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A Bad Reputation Isn’t the End-All, Be-All
Posted by Susan Howington
Eight Actions Executive Job Seekers Can Take to Repair It
Today’s economic forces make it difficult for even the most well-networked, experienced executive job seekers. If you have created a bad reputation for yourself in the business community by repeatedly treating employees, peers and vendors poorly, opportunities can be dismal. However, there are some actions you can take now, and more when you eventually land a position, that will make a difference in your future success.
Executives with the worst reputations are usually those who are demeaning and even verbally abusive to their service providers. When executives lose their jobs, vendors normally want to help them, because doing so means these executives will bring vendors with them into new companies. Treating vendors poorly can be detrimental to your reputation, and while some offenders suspect they have a bad reputation, most are oblivious to it.
The Short and Long of It
A bad reputation is tough to repair in the short-term. That is why so many of these executives launch consulting practices after months of unsuccessfully searching with an unsupportive network. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try. It’s really time to consider who you didn’t treat well, and start treating them fairly, perhaps even apologizing. Better yet, make it a policy to be nice and supportive to everyone you know and meet.
In the long-term, people can be forgiving of even the worst offenders who genuinely change. If you admit you might have a bad reputation, consider these eight actions to change public opinion:
- Get out and network.
- Overtly offer to help others with a contact, job/business lead or article—show people you are interested and put action behind your words.
- Be consistent.
- Hire a public relations firm to help rebuild your reputation through positive press.
- Get involved in the “employment” community—serve on the board of a non-profit that helps people who are out of work or homeless who need job search skills, or speak on a panel about transition.
- Treat your service providers well, because they talk to others in the business community and can be your biggest advocates.
- When you land a position, resolve to continue networking and helping others who are unemployed.
- Think about what got you into trouble in the first place, and change how you manage and lead. Consider hiring an executive coach to help.
Executives can change, but probably 70 percent of them don’t. They go right back to the same behaviors. But for those who do, people are forgiving. No one will talk about what a jerk you were years ago, because now you are so accessible to others. You have to be helpful and mean it. That’s how you repair your reputation.
Susan Howington is the Founder and CEO of Power Connections Executive Outplacement, Career Transition and Coaching Firm. Her website is www.powerconnectionsinc.com
Susan Howington has 10 years of experience in the Career Transition and Leadership Development industry. She is a former regional executive of one of the largest global career transition and executive coaching firm and is currently the founder and CEO of Power Connections Inc. Click Here to read more of her blogs!
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