Articles and Blogs

$100K+ Executive Job Search: 7 New Secrets to Finding Your Next Executive Level Position in 90 Days

10/06/2008 16:24:16

Doug Compton, a laid off 43-year-old operations executive, was frustrated. His efforts to find a new six-figure executive role had resulted in only two interviews in six months. And, although he’s growing his list of contacts, Doug’s networking hasn’t resulted in any real job leads, either. Doug always landed a job quickly but that was over 10 years ago. Based upon his results this time around, he knew he had to change his job search strategies. “But to what?” he asked himself. Top executives, like Doug who were upper-level managers, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Directors and CEOs, and who are looking for their next position often experience these same results. Many like to blame the economy, their age, or their networking efforts. However, none of these factors are the main cause behind their lack of results. Now, $100k+ executives must shift how they approach their executive-level job search campaign. Landing a top role in a company is tricky. It entails presenting your potential, not your past. It includes defining yourself within your network as a top talent. There is a mix of elements in an executive presentation – both in print and in person-- that “gets the ear” of the top CEO or President. The New 7 Elements of an Executive-Level $100K+ Job Search Campaign • Being Tops in the Industry: A CEO wants to hire only the best. When CEOs are looking to fill their top ranks of decision-makers, they want to know that the executive they hire is at the top of his or her game. • Had Name Recognition: Top decision makers looking for thought leaders first look within their network. Rarely is a $100K+ executive level position filled through traditional job banks. Even if a company hires an executive search firm, the recruiter still looks to find the candidate that has name recognition in the industry, • Easily Found, But “Not Looking”: 100K+ executives who can be wooed away from their current positions are the most desirable. Leaders who distribute their resumes or profiles on every available job board give the impression that they are “damaged goods.” The trick, then, is to be easily found through their network or on the Internet but give the appearance that they are NOT looking for a position. • Considered a “Thought-Leader”: Presidents or Boards of Directors who offer positions to high-level $100K+executives want leaders who have a persona with a point-of-view. This does not mean that an executive must go out and try to be a celebrity. But, as I state in my book, Market Your Potential, Not Your Past, having a point-of-view means that one is known for having an opinion about how to move forward in a crowded industry. They have unique opinions on how to find new markets to offer products and services, and/or gather new potential customers to a brand. • Distinctively Different than Others: Do you know the number one reason why high-level executives fail in their positions? It’s because their leadership style can’t or won’t fit the culture of the company. Offers given to top executives include those who not only do their job well but also those fit the cultural style of the company. • Message-Ready and Visible: Today everyone checks everything out on the Internet. To “Google” is now a verb as well as a noun. Yet getting visible on the Internet requires a strategy and a thematic message. You must also execute that strategy consistently. It is well known that top ranking executive search firms first search the Internet thoroughly before presenting a candidate to a company. Therefore, if you are invisible your chances of finding that next $100K+ executive level position will be significantly reduced. • Extensive, Engaged, and Active Network: Finding a top executive-level position quickly depends on how large one’s network is and how active it is in helping you find that next 100K+ career. If your network is small, then you are asking each member to do a lot on your behalf. But if your network is large, then a small amount of effort from each individual can yield lots of leads. These seven elements should be part of every executive’s game plan when trying to find a new $100K executive-level position. For most, however, building these elements into an executive career campaign takes time. What can your do if you need a job right away? Landing a $100K+ Executive Level Career Position The answer is to begin where you are. It’s what I call, “building the wall and fighting the battle at the same time.” There are no short-cuts. But you can improve your odds by just beginning to incorporate these elements. Even a little movement in this direction begins to set you apart as a “must-have” executive. And that’s the point, isn’t it? About the Author: $100K+ Executive-Level Career Coach Karen Armon prepares leaders around the world for their next move. Her popular book, Market Your Potential, Not Your Past, is a hit among executives who desire a clear-cut, systematic game plan that drives their careers forward. Now get her new FREE eBook, “Ten Micro-Trends that Impact Executive Careers Today,” and take a critical look at today’s marketplace at: http://www.marketyourpotential.com/ebook.asp

'Networked Workers:' Connected, Distracted, Stressed

10/02/2008 11:46:45

written by Thomas Claburn, courtesy of InformationWeek

Should Your People Come Before Your Customers?

09/30/2008 10:56:51

written by Rob Preston, courtesy of InformationWeek

IT Priority No. 1: Free Up Money For New Projects

09/29/2008 11:08:37

written by Rob Preston, courtesy of InformationWeek

10 Ideas To Power Up Your Green IT Agenda

09/29/2008 11:04:54

written by J. Nicholas Hoover, courtesy of InformationWeek

Wall St. Turmoil Won't Slow Network Spending

09/29/2008 10:59:00

written by by W. David Gardner, courtesy of InformationWeek

Wall Street Crisis Not Deterring IT Spending Forecasts

09/29/2008 10:57:38

written by Antone Gonsalves courtesy of InformationWeek

Facebook 101 for Job Seekers

09/25/2008 22:02:54

You’re a manager. Why would you want to be on Facebook with a bunch of college kids? The highest growing segment of Facebook is the over 35 crowd…the hiring managers you want to network with and meet...

How to Handle Your First Interview

09/25/2008 14:30:13

Being called for your first interview, whether you are a recent college graduate or even a stay-at-home mom going back into the work force, can be exciting but scary at the same time. Here are some tips to help you be on top of your game and have your interviewing skills down pat.

Increase Employee Loyalty and Save Some Green

09/24/2008 14:27:40

High gas prices are having a big effect on employee loyalty and have caused many professionals to consider taking drastic measures to save money on their commute, even if it means leaving their current job.

Prove and Persist to Get Hired

09/24/2008 11:24:10

To get hired for any good job you must do two things: prove to employers that you can do the work, and persist past the point where others give up.

Outsourcing Made Right: Think Big, Buy Small

09/24/2008 10:50:22

written by Ivar Jacobson, courtesy of Dr. Dobbs

A "Slowdown In The Decision Making Process" For Tech Spending

09/24/2008 10:46:05

written by Greg MacSweeney, courtesy of Wall Street Tech

Benefits of Consultant-think

09/23/2008 18:42:23

Tip #123: Think like a consultant. Search for a new job like a consultant. Why think like a consultant if you're looking for a full time job? Because today's hiring managers hire consultants and Full Time Employees the same way, and look for the same thing....

Which Subject Matter am I an Expert at?

09/22/2008 22:09:02

An early challenge job changers face is determining who they are professionally. If you've been in the workforce 5 years or more, you've had LOTS of areas where you could demonstrate expertise.....

Ahoy! Google Mulling Data Centers On High Seas

09/22/2008 12:41:09

written by Kevin McLaughlin, courtesy of Channel Web

Mattson To Cut 14% Of Workforce

09/22/2008 12:39:40

written by Dylan McGrath, courtesy of EE Times

LTX-Credence To Cut Jobs, Close Facilities

09/22/2008 12:38:00

written by Dylan McGrath, courtesy of EE Times

Advertising Your Resume on an Online Job Bank

09/18/2008 22:41:38

Now that most companies prefer to have their application completed online, it's a good idea to post your resume on one or more online job banks. Here are some tips to help you post to online job banks.

10 Ways to Stay Motivated During your Job Search

09/17/2008 12:43:20

How do you stay motivated while in career transition? A reader asked me to cover this topic. Especially as we're going into winter…if you live in the Northern part of the US, it’s cold, snowy, and tough....