I was commenting to a fellow cyclist how difficult it is to get any of you to have the courage or initiative to help out with a comment on this terrific Xtra Effort blog.
He said: "be more provocative". I said to myself, "hmmm, how do I that?" and left it alone. We had too big a hill to climb and suffer to waste time pondering.
Well, since then Xtra Effort has been working with a few clients that represent financial stability, proven references, first class technology, equity, and strong career opportunities. However, candidates have chosen to stay safe, despite definite signs of rot on the leaves in their tree garden.
Similarly, clients have been sticking by their hope that their candidates who are 50% of quota for the past three quarters are suddenly going to change; or they are hoping new revenue streams will be coming from the same old territories, knowing full well investment in new sales geography or vertical is required.
Where is the guts?
It's best stated in the below article. CARE TO COMMENT? :) (I wish I wrote it!)
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2009/05/03/go_ahead_take_a_chance/
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Mark,
ReplyDeleteI think a big reason good candidates are not moving is seniority. The biggest benefit of staying at a company these days is that one thinks they are "safe" if hey have seniority. We all know this is a myth these days.
Another benefit of seniority is that one thinks they do not have to prove themselves, they have already done so. A senior candidate can more easily take off if there is "nothing meaningful" going on in the office, without having to "worry" about job security. A new employee would feel obliged to prove themselves for a period of three or more years by putting in tons of hours, forgoing vacation and sometimes loosing it.
Speaking of vacation, a little benefit is that seniority also gives us more vacation time, and the ability to take it.
However, what we really need to know is in this economy:
Is it is better to look for a job while you have one, risking that your company or firm finds out and black lists you? Or, wait until your company or firm "downsizes" or goes out of business?
In other words, why risk your seniority and have a potential employer ask the same question, if you do not need to in this economy?
Mark
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has spent the past 15 years with one company and the previous 5 within the same industry, there is a tendancy to get stale through stability. During that span of time I have seen recessions, dips in the economy and booms where I had wished I was in the middle of the boom industry but only felt the slight effects secondarily. If I had taken a chance to venture beyond my comfort zone and not look to painfully climb the long corporate ladder I know I would have experienced a far different set of professional emotions, if you will, than sticking it out for 10 years before landing my first executive position within that same company. What those emotions would have been is unclear and that may be the point.
I knew what I had, it was fairly safe. What we all find now is really nothing is safe and you are only defined by what you as an individual bring to the table, not what employer you work for.
It is definatley a good time in my mind to explore, no one person is safe and no one industry is safer then the next. I would encourage others and myself to get out and see what is available.
Great achievements are born from difficult times.
Chris, great perspective from the loyal corporate executive. There is clearly no "right" path, but there is a lot to consider before rushing into something OR refusing any opportunities.
ReplyDeleteMark
The value of a highly visible or performance based position is that sales and implementations (revenue)clearly measure your value, regardless of seniority. If you are adding obvious value, you are less likely to be questioned for office time, vacation, etc.
ReplyDelete