Category: Job Search Strategies

An executive job search can be draining mentally and physically, and if it extends more than a few months, it can take a toll on your confidence and self-esteem. Fear of uncertainty, financial stress, self-doubt, and feelings of hopelessness can start to creep in. But there are many things you can do to boost confidence during an executive job search.

1. Clearly define what you want.

Look at your job search as a two-way street – it’s not just about finding a company seeking your qualifications; you also want to make sure that they are a good fit for you, your values, and your career goals. Remember all that you have to offer!

• What responsibilities are you looking for?
• What type of company do you want to join?
• Where do you see your career heading?
• What type of company culture would be a good fit for you?

2. Know your qualifications.

A great way to give yourself a confidence boost is to sit down and write out all your skillsets and qualifications. Keep a running ‘win sheet’ where you jot down the specifics of any significant accomplishments. While you won’t necessarily list all of these on your resume, having a master list of your core competencies and soft skills makes it easier to customize your resume and cover letter for a specific role. It also reminds you that you’re a highly qualified candidate!

3. Ask for help.

You don’t have to go solo in your job search! Reach out to your network, talk to friends, or enlist the help of a professional resume writer or career coach. They help you nail down your career goals, create an incredible file, and practice for interviews. An outside perspective that reminds you of your accomplishments and self-worth is invaluable.

4. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. Thoroughly research the company to customize your resume and cover letter. Brush up on your interview skills (especially if it’s been a while) and conduct practice interviews to ensure you show up feeling confident and self-assured, knowing what you have to contribute to the organization.

Prepare and practice answers for commonly asked questions and create a list of questions to ask your interviewer. It’s also a good idea to craft a 20-30 second elevator pitch and a brand statement that will help you make an incredible first impression.

5. Keep it in perspective.

Remind yourself how your job search fits into the grand scheme of your life. One day, when you’re working at your dream job, you’ll look back to realize this was a stepping stone to success. In most cases, the worst-case scenario during a job search is that you won’t receive this offer. Consider this a good thing. Perhaps this role wasn’t a good fit, and the right one is just around the corner.

6. Work hard to keep a positive mindset.

A big piece of keeping confidence up during an executive job search is intentionally catching negative thoughts as soon as they pop into your mind and pushing them away before they can take root. Pay close attention to your inner critic, and silence them when you feel it speaking out of turn. Be sure to take time to focus on keeping a positive mindset intentionally.

7. Put imposter syndrome in its place.

The fear of not being up for the job may creep into your mind during your job search, especially when some positions have a mile-long list of requirements. If imposter syndrome starts to creep in, remind yourself of your worth, qualifications, and what you have to offer a company.

8. Don’t take rejection personally.

Harder said than done, I know. But think about all the reasons someone doesn’t get a job…maybe another applicant has a friend on the inside, or an internal candidate came forward within the company. A job rejection doesn’t mean you weren’t qualified or incredible at what you do. It simply means that the position wasn’t the right fit for you.

9. Take care of yourself.

Try not to get so focused on your job search that you lose sight of what else is important in life. Be sure to keep up with your physical and mental health by giving yourself time to enjoy your hobbies and interests. You still need downtime to relax, have fun, and enjoy life – you can’t job hunt 24/7.

10. Remember, it takes time.

You don’t just want any job; you want THE job. Your perfect fit. A place where you can thrive and grow. Finding that takes time and patience; keep your confidence up during your job search, have faith that the perfect fit is out there, and keep at it.

Your perfect executive position is out there – stay patient and persistent, and you’ll find it soon enough. Use the tips above to help boost confidence during an executive job search, and remember that you are not alone.

Check out my executive resume writing services on the site. For additional resources and tips to help you land your ideal role, visit Job Search Journey.

Social media is an incredible tool in executive job search to help get you in front of recruiters and potential employers who are actively searching to fill positions. Learn to use it well, and it could become your secret weapon. Many executives underestimate the power of social media, so it is often underutilized in a search strategy.

Using Social Media in an Executive Job Search

Audit Your Online Presence

If you’re new to creating an online presence, an excellent place to start is with an audit of your current platforms. Open an incognito browser and Google your name to see which social media platforms pop up.

While you don’t need to show up and be active everywhere, potential employers and recruiters should be able to find you through a simple Google search.

Knowing where you show up, what images are attached to your name, and what people are saying about you gives you a jumping-off point in creating an online presence that can help you find your next executive role.

Choose Your Platforms

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter – your options are endless. It’s a good idea to choose one platform and go all in, rather than to spread yourself thin by trying to show up everywhere. Look to thought leaders in your industry, recruiters, and hiring managers, and show up where they are active.

LinkedIn is the obvious choice for many executives, but depending on your industry, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter may also be beneficial.

LinkedIn:

The world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn has 810 million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. This social media site is an incredible networking tool and an excellent resource for accessing job postings, conducting job research, and building thought leadership.

According to a post by Influential Executive: “most Fortune 500 CEOs are on social media“.  And stats suggest that “more than one in eight LinkedIn users are decision-makers”.

Facebook:

Many employers advertise positions on Facebook. Following an organization’s Facebook page can give you early access to openings, and help you stay up to date with what’s happening in the company.

