Career Development Category

Building Your Network in Tough Times

I had the privilege of addressing a group of tech professionals, including a senior executive recently affected by a layoff. They were actively building their network. These individuals, feeling frustrated and confused despite being strong performers, found themselves singled out due to strategic decisions by their companies. Factors such as team restructuring, discontinuing underperforming products, or identifying lower-performing employees often dictate such decisions. Unfortunately, this group fell into the bottom 10-15% targeted for downsizing.

Job security remains a constant concern when working for others, as the threat of a layoff can emerge unexpectedly.

To navigate these disheartening and stressful situations, tech professionals should unite and collaborate. Launching successful projects can provide protection and the freedom of self-employment. Leverage your technical skills to start a blog, earn affiliate income, and undertake consulting projects. By sharing resources, you can mitigate the risks associated with working solo.

Often, meeting a group of like-minded individuals facing common challenges sparks creativity. It also allows for the exploration of new ideas and concepts that may not have been considered otherwise. Collaborating with others can lead to the discovery of new opportunities and potential partnerships, providing a sense of security and stability in an ever-changing industry.

Furthermore, building a strong network within the tech community can provide valuable connections for job opportunities or potential clients. By staying connected with other professionals, you increase your chances of finding future employment or securing freelance projects.

In addition to networking, it is essential to continuously upskill and stay updated on industry trends.

This will not only make you more marketable but also ensure that you are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced tech world. Attending conferences, workshops, and online courses can help you stay current and relevant in the industry.

While job security may seem elusive in the tech industry, it is crucial to remember that there are always opportunities available for those who are willing to adapt and innovate. By staying connected, collaborating with others, and continuously learning, tech professionals can overcome challenges and thrive in their careers.

In conclusion, don’t let a layoff or uncertain job market discourage you – instead, use it as an opportunity to connect with others and building your network. After all, the tech community is all about innovation and resilience. Therefore, by working together and supporting one another during difficult times, we can create a stronger and more secure tech industry for everyone.

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Protect Yourself from Layoffs

Protect Yourself from Layoffs

You may have noticed that many tech companies are undergoing layoffs, affecting employees at all levels, and even executives aren’t immune to this trend. The tech industry is experiencing upheavals due to various factors such as economic shifts, changing consumer demands, and increased competition. However, there are steps you can take to better protect yourself from layoffs. For instance, continuously updating your skills, expanding your professional network, and staying informed about industry trends can fortify your position. While these strategies can enhance your job security, regrettably, no guarantees exist, and the landscape remains unpredictable.

Why are layoffs happening?

During Covid, traditional service businesses faced layoffs, while tech companies thrived and supported the adoption of hybrid working models. The shift in work dynamics due to Covid benefited software and consulting companies that offered remote working solutions. As businesses normalize, tech companies reduce staff to cut costs. Economic uncertainty affects purchasing decisions, especially for commodity software providers, consulting organizations involved in software installation and customization, and technology services.

So, with all this happening, how do you protect yourself from layoffs?

Unfortunately, no one is immune or indispensable. Consulting companies often have an overstock of benchwarmers who become dispensable during slow periods and are usually the first to be let go. In companies facing reduced purchasing, layoffs generally impact higher-ranking leaders due to the bigger cost-effectiveness of staff reduction. As a leader, one must never be complacent, particularly during economic downturns.

Here are some actions to help protect yourself from layoffs:

If you often come across as disagreeable and difficult to work with, it’s crucial to change that impression swiftly. Although it’s challenging to shake off a negative reputation, those who don’t are often the first to be let go.
Enhance your marketing messaging to highlight your strengths and the value you bring to the organization. Ensure that your immediate supervisor acknowledges and agrees with your contributions.
Regularly update your boss—I’d suggest weekly—on your activities and the perception others have of you. Highlight any positive contributions and, if possible, have others vouch for your work. If a client, such as a business leader, deems you indispensable, your chances of maintaining your position will improve.
Ensure your colleagues appreciate and enjoy working with you, and that they speak positively of you. Refer back to the first point: if you are not well-liked, it could give your leadership a reason to consider removing you.
If you’re engaged in projects deem important, ensure your boss recognizes the value they bring to the company. If there’s a chance to transition to a high-impact project, now is an opportune moment to advocate for that move.

In these uncertain and stressful times, it’s crucial to stay prepared for any changes that might come your way.

There is no true way to protect yourself from layoffs. However, keeping an updated resume is a fundamental step in ensuring you are ready for new opportunities. Additionally, reaching out to executive recruiters can significantly aid your job search, as they have access to a wide range of job opportunities and can connect you with potential employers. Many companies are actively hiring, despite the current climate, so leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to connect with recruiters and industry professionals can greatly enhance your chances of finding a suitable position. Networking and maintaining professional relationships can be invaluable in navigating the job market during challenging times.

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Building your First Resume

As a tech executive, I’m frequently asked by soon-to-be college graduates about how to make their resumes stand out. Crafting your first resume is crucial, and having a strong foundation ensures that both its format and content can evolve effectively over time.

First, if you are going into an IT career and you’ve done an internship, that’s a big plus. Second, if you’ve attended on campus career fairs and met big companies who are doing campus recruiting, you’ll have received some good exposure to what companies are looking for in talent. If you have not done these things let me help with some thoughts.

