CIO —
Shining careers don’t just happen; they’re created by individuals wisely and strategically managing their professional lives. With a steady focus on maximizing their potential at every turn, executive standouts approach new opportunities with a distinct method, allowing them to scale the corporate ladder in a seemingly effortless fashion while building broad and deep resumes rich in the “right” experience.
Their advantageous approach is founded on two key concepts: an open-minded assessment of all new and often unforeseen opportunities; and an in-depth review of serious opportunities’ inherent benefits and detriments. Throughout the process emotionally based motives such as unhappiness are kept in check.
It’s an optimistic and deliberate attitude where opportunities are mined so that hidden gems, positions steeped in potential that initially may not look promising, can be uncovered. The ensuing career trajectory is marked with rewarding positions and has few of those hard-to-justify tangents that create concern for hiring teams.
For CIOs hoping to hit the “shining” mark, this mining attitude is especially critical. CIO roles vary widely in importance and function depending largely on their connection to the core business and whether they’re considered a strategic, value-adding component. Sarbanes-Oxley and recent trends such as outsourcing are profoundly altering the role but the course of its evolution varies depending on the company. As such, fully comprehending the opportunity is an especially great imperative.
To mine properly, you need to own the process completely, so that you—not the recruiter or corporation—are solely responsible for assembling the salient facts. The process itself will benefit you by refining career goals and building advantageous alliances.
Opportunity Mining
Prospect
Effectively mining opportunities first requires making sure the right ones—those correlating to your expertise and interests—are coming your way. Visibility to recruiters and other executives, especially CEOs, in your industry is essential. Here CIOs are especially challenged because they tend to have less exposure than other executives to CEOs outside their company. CIOs need an assertive approach to creating exposure by writing articles in CEO-oriented publications and speaking at or participating in CEO-attended events. Get their attention by expressing fundamental changes to improve business. Contact them in their preferred mode and let them know who you are.
Explore
Rule number one: When contacted about an opportunity, always return the call, even if your interest is minimal. By not doing so, you may lose the contact—and future opportunities—for good. Capitalize on it. Call back and tell the contact more about yourself and, if possible, suggest other candidates. This last point is crucial. Being a resource to others is the essence of networking.
