Four Zones Of Career Search

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Matt Crevin, Founder of Voice of the Box says there are four zones, or development stages, in the evolution of a career search. Here they are, along with his advice for how to progress through each.

 Zone 1: The focus is on yourself – because you’re terrified! You’re worried about how you look in an interview, whether you’re dressed OK, and whether the interviewer likes you. “If you’re in Zone 1, there’s no shame in that,” Crevin says. “You’re in there trying to overcome your fears, so good for you!” Matt’s tip: Think about normal conversations you have every day and how you handle typical questions in an informal setting.  If you relax, don’t over think anything and be yourself, the results will follow. Maybe even practice basic mock interviews so you’re in the most comfortable situation possible as you enter the live interview.

Zone 2: The focus is on your content. You’re self-confident about how you look and your ability to answer questions, and you know that content is king, (offering solid answers to interview questions) so you’re simply going to tell the hiring manager what you think (opposed to what you think they want to hear).  In Zone 2, the job candidate knows his or her material and delivers it through carefully constructed talking points, usually while seated across from the manager.  There’s no effort to engage the manager or to tell them how and why you can bring value to their company. Matt’s tip:Give real examples of the value you bring, be authentic and conversational, not overly rehearsed.  Don’t try to provide just the “perfect” answer but speak from your gut on how and why you would make a difference to the company if you were in the role.  In normal conversation, we communicate through our movements, facial expressions, even eye contact.  This body language will also enhance your interviews, so work on adding it to your delivery. It will also help communicate your desire to share something of value – people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.

Zone 3: The focus is on providing something of value. The job candidate is fully confident and knows his or her interview strategy as well as the companies true needs inside out. He or she frames it as something the manager could find beneficial and around solving some the current needs (additional sales, experienced customer service, project management, etc)  “People will often leave a Zone 3 stage saying, ‘I really enjoyed meeting you, thank you for your time” Crevin says. “But they don’t leave the hiring manager with the inspiration or knowledge that they are the right candidate that can be a problem solver.” Matt’s tip: Engage the hiring manager by asking questions about what they hope to leave the interview with. Do they want to learn just about your background?  How about leave them with how your background, experience, skill sets and personality can mesh nicely with their existing team and that you are ready to deliver results. By understanding the companies’ goals, you can create a conversation during your interview that helps them achieve what they really are looking for.

Zone 4: The focus is on developing rapport with the hiring manager and internal contacts.  Most candidates know that they must do something in the first 90 to 120 seconds to engage the interviewer. Asking open-ended questions is one tool; telling the brief story of how you were drawn to the current opening is another. You can quickly scan the office you are in to find a topic to use as an icebreaker.  (I see you like to fish, I’m curious, what’s been your favorite location to fish?) Observe the manager and look for signals on how far to take this light approach to banter.  Most important in my mind is leaving with the knowledge of what the interviewer is looking for in a successful hire.  (Simply ask in the process what he/she is looking for and at the end of the interview rephrase it and position that towards your background and skill set with what you now know will most satisfy them. “People in Zone 4 have arrived, usually through practice and having had interviews before,” Crevin says. “They know the do’s and don’ts. They will keep the interview as real and conversational as possible.  They understand the managers true needs and do the best possible job of mapping the companies’ needs to their core skill set and practical experiences.  Lastly, the candidate will take a multi-dimensional approach to addressing how their background is a fit, the value they bring that will ultimately resolve the true needs of why they are hiring in the first place.  Anyone can tell a hiring manager about their background, previous results, awards, (the Who they are, what they do, etc)…few can tell a manager, in a compelling way, why they are a good fit for the role and why they are good at what they do.

A career search process, like anything else, is a “progression of expertise,” Crevin says. So no matter which zone you fall into, with practice and help from a career coach with experience, you can improve.

For more: contact Matt Crevin at matt@voiceofthebox.comm

Almost 60 Days Until New Years Resolutions

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When was the last time you invested some quality time (even a small amount) towards your professional or career development? Imagine how valuable it would be to have a game plan for your career search.  A strategy in place to help you stay focused and moving forward opposed to all over the place and getting overwhelmed.

Having a career search strategy as well as a process in place is truly the key. Having a piece of mind that not only do you have a roadmap but methods on how to execute that plan.  That’s exactly what happens when you work with Voice of the Box.

If you’re considering investing some time into your career search and professional development, please do two things:

1. Send an e-mail to: matt@voiceofthebox.comm

2. Find a 10-minute time slot for a call to learn more about how we can help.

Also, below are a few testimonials of folks who have worked with Voice of the Box:

Dear Matt, 

Thanks for doing the webinar yesterday. It was extremely insightful. We actually met briefly last year when you came to speak to the Sports Business Association at Arizona State University. I really enjoyed hearing you speak on both occasions.  I am extremely excited to begin what I hope to be a long and successful career in the sports industry.  Thank you again for taking the time to inspire people and for believing in a new generation of aspiring sports professionals. 

