Is it ok to contact you directly on your work e-mail?

Last week, I received an e-mail from a target candidate. He was so offended by the fact that I had contacted him on his work e-mail that he took the time to share his feelings with me…in very clear words…

I can fully understand that someone does not like to receive calls on their cell phone. Let’s face it, most of us are in an open space office and receiving a call from a headhunter is uncomfortable at best.

Or imagine that you are in the car…with your boss…and you get me on hands free. Such an approach might not be the right way to engage you in an exploratory conversation.

I tend to turn to e-mail to pitch my opportunity in the hope that you will be attracted by it, or curious at least.

Obviously, there is LinkedIn, which is an easy way to get in touch and that is usually the starting point. But we all know that not everyone checks his or her LinkedIn account on a regular basis. When you have the right profile for a position, chances are that I will take the time to dig up an e-mail address that I can use to contact you directly. And in most cases, your work e-mail will be the easiest to find.

There are several ways to respond to my pitch e-mail.

When you are interested in this or future opportunities but you prefer to stay in touch through a private e-mail address, you can simply ask me to use another e-mail for future correspondence or even easier, send me a reply from your private account.

When you are not interested, a simple ‘thanks but no’ will do the trick. But it is equally fine to just delete it. I’ll get the message and I won’t be contacting you again.

When you do direct search, like I do, there is no other way than to invade your privacy to find to out whether you are open to explore new job opportunities. After all, my clients pay me to find the best possible candidate for a position. So rather than being offended by the ‘creative’ ways I use to get your attention, consider it a compliment, a sign that your profile is attractive to other employers.

Nevertheless, the clear words of my candidate resonate so here is here is my question for you: what is your preferred way of being contacted for job opportunities?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Isabel

Through a personalized and tailor-made approach, Ingenium Executive Search aspires to assist you in attracting the right talent that matches the DNA of your company

Check out our website http://www.ingenium-search.be

Follow me on Twitter @IngeniumSearch

The invisible age barrier: when am I too old to change jobs?

With rain pouring down, summer has really ended so time to start blogging again.

Today is a special day, today is the day that I turn 45. I strongly believe in the cliché that “40 is the new 30” combined with “you are only as old as you feel” …. but still, it feels like some sort of life milestone.

I don’t seem to be the only one who feels this way as I meet a lot of candidates who worry that at a certain age, you pass some kind of invisible barrier after which you are stuck in your job.  

We all know that we are expected to work into our late sixties while a lot of employers remain fixated on hiring people in their mid-thirties. But does this also mean that at some point, you are simply too old to change jobs?

The good news is that it is never too late to change jobs or even make an entire career shift, unless you want to become a ballet dancer or professional soccer player. The bad news is that reality shows that it is more difficult, especially if you are over 50.

Success lies in the way you approach a job or career change.

When you take the obvious route, where you randomly apply for jobs, chances are that you will receive rejection after rejection. Needless to say, that this will only reinforce the feeling that you are over the hill and stuck.

A much more strategic approach is called for.

It is imperative that you highlight the added value that you have acquired over the years. This can be a more coaching, learning-focused approach towards people management, a solid technical expertise, the mental rest you can transmit to a more junior team…

It is equally important that you combine this with proof that you are still eager, dynamic and linked to market trends and technology evolutions.

Once you have a clear view on those qualities that differentiate you from the crowd, it is time to start capitalizing on the network that you have built over the years. Those people can provide you with a personal introduction to headhunters, job brokers and potential employers.

Changing jobs after the age of 50 or even 60, might not be easy. And it may prove to be equally difficult to define your unique selling points or different ways to enter the job market. At that moment, it is a good idea to call a career counselor. He or she can help you to find the right way.

As for me, I am going to enjoy my special day, without worrying as to whether I am on the right career path. On the contrary: I took the time in these last few months to further develop Ingenium Executive Search. In the next few weeks, we will be launching a new website and some state-of-the art tools that will enhance both client and candidate experience. Stay tuned J

I look forward to hearing from you,

Isabel

Through a personalized and tailor-made approach, Ingenium Executive Search aspires to assist you in attracting the right talent that matches the DNA of your company

Check out our website http://www.ingenium-search.be

Follow me on Twitter @IngeniumSearch

In the end, it is all about chemistry….

Today is the last part of my series on identifying the right job opportunity… and maybe the most important one. When it comes down to determining whether a job opportunity is the right one for you, the chemistry that you have with your future boss might be the most decisive factor.

Beyond any doubt, chemistry is the most intangible aspect of a selection process. It is all about the feeling: ‘do I like this person? Will I enjoy working with him or her? Will he or she make me successful?’.  

Unfortunately, it’s not something you can fake – you either have it or you don’t. The relationships that thrive most easily are the ones where there is a natural spark, a connection that is reciprocated, and it is just as important for work relationships as it is for personal ones.

Determining whether there is a connection between you and your future boss isn’t easy because, just like you, your future boss will be at his best behavior. It pays off to notice different clues that raise the corner of the veil for true chemistry.

It starts at the very beginning. Just like a blind date, the first few minutes of an interview can tell a lot. It can come down to the simple things: the smell of perfume that reminds you of a bad experience, a squeaky voice that makes you shiver, dirty fingernails …

Rational or not, these little things play an important role is establishing the first impression that you have on someone.

Don’t forget that your future boss will also be looking for clues so walk in with a firm handshake and a warm smile.

I always advise to be as natural as possible during the interview.  Be warned: being natural is not the same as being casual or laid back. It is important that they see the real person behind the somewhat nervous interviewee.

By the way, it’s ok to mention at the start that you are feeling a little nervous. You’ll see right away what type of person you are dealing with.

Make the interview a two-way conversation. Get to know your future boss.  Through questions you can determine what he or she values, his likes and dislikes.

And last but not least, it comes down to having the courage to trust your intuition. If you feel a solid connection with your future boss, than most likely this job opportunity is the right one for you. If you don’t feel chemistry, although you are the best fit from a technical point of view, decline the offer. This does not reflect on your personality or on your ability to do the job. It is merely a matter of it not being the right match.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Isabel

Through a personalized and tailor-made approach, Ingenium Executive Search aspires to assist you in attracting the right talent that matches the DNA of your company

Check out our website http://www.ingenium-search.be

Follow me on Twitter @IngeniumSearch