markewicken in Job SearchTips and Advice

Unreturned phone calls…the biggest job-search mistake.

If someone calls you, it is for a reason and common courtesy says: ‘If you call me, I will call you back’. Common courtesy? Yes. Common sense? Of course.

During your job search you are demonstrating to all those you communicate with your business skills and strengths. If you are not responsive to a simple phone call, what does that say about your ability to deal with and respond to ‘real’ life issues. The call might be a job opportunity, a job lead or a networking connection.

How long does it take to return a phone call and/or leave a message acknowledging receipt of the call?…Seconds. Don’t wait, do it right away.

Important people return phone calls…self important people don’t.

Your choice.

Next Read: Rule #1 when writing your resume »

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.