— – – – – – –

“When I first met Matt I was a college student looking to get into the sports industry. He was instrumental in helping me understand the value of networking, and helped me build a network of my own with other sports professionals. Now that I work in the sports industry full-time, I can fully appreciate the lessons he shared and realize the positive impact he had on my career.”

————-

I truly feel your coaching sessions were the catalyst in landing a position with a NFL Franchise. I appreciate all you have helped me with advice wise and networking wise.

 

I hope to work with you to get you “in the game.”

Matt

Founder- Voice of the Box, LLC

 

Happy Spring from Voice of the Box

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Spring has arrived! This is the time of year we often find ourselves cleaning out our closets, making room for new opportunities, and asking ourselves how to refresh our lives and perspectives. We at Voice of the Box truly enjoy helping people alter their careers and start anew. Coaching our clients to success is our commitment.

In the spirit of Spring time cleaning and starting anew we wanted to share how we can help you enhance and bolster your career search process.

First, and most important,  it starts with having a strategy…nothing can happen unless you have a solid plan in place and that is where we start with all our coaching clients.  We help you create a game plan that you can go out and execute.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO A CAREER IN SPORTS…

All it takes is 3 things:

1) Proven strategies,

2) Dedication

3) And a little personal attention from someone who has already gotten the results you’re after.

I’m here to help you “Get in the Game.”

Matt

Founder of Voice of the Box, LLC

What Not to Say in a Thank You Letter

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You know it’s a good idea to write a thank-you note after an interview, but a lot of people fail to take this basic step. While unlikely to make an employer totally reverse an opinion about you, when done well, thank-you notes can help you stand out from a crowd of applicants. Consider that a lot of employers interview numerous candidates, many of whom gave similar answers to a series of basic questions. If you want hiring managers to remember you favorably, write a knockout thank-you note; it may make a difference.

Be mindful, though: some follow-up notes leave employers cold and less likely to pursue candidates. For example, if your letter is too generic, too short, or if it sounds like a template or scripted message, you probably won’t win any points. Other red flags for the employer: Were you in too much of a hurry when you wrote your message? Are there mistakes or typos? Does your follow up cause the reader to doubt your interest in the job? If you can’t sound invested in the position and take the time necessary to write an interesting note, you may be wasting your time.

FULL STORY

Game Plan For Success

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The new book by Career Coach Matt Crevin – Get In The Game – is on sale now! Buy it here.

As is the case with most endeavors, there is rarely one magic bullet, one piece of advice or one thing to share in terms of what would help others break into the sports industry. For the most part it is a series of events that must take place and an action plan put in place (and implemented) that will help secure the job of anyone’s dreams.

There is so much that goes into an effective career search for any dream job that is very tough to narrow it down to one suggestion.  Here is what I would suggest to anyone:

It is one answer broken down into several parts

Have a game plan:

Successful teams as well as businesses have strategies in place to achieve goals, in both the short and the long-term. Job searching and networking is no different.

  • Combine your passion with a specific technical aptitude to find your niche.
  • Make sure you position yourself and your message to the specific market(s) you are going after.
  • Surround yourself with people you can learn from and be available to return the favor in the years ahead.
  • Continually build an industry specific network and leverage your network effectively to eventually have your own “advisory board” that you can rely on and utilize for years to come.

A big key is to be seen. Like successful marketing plans and branding strategies there needs to be a differentiation aspect to you as a person and a professional. What is it that seperates YOU from EVERYONE else??? A skill, a degree, an experience? Whatever it is, it must be not only improved on daily, but also perfected.

If you really pushed me to provide one thing that would ensure anyone to have a successful career search…BE AUTHENTIC

What does that mean?

It means to go about your career search with passion, integrity and professionalism but first and foremost be yourself and let that be your guiding principle. Too many people try too hard to be someone they are not and get caught eventually.

Why not show your true colors and be genuine right from the start. It will help you differentiate yourself and also it will set realistic expectations because at the end of the day, people hire people.  Sure you need all the traditional information to support your case (resume, cover letter, (positioning statement) but when given the opportunity to meet/interview with someone, be authentic!

The new book by Career Coach Matt Crevin – Get In The Game – is on sale now! Buy it here.

Informational Interviews

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HOW THEY CAN BE A BIG PART OF YOUR STRATEGY

An informational interview is not a job interview.  Therefore, your expectations should be genuine and your objective should be to gain insights and information into the profession, not to be offered a job.  Since you scheduled the meeting, you will want to be prepared to conduct the meeting and have a set of questions to ask. You will want to bring a copy of your resume and be prepared to share it with them if they ask. Do not provide them with a resume if they do not ask for one.  Arrive early, dress professionally, and be prepared.

Format

As you enter the meeting, you will want to do your best to stay on track:

Introduction – Introduce yourself and graciously thank them for meeting you. Some small talk might be appropriate to break the ice.

Tell Them Why You Wanted To See Them – Be honest and let them know that you want to know more about the industry and their role (as well as periphery roles they may be familiar with).  Everyone likes to talk about themselves and this a good chance to ask some good open ended questions about how they started in the sports industry and what steps, series of events and actions they took to get to where they are now.

