Experts POol

BE FOUND

By Rose Spano Iannelli and Jamie Pratt – Spano Pratt Executive Search

Recently this statement was posted on the Executive Search blog of Joe Chappell –“It’s been said enough times that it may just be the sound bite cliché of our era- if you don’t exist online, you don’t exist. “The reality is there is more than enough strong evidence to support this statement. Cliché or not, when it comes to being seen as an expert, being found for board service or a job search, raising your visibility and maintaining a professional image—you have to be properly positioned within business media or new opportunities and the key influencers won’t find you.

The old saying that timing is everything also couldn’t be truer. Opportunities are everywhere but sometimes they appear when you aren’t even looking. If you are interested in being considered, whether it be for board service opportunities or advanced career opportunities, it’s worthwhile to invest a little time improving your visibility and ensuring information about your credentials and accomplishments is visible outside your immediate network. Anyone in the executive recruitment industry would certainly back up the claim that we can’t vet you- if we can’t find you.

Practical tips:

- If you have time for only one thing– get your LinkedIn profile right. The first action step to change is making sure your image and profile is in alignment with your preferred future. You can use your private account settings to select groups that align with your interests and can select which ones you would like visible in your on line profile. If you are understandably squeamish about using your corporate or e mail due to spam- set up a dedicated e mail address to promote yourself- as we all know you can through Google, Yahoo or other free email providers.

- If you are sending out a bio or resume– always provide clear content information relative to your expertise. Don’t make the reader struggle to figure this out.

- Be familiar and ready to use an online video call tool such as SKYPE for video interviews and meetings that would otherwise require travel. With the rising cost and time consumption of travel, it has become a more commonly used tool and being adept at this process represents you as current and flexible.

- Project a positive attitude and well-being – While it may seem obvious, you are not likely to draw people to you with negative energy. Positive optimism will reflect back at you. “Be the magnet.”

- Practice gratitude– We all have much to be thankful for. Sometimes volunteering and sharing your gifts is a good reminder. And we live in a generous community evidenced by the fact that you are seeking ways to make our community a better place by sharing your gifts through strengthening a business or nonprofit.

Rose Spano Iannelli (left) and Jamie Pratt, co-founders at Spano Pratt Executive Search, can be reached at rspano@spanopratt.com or jpratt@spanopratt.com.