Debra Boggs, Founder and CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, works with executive candidates who are facing the need to launch a job search for the first time in years. Many feel unprepared and don’t know where to start. The executive job search is different from general job searching, and senior leaders need to take themselves to market differently.
To help with launching an effective search and landing the ideal next role, Boggs recommends three steps. Firstly, focus is key – get clear about your ideal opportunity by narrowing down on functions, industries, companies, and working environments that suit you best. This will make the job search process easier and more effective, ultimately leading to a shorter time on the market and increased final offers.
Secondly, elevate your brand by developing your executive-level resume and LinkedIn profile. Tailoring your narrative to address the specific challenges or issues facing your target companies can help you stand out and compete for top opportunities. Highlighting accomplishments and unique value rather than job duties is crucial in differentiating yourself from other candidates.
Lastly, create your go-to-market strategy by focusing on effective job search channels such as leveraging your network, targeting ideal companies, and working with recruiters or headhunters. Online applications are often the least effective channel for executive job seekers due to the limited number of senior-level jobs advertised online and high competition for those opportunities. Choosing the right channel based on your background and search goal is essential.
Navigating a job search at the executive level can be overwhelming, but having a clear focus, communicating your value, and creating an effective go-to-market strategy can help start strong. An executive job search typically takes four to twelve months, so patience is key. Finding the right job, with the right company and compensation, takes time, and it’s important not to get discouraged if the process doesn’t lead to immediate results.ityEngine.callbacks.leadGeneration.queryCallback(‘586bd30bd85e3534004f3a79’)