Tell Them About Yourself – This is a chance to mildly sell yourself by sharing your story (your Positioning statement).  Be mindful of the 4 C’s of communication at this stage:

Be CLEAR

Be CONFIDENT

Be CONCISE

Have a CALL TO ACTION

Ask Questions – Make sure you are prepared for your meeting and that you have a list of questions to ask.  Have a pen and paper, and take good notes.

Ask For Referrals – Because he/she has met with you, you have now earned the right to ask your new contact if they are open to connecting you with any appropriate contacts of theirs.  As he or she provides you with names, ask them if you can mention their name as the one who recommended that you contact them.

Thank Them – Being careful not to abuse their time, graciously thank them for their time, and ask if they would mind if you stayed in touch with them.  (a nice CALL TO ACTION)

Follow-up – Send a thank you letter to them and personalize it from the notes you took at the meeting.  Continue to stay in contact with them (even a short note) every three to four months.

The insight you can gain from these meetings can been invaluable, and can yield great results from proper follow-up after the meetings.  Start the process of being an active networker within the profession.   Remember, ultimately the job will go to the candidate who is prepared and who effectively executes the basics of the job interview process. In all you do, you will want to EXECUTE FOR SUCCESS!

The new book by Career Coach Matt Crevin – Get In The Game – is on sale now! Buy it here.

Getting The Results You Need

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Is your career search bringing you the results that you want? Don’t know how to start the job search process? Looking to match your passion with a role that fits? Do you have a strategy in place? Need some help to take you to the next level?

Job searches can be life-altering experiences.

Everyone goes through change in their life. Some types of change can be difficult and you may need someone objective to talk with, someone to really hear you.

A job search requires understanding and guidance into what may be best for you, and the steps to take for a successful career search. Family and friends are not always able or qualified to help.  A career coach brings the skills, knowledge, and the guidance to help you get through this challenging time.

Career Coaching is about:

  1. Support & Understanding
  2. Taking Action
  3. Achievement
  4. Creating the career you want

A Career Coach has the savvy, which comes from a high level of training and breadth and depth of life experience. They operate out of a unique blend of mentor (teacher) and counselor, skillful at clearing the mental and emotional speed bumps standing in the way.

When working with a career coach you can:

  • Have a supportive partner that helps you facilitate a successful career search process.
  • Receive an independent, objective perspective
  • Create balance in your approach.
  • Sharpen the tools to help you realize your vision, goals, and desires
  • Discover your skill set(s) and values
  • Receive support as you put your ideas into action
  • Be challenged to reach your goals

With a career coach you can:

  • Be motivated and held accountable to someone who is experienced in job search techniques
  • Significantly shorten the job search time frame
  • Develop and implement a plan to reach your career goals
  • Understand and master interview techniques
  • Master “soft skills” such as speaking and listening to improve your job search success

What a career coach will do for you…

  1. Help you achieve greater success in your search
  2. Listen to what you are really saying. By listening carefully, the coach will fully support you in improving the end result…a job in the sports business.
  3. Help you clarify your values and set goals based on those values.
  4. Assist you in setting goals and support you in achieving goals, guiding you through the process and celebrating your successes.
  5. Will be your advocate. A coach will support you in all aspects of your search.
  6. Tell you the truth when no one else will.  To be objective and will offer another perspective to situations.

ARE YOU READY TO GET IN THE GAME?

What Concerns You The Most?

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I would like to share with you some of the key challenges I hear most frequently from both college students while I’m on my speaking tours as well as those that that take part in my 1:1 coaching sessions.

Below is a short list and my guess is that you can relate to some of these if not all of them…

1) Having a tough time starting the networking process or getting in touch with the right people.

2) Knowing what to say and how to say it once you get the chance to connect with someone live.

3) Being able to clearly and confidently share your “story” or your positioning statement.

4) The lack of results you are getting with your career search.

If any of these concerns resonate with you, I’ve got some good news to share.  My new book, “Get in the Game” addresses these concerns and much more.  I wrote the book with you, the sports industry hopeful, in mind.  It details how to focus on your core strengths, provides steps on how to create AND leverage your network as well as numerous tips on how to get the results you need.

After you read “Get in the Game” I am ready to give you the insight you need, privately, just the two of us, one on one.  I do this to make sure you are moving forward with the best possible strategies.

– I believe in making my clients think and act differently to get new results.

– Easy to implement strategies that are straightforward.

– Want to take action and Get in the Game?

Contact me today!

The new book by Career Coach Matt Crevin – Get In The Game – is on-sale now! Buy it here.

Tune-Up Promo Ends Soon

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For a limited time Voice of the Box invites you to participate in this special Career Coaching offer that will help kick start 2012 and your career in the sports industry.

Apply before December 31, 2011 (extended to January 31, 2012) to receive a $100 discount when committing to 4 – 60 minute coaching sessions.

This could be the best $300 spent all season!  A great way to start the new year … clear, focused and on task.

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