The Larsen Group

August 31, 2008 

“Unconventional Wisdom for an Integrated Approach toCareer Transition”

1. There are several key “nuts and bolts” to implement an integrated approach to career transitioning, where the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts.  The challenge is to weigh the impact and value of each, within the context of your particular situation.

• Assess clearly your requirements, boundaries, deliberate choices
• Elevator speech for what you want – clear, concise, compelling
• Construct a contemporary resume (reference March 30^th show)
• Leverage a “personal board of directors” to invite individuals to be your references in advance of launching a change; engage them in the crafting of your resume
• Cover letter reinforcing your resume
• Personal business cards, web address, cell phone, stationery, note cards to maintain confidentiality
• Approach filling out all applications 100% consistent with your resume and what your references have been primed to add

2. Most likely your next move internal or external to your firm will rely heavily upon your social networks for access to opportunities, but social capital (trust, relationships, leveraging the support of those on your confidential reference list) to close the deal (reference April 20^th show).

3. Expand your field of view to develop multiple networks to advance your career:  College alumni groups, philanthropic/church/volunteer committee contacts, company suppliers, customers/clients from your existing and all prior career assignments, any and all business cards/PDA contacts on file, touching based with mentors, sponsors, role models, teachers and your protégés from every walk of life.

4. This isn’t about fitting you tight into an existing box or rounding off the edges of a square to fit in a round hole.  It’s about your discerning carefully the culture and energy of an organization and simultaneously expanding the walls of the box beyond their – and your – imagination.