executive job search Archives

Don’t Wait for a Recruiter’s Call (or a Layoff) to Start Your Job Search

Thinking about an executive job search?

Don’t wait for a layoff or new opportunity to spur yourself into action.

There’s no time like the present, especially with the rapid pace of layoffs and industry changes in 2023. But instead of telling yourself you’ll act when needed, employ preparation and strategy so you’re not lost when things happen.

To break yourself out of job search inertia, start with these 5 steps:

Polish LinkedIn with new facts about your current role.

Even if you haven’t updated LinkedIn regularly, consider a few changes to show how your current leadership role aligns with a new executive position.

In Why Waiting to Update LinkedIn Isn’t a Good Idea, you’ll see reasons why keeping your digital brand up-to-date can make a difference in your executive job search.

First, include all your promotions, including your current job title. Your LinkedIn Experience section will actually show your progression up the career ladder by displaying your employer name, then indenting all related roles. Use this to your advantage!
Next, re-think the keywords or skills you might have used in in the past. Add new areas of competency (M&A, digital transformation, cybersecurity, ERP, healthcare administration, AI, value-based care, etc.) especially if they’re in-demand in your field.
Take a quick look at your potential competition or some job postings to generate more ideas. You might pick up on industry trends or Skills entries you hadn’t thought to mention.

Reach out to connections to support your executive job search – especially if you’re long overdue for a chat.

Spark some new energy and career ideas by meeting with past colleagues or industry contacts for a quick coffee date.

You’ll have the chance to ask about events in their professional life, discuss what’s happening in your field and within choice companies, and of course, enjoy their company.

Sophie Deering shares tips for rebuilding a networking relationship on The Undercover Recruiter, describing how regular online updates can keep you top of mind and identifying some ways you can ask about current happenings in your field.

Many successful executive job searches are the result of strong and consistent networking!

Staying on the radar of past connections can lead to lucrative opportunities; you’ll never know if they’re hiring or their employers are seeking your expertise, unless you get in touch.

Brush up your resume, if only to remind yourself how much you’ve accomplished.

You knew this was coming, right? Letting your resume content fester over time isn’t a good idea, especially if there are ominous rumblings in the economy or your career field. (See Still Using Your College Resume for Your Executive Job Search?)

Updating your resume prior to launching your executive job search is always a good idea. There’s a reason September is Update Your Resume Month at global careers association Career Directors International – reminding you to tackle this task annually (of course, any month will do!).

To pull recent achievements to the forefront of your resume, make a list of successes including:

New projects or strategies you’ve led, along with the results in quantifiable terms (dollar figures, percentages of growth or improvement, impact on the company and its future)
Team additions, training, or other changes important to your employer’s success; perhaps you built and mentored a new sales team or staffed talent that rose to top executive positions.
Programs you’ve led that paved the way for new product launches or significant growth
Broader responsibilities, such as taking over a new division, leading an IT implementation project, or steering a post-M&A integration

All of these wins will make a positive impression when added to your outdated resume – and don’t forget to update LinkedIn, too.

Snag a spot on a high-profile board or professional association as a steppingstone in your executive job search.

Your visibility as a leader could be a core reason why you’re recruited for a new opportunity. Instead of waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder in your executive job search, seek out coveted membership or positions that reinforce your value proposition.

Some initial steps might be to research nonprofit or volunteer associations, such as your HOA or a community organization. These roles are often a great steppingstone to a paid board position or new executive position.

Even a quick search on a Google Jobs tab or an online query for “professional association board positions” can turn up some surprising results. BoardSource also offers tips for finding open board positions or programs, along with ideas for making yourself a potential candidate for board openings.

Get your interview skills ready for the demands of in-person and virtual meetings.

If you’ve taken some steps to secure a new opportunity, the next step might be an interview – so put yourself in the BEST position to ace it.

This meeting could come in the form of a virtual interview, which requires more work and preparation than a traditional interview. In Executives, Here’s How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview, you’ll see steps to put your best foot forward so you’re ready for the camera.

You can also leverage traditional interviewing tips to refresh your memory (and approach) prior to meeting your next employer. In What to Watch Out for When Interviewing in 2023, Jack Kelly covers some ways to predict what could take place in your interview – and how to navigate situations where your job search takes longer than planned.

Too many leaders wait to build an executive job search plan until they’re faced with employer changes or recruited before preparing themselves!

