Thinking about an executive job search? Don’t wait.
With month after month of layoffs, it’s best to build your strategy NOW.
To break yourself out of job search inertia, start with these 5 steps:
Polish LinkedIn with New Facts About Your Current Job.
Start by updating LinkedIn 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 THE difference in an executive job search. Here are tips for a fast update:
- 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, add new areas of skills (M&A, digital transformation, cybersecurity, ERP, healthcare administration, AI, value-based care, etc.), especially if they’re in-demand in your field.
- Take a look at your executive competitors or some job postings to generate more ideas. You might pick up on industry trends or keywords you hadn’t thought to mention.
Contact People Who Can Support Your Job Search – Especially if You’ve Lost Touch.
Spark some new energy and career ideas by meeting with past colleagues or industry contacts for a quick chat.
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 (Remind Yourself How Much You’ve Accomplished!).
Letting your resume stagnate isn’t a good idea, especially if there are ominous rumblings in the economy or your industry.
Getting your resume ready when you’re NOT in a rush will always pay off. There’s a reason September is Update Your Resume Month at global careers association Career Directors International – reminding you to tackle this task regularly.
To ensure your resume is in top shape, add successes including:
- New strategic initiatives, along with figures such as revenue, percentages of improvement, and overall impact on the company.
- New hires, training, or other changes in talent important to your employer’s success.
- Recent product launches, go-to-market strategies, and other accomplishments tied to growth.
- Additional responsibilities, such as taking over a new division, leading an IT 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 Board or Professional Association.
Your visibility as a leader could be a core reason why you’re recruited for a new opportunity. Don’t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder; seek out memberships or positions that elevate your brand.
Get started by researching 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 role.
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 candidate for board openings.
Get Your Interview Skills Ready for In-Person and Virtual Meetings.
You might need to prep faster than anticipated – so put yourself in the BEST position to ace an interview.
A virtual interview often 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 a layoff or recruited!
Outshine them with strategies that can help you claim the top spot at a new employer.
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