- Do you know the worst time to network? When you need a job.
- Do you know the worst time to investigate joining your industry’s professional associations? When you need a job?
- Do you know the worst time to prepare or update your resume? When you need a job.
There are certain elements of executive career management that you need to do now and forever.
Networking: This concept can be daunting. But networking simply starts with leveraging who you already know. You know colleagues, former colleagues, former bosses, vendors, and more. Keep communication going. It doesn’t have to be job-related every single day. Let your network know you are available to help them when they need it, and that will be paid back to you when you need to identify your next executive position.
Associations: Ask your colleagues what associations they belong to, and why they like the associations they’re in. Accompany your colleagues to association events and request introductions. Get direct contact with associations’ management teams. They can be invaluable “insider” resources.
Your Executive Resume: Keep a running log, after every project or major achievement, of the details of your success. This will be essential to updating your resume. And even when you aren’t looking for your next executive assignment, it’s strongly advisable that you update your resume every six months. It would be ideal to have a fresh resume on hand in case one of your contacts from your network or your professional associations asks for it.
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