Adapt your resume.

For your technology major, professors often discuss how your skills apply to industry. Research key companies and explore their main web pages. Uncover their initiatives to gain insight. When applying for jobs, carefully read the job description and adapt your resume accordingly. Be honest to avoid issues during interviews. Look for jobs that align with your education, emphasizing the projects and specific skills you learned on campus to compensate for lack of industry experience.

Factor in soft skills.

Once you have the technical part of your resume worked up, lace in the soft skills. Soft skills are the communication, presentation and people management skills that technical people tend not to be the best at.

Yes, understood, you want a technical job. However, many employers are looking for well-rounded technology professionals. If you can emphasize and prove that you have outstanding communication skills, it’ll put you ahead of many of your peers who are relying on their technical skills alone. Also, if you have aspirations to lead and make your way up the executive ladder, having the soft skills are going to be a must.

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It’s Okay to Ask Questions

I was reading a funny story about Henry Kissinger that highlight why it’s important to ask questions. If you don’t know who Dr. Kissinger is, you are probably too young. He was the Secretary of State during the Nixon Administration and considered one of the smartest SoS’s ever.

Henry Kissinger’s speech writer handed Kissinger the latest speech for him to review. Kissinger wrote on the paper, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer rewrote the piece and handed it to Kissinger for his thoughts. Kissinger wrote the same thing, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer did two more revisions with the same responses. Finally, frustrated, he told Kissinger that it was the best he could do. Kissinger said, “Okay, now I’ll read it.”

This anecdote shared by Kissinger’s speech writer highlights the importance of constant and thorough review in creating quality content. In today’s digital world, with rapid information sharing, we often overlook the need to review our work.

To stand out online, prioritize content quality over quantity for businesses and individuals alike. This means taking the time to carefully craft and review each piece before publishing it.

Similar to Kissinger’s speechwriter, we may undergo multiple revisions before reaching a final product we’re proud of. Like Kissinger, who read the speech only when it was perfect, we should publish when confident in our work’s quality.

Reviewing our content helps us catch overlooked errors, maintaining credibility and professionalism. Errors can damage our reputation.

Furthermore, by thoroughly reviewing our content before publishing it, we give ourselves the opportunity to refine and improve upon it. We can add more clarity, strengthen arguments, and make sure each point is effectively conveyed to our audience.

In conclusion, prioritizing the review process when creating content is crucial for success in today’s digital landscape. It ensures high-quality, engaging content that meets audience needs and reflects positively on your brand. Don’t forget to set aside time for review and revision when creating content – your readers (and reputation) will thank you.

And… moral of the story:

Unless you like doing a lot of unnecessary extra work, make sure you understand what the boss is saying. It’s okay to ask questions. That’s what meetings are for. Don’t just nod and agree without fully comprehending the task at hand.

As a tech executive, it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced environment and numerous tasks that require completion. However, it’s important to remember that understanding your boss’s instructions is crucial in order to successfully complete your work.

Sometimes, to seem competent or avoid looking ignorant, we nod along with our boss without fully understanding their requests. This can lead to confusion and wasted time as we try to figure things out on our own.

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Avoid Being an Overwhelmed IT Professional

Your boss comes to you and says, “I need you to do this immediately, it’s a priority.” However, this is number 10 of the “priorities” that your boss has dropped on you in the past week.

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to complete everything on time? Look on the bright side – maybe your boss is just giving you extra work because they value your skills. It might sound unlikely, but who knows? Regardless, you’ll still need to find a way to get everything done efficiently. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your workload.

Firstly, it’s important to prioritize your tasks. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and rank them in order of importance. This will help you focus on the most crucial tasks first and avoid wasting time on less urgent ones.

Next, try breaking down larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will make the workload seem less daunting and allow you to tackle each task one at a time without feeling overwhelmed.

Additionally, consider delegating some tasks if possible. If there are colleagues or team members who can assist with certain tasks, don’t hesitate to ask for their help. It’s important to recognize that you don’t have to do everything on your own.

Another helpful tip for staying organized and efficient is to utilize technology. There are many productivity apps and tools available that can help you manage your tasks, set reminders, and track your progress. Find the ones that work best for you and incorporate them into your daily routine.

It’s also crucial to take breaks throughout the day. Working nonstop can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Make sure to schedule in short breaks or even a lunch break to recharge and refocus.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to say no if necessary. If your workload becomes too overwhelming or if a task does not align with your priorities, it’s okay to push back – nicely – so that you help your boss understand that they have provided you with too many “priorities.” “Nicely” is the key word. Because you are stressed and overworked you can overreact to the request and snap at your boss. Never a good thing as it could make you look unprofessional.

But if you keep accepting these assignments your boss will assume that you can handle them and will most likely keep giving you more. Ouch. You certainly don’t want all this work impacting your work life balance, and especially your health.

In conclusion, to help overcome being an overwhelmed IT professional, time management is a vital skill. By setting goals, prioritizing tasks, utilizing technology, taking breaks, and learning to say no when needed, you can effectively manage your time and achieve success in both your personal and professional life. Remember to continuously review and adjust your methods as needed to find what works best for you. With practice and determination, you can become a master of your own time.

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