Tips for Candidates Seeking or Preparing for a New Career Opportunity

• Invest (time and/or money) in creating an effective résumé and compelling business newtwork profile. Use keywords in your documents that match your skills and interests found in job descriptions of interest.  Build your Internet presence so that others may find you by posting a profile on both large, open networks, as well as more specialized, closed networks.   
• Go any place where professionals are gathering – attend all networking meetings, association lunches, conferences and industry events.  Attend with the intentions of gathering market information and connecting with others who can provide you with helpful resources, or for whom you can do the same. Maintain a relaxed, yet professional demeanor and appearance.   
• Spend time online, visit job boards and research companies that are hiring, expanding, winning new contracts, developing new products and facing problems that your skills can solve.  Learn about a company’s work environment since “good cultural fit” is one of the top reasons employees are satisfied with their jobs. 
• Do not limit yourself to one area in terms of your skills or talent; be prepared to uncover and maximize opportunities. Think about how you can apply your talents and skills in organizations which function similarly to those in which you have worked. Make an effort to meet other employees in these organizations. Join related associations and your community's chamber of commerce. If your talent or skills are demonstrated with these individuals, they will remember and refer you when they hear of opportunities. 
• Consider reinvention as an option - if money is not a critical factor.  In light of the downturned economy, many are finding that they are able to live comfortably for less money.  You may discover that trading some income for your dream career is well worth it.  
• Explore grants or funding which may be available to you for education or training. Web sites such as this one provide resources you can explore:
  http://www.doleta.gov/jobseekers/exp_credentials.cfm

Excerpts from the Editor’s Letter written by Robyn Greenspan of Executive Insider provided by Execunet.com were used for this article. Execunet provides a resource to executives earning $100K and above who are seeking employment.