Job Search Strategies for Executives

You have just finished a long, much-needed employment hiatus and now it is time to get back to the grind. Where do you start? Obviously, you have got a plan, right? But, remember the Robert Burns quote: “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” In other words, you need to prepare for the unexpected. Your strategy may appear seamless on paper, but let us take a look at some of the necessities to ensure you are on the right track.

Take a few deep breaths and pace yourself as you carve out an action plan that will position you to push through opposition and gain an edge in this highly competitive job market. There are going to be times when you may feel a little overwhelmed.

The employment “industry“ is constantly evolving with new technological advancements that appear to play a large role in the hiring process, however, below are a few effective job search tips to bear in mind to boost your employment search.

Create an Online Brand:

First things first: it is crucial that you update your executive resume to reflect the most current resume format to get back in the market. In today’s employment climate, knowing how to write a good executive resume is only one aspect of an effective job search strategy.

Modern job searches warrant the need to also have a strong online brand in addition to your professional resume. This keeps you relevant and in-step with the latest trends, helps to enhance your online search-ability by recruiters, and positions you for many more employment opportunities.

One of the best sources for displaying your online brand is LinkedIn. Considering that most recruiters use LinkedIn for talent sourcing, if you do not have a presence, you could be missing out on job placement opportunities. If you are really tech savvy, you can create a professional website to further showcase your leadership highlights.

Diversify Your Job Search:

Great … you are now on LinkedIn and have an attention-getting profile. So now it is time to just kick back, relax, and watch the job offers fly in. If only it were that easy. Try mixing things up a little by launching a multi-tiered job search.

Avoid the temptation to rely solely on job boards. From connecting with prospective employers on LinkedIn and networking with industry influencers to utilizing Facebook as an additional tool to keep the pulse on leadership openings within your field, you have many options to explore. Be sure to narrow down the top 3-4 strategies that work best for you, your schedule, and career focus. 

Put Your Interview “A” Game On:

What if you get the call for the perfect job upon being found by a recruiter on LinkedIn who believes that you will be the ideal candidate? The decision makers want to set up an interview right away. Interview? Arguably the most disliked part of the hiring process. You need to prepare. Having the ability to speak to your professional resume and accomplishments is a must. But you do not want this to be a boring question and answer session. You want to impress.

Imagine yourself as a car salesman: The first thing he or she does is tell you about the wonderful features the vehicle offers, the next thing they want to do is get you behind the wheel. They want you to feel as if you already own that car. That is the impression you want to leave with the prospective employer. It is not enough to tell them about the great benefits they will receive when they hire you. Convey to them what a perfect fit you are for the company, their culture, and the targeted position. Ask insightful questions about their particular challenges and then become the solution.

Stay Relevant:

Keep your executive resume, cover letter for an executive position, and LinkedIn profile updated in the most successful format as your leadership career develops. With your LinkedIn presence being accessible to so many recruiters, clients, vendors, colleagues and the like, it constantly works for you in the background as a marketing tool.

Freshening up your profile with current industry keywords, an eye-catching headline, and new credentials make you a much more attractive candidate to prospective employers.

If you need help with writing an executive resume, professional resume, or LinkedIn profile we can help. Contact us at info@resumesbyjoyce.com or toll-free 1-888-607-7793.