Finding a high level executive position is not as easy as it used to be, points out recruiter Meg Guiseppi on Executive Resume Branding. The economy continues to ebb and flow, social media is an integral part of job hunting, and personal branding is almost a requirement to get noticed these days, she says.
Great executive jobs rarely fall in our laps these days. But that’s no reason to be discouraged. Just because things are different doesn’t mean that challenges can’t be overcome, and what executive doesn’t love a challenge? Here are 5 strategies to help you land your next C-suite job:
1. Brand yourself. Use your personal brand to differentiate yourself, to position yourself as an expert in your field, and to showcase your value to potential employers. This includes branding yourself online and off – from how you network in your community to how you present yourself on social media. For more on personal branding, read our Aug. 1 post, “Job Search Strategy: Showcase Your Strengths Through Personal Branding.”
2. Package yourself. Well, not you personally, but your “marketing collateral.” We are again referring to your brand. Put together a toolkit of documents that reflect your personal brand, including a professional résumé with samples of your work and your accomplishments, a “one sheet” bio, a business card with name, phone & email, a list of references, etc. All materials should be in printable format to take to interviews, but should also be in a digital format for emailing to prospective employers and recruiters.
3. Leverage LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for networking with human resource managers, executive recruiters, and other decision makers who are looking for talent. Optimize your profile with keywords, highlighting your accomplishments, and showcasing your value to employers. Reach out to your connections, join professional LinkedIn groups, follow companies you’d like to learn more about, and stay active on the site. LinkedIn notifications can be a bit overwhelming, but you should at least check for daily messages.
4. Research target companies. Guiseppi recommends executives research their industry and targeted companies, but go beyond just identifying the decision makers. Research the company’s successes, but also their challenges. Study their company history beyond reading the About Us page on the company website. If they’re a public company, study their financials, especially future forecasts. Where are they headed? Follow these companies and key decision makers on social media and interact with them, so cold calls become warm leads.
5. Network, network, network. Networking has helped many of us build successful connections and careers, but top executives are sometimes isolated from needing to network. There’s no better time than now to jump back into it. Join local organizations, professional associations, and industry related groups where you can make new contacts. Practice your 30-second elevator speech, but instead of looking at networking as “what can this person do for me,” take the approach suggested by Sara Horowitz, founder of Freelancers Union. In the Freelancer’s Bible, Horowitz encourages networkers to look inwardly instead. “How can I help this person?” You’ll come across as a giver, not a taker, and that will come back to you tenfold.
Armed with these strategies, you have the power to turn a tedious job search into an exciting, new challenge!