"Executive Job Search: 10 Jobseeking Ways to Find a Job Faster"
Finding a good job is challenging. It’s even more difficult if you are at the executive level. You may have the resume and skills to back you up, but there are many barriers that stand in your way of finding a new gig. We've put together this blog post to guide you through the steps of finding your next role as an executive.
What is holding me back from finding a new job quicker?
1. I need to be fully committed to my search.
Your commitment level determines how quickly you will find your next role. If you aren't fully on board with keeping the job search a priority, then you probably won't make much progress. If you aren't able to dedicate the time necessary for your search, it's best to let yourself off the hook before you start burning bridges or damage your career. The less committed you are, the longer it will take for you to move forward with your job hunting process.
2. I'm taking the traditional approach of searching for jobs.
The traditional method of job searching didn’t work for executives when the economy was booming, so why would it work now? For high-level positions, it’s critical that you search for new opportunities outside of your network and industry. Your network may have connections to amazing jobs, but they likely aren't in the industries that you are targeting. Utilizing outside-the-box tactics will help you identify positions that you wouldn't have previously considered and find your next job quicker than ever before!
3. I've made mistakes during my last few positions that I need to talk about and explain away.
If you have made mistakes in the past, you will need to address them when interviewing for your next gig. Top employers want to know that they can trust and rely on the executives they hire. If you have made one or two minor mistakes and learned from them, keep those experiences in mind during interviews when the topic of mistakes comes up.
4. I'm not making contact with key decision makers on a daily basis.
To recruiters and HR managers, your first communication is always an email. It’s much easier to receive an email than to get someone on the phone or in person. If you aren’t making it a priority to make contact with those decision makers you are targeting, then you will miss out on getting their attention and becoming a valuable member of their team.
5. I don't have my resume updated and polished for new positions.
If your resume is outdated, it can look as though you haven't updated your online presence in quite some time. Top employers are always evaluating executive search firms to see if they’re interested in investing in spending money on them again. The message that you’re sending to potential employers is one of neglectfulness. If those employers aren't interested in having you back, it's going to be difficult for you to land a new job.
6. My resume isn't tailored for the audience that I'm targeting.
If your resume isn’t targeted at the positions that you are looking for, then it won’t get read by anyone. Is your resume written with an executive in mind? If not, why not? For example, if your job title is “VP of Sales," then chances are your resume will look very different than if your title was “VP of Marketing.” Tailor your resume for the roles that you're pursuing.
7. I'm not familiar with how to use social media in a more professional way.
Your resume and cover letter should be your elevator pitch. Your elevator pitch is what people will see when they come across your information online, so it should be concise and concisely written in the first place! It’s also important to have a polished presence on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Use these tools as part of a larger strategy to stay connected with potential employers and continuously update yourself on industry happenings!
8. I've been on LinkedIn too long without keeping up with my profile and connections.
The average tenure on LinkedIn is slightly under two years, so it’s likely that you have been wasting time on this site without taking advantage of its full potential. Active LinkedIn members have a good chance of attracting the attention of recruiters and HR professionals. You can use your LinkedIn profile to find people hiring for positions similar to yours so that you can network and get your name out there as well!
9. I don't have a strategy for my job search, or I'm still deciding what to do next.
The best way to find your next role is by having a plan in place. Decide what you want to do and make sure that your strategy fits into your specific needs. If you are still trying to decide what to do next or how to plan your job search, then it’s probably not time for you to start. The best candidates are those who know exactly what they want and how they're going about getting it.
10. I'm not applying for enough jobs each week.
Your job search is a marathon, but also a sprint. It’s important that you are always pushing forward. If you are only applying for one job each week, it will take too long to find your next role. Try to apply for multiple jobs each day, week or month and do so in a timely manner.
What is the best way to get my resume noticed?
1. Update your LinkedIn profile regularly by adding new content and updating your profile page frequently. Add links to new blog posts that you have written or company websites that highlight recent accomplishments or developments in your industry. If you don't spend enough time on LinkedIn, then it's likely that no one will be seeing your profile unless they go searching for it!
2. Continue to network at industry events and conferences. If you aren't networking with the people in your industry on a regular basis, then you won't be able to stay up-to-date on industry happenings or get the attention of potential recruiters and employers. Don’t stop networking until you land a new job!
3. Use Linkedin’s advanced search feature to find possible employers based on specific criteria, such as industry, location or seniority.
4. Find companies like yours or who are looking for executives similar to yours through Vocus (a tool which allows you to view job openings by companies instead of position titles) and apply for any positions that have the right keywords.
Conclusion
Finding your next job is the most important aspect of your career. It’s critical to focus on landing a new job in order to get yourself back on track and move forward with your life. If you are looking for a new role, apply for positions like this one!
You might be interested in:
How To Work Remotely as an Executive Recruiter
How To Find The Best Executive Assistant Job For You
Photo Credit: Tim Saffert via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) | No changes made to original image by author | Image size 3008 x 2304 px (288 KB) / 29.