Outshine them with strategies that can help you claim the top spot at a new employer.

Recruiter-Endorsed, Premium Executive Resume & LinkedIn Writing Services

Become the TOP candidate by working one-on-one with a multiple award-winning executive resume writer and former recruiter.

Your new Resume and LinkedIn Profile will gain attention from Fortune-ranked, niche, PE, multinational, startup , and boutique companies - even in a competitive job market.

See why my resumes open doors to C-Suite, EVP, VP, Board, and Director roles by viewing interview-winning resumes that show a clear competitive advantage.

- Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CPBA, TCCS, COPNS, CIC, CTTCC, NCOPE

Get the results you deserve in your job search.

Set a no-obligation call with me.

How to Negotiate a Raise in Salary

by Laura Smith-Proulx

Love your job, but not your compensation?

You’re hardly alone. According to career planning site Zippia, more than 50%+ of professionals would quit their current position for a raise. This isn’t always necessary, however.

You CAN request a raise in salary by building a clearly documented business case, complete with metrics and bargaining points.

Use these steps to negotiate your raise in salary, with a clear-cut value proposition and strategy for best results:

1- First, document your worth for a raise in salary.

Make a list of your recent contributions, including projects delivered, suggestions raised in meetings, or initiatives you’ve volunteer to take on, or revenue you’ve produced. Then put figures to these successes, either by estimating hard dollar amounts or percentages of improvement.

Also, review your bottom-line additions. Do you negotiate vendor agreements or evaluate them to get the most cost-effective service? You are saving money that can be documented as justification for your raise. Glassdoor even offers a preparation guide to help you identify key points.

Next, pull out commendations you’ve received for your work. These comments can be in any form, such as a great email from your boss, or from a client who has praised your ability to handle tough situations.

2 – Next, conduct salary research for your role – and don’t forget perks in your request.

After you’ve documented your value, use research to bolster your case.

Maybe you already know the next-level compensation rate in your office, but you can also use salary data from Glassdoor or Payscale for an estimate.

Consider whether perks, such as additional remote work days, would be worth it to you (either with or in lieu of a higher salary).
You can ask for a mileage allowance, transportation expenses, or the use of a company car if you’re traveling to client sites.
Some workers also successfully negotiate compensation for child care expenses, according to ALM Benefits Pro.
If you’re required to don a suit for the office, consider asking for a wardrobe allowance, which is common in higher-end consulting firms.

Anything required by your employer in order to perform your work can be up for negotiation.

3 – Select the best time to meet with your boss (and expect questions).

Request a salary meeting with your immediate boss, bringing in your fully documented request for a raise. Don’t just spring your demands on them!

Ideally, your salary request would describe how you win new clients, lead projects that generate revenue, or save millions in new efficiencies, as described above.

Remember – you’re NOT preparing for battle, but aiming for a mutually satisfying conversation – so expect input and some questions thrown your way.

Then, get ready for the negotiation. You might need to have a few additional strategies in your back pocket, such as descriptions of new responsibilities you’ve shouldered or how you’ve retained valuable team members, to bolster your justification.

4 – Be ready for pushback on your request for a raise in salary.

Some bosses may be caught off guard when you bring up your salary, in which case you can ask for some time to meet with them again.

You might also be told the salary is “set” and there’s no room for negotiation.

In that case, use ideas like these to show how you create long-term value (or even work outside your original job parameters, if that applies):

Do you publish or speak at conferences on a hot industry topic? Run a quick online search for earned media value calculators to show how your contribution burnishes your employer’s brand (and likely leads to more business).
Even better, look for clients who were drawn to your company after listening to your speaking engagements or finding your content, as this translates DIRECTLY to revenue.
Have you developed and trained other team members – who then contributed bottom-line value in savings, new sales, or other ways?
Did you coach consultants who produce revenue in paid engagements? Calculate the metrics associated with THEIR work to show you influenced the bottom line – especially if this is outside your job parameters. You could make the case that you’re actually working in sales or training as well as your “day job.”

As noted by Salary.com, it’s in your best interest to remain calm and focused on your strategy (even if your request for a raise is denied), as shown in the next step.

4 – Further negotiate your raise and salary terms.

In either your next meeting or while addressing pushback, reinforce your promise of FUTURE value!

