Job Searching

Conferenced In

Published October 9, 2014 | By Stuart Parkin

Which conferences or award shows are best for strategic planners? SxSW, Cannes, PSFK, Jay Chiat’s, Planning-Ness, TED Talks…? Are they even worth it?

Here’s my take on the marque events I attended: a newsletter for creative strategy/brand planning professionals My main (and obvious) thought is that having a specific goal gives you a better chance of getting a worthwhile experience. Take a moment to identify what you really want –strategic insights, exposure to current thinking, specific learning for the team, inspiration, networking opportunities –and act accordingly.

Each conference has its own style and focus. SxSWand Cannes offer a little for everybody (latest strategic thinking, methodologies, technology, music, video…etcetera) and can be overwhelming without a game plan. Planning-Ness is at the other end of the spectrum and its limited numbers gets attendees truly engaged. Jay ChiatAwards are great for networking with strategists of all levels and expertise and the EFFIE’s are fun too but are over in a few hours, so the event is less network friendly. And PSFK and TED Talks give fresh thinking from a range of non-media industry executives.

Having talked about goals, I find that some time without structure yields valuable interactions and the ‘fun’ element key for a positive experience.

Contact me for a first-hand perspective

Stuart

PS. Events of interest to lateral thinkers: Lucid NYC

Articles and commentary that might be of interest…

Posted in Career Optimization, Job Searching, Soft Skills

Succinctly Telling YOUR Story

Published March 4, 2014 | By Stuart Parkin

‘If you don’t have an elevator pitch that concisely explains what you do, you’re in trouble. Particularly if you’re looking for a job.’ SCP

To make progress here, think about the part of the day or week where you make your greatest contribution. And/or, check out the following link:

http://www.sparkincoaching.com/#typicalquestions

Posted in Career Optimization, Job Searching, Personal Branding

A job at any cost?

Published January 29, 2014 | By Stuart Parkin

When you are sufficiently unhappy with your current job typically you want another job. And, depending how unhappy you are, the more flexible you’ll be in what you accept. In so doing, unless you’re in luck, you set your self up for at best, a sub optimal career path and at worst, constant dissatisfaction. So, don’t let yourself get so disgruntled in the first place! And, if the unhappiness stems from some sudden event such as your being ‘fired,’ still focus on the following….

An opportunity where people truly respect your knowledge and experience; A place where you respect the vision and culture/feeling of the agency and not simply the idea of what the advertising industry ‘tells you’ is cool to have on your resume. Be smart. Know what you want and don’t. Play to your strengths. And, even though you have bills to pay, understand you will be in true economic peril if you don’t think about taking the ‘right’ job for you versus any job.

Posted in Career Optimization, Job Searching, Work Life Balance

Job Search – Keeping Motivated

Published October 16, 2013 | By Stuart Parkin

Getting your next job ideally is a seamless experience, ideally stepping from one to the next challenge. But at some stage in our lives it might not work so smoothly and I know through talking with a number of you, there are some dark days of self doubt. Some uncertainty on the inexorable path to the next challenge, which isn’t happening fast enough for you. So note the following:

Remember, on a ‘challenging day when you are your less enthusiastic self, when the job hunt is grinding you down, or for that matter the unreasonable client, it is your energy last week/month that makes things happen for you; This is the reason for the phone call you get on the challenging day that brings about the great connection, thought, meeting or interview you really want.

Progression comes from your energy focused on pursuing new contacts, developing new ideas/solving business problems, writing a new blog, attending a meet up. It is when you drove yourself forward, perhaps apprehensively, somewhat lacking in confidence but you did anyway.

So even when you are feeling less than motivated, remember it is not about one off days but a general persistency and consistency of initiative on your part. It is about the totality of energy you put out. And, if you are energetic enough (albeit in a focused way) there will be a natural flow of activity and fewer challenging days.

Let me know what yu would advise individuals to do to keep themselves motivated. Thanks, S

Posted in Barriers to Success, Job Searching, Soft Skills

One Key Question

Published September 20, 2013 | By Stuart Parkin

When you are going for an interview, even better, before you go for a meeting, you are considering a job opportunity that you feel will be a great progression for you, or at least a limp in the right direction! One key question you should ask you headhunter or the HR person and/or the person interviewing you actually, everyone associated with the role. They all have perspectives, knowledge and biases that you need to be aware of upfront. The one thing you need to have answered and that will allow you to bail from the process before it got going or to ask the right follow up questions as the process continues, that one thing you need to be clear about is, ‘what makes the person coming in to this role a success within a year of starting.’ If you know this you know whether is a great progression for you or not.