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Choose wisely before sending that resume
by JUDIT PRICE For those of you who are employed and considering a move, a note of caution. Unless your situation is totally untenable, moving simply because you want to leave can be a big mistake. Going to another firm must be for positive reasons: growth, more money, a challenge, a better fit, or any other good reason. Why? Because the wrong move can be a frying pan-to-fire situation, replacing one set of aggravation for another. If you're unemployed, economics play a far bigger role, and you certainly would be less discriminating. Any viable opportunity might be good, but you still must be ultra-cautious when you send those resumes to insure that you are looking for the best long-term opportunity. We have discussed in earlier articles the importance of a good fit from the perspective of the employee's skills, values, organizational capabilities, cultural compatibilities and other factors that help close the job, keep the job and give the kind of satisfaction you want for a flourishing career. However, while all of these may fit, the firm may still be a very bad choice. Why? Because the firm may exhibit flaws so obvious and so fundamental that a career choice would be highly problematic. Let me give you an example. During the dot-com boom, company after company, flush with cash and hope, was boasting about its growth and dynamism. Even to my ears, some of these firms made no sense. They were losing piles of money, had only the most vague strategy, and had no general plan to make money. My inquiries were met with disdain and admonishments that "I just didn't get it." I assumed that if I didn´t get it, lots of ordinary people like me didn´t also. And so, as they say, the rest is history. What is my point? Whether a startup or a going concern, there must be a vision and strategy that is clear and understandable in a way that provides a road map to the future. It may turn out to be a wrong vision. But if you are going to cast your lot with a firm for the future, that firm must have strategy that makes sense to you in a way that suggests a future. After you have studied the company, take a look at the turnover of senior management. Most of the time it is a matter of public record. If there is high CEO turnover or, even worse, CFO turnover, that's a bad sign. Non-profits should also be approached with caution. No head can provide leadership if they are short term. Too often they are just learning the job, job hunting, and getting fired while the organization scrambles just to function until the new chief is on board. If frequent layoffs include the upper levels of middle management, that could indicate even operations is a challenge and it is probably a really awful place to work. In our community there are a number of firms that are not growing. There may be a poor product strategy, or perhaps their market is shrinking. These companies are also questionable career opportunities. One can never be certain and I would not want to do a disservice to struggling companies that may be having short-term difficulties but good long-term prospects. However, if the market for their products is eroding, or revenue is shrinking, or both, even if they are a leader, a long-term career may be difficult. Consider walking away. Over the past 30 years, we have seen the birth of new industries, a maturing and consolidation and then decline followed by a new rebirth. The consolidation within maturing industries is almost a virtual certainty. The problem we all face as industries consolidate is there is not enough room for everyone. Downsizing is the inevitable result. In my 35 years in this community, I have seen this cycle at least five times. Consolidation can also be devastating for those who are left out. For the job seeker that means take a good look at your job lead as a potential candidate for consolidation with a larger firm. The fact is many small businesses start out with a buyout as part of their strategy. Be careful you don't get caught up in that type of situation. The bottom line is simple. Never approach a company or an interview blind. Use your networking to get as much information as possible on the firm, their products, their management and their strategy. Current and former employees will know where the real problems lie. Do your research. If an opportunity should present itself, make sure you get educated and know what the potential may be. Without reliable information, you are forced to depend on luck, not facts, to help you decide which organizations to target and which offers to accept. Then make your decision based on your own personal circumstances. For further Information email: Judit Price or call: 978-256-0482 |