For example, you could negotiate more remote work days by mentioning a high productivity rate… allowing you to confidently predict that you can get MORE work done than your in-office peers.
Also, point out how you could impact the bottom line in coming months or years, perhaps by setting cost-saving vendor terms or retaining high-dollar accounts.
Planning to earn a coveted industry credential? You could also ask for more compensation upon completion, especially if this will make your employer look good (and earn more business).
A future raise can also be requested if you’ll hit a new target, such as bringing in a specified amount of new accounts in a specific time period.
If your boss is especially reluctant, consider requesting an early salary review. This means you could get a raise SOONER, rather than waiting until your annual review.

No matter what you negotiate, get it IN WRITING. You’ll be glad you did.

Of course, if your request is denied, you can then consider next steps, which might mean some combination of waiting it out at your present job, continuing to demonstrate your value, or updating your resume (with those achievements you just documented!) for a new opportunity.

In summary, presenting your case for a raise can be a valuable exercise in summarizing your ROI to your manager.

These strategies give you clear steps for requesting a raise in salary, from documenting your value to approaching your manager, conducting salary negotiations, and sealing the deal.

The idea is to honestly and clearly lay out your successes and discuss what the future holds for you as a valued leader and contributor.

Recruiter-Endorsed, Premium Executive Resume & LinkedIn Writing Services

Become the TOP candidate by working one-on-one with a multiple award-winning executive resume writer and former recruiter.

Your new Resume and LinkedIn Profile will gain attention from Fortune-ranked, niche, PE, multinational, startup , and boutique companies - even in a competitive job market.

See why my resumes open doors to C-Suite, EVP, VP, Board, and Director roles by viewing interview-winning resumes that show a clear competitive advantage.

- Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CPBA, TCCS, COPNS, CIC, CTTCC, NCOPE

Get the results you deserve in your job search.

Set a no-obligation call with me.

Executives, Here’s How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview

by Laura Smith-Proulx

You’ll probably meet your next interviewer inside your home.

Approximately 75% of employers are now conducting remote interviews and onboarding sessions, according to a 2020 survey by Robert Half.

Increasingly popular, remote work (and interviews) have become the norm; companies like Facebook and GitLab are even creating new remote work executive roles. LinkedIn Insights noted 81% of talent professionals indicate they plan to continue virtual recruiting, even past COVID.

It’s only natural that Boards, executive teams, and other hiring authorities will expect to interview, screen, and hire you using the same methods.

Follow these steps to prepare for a virtual executive interview that clearly demonstrates your fitness to lead, influence, and execute on strategic priorities:

Leverage your own virtual hiring insights.

Perhaps you’ve staffed new leadership, technology, or finance teams in offshore or other locations – even prior to COVID-19. Now you can put YOUR remote hiring practices to good use – while envisioning yourself on the other side of the hiring table!

What qualities did you seek in candidates during the video or remote hiring experience? What were common “fails” you noticed among competing applicants? Make note of any limitations you observed during interviews and spend time brainstorming ways to avoid them.

For example, your communications style will need to be more enthusiastic to come across properly on Zoom or other video platforms.

Employers are looking for strong leaders who can convey strategic goals to their (also remote) teams, likely using the same communication medium. It’s best to record yourself to note how clearly your personality and drive come through on video.

You may also have noticed some candidates continually shift their attention between looking at the camera and at their notes. Practice your success stories to ensure this information is top-of-mind and to ensure you’re giving the camera your undivided attention.

Prepare your virtual interview space.

Lighting, background, and appearance are key to a successful remote interview. You’ll find these elements help boost your confidence.

Position your laptop near a light source to help illuminate your surroundings. You can also purchase a ring light for a more flattering look.

Choose a non-cluttered, quiet area of your home to ensure the best background for your interview – or choose a background that evokes your professional image, according to Harvard Business Review. Of course, you’ll fare best when setting up these elements well ahead of time.

According to Kim Brettschneider of executive recruiting firm WittKeifer in How to Ace the Virtual Interview, a few minutes of physical preparation, some interview notes, and practice can make the difference in handling a virtual interview with ease.

Last of all, dress as you would for an in-person meeting, with the business attire expected in your industry and at your executive level. Hiring authorities are expecting the same leadership presence you’d display if you were sitting in the Boardroom.

Prepare your interview talking points.

Not only will you need to anticipate “typical” interview questions, you’ll want to be aware of the unique value you offer as a candidate.

Set aside time to look for patterns and themes in your background, including achievements that demonstrate leadership, agility, and a record of results. You might have earned a reputation for new strategic projects, technology improvements, employee motivation, or consistent growth.

