"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”  — William Jennings Bryan

Hi Audie,

Welcome to the August newsletter — my 18th edition! My goal with each newsletter is to provide relevant insights and tips geared toward the mid- to senior-level corporate or non-profit executive to successfully conduct an active search campaign and land an exciting and rewarding role at another company. You may or may not know that I post all newsletters on my website. Click here to peruse and read my previous editions.

For many of my clients, it’s been years since they looked for a new position and are finding the approaches that worked for them then aren't working now. Others have followed their management to a new company and were able to change jobs without having to interview.  The thought of ‘seeking out’ or preparing for and interviewing for a new role outside of their current (or former) company is foreign - and often daunting - to them. 

Regardless of your past experience, one thing I consistently hear when working with executives is they feel like a fish out of water. Not just because actively seeking a new role is something in which they don't have a lot of experience, but because they’re used to being in control and making things happen … and they feel they don't have control in their search..

The good news is there is a LOT you do have control over while conducting an active search campaign. This month’s newsletter will cover seven practices to being the CEO (and in control) of your career transition/job search.

I hope you enjoy reading this month’s newsletter and begin applying these practices in your search! I’d love to hear how these are positively impacting your search. Reply to this email or send an email to me at [email protected].

Warm regards,

P.S. I invite you to share my newsletter with anyone you feel could benefit from receiving valuable content and insights specific to mid- to senior-level executive job seekers/career changers. 

P.P.S. To learn more about Your Call To Action, LLC and how I help my clients go from being frustrated and struggling with their search, stuck in a toxic work environment or ready to take their career to the next level to feeling excited, valued and re-energized at work (and in their life) again, take a look around my website.

7 Practices to Being the CEO (and in Control) of Your Job Search

1. Vision

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”  — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now?  

Where are you currently at?

What skills and experiences do you need to accomplish and master before you get to the YOU in 5, 10 or 15 years from now?

What’s the next logical step or role for you?

Corporate CEOs have visions for their company.  Similarly, it’s important to have a vision for your career — the ‘ultimate role’ and impact to which you aspire. As part of your overall vision and plan to get there, it’s important to have set key milestones to strive for and accomplish.

What does your ‘ideal’ next step (or role) look like? What are the roles and responsibilities you’d like to have? What don’t you want? What environment or culture do you thrive in? As you think about the best boss you worked for, how would you describe their management style? What else is important to you in seeking out your next role and company to ensure it’s a good fit? (i.e. working from home, company’s stance on social responsibility, amount of travel or commute time, diversity/equality/inclusion, etc.)

Next steps:

• Download and complete the Clarity Exercise to gather all your thoughts on one page!
  
  
• Use this information as you proceed with your career transition/job search — knowing what you want and where you want to go will enable you to be actively engaged in your search by asking relevant and compelling questions to ensure there’s a good fit. 

2. Mindset

“You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it.”  — Anonymous

Having a healthy and positive mindset is one of the most critical characteristics to successfully executing a search campaign. While the road to landing a new position is often met with disappointments (i.e. rejection letters or being 1 of 2 final candidates and not getting the offer), please try not taking any of this personally. Instead, do a debrief and honestly look at what you could have done differently, and apply those learnings moving forward. It’s not win or lose – it’s win or learn! 

Here are a couple of sayings (mindset games) I learned early on in my corporate sales career that not only helped when I used to be in search mode but have helped my clients, as well:

• It’s no for now (and not NO forever and ever)
• Every no gets you closer to a yes

The longer a search goes on, it’s important to maintain a positive mindset and positive energy. Try to keep any negative energy and words/thoughts to yourself or to a couple of people. By and large, check your negativity at the door! While networking, talking with others, and yes, when interviewing, really focus on ensuring your energy and thoughts are positive. If need be, fake it until you make it!

3. Be strategic 

“Without strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless.”  — Morris Chang

As an executive, being strategic is at the core of running your business, business unit and/or leading your team. An effective job search campaign should also be strategic every step of the way – from updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, to working on your messaging, networking and executing an effective job search campaign,  conducting yourself throughout every step of the interview process, negotiating an offer and, finally, onboarding at your new company to ensure you get off to a great start and have some quick wins.

Being strategic in your search also means being ruthless about your focus areas and time management – focusing on high-value, productive activities that produce the greatest results.

These are at the core of my coaching programs and I’m laser-focused on ensuring my clients are being strategic throughout their search. My proven, proprietary coaching programs are tailored to executive career changers/job seekers who want to stand out (in a good way) and get results, so they can dive into an exciting and fulfilling position and get back to what they love and do best!  

4. What’s your competitive edge?  

“A clear personal brand communicates what you have to offer and attracts desirable opportunities.” — Don Maruska

Every successful business knows its competitive edge and works it to its advantage. You and your search campaign should be the same! It’s important to know – and articulate - what your competitive edge is so that you stand out and get noticed (in a good way!) You want to zig while everyone else zags. You want to stand out in color while everyone else is in black/white.

5. Collect and analyze data, know your metrics 

“Don’t measure your progress using someone else’s ruler.” — Unknown

As in business, good strategies and decisions are a result of collecting and analyzing data and knowing your metrics. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to keep track of your job search activities and analyze the data so you can maximize your efforts and get quicker results. 

One of the best examples is by tracking the source of your interviews over a period of time, and then making sure you spend the vast majority of your time focusing on those that brought in the highest level of results, and less on the activities that resulted in minimal or no results.

Know your metrics!  The results you get may vary wildly from one person to the next, so be sure you measure your progress based on your strategies, approaches and goals you set … and aim to improve your results each week. 

