John Ploener is a marketing executive with a background in the both the retail and financial services industries.  The breadth of his roles—sales, marketing, finance, total rewards, and proto-type design—presented several areas of focus.  The uniqueness of his talents culminated in landing the best fit for him and the organization (Sr. Manager, Marketing, Chase USA Care Service).

What were the circumstances of your coming to Kelleher Associates for career coaching, and what was your expectation?

My employer gave me the opportunity to choose from several outplacement firms.  After completing several interviews, I choose Kelleher Associates and Mitch Wienick as my coach.  The deciding factors were 1) Mitch’s experience as a high caliber career and executive coach; 2) his “C” level management experience in industry; 3) the networking opportunities provided by Kelleher, and, in particular, Mitch’s wealth of business contacts.

My target search was focused on finding a role where I could leverage my unique blend of finance and marketing experience, in two disparate industries, retail and financial services. Key to landing this type of opportunity was for me to build my network.

Your past positions with Wawa are very diverse— finance, controller, human resources, marketing, and procurement—how did you draw on these functions to find your current position?  And what was your focus?

Mitch helped me to recognize the wealth of experience in my background.  We determined that I should conduct a three-pronged approach:

1) marketing opportunities centered around my background in retail and finance
2) strategic sourcing and procurement
3) finance

I got traction in all three areas.

How did you find your current position?

It was a result of networking.  Several people helped me network into Chase at the same time that a recruiter introduced me as a candidate for several opportunities there – in fact, I interviewed on two different occasions.  For the particular position that I accepted, I was interviewed on Friday, called on Sunday, and made an offer on Monday.

Was your network in place when you initiated your search?

No, I didn’t understand what networking was.   With Mitch’s coaching, I learned how to develop and leverage my network—Mitch opened up his personal contacts as well.  I learned that new people I had met through networking, willingly went above and beyond what I had asked them to do. As I met people for the first time, as they opened doors for me, I always asked what I could do for them. Relationship building is a two-way street, when I realized I was assisting my new contact too, networking became fun.  People who did not know me in the past became proponents and helped me navigate my way into organizations, something I will be grateful for and do for others in the future.

I found LinkedIn, an online networking resource, to be a powerful networking tool during my search, and I will continue to leverage in the future. Networking is something I learned over the past year, and I will continue to do it for the rest of my career.

What were the ‘learnings’?

Believe in yourself.  If you don’t, nobody will.  Draw on the knowledge that you have been a successful executive and remain focused on those things that made you successful in the past.  Approach your search with the confidence and energy that you have approached promotions in the past.

How did Mitch and Kelleher Associates contribute to your successful landing?

First of all, Mitch is a high-level career and executive coach who has many helpful local contacts.  Most important, no matter how busy Mitch seemed, he was always accessible to me when I needed advice or support.

I didn’t feel like a number at Kelleher Associates.  Their philosophy is to provide a program that fits the individual, giving the personal attention that truly made me feel like a valued client.  It is not a ‘volume’ business’ – it’s about the individual.

Additionally, Al Kramer challenged me during interview training which he videotaped.  He helped me to refine my ‘message’ and deliver it in a focused, clear, and persuasive manner.

It was apparent that everyone in the organization cared about me.

What advice would you give to other executives going through the career change?

• Believe in yourself and maintain your self-confidence.
• Build your network skills; develop and nurture the network.
• Read (a few of Mitch’s recommendations):  The Secret, The Armchair Guide to Networking, and The First 90 Days.