How to Set Yourself Up for Success in Your Search (even when you’re not actively looking)

"There’s nothing quite as intense as the moment of clarity when you suddenly see what’s really possible for you.” 
— Anonymous

Hi Audie,

Welcome to the March ’22 newsletter, my 25th monthly newsletter! 🎉 

Whether you've been receiving my newsletters for the past 24, 12 or 3 months (or somewhere in between), I hope you enjoy reading them and are finding many tips, strategies and insights that are helpful to you. Thank you for being here! 

As I reflect on the past 24 months, aside from the obvious elephant in the room (COVID), I’ve noticed a common theme from the many clients and prospective clients I’ve talked with — how to set yourself up for success in your search (and, yes, even if you’re not actively looking for a new opportunity).

This month’s featured article offers insights, strategies and mindset shifts on this important topic.

Enjoy reading this issue and have a magical March!

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.

How to Set Yourself Up for Success in Your Search
(even when you’re not actively looking)

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” 
— Abraham Lincoln

Aside from COVID, the past 24 months have been a time of change and uncertainty for many people. And while company restructurings, new executive leadership coming in and bringing about personnel changes, and mergers and acquisitions are nothing new, what I have noticed is:

• Many clients were well aware of downsizing and restructuring occurring in their organization, but they never thought it would impact them.
  
  
• Some clients were unhappy at work or working in a toxic environment but figured, “Better the devil you know than the one you don't.” It wasn’t until they were downsized that they wished they had left on their own terms (better psychologically)  after securing a new position elsewhere.
  
  
• Many clients, who haven’t interviewed outside of their organization in years (or decades), are finding the job search and interview strategies they used “back-then” don’t work now … and they are surprisingly unprepared for today’s elongated and highly competitive job search process.
  
  
• Many clients have conducted interviews as part of hiring a key member of their team; however, they’ve found being the interviewee is much different and a whole new strategy and preparation is needed to ace the interviews and move forward in the interview process.

If there’s one tip I can give every business professional who is employed at a company and thinks your job is secure:  this may sound harsh, but the reality is no position is safe. Do yourself a favor and while you’re working and living your life, keep yourself “job search ready” meaning …

• Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date and enhanced with your latest accomplishments. Note: Be sure your LinkedIn settings are set so your network doesn’t get notified of changes to your profile. You want to update your profile “under the radar”.
  
  
• Learn effective interviewing strategies and regularly practice your value statements, messaging and how to respond to questions you’ll be asked during the interview process. You never know when a recruiter or former colleague will reach out to you with a phenomenal opportunity.
  
  
• Learn effective networking strategies and continue to build your network regularly.  You never know when you’ll need to seek your network’s advice or help in securing a new role.
  
  
• Take control over your career. While you’re working, rather than relying on others to move your career along, take control over your destiny! If you’re unhappy or bored at work, or working in a toxic environment, prepare for and begin executing an effective job search campaign on the side. You’ll feel better knowing you’re doing something positive about your current situation, plus you have the opportunity to be selective and wait for the right opportunity since you’re still working and bringing in an income. 

If you are actively looking for a new position (and/or know of someone who is) or are wanting to learn effective strategies to prepare for and interview for a new executive-level position (so you’re prepared when opportunity knocks), I encourage you to get the guidance, support and coaching from a highly experienced Executive Job Search/Career Transition Coach who’s successfully walked in your shoes and has a proven and cohesive framework to help you get results — land a fulfilling new position at a company that’s a great fit for you.  

Speaking of framework, I’m excited to share my newly rebranded, proprietary framework, The Job Search Runway – Proven strategies to successfully prepare for, execute and LAND an executive-level position. Each step builds on the one before, so you’ll be learning and applying cohesive and proven strategies to successfully land a new position … just like hundreds of my clients have.

To learn more, I invite you to take the first step by completing the confidential application to be considered for one of the limited number of spots in my April ’22 Accelerate! Executive Job Search and Networking Group Coaching Program.

After completing the application, you’ll be contacted within 1 business day to let you know if your application is accepted, and if so, how to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your situation, share details about the Accelerate! Group Coaching Program including the schedule, investment and, together, we’ll determine if it’s a good fit.

 👇 See additional program info in the Events section below.👇

“Anything is possible when you have the right people
there to support you.”  
— Misty Copeland 

If you're looking to make a job/career change, it’s important to have a clear picture of what your next role entails, the company environment and culture you thrive in, the type of manager you work best under, etc. 

If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?

Here’s a great resource “Your Critical FIRST STEP to Landing a New Job/Career that Re-energizes You” to help you gain clarity, so you’re focused on the right opportunities to pursue, you ask the right questions throughout the interview process and can then determine if offers that come in are the right fit for you … giving you the ability to make a well-informed decision and ensuring you’re setting yourself up for success in your new role. 

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.

Now accepting applications to be considered for my April ‘22 Group Coaching cohort, which begins the first week of April. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, March 31, 2022 or when the cohort is filled, whichever comes first. 

👉  Click here to complete the Accelerate! application

Do any of these sound like you (or someone you know)?

• You’re ready to begin looking for a new position, but it’s been years since you actively looked for something new and you aren’t sure what the best strategies are for the mid- to senior-level position you’re seeking.
  
  
• You’re struggling with your search and can’t seem to move past the first couple of interviews (or even secure an interview!), you’re reaching out to your network but aren’t getting much (if any) help from them, you’re applying to positions that would be a perfect fit yet you receive “Dear John/Jane” automated notices or are ghosted, you’re feeling disorganized and frazzled with your search.
  
  
• You’re actively looking for a new position and find it really hard to do alone. There are times you wish you had someone to brainstorm with, practice interviewing, someone who is approachable and highly experienced in executive job search/career transition to ask questions or seek advice as needed, who has a proven framework and can provide consistent guidance, coaching and support every step of the way on your job search journey.

If so, I invite you to take the first step by completing the confidential application to be considered for one of the limited number of spots in my April ’22 Accelerate! Executive Job Search and Networking Program.

You’ll be contacted within 1 business day to let you know if your application is accepted, and if so, how to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your situation, share details about the Accelerate! Program including the schedule, investment and, together, we’ll determine if it’s a good fit.

Program Highlights:

Elevate your job search experience by being part of a collaborative, supportive community of like-minded mid- to senior-level corporate professionals who are on the same journey as you, where you will learn from and network with group participants in a trusting and uplifting setting.  

In addition to updating/strengthening your resume and LinkedIn profile, you’ll learn and apply proven and effective job search, interviewing and negotiation strategies, tips and knowledge from an experienced coach/mentor and veteran job seeker (me!).  

In addition to (12) weekly group training/coaching calls, you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, get support and learn from your peers via dedicated Live Q&A calls scattered throughout each month. You’ll also have dedicated time to network with others in the group.

I love surprises and have a few exciting ‘extras’ I can’t wait to spring on my group participants!

Take the first step by completing the confidential application to be considered for one of the limited number of spots in my April ’22 Accelerate! Executive Job Search and Networking Program.

You’ll be contacted within 1 business day to let you know if your application is accepted, and if so, how to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your situation, share details about the Accelerate! Program including the schedule, investment and, together, we’ll determine if it’s a good fit.

P.S. Please share this newsletter and information on the Accelerate! Executive Job Search & Networking Program with other mid- to senior-level corporate professionals you feel could benefit from this program. Thank you!

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!

Want to learn more? Click here to book a Complimentary Strategy Session.