6. Seek out help/advice

“Asking for and receiving help is a way to prime the pump of generosity.” — Jay Perry

The vast majority of my clients have shared they are uncomfortable asking others for help. When it comes to your career – your livelihood – I can’t stress enough the importance of seeking out advice (or help) from others. If you’re uncomfortable with the word “help” – use the words “advice” or “pick your brain”. Take baby steps and I promise it’ll get easier (and more enjoyable) the more you do this.

Think about how many times people have sought out your help or advice over the years?  Weren’t you complimented or flattered?  I’m guessing many of those individuals were uncomfortable asking you, but they did it and I have no doubt they received valuable information and insights.

Tip: I have found that when you ask someone for advice or help, before you wrap up the conversation and are thanking them for their time, mention you’d like to reciprocate and ask how you can be of help to them, as well. They may or may not have anything they need your help with, but by asking, you in a sense are leveling the playing field. Try this out!

7. Remain curious … and have fun!

“Curiosity is the fuel for discovery, inquiry, and learning.” — Anonymous

Making a career change or seeking a new position at another company can be uncomfortable and scary (it can also be incredibly exciting and energizing), yet I’m a firm believer that you need to take a chance – put yourself out there – if you want anything in your life to change. 

I’ve written a lot about mindset (not only in this newsletter but in others). I’ve found through my personal experiences throughout my career and in coaching others, that if you embrace and encourage yourself to get comfortable and enjoy the career change/job search process, you’ll have much greater success ... and fewer frustrations. 

One of the best ways is to be curious – you can't help but look at each opportunity with an open mind (and heart).  Ask compelling questions to determine if this is the right position and company for you, and be receptive to meeting new people and learning new things about companies, and become more aware of what you want and don’t want in your next role, etc.  

I get asked all the time by corporate and non-profit executives how to conduct an effective job search and land fantastic offers in a competitive market. I have a background of 35+ years doing this for myself (each time advancing my career), and since 2015, have helped hundreds of mid- to senior-level marketing, sales, operations, IT and accounting/finance clients successfully land an exciting new role. 

And, no matter what struggles, frustrations and doubts anyone’s dealing with, I already know it can be solved with a tweak, new strategy or approach, fine-tuning their messaging and/or learning ways to stand out and move forward in the interview process and receiving lucrative multi 6-figure offers.

For the first time ever, I’m going to be mentoring and coaching a small select group of motivated and engaged 6-figure mid- to senior-level business leaders how to conduct an effective career transition/job search campaign using my proven, proprietary roadmap so they, too, can receive incredible offers at companies that are a great fit for them – and get back to doing what they love and feeling energized at work again!

So, if you’re done staying in a role that’s no longer challenging or there's nowhere to advance at your current company...

or you’re frustrated and struggling with your current search (perhaps using outdated strategies, bombing interviews or not quite nailing your messaging)...

or you’re finally ready to make a change yet not sure the best executive-level strategies and approaches to use...

...and you’d like to get my hands-on, game-changing strategic guidance and support and be part of this small group of like-minded professionals, email me at [email protected] and I'll send you the details!

"Audie was truly a blessing to work with.  She kept me motivated and positive throughout my search.  She was able to give me some great suggestions and ideas.  She is a great listener and provided tremendous advice."

General FAQs

Q:  When will the program start? 
A:  Monday, August 30th 

Q:  Will this be in person or virtual? 
A:  Virtual via Zoom

Q:  How long of a program is it? 
A:   4 months of weekly 90 minute mentoring and coaching calls plus networking, live office hours and additional white-glove treatment sprinkled throughout the program 

Q:  What are the advantages of a group program vs. 1:1? 
A:  I love 1:1s and as someone who has participated in many group programs in recent years, there’s something very special and empowering being part of a supportive and encouraging community with like-minded people, where others ask questions you may not have thought of (or were uncomfortable asking), learning from and supporting others, and having an opportunity to network with other mid- to senior-level professionals in a safe and private environment where confidentiality is key. 

Another advantage of group coaching programs is your investment – while you’ll experience a high ROI, group programs are typically less expensive than 1:1 coaching. 

NOTE:  There are a limited number of spots for my Accelerate! Executive Job Search & Networking program, which is for mid- to senior-level executives who are looking to accelerate their job search and land a rewarding and fulfilling multi 6-figure position before the end of the year. 

If you (or someone you know) are interested, reply to this email and I'll send you the details. 

Prior to launching Your Call To Action, LLC in 2015, Audie spent over 30 years in technology sales and sales leadership roles working with C-Level and other key stakeholders at Fortune 1000 companies utilizing a consultative and value-based approach to addressing her clients' needs.

Due to the evolving nature of the technology industry, it was common to change companies due to M&A, new leadership coming in and bringing their own team, corporate restructurings, or as a way to advance one's career. Audie became very proficient — and successful — in landing multiple offers each time, and was frequently complimented on how she stood out (in a good way!) from other candidates throughout the interview process.

She leverages her business acumen, consultative and value-based approach to sales, and professional coach training (ICF Certified) in working with clients and delivering her proven methodology, strategies and tips for successfully landing a new position (after all, one needs to sell oneself, right?).

Audie is intuitive, nurturing, and compassionate yet firm—all of the qualities you should want in a coach. She is your accountability partner with a focus on helping you get real results ... and you’ll also have fun along the way!  

If you are a mid- to senior-level executive and motivated to find your next opportunity (or know someone who is), I'd love to speak with you to better understand your situation, what you're looking to do, and see how I can be of help.

Book your complimentary 40-minute Strategy Session here.