Overheard: Blog

Overheard

Last week Kellen James was asked to participate in a local Job Network meeting for un/under-employed local Professionals. Our President (Jim O’Hara) was the evening’s guest speaker. Jim presented a training module entitled, “Developing your Personal Vision and Personal Marketing Plan”.  During this training module, Jim stresses the importance of taking a proactive and focused approach to finding your next opportunity.  He walks the group through the various steps of creating a vision statement, assessing, researching and implementing a plan. Mid-way through the program, Jim asks the group to make an initial pass at creating their Personal Vision statement, then to share it with a partner.

As the group set about tackling this assignment I was sitting in the front of the room and was listening to snippets of conversation as they all finished writing and sharing their Vision statements. One comment immediately caught my attention. Two gentlemen had partnered up and the first shared his Vision statement with the second. He then asked his partner to share his statement. The gentleman’s response was, “I don’t need to write it down. I’m in Sales, it’s all in my head”.

I understand that some people may be uncomfortable participating in group exercises and or be embarrassed to share with complete strangers. However, his statement was made with enough conviction that I suspect he truly believed he did not need any help our guidance as he set about finding a new opportunity. He would simply show up to an interview, wing it and be offered a job. No doubt his confidence was fueled by some past success in utilizing the tactic. I couldn’t help but note that he was an “unemployed “Sales Professional.

Ask any Sales Expert what the #1 rule in Sales is and they’ll tell you preparation. Regardless of the industry you are in or the avocation you are pursuing, when you are searching for a job, you are in SALES!  You are selling a product you know better than anyone else. You! You are selling a prospective employer on your background, experience and skill set.  Preparation is the key to successfully landing that new career. Whether you are new to the job market, recently displaced or re-entering the job market, you need to have a plan. In today’s economy, the competition for the available roles is fierce. You cannot simply rest on your laurels and hope to get a job. You have to have the competitive edge that comes with preparation.

If you would like a copy of Jim O’Hara’s presentation “Developing your Personal Vision and Personal Marketing Plan”, please contact me at john@kellenjames.com