and managing director of Heyman Associates, Inc., New York. Reach her at 212/784-2705, [email protected]