Six Figures Blog

This week we were delighted to interview Gillian Kelly, Personal Branding, Career Coaching and International Resume Writing Expert.

Gillian Kelly

In the interview Gillian shares some of the secrets to career and job search success, including her tips on who gets ahead in tough markets. Gillian says there are 3 ingredients of job and career success!

1) Q. The job market is tough for everyone at the moment, particularly for executives and professionals competing for a smaller number of jobs. As an award winning international resume writer and executive career coach what advice do you have for executives and professionals who are finding it challenging securing new employment?

A. Those who get ahead in tough markets, no matter how competitive, always have 3 ingredients of success – firstly a clear and watertight understanding of what makes them, as individuals, unique and valuable to the market at large; secondly absolutely first-class, second-to-none personal marketing materials that draw on these talents to provide them with visibility and leverage over their competitors; and finally exceptional networks that they have nurtured and built during the course of their career.

These fundamentals ensure they are well known, highly regarded and attractive to those in industry. Investing time in building these areas is strategically the strongest advantage you can give yourself. From a resume perspective remember at six figure level you are a premium product and competing against formidable opponents so make sure every element of your personal marketing documentation sells you effectively. A bad resume is worse than no resume at all. Make sure the document you send as your ambassador during initial introductions is of the calibre you need and want to represent you. It should be professional presented, targeted to the needs of the employer and rich with high impact achievements.

2) Q. For those who have been made redundant (with our without outplacement support) it can be tough both financially and emotionally. What are some things you recommend to your clients to deal with the emotions during this period of career transition?

A. Firstly remember what you are feeling is normal. Being made redundant is tough, even for the most confident of professionals as its strips you of the sense of control you normally feel over your career. The emotional cycle is varied and individuals will most likely experience a range of emotions following redundancy. No two individual’s emotional response will be exactly the same, and often the emotions you feel will change from day to day. One of the most effective ways to manage this feeling of loss is to take back control of your career through a strategic approach to your job search activities. Remember the redundancy payment you were given is aimed at giving you a financial pressure valve that allows you the time to get back into the job market, so use the time wisely.

If you were offered outplacement services use them, get good advice from financial advisors and career coaches, build a strong resume and other personal marketing materials, call on your networks to find new opportunities in the job market and don’t be afraid to let others know your position (not you) was made redundant. There is certainly no stigma attached in today’s market. Finally take some time out during your week to do things you love that you normally wouldn’t get a chance to do. This will make the period more enjoyable in the interim. (For more information on outplacement services contact Outplacement Australia )

3) Q. You have a strong focus on working with executives to develop their Personal Brand. Can you tell us more about the work you do here and why it is so important for executives and professionals to have a Personal Brand?

A. The world of work has changed. Gone are the days of a job for life and today in a world where your competitors are no longer restricted to just your own backyard, you need more than just ability to get ahead, you need visibility.

In competitive markets employers are looking for individuals that can hit the ground running and offer immediate return on investment. Proven performers known to industry for their talents, skills and value. Those that are poached, promoted, and remunerated well, are those with a strong personal brand and a track record of using those talents to bring visible corporate value.

In line with this, savvy executives are working with Personal Branding Strategists, like myself, to build their brand. Personal Branding Coaching helps executives to not only identify and articulate what defines and differentiates them from their competitors, but how to use this strategically to build momentum, visibility, and to deliver recognised value for the organisations they work with and for.

4) Q. What has been the best advice you have received during your career and/or the lessons learned?

A. As a Career Coach the lesson that is clear to me after years in this sector is that often the wisest investment you can make is in yourself. We think nothing of paying a personal training coach to help us with our fitness, or a plumber to fix our toilet, but then try and do everything on our own when it comes to our careers. Knowing where you are going in your career, the tools and strategies that will work to get you there, and having strong personal marketing materials that sell your value are invaluable in developing a career that is rewarding, financially and emotionally. Good executives know that using the expertise of specialists in their field is the best way to garner success.

5) Q. You are very active in international markets and speak and present around the topic of careers locally, nationally and internationally. What are some of the trends you are seeing overseas that can help us in our careers in Australia?

A. Internationally the most significant changes to job search are still riding on the back of new technologies. With technology advancements and new generations changing the rules and dynamics of job search and work, employers and applicants now have a plethora of fresh opportunities to connect in the job marketplace.

Technology now offers endless vehicles to craft your own media, sell yourself, and connect with your targeted employers and each comes with its own advantages and potential pitfalls. Innovative job seekers are using strategic twittering and blogging on their area of specialty to gain enhanced visibility; visual online CV’s, web portfolios and video resumes are now regularly being used as ways to promote and present yourself; and new resume formats now exist that are optimised for employment databanks and structured for display on new mediums such as PDA’s.

Regardless of how the job search is conducted, one thing is certain, social networking, technology and personal marketing will continue to remain the key axis of an effective job search strategy. Regardless of the medium, the fundamentals of marketing yourself competitively remain paramount. Seek solid advice from career specialists to ensure you leverage the full advantages of latest job search technologies and also remain abreast of pitfalls of these new arenas. Doing this will ensure you present well be it in an interview, video resume, or through social networking forums. Click here to read more on Job Search in the New Millennium

6) Q. The world of work is tough and more competitive now than ever before. Job security now seems like an urban myth. In this new marketplace what advice do you offer those who are seeking career satisfaction or looking for more meaning and balance in their worklife?

A. The most successful and fulfilled people are almost always those that work in their areas of passion. If you have a strong understanding of what your talents are, and what areas energize you, and you can build a career and defining presence in these areas, career success will follow. A strong personal brand built on your passions, values and natural strengths that illustrates visible value to the market at large will always be seen as an investment rather than an expenditure line to employers and those professionals will be headhunted and fulfilled regardless of market conditions.

For assistance with resume writing, personal branding, outplacement or interview coaching contact Gillian at info@careeredge.com.au or phone (07) 3824 5200.