Competing for Exec Archives

Job Search for the Tech Exec

As a tech exec, I get asked all the time about the right strategy to find a new job.

In the past, physical resumes were mailed when seeking employment, hoping for a response. But in today’s digital era, LinkedIn is a remarkable platform for expanding your professional network. Search for industry peers, invite them to join your network, clearly communicate your job search intentions, and provide a direct link to your updated profile.

Furthermore, you possess the ability to proactively engage with professionals employed at your desired company. Take the initiative to connect with them and politely inquire if they would be willing to provide an endorsement for a specific role.

Anticipate the potential of being overlooked while recognizing that not everyone will respond to your outreach efforts. Nevertheless, persistence remains crucial. One of the advantages of leveraging LinkedIn is the extensive pool of connections at your disposal. As you commence expanding your network, the process of adding new connections becomes increasingly effortless. In forthcoming posts, we will delve into diverse strategies for networking through platforms such as LinkedIn.

Click here for a post on finding the right technology talent.

A Successful Tech Exec Takes Risks (well informed ones)

“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible) but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.“
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Risk: Every individual encounters daily risks, particularly when veering away from the comfort of routine. Evaluating the repercussions entails a crucial assessment of your strengths and vulnerabilities. As a tech exec, you will inevitably face challenging circumstances where your experience becomes indispensable in navigating tumultuous waters. Capitalizing on the wisdom of a mentor can significantly enhance your risk management capabilities. When a leader requests your trust and urges you to embrace a risky situation, even if it lies outside your comfort zone, have faith in their judgment. They have chosen you for your immense potential.

Here are a few key points to consider in order to overcome risks:

Acclimatize to the new environment:

Before diving into new situations, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the environment and the people. Build relationships regardless of their roles and seek to understand processes, best practices, and leverage others’ experiences for success.

Be comfortable in your shoes:

For success, be confident in your decisions. Recognize the empowerment to make choices you believe in. The support of your leadership and team fosters confidence in making tough calls.

Leverage experience and support of your mentor:

Smart decision makers value and harness the wisdom of experienced individuals. Trust in supportive leadership reduces fear of taking risks.

Be fearless and prepared for the unknown:

Every risk carries smaller unknown risks. Fear of repercussions hinders exploring all available options, resulting in self-imposed limitations and narrow operations.

Take bold moves. Risks are part of our daily lives, some consciously taken, others unbeknownst. Embrace career risks and watch yourself soar with smart choices and the right support. Progress awaits!

Avoiding Unconscious Bias as a Tech Exec

Unconscious bias is when a person unknowingly makes judgements based on their unconscious mind. A tech exec needs to understand and avoid making decisions based on unconscious bias.

Often, individuals are unaware of their own biases, which often stem from their upbringing. For instance, a parent may frequently express disdain for a particular race or creed in the privacy of their home, with their impressionable child as an audience. These encounters leave a lasting impact on the person’s psyche.

Human nature plays a role in our inclination to gravitate towards those who resemble us. In the realm of business, however, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not everyone shares our similarities. Consequently, surrounding ourselves solely with individuals who mirror our own traits can inadvertently reflect a bias, excluding others in the process.

Be aware that your leaders may have these biases and work to help yourself avoid being impacted.

Allow me to provide an illustration of being ensnared by bias:

You are on a team where everyone is a football lover. They talk about it every day, and the manager has started a fantasy football league.
You are not a fan and don’t participate in the discussions about the league. So, you are kind of on the outside.
The team manager establishes a strong bond with each member, sharing their love for football and regularly enjoying lunch together. Although you are not usually included, the camaraderie among them is evident.
Due to the manager’s substantial interactions with individuals who share a common interest, which often intertwines work discussions and football banter, he also entrusts the most captivating tasks to these individuals.
You are assigned mostly admirative tasks.
You articulate your dissatisfaction with the job to your counselor, pondering whether this organization might not be the ideal fit for you.
Your counselor, as expected, communicates with the manager to inform them about your concern. The manager, however, expresses their own concern that you haven’t directly addressed the issue with them. Furthermore, they mention to your counselor that you appear to be disconnected from the team and lacking motivation.
Because of the “football connection” you have not felt overly comfortable confiding in the manager.
Naturally, with the administrative work, and the lack of connection with your manager you are down. Mentally this is just not what you want to be doing.
The annual appraisals have commenced, and the feedback from your manager and counselor to the management team has been less than satisfactory. Despite your anticipation for a promotion this year, unfortunately, it will not be happening.

Unconscious bias affected your progress, but it’s not your fault for not getting promoted. Your manager favored individuals with similar qualities, lacking inclusivity. Hopefully, your company educates leaders about unconscious bias; but often, they don’t. If not, you’ll need to navigate this situation independently.

It’s tough, but don’t let isolation hold you back. Share your concerns with your manager about feeling excluded and request tasks that promote your growth in the company.

Click here for a post on dealing with the situation of your boss hating you.

Getting Noticed (How to Make Connections to Excel as a Tech Exec)

My son is a high school baseball player with pro aspirations. In a sport where competition is fierce and opportunities limited, how do you gain an advantage and get noticed? Similarly, in the tech industry, rising to the top as a tech exec requires exceptional talent. It’s clear that you earned your position by outshining other candidates with your unique strengths. So, it’s evident that you possess remarkable talent.

Networking is a crucial step towards your success. As emphasized in previous blog posts, a mentor plays a pivotal role in your journey. Expanding your network with multiple mentors, or individuals willing to advocate for your skills, greatly increases your chances of standing out for higher-level opportunities.

If your company has a people directory, explore the leadership. Note their educational background; alumni from the same school can be a point of connection. Look for their roles and skills. Identify commonalities to build rapport. Remember, the goal is not to ask for a job, but to establish valuable connections. Once familiar with their background, reach out via email to introduce yourself and express your interest in meeting. Share something you learned during your research, such as “I heard you have a strong focus in this area, which aligns with my interests. I would love to learn more about your work.“

You can also connect on LinkedIn. Look for people in your company and send a personalized invite. Get to know their background – LinkedIn usually has more information than the internal site. LinkedIn offers the opportunity to explore professionals in positions you aspire to. Building a network of executives is valuable for career prospects. Longer connections are advantageous, so mention your connection duration when reaching out. Request a conversation about their role and opportunities. Don’t get discouraged if there’s no immediate response – LinkedIn outreach is common. Sincere connections matter.

In baseball, talented players are abundant. While stats may differentiate them, they often appear similar. So, how can you catch a coach’s or scout’s attention? It’s through the connections you make and leverage. As an up-and-coming player, simply seeking attention won’t suffice. You need multiple advocates. Your network is invaluable, no matter who you are.

Click here for a post on how to market yourself effectively.