For example, a COO in technology operations tasked with managing digital product development teams, project management organizations, and international operations could note “global team management, virtual talent hiring and management strategy, and strong data science” as key areas of strength.

To elicit more talking points for yourself, scrutinize your resume for key points on your career trajectory. If you’ve previously been recruited to turn around a challenged organization, negotiated vendor cost savings, or played a key role in M&A strategy, make notes of why you were asked to head these initiatives and what bottom-line benefit you delivered.

As mentioned in Harvard Business Review, recruiters are looking for your storytelling abilities, rather than a recitation of the facts on your resume. Carefully construct several career success stories of less than 3-4 minutes for the best impact.

In summary, don’t fear the video interview for your next executive job – embrace it instead!

Get ready with a camera-worthy presence and solid information on your distinctions as a well-qualified leadership candidate.

5 Pandemic-Related Achievements to Add to Your Resume Now

by Laura Smith-Proulx

The pandemic created HUGE changes in business – and your resume needs to reflect your skill in navigating them.

Shutdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19, remote work for nearly 46% of US employees, and industry changes all created a “new normal” in business, starting in 2020 and continuing today.

How did YOU adapt to new pandemic challenges? Has your work required managing teams in a far-flung location – or a newly intensive workload? By demonstrating leadership under pressure, you’ll be perceived by employers as a more valuable candidate.

Add these 5 important skills to your resume to show resilience and results during the pandemic and beyond:

1 – Newly remote teams established across time zones.

Offshore teams are not a new concept, but the skill needed to establish and manage a division in a remote area has taken on more significance during the pandemic.

Perhaps you offloaded work to teams in a different time zone, adapted to a different work culture in another continent, or adjusted your leadership style to convey requirements to remote workers.

If you’ve set up a remote team, break this achievement into a quick description for your resume, with data on the location, headcount, operations procedures, budget, and costs saved from the new group, as shown here:

Established 120-member contact center in Malaysia, delivering 32% additional support to ecommerce customers.

Built business case for 50 additional employees in software development factory, enabling $30M in products delivered at 30% lower cost.

2 – Virtual hiring and interviewing.

More than ever, employers have switched to remote interviews, recorded interview queries, and other tactics to vet applicants.

By showcasing your influence in sourcing or interviewing candidates remotely, you can make the case for why an employer in Fresno could trust your leadership from Boston.

You can mention, for example, how you’ve hired top performers using video interviews during COVID-19 or assembled a panel interview team connecting with candidates on a group Zoom call. Be sure to add metrics to these resume achievements, as shown here:

Interviewed and hired new teams in Malaysia, India, and Brazil representing 45% of total reports.

Hired CFO and VP of IT using virtual Board of Directors interviews.

You can also mention new onboarding procedures you’ve built to help employees feel welcome, even when they haven’t met your team in person.

3 – Team meetings and collaboration over video.

If you’re accustomed to meeting deadlines from home or need to conduct group meetings via Zoom, your ability to be productive away from a brick-and-mortar office is HIGHLY relevant during the pandemic.

Brainstorm a list of achievements that show your adaptability to different work situations, such as the number of projects you’ve completed. Maybe you created new procedures now adopted across other regions or continents also grappling with pandemic.

Make a list of the top wins that show how you deal with online interactions, particularly where you negotiated or led deals of substantial value. Add details on the players involved, impact to the company, or even the careers of the others involved, similar to these examples:

Coached 3 Senior Sales leaders promoted to VP positions after leading global negotiations for #1 UK deal worth $US43M.

Built real-time project status updates enabling on-time development for a $45M software initiative.

4 – Solid results from remote management practices.

Executives and teams spread across different time zones require new methods of communication to get results. This resume achievement shows how one executive increased company productivity from multiple locations:

Designed operational improvements enabling 43% additional work from teams in Canada, Latin America, and India.

In addition, you can mention the technologies or tools used for improvement, such as:

Instituted one-click Zoom screen-sharing process used by Latin American trainers to educate 400+ new product users worldwide.

5 – Strong employee support for pandemic stress.

Your teams probably underwent changes including new ways to handle B2B sales, customer support, project delivery, and technical issues, while also managing their OWN STRESS from social isolation, home-based work requirements, or childcare needs during the pandemic.

Did you manage and mentor employees in response to pandemic-era changes? Frame this as a new leadership skill on your resume.

