Having studied high achievers for years, I can tell you that high achievers do things quite differently from the rest of us.  One key activity they perform is what I like to call “scanning.”  They are constantly on the lookout for new opportunities.  They realize that it is unlikely that a great opportunity will seek them out.  However, if one should come close to them, they are fully prepared to snare it and drag it into reach.

If they are caught on an elevator with it, they have a short speech ready to amaze it.  If they are at a restaurant, they have a business card to present to it.  If they are on-line, they have information to send it.  In today’s high speed of business, opportunities aren’t planned way out in advance.  They are quick and occur as fast as a handshake.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE MARKET TO IMPROVE TO GET AHEAD!

Many years ago, a Director of Human Resources was walking around at a job fair.  Unbeknownst to me, he had stopped behind to listen to some of my responses to questions a company representative was asking me. For the record, he didn’t work for that company.  Later on, when I walked by his booth, he came straight over to me.  Poised about 3 inches from my face, he asked one question, “Why should I hire you?”

Talk about pressure!  I looked directly back at him.  Staring eye to eye, I told him that I had the knowledge, experience and determination to be best the person he would ever hire (with a little more detail).  That was the only question he asked.  He offered me the job right there, on the spot.  If I hesitated or delayed, would he have considered me for the job?  I don’t really know if he would have or not, but I do know that being prepared for whatever he threw at me would reduce his uncertainty about me. 

DON’T WAIT FOR THE MARKET TO IMPROVE TO GET AHEAD!

High achievers do the same thing.  They are always prepared for anything that can happen because you never know if opportunity is in the audience. 

Here’s a few things to do if you’re waiting on the job market to improve.

Develop the vision.  Do you know an opportunity when you see one?  This is a skill that many of us have failed to develop.  Think back to a time when you were given an opportunity and totally missed it.  I know I have several in my history.  My failure to see what was before me limited my career mobility within each respective company. 

To create a little more clarity for new opportunities, don’t be afraid to probe the situation with questions.  Do it right then and there.  If time doesn’t permit it, ask for the opportunity to speak in more detail at a later date.  The goal is to keep the opportunity alive until you can learn more about it, in the instance where you don’t just capture it on the spot.

Be able to spring into action.  So how long does it take you to respond to a new job opportunity?  One day? One hour?  One Minute?  The last thing you want to do to an opportunity is to say “Hold on, I don’t have that with me but I’ll get it to you as soon as I can.”  You will hear the tires squeal on the pavement as that opportunity leaves you behind. 

You should prepare what I call the CORK, or Career Opportunity Response Kit.  Yep, “just put a cork in it” I always say.  This kit is comprised of numerous tools for taking advantage of those fast moving growth opportunities, such as an elevator speech, business card with key KSA (knowledge, skill and abilities) info on the back, mini-CD with resume/video interview on it and more.  To learn more, send me an email.  This is the essential career package. (shameless plug is over now!).

Consider some upgrades.  If you’re unemployed, you need to find ways to keep your skills current.  But which ones? A good way to find out what skills the market needs is to look at what job descriptions are calling for.  You can simply go to many of the job banks or company sites (if you know one you’d like to work for), peruse the job listings and see what skills they need.  Then, obtain a certification in that area or work on a project that requires those skills so you have a story to tell.  You just need to be able to demonstrate that you possess the skill and have used it recently.  It doesn’t matter if you are working for your church, a non-profit group or your HOA, just find skills you need and build them.  I’ve done many things for free just so I can add them to my resume.

Become mobile.  Too many times I find people unwilling to move out of their comfort zone for a new job.  I think we all know that the abundance of jobs we once knew isn’t going to be on table anytime soon.  If you’re looking for a new opportunity, you may have to consider something outside of your primary skill set, in a different location or in a completely different industry altogether.  Take me for an example, I’m an electrical engineer with a career consultancy. 

Most companies, according to IBM’s surveys, are finding themselves outside of their comfort zone.  They are experiencing so much change, they don’t know how to handle it.  In fact, the number of CEOs expressing their inability to deal with it has tripled in the past two years.  What companies need now are people who can deal with constant change.  Give yourself every possible advantage by opening the door to opportunity a little bit wider.  Consider something you haven’t done before.  Who knows, you may like it.