5 Game-Changers for an Easier, Faster Executive Job Search
Make changing jobs less worrisome; design a plan (of attack) before you get impatient to switch.
85% of job search success depends on the right go-to-market strategy. Be prepared, ready to address questions contacts about your desired role, qualifications, career goals, experience, target companies, background, etc. Authentic conversations encourage trust and establish authority, two important ways to beat the competition. Telling interesting stories further cements relationships by being memorable. Good preparation avoids awkward exchanges and guards your reputation.
80% of executives are hired through connections. 80% of jobs are not advertised until after the role has been offered and accepted; this is the hidden job market. The best chance for getting an offer today is through networking, finding out about a lead through someone who knows the hiring authority and will introduce you. External recruiters and internal HR staff are often not aware of needs which are shared only with trusted contacts. By the time there’s a public announcement on a job board, corporate website or social media, insiders have already recruited their connections. You must have the right connections to learn about leads you want. Credentials and qualifications are not enough.
Your Reputation Precedes You
Since candidates are discovered through word-of- mouth, an individual’s reputation precedes them. If someone mentions your name, the next person is quick to Google “your name” and get a first impression of who you are and what you do. For this reason, you must be visible, show your achievements and guard your online persona. Few will wait to learn about you until you respond to their interest. You must attract their attention through a personal recommendation, your virtual footprint and demonstrate you are worth investing their time to meet you all before you might even know you are on their radar. Few will wait for you to send a customized resume before judging your potential.
The Job Search Game Has Changed
Traditionally, job searching began with updating resumes, reaching out to people you already knew and replying to ads. Nowadays, devote a part of every day to networking. You cannot count on creating a network from scratch when you need a job. Establishing and nurturing relationships must be a constant activity for anyone who is not okay about ending their career their current position whenever the employer dismisses them. .
This is the JobWhiz blueprint for executive career success. It’s necessary that you have this handy if you are unexpectedly recruited or one day decide it’s time to start looking for a new opportunity.
Unless you know what you are looking for, you can’t know you’ve found it.
Describe your strengths and skills in writing and translate your assets into a smooth verbal introduction demonstrating your knowledge and talent that others can repeat to spread the word about your memorable accomplishments.
Outline the circumstances which generate the kind of challenges you want to pursue. Apply this data to research entities that need your help to address their challenges which interest you.
Identify companies, entities, organizations etc. that experience the type of challenges where you have expertise and groups that have the problems you can solve.
Find the individual or individuals who have the authority to hire you as the solutions provider and introduce yourself or be recommended by a mutual contact.
After networking meetings, stay in touch. Circumstances are dynamic, businesses and people change creating different needs and opportunities where you might fit
Job searching is often more complex, stressful, and lengthier than anticipated. Candidates changing careers, returning from a break, have seniority, planning to relocate are the most challenging; there are more obstacles to eliminate. Non-competes further complicate the process. Individuals with recent, direct experience, lower compensation expectations, willing to relocate or work on contract without benefits face fewer barriers in today’s ultra-competitive environment.
Don’t wait to actively start job search activities. You should always be exchanging ideas with connections. If you have let correspondence slip, reconnect, and update email, texting, and phone data as well as personal and professional information.
Rely on word-of-mouth as the preferred method to identify attractive job leads rather than depending on recruiters, employer open job postings, submitting resumes or completing online applications to connect with employers. Don’t restrict networking to existing contacts.
Instead of reviewing existing network contacts and determining who might be able to make an introduction or share a job lead, think more broadly about who needs to know you, who may appreciate meeting you, who can refer you to more potential job leads and request introductions to individuals you don’t already know who need your help.