You may have conducted additional training or coaching with team members to help them through the new world of work, or helped adjust project schedules to account for employees juggling family needs. This approach to leadership is likely to last; The Workforce Institute’s 2021 Annual Workplace Predictions says “compassionate and inclusive management that emphasizes empathy, wellness, and belonging” will be a 2021 mainstay.

Add achievements that make employers aware of your resourcefulness in managing the new world of work, as in these examples:

Chaired COVID-19 Response Committee tasked with updating telecommuting policy for 2020 and 2021.

Retained 4 managers with weekly mentoring to avoid pandemic burnout, averting potential $15K in additional hiring costs.

Built tiered, rotating technical support strategy for $20M in project deliverables across 3 global teams.

These resume updates reflect robust change management skills – and show how you’re equipped to deal with the unexpected throughout your career.

With the likelihood that remote work and virtual communications are here to stay, there are numerous reasons to outline your readiness to operate a division, manage remote teams, and maintain top productivity during a pandemic.

Your ability to adapt to new situations, reach across time zones and geographies to work with others, and influence change is more valuable than ever.

Showcase these wins on your resume to demonstrate strong servant leadership and change management – even under pandemic challenges.

Related:

Should You Job Search – or Wait – During the COVID-19 Crisis?

Which Resume Trends Will Help You Stand Out?

Recruiter-Endorsed, Premium Executive Resume & LinkedIn Writing Services

Become the TOP candidate by working one-on-one with a multiple award-winning executive resume writer and former recruiter.

Your new Resume and LinkedIn Profile will gain attention from Fortune-ranked, niche, PE, multinational, startup , and boutique companies - even in a competitive job market.

See why my resumes open doors to C-Suite, EVP, VP, Board, and Director roles by viewing interview-winning resumes that show a clear competitive advantage.

- Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CPBA, TCCS, COPNS, CIC, CTTCC, NCOPE

Get the results you deserve in your job search.

Set a no-obligation call with me.

Are You Making The Top LinkedIn Mistakes in Your Executive Job Search?

by Laura Smith-Proulx

Executives, you might NOT be maximizing LinkedIn in a way that will help get you hired.

If you’re rarely approached by recruiters on LinkedIn, or you apply to LinkedIn jobs and don’t receive a response, or you wonder why you even need a LinkedIn Profile… these mistakes might apply to YOU.

Read on for common pitfalls to avoid when using LinkedIn as a tool in your executive job search:

Mistaking a resume summary for a LinkedIn summary.

Your LinkedIn About section (formerly called Summary) is a great tool for presenting a snapshot of your brand and value proposition. However, many people mistake this for the resume summary of qualifications, and insert a long, dull paragraph.

I can’t say this enough as a LinkedIn Profile writer! Online copywriting is much different than writing for printed or emailed documents. You’ll need to create your profile so that it can easily be read online, using FIRST-PERSON language to create engagement.

Rather than use your resume summary, instead write a more personalized account of your background and qualifications, breaking up the text visually so that employers can quickly scan through for key words.

See Job-Hunt.org’s tips on adding eye candy such as bullet symbols to make your About section more interesting.

Failing to engage others online.

If you only lurk to read posts, rarely comment, and have yet to post any articles or information of your own, this applies to YOU.

LinkedIn has beefed up engagement algorithm “rankings” heavily over the past months, making it clear that direct interaction is a major factor in how often others will see your Profile.

Just like websites that continually show you the same ad after you’ve visited the company website, LinkedIn wants to reward users who fully embrace the concept of online networking (see point #3 in How the LinkedIn Algorithm Works) by showing these Profiles more often to recruiters.

You’ll still need to tune your Profile for strong content, but after you start commenting on posts of professional interest (or putting your own posts up regularly), don’t be surprised if more employers come calling.

Conveying a message inconsistent with your executive resume.

There’s no way around it – employers will be trolling LinkedIn for information about you, even if you’ve already sent your resume to them to review. The problem comes in when your job history, core competencies, or achievements appear different online than on paper. (Lest you think this is rare, I can assure you it’s very common among executives with decades of experience.)

After writing both your LinkedIn Profile and your resume, I recommend printing them out, and reviewing information such as job dates, dollar figures, education, achievements, job titles, and employer names SIDE-BY-SIDE. You’ll be able to spot any discrepancies quickly.

