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Savvy executive job seekers know that a strategic, well-planned job search is incomparably better than a trial and error effort. With the overabundance of qualified talent, it simply makes sense to take control of your search rather than hoping to be ‘discovered’. Here are the key strategies that can help you accelerate your search for a new opportunity:
UNDERSTAND AND PROMOTE YOUR POTENTIAL VALUE
As a former executive recruiter, I want to share with you an important (albeit obvious) secret. Employers will want to hire you and pay you a high salary only when they are reasonably convinced that the value you will bring to their business – especially in financial terms – will significantly outweigh your personal remuneration. While salaries may be negotiable, executive expectations usually aren’t. You will get an immediate market advantage (and consequently more attractive job offers!) when you clearly and assertively convey realistic and measurable gains employers can realize from your experience, knowledge and skills.
How to use this strategy: While other executives merely tout impressive past achievements, go beyond and translate your prior knowledge into tangible immediate and future benefits. When you make certain that your documents and interactions with potential employers focus on their needs and the bottom line (rather than only the bottom line of past employers), the value of your candidacy will rise exponentially.
PACKAGE YOURSELF PROPERLY TO GET TOP JOBS
Did you know that an average executive needlessly spends an extra 3 months looking for a new job because of one important factor – his/her resume? To get top jobs, it is wise to promote yourself as a top candidate. Whether you are casually exploring the market or actively looking for a new opportunity, the message you want to convey to prospective employers is “I can help your organization better than other similarly qualified applicants.” Indeed, this is what motivates employers to meet with you and discuss a potential offer. Employers want to hire ‘best of the best’ not ‘one of many’!
By preparing a first-rate resume, you rank ahead of most candidates and accelerate your search. Want to see why a superior resume makes such a difference? Look at this example of a winning resume that secured multiple offers (opens in PDF format): ResumesForLeaders.com
How to use this strategy: Discard mass-market resume formats that are overused by executive job seekers. You are promoting a multi-million dollar product (you!) to today’s risk-averse employers. To succeed, prepare a resume that quickly differentiates you from the masses. Make your message distinctively more effective and you will be miles (and months) ahead of those who compete with typical plagiarized presentations.
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