In addition, reviewing the profile this way allows you to see if it delivers the same value proposition message as your resume.

If you missed highlights of your career (such as metrics on revenue generated or cost savings), it’s best to add this data into your LinkedIn Profile so that it aligns with your brand.

Failing to use all the space provided on LinkedIn.

You’re guilty of this if your About / Summary contains just a few sentences, you didn’t even realize your Headline can be 220 characters, your Work Experience only includes titles (and no description of your achievements), or you skipped sections like Skills & Expertise.

Employers and recruiters search LinkedIn for candidates with specific skills or career experience. By adding information that contains key search terms, your odds of being found by recruiters can rise dramatically. (See How to Optimize Your Executive LinkedIn Profile for SEO.)

Here are the current character limits for popular LinkedIn sections:

Headline – 220 Characters
Summary – 2,600 Characters
Skills & Expertise – Up to 50 Skills
Company Name – 100 Characters
Job Title – 100 Characters
Job Description – 2,000 Characters

If your Profile isn’t CLOSE to maxing out each of these spots, you’re missing valuable opportunities to advertise your skills or insert more keywords.

Want proof? Take a look at my LinkedIn Profile (or search for me on LinkedIn, using the phrase “executive resume writer” in LinkedIn.) You’ll quickly see why every word counts.

Using an outdated LinkedIn Photo that detracts from your personal brand.

Have you cropped your LinkedIn Photo from a family or group shot? Used a Photo from a non-professional setting such as a party? Shown yourself behind the wheel of your car?

PLEASE use a photo representative of your executive brand! Run it through Photofeeler to crowdsource feedback on your credibility.

If you’re unsure of the right professional look, review Profiles of your executive competitors to see how their photo stacks up against yours. See What Does Your LinkedIn Photo Say About Your Executive Brand? for more tips.

The bottom line: every time you appear in a search on LinkedIn, or comment on a post, or show up in a group of optimum recruiter candidates, others WILL use your Photo to gauge your credibility. Choose it wisely.

Assuming you won’t be hired from LinkedIn.

It’s interesting how often this comes up in conversations with executive job hunters. Nearly 94% of recruiters worldwide use social media to source candidates, according to this survey.

Even if you’ve never been approached by a recruiter online, your competitors are receiving inquiries weekly (if not daily).

Update your Profile consistently, ensuring alignment with your most current executive roles and showing how you add value for your employers.

Pay attention to NEW ways you can market your expertise, such as the Featured section or a newly expanded Headline. Above all, INTERACT with others and post interesting content.

You only have ONE SHOT to promote yourself on a site with more than 600 million users.

Rethink how you’re using LinkedIn and tune your presence for a differentiating, powerful leadership brand.

Related:

Is Your Digital Identity Harming Your Job Search?

5 Common Myths About Working With Executive Recruiters

Should You Job Search – or Wait – During the COVID-19 Crisis?

by Laura Smith-Proulx

Trying to decide if you should pursue an executive job search during COVID-19?

Many people have asked this question, especially with numerous layoffs and industry changes.

If you’re among the fortunate leaders still employed – but already planning your next move, this unprecedented time can be confusing. Should you put off your job search, stay in the executive job market, or pivot to a new career?

Use these guidelines to map out a plan of action to benefit your executive career – both now and after the crisis:

1 – Look closely at your industry and the impact of COVID-19.

Not all markets or industries have been affected in the crisis. In fact, some types of executive talent are in hot demand, particularly in technology, biotech, logistics, operations, or healthcare.

Even if you’re not directly working in these fields, consider how a strategic pivot could benefit you now and in the future, especially in light of the agility needed in a post-COVID economy (as noted by Dean Trimble in The Senior Executive Job Market and Coronavirus). For example, an IT leader involved in remote work infrastructures could leverage this expertise to pursue a role supporting global telecommuting capabilities.

If you’ve built e-commerce strategies as part of your marketing or sales career, these skills could catapult you into a digital strategy role for companies making the switch to online sales.

If making this switch requires additional knowledge, look into university-level online education, or even the free / lower-cost online training available during COVID-19, such as the resources offered to LinkedIn users, Coursera university-level instruction, or Udemy’s low-cost courses.

There’s never been a better time to brush up on high-value skills.

2 – Watch for pent-up demand in your field.

Many industries were poised for an almost-certain growth trend prior to COVID-19 – and they could be among the first to recover after the pandemic is gone.

If your top skills are in these industries, take heart; your strengths didn’t disappear overnight, and your executive-level opportunities will eventually rebound. (Just ask anyone who was in the construction business during the 2008-2010 downturn.)

However, this lull in your field will give you the chance to pull together a strong value proposition, tune your skills with additional training (see above), and strengthen your professional brand.

You might consider joining a professional association, volunteering as a Board member in an industry organization, or running an online forum dedicated to industry-related topics.

Also, take this time to bolster your executive resume or LinkedIn presence with these new skills, career achievements, and industry associations.

You’ll want to be ready when industry demand bounces back.

3 – Boost your visibility and professional presence on social media.

Enhancing your personal brand message can pay off greatly, both now and after the crisis.

Job searchers who are more active and visible online often report faster results and the opportunity to be recruited for a prime executive job – directly from social media.

Start by updating up your LinkedIn Profile. When was the last time you updated your Headline, Photo, or About section? Take a few minutes to add new Skills section entries or new training from the courses you’re taking (in Step #1).

Be sure to actually post or comment on social media; many of these sites “reward” frequent activity by showing your profile more often to other users (including employers!). See Hannah Morgan’s tips for LinkedIn engagement at Career Sherpa.

4 – Reach out to your network (or build a new one) during the COVID crisis.

Professionals and executives in many fields have taken the opportunity to re-connect in the COVID-19 era. Many people are reaching back out to former connections for a friendly chat.

By checking in with old colleagues, you’ll put yourself one step closer to a group of people eager to hear about your career progression.

What should you say when getting in touch? A simple “I’ve wanted to catch up with you and find out how things are going,” can suffice for a former classmate or boss.

Don’t forget to add new LinkedIn connections in line with your interests and goals, especially if you’re expanding your leadership skills.

Issue a note with your connection invitation such as “As we are turning toward new robotics solutions, I’d like to connect with you to continue to share insights. I welcome the opportunity to add you to my network.”

5 – Put out feelers to recruiters and potential employers.

By developing a value proposition message and strategically putting the word out, you’ll get a sense of the demand for your skills.

If you initiate conversations with recruiters and listen carefully to their responses, you’ll get valuable intelligence on the hiring conditions in your field. Maintain a pulse on the market (as described in Step #1) and proactively seek out new skills or education, especially if you sense your industry is on a downward trend.

Job search expert Liz Cohen recommends these efficient strategies for combing LinkedIn to see who is hiring, with tips on evaluating job posting freshness and reaching out to employer contacts.

Use employer job postings for information – not just for sending your resume. Consider applying to these employer’s competitors if you believe demand is picking up. Look at the LinkedIn Profiles of your job-seeking competitors to see if they’re changing positions or moving up the career ladder.

By paying close attention to the news and trends in your field – while continuing to network and hold informal meetings – you’ll be able to identify hot leads and decide which are worth pursuing.

Remember, COVID-19 and the associated downturn will someday be behind us.

The time to polish your personal brand, re-connect with valued colleagues, obtain new skills, and monitor new trends in your industry is NOW.

Take advantage of this time window to carefully consider next-step executive career moves and start executing your strategic plan.

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Among the World’s Top Resume & LinkedIn Writing Experts

“As In-House Counsel for a Fortune 1000 company, I retained Laura to revamp my resume. As a result of her attention to detail, Laura was able to highlight my broad skill set, with a product worthy of my accomplishments.

I highly recommend Laura to all others who want to get on the fast track to success.”

– Kirk Dahlke, General Counsel

Interview-Winning, Award-Winning Executive Resumes

: Award-Winning CMO Resume

“As an executive in transition, I vigorously endorse Laura and her work. After many hours of speaking with me, she crafted an amazing new rebranded set of credentials.

I am still astonished at how someone who has not known me for 20 years could define my brand so succinctly.”

– Chris Dancy, Global Technology Executive

As Seen in Global Media

: CIO Resume

: Product Executive Bio

“I want to thank you again for your excellent work. I found a new position quickly, and your resume had a lot to do with that.

I had 4 offers and 7 interviews within 2 weeks – and every single company commented on the resume!

Thanks again for doing such a great job! It is truly a career investment that pays off.“

-C. Randall, CEO

“After I started using the resume, I had many calls and interviews. Today, I was offered the perfect position, with higher pay. The one thing that helped was my resume. They just HAD to talk with me once they got it.”

– Chris Vaughan, HR Executive