In addition, Facebook is known for its robust groups. Look for opportunities to find and join like-minded groups on the site – even if they are not job-related. For example, a search for “executive groups” on the site brings up executive networking event groups to women-specific networking groups to career network groups. Engagement in any of these groups could put you in touch with new people, ideas, leads, or opportunities.

Instagram:

Instagram is the perfect choice for executives working in creative industries. As a visual platform, you can establish your personal brand while demonstrating social media skills.

Search and use hashtags to identify other people or pages of interest. Engage on the site and build your own visibility to get noticed.

Twitter:

One benefit of Twitter is free-flowing communication with recruiters and hiring managers. It is also a great way to keep an eye out for open positions and upcoming events within your target companies.

Some hashtags to follow on Twitter, as an executive job seeker, may include #executiveresume, #executivesearch, and #executivejob. But don’t just scroll and lurk. Control your narrative by building a strong profile, sharing tweets and posts that demonstrate your authority on a subject, and initiating connections.

Stay Active and Up-to-Date

To make the most of social media during your job search, you want to keep your profiles, bios, and images current. Get engaged and active on social media to increase your reach, get you top of mind, and generate great conversations and new connections.

Creating content on social media is an incredible way to position yourself as an expert in your field. Even if you are not creating your own content, sharing articles from leaders in your industry (with your insights) is an excellent way to show potential employers that you are current and willing to learn.

Strategically Build Your Brand

Strategy plays a significant role in succeeding with social media. A strategically built brand helps you get in front of the right people and positions you as a thought leader and ideal candidate.

When building your personal brand, ask yourself questions, such as:

• How do I want people to see me?
• What do I want to be known for?
• What keywords are recruiters and employers typing in when searching for my position?
• Where are they spending time on social media?

Grow your network

Networking is an essential component of job searching and one of the top ways job seekers get hired. Social media is an incredible way to meet new people and expand your network, especially when in-person events are limited.

Reach out to connections for information, advice, and introductions to hiring managers. Stay connected and regularly engage with your new contacts.

Used strategically, a strong social media presence can help you grow your network, build your brand, and get your name in front of recruiters and hiring managers. Knowing how to navigate the world of social media is quickly becoming a necessary tool in your job search toolkit. It may just lead you to your next executive role!

For more tips, scripts, and resources to help you use social media in your executive job search, Visit Job Search Journey.

This year might be the year you advance into a higher-paid position, move companies, expand select skills, get let go, secure a dream role, or change careers completely. To help, the right executive job search resources are needed.

Regardless of whether you are actively job searching or not, it would be wise to be prepared for any possibility. I recommend establishing a career management plan that can be executed on demand, taking into consideration a number of potential options and possibilities.

By putting yourself in the driver’s seat of your career, you have more control over where you go, how you get there, and the ROI that you receive.

As a savvy executive, if you do yourself job searching in the months ahead you will need resources to help you identify and execute a solid plan, stay on course, and achieve the greatest return on investment for your time and energies.

Here are 8 of my top executive job search posts to help:

1. Executive Resume  Writing Trends for 2022

If it has been some time since you’ve had to use a resume (some executives go years without ever needing one) there is a good chance your resume needs some modernizing.  How can you tell if your resume is ‘behind the times’ or is using current strategies? This article will bring you up to speed.

2. Insights From an Executive Recruiter

This Q&A with executive recruiter and principal search consultant Arpad Szakal overviews tips on how to select a recruiter, work effectively with a recruiter, and what to expect from this relationship – as part of an executive job search.

3.  Seven Executive Job Search Myths Busted! 

There is a lot of information on the internet on the job search. Not all of it is equal, or true. This post busts some common misinformation circling executive job search.

4. Executive-Level Interviews: How to Prepare

How will you make a knockout first impression and position yourself as the perfect fit for the role? Knowing how to ace an interview is one of the most critical job search skills you can master. Brush up on your executive-level interview skills with these tips designed to set you up for success.

5.  Network Your Way to a New Executive Role

One of the best ways to find your next opportunity is through your connections. Yet, many executives don’t make the most of this job search strategy. Here are a few tips to help you build a successful business network that will sing your praises and refer you when high-level opportunities arise.

6. Overcoming Age Discrimination in Executive Job Search

Job seekers over 35 cite age discrimination as a top obstacle faced (AARP) while searching for a new role. While it can be challenging to prove, ageism is alive and well in the executive job market. The good news? With a bit of strategy and proper positioning, you can overcome ageism challenges and set yourself up for executive career success.

7. Executive Job Search Skills to Master

If you are searching for your next role, it’s time to put on your detective hat and polish up those executive job search skills. Research the company and role to determine must-have experience, traits and qualifications. Armed with this info, you will be able to position yourself as the perfect fit and a stand-out leadership candidate.

8. Impressive Executive Resumes Lead With Results

In an executive resume, one must prove their claims.  Supporting evidence lies within measurable impacts, specific quantities, and strong metrics generated during a career.  For greater impact: load your executive resume with relevant results.  Even better, lead with them.

BONUS:  The Importance of Referral Strategy in an Executive Job Search

Are you effectively using a referral strategy in your executive job search? A nod from someone in your network is still one of the best ways to get your foot in the door. Employers are seeking suggestions from trusted sources – almost two-thirds of companies have a referral program in place.

Need support writing a stand-out executive resume or LinkedIn profile to support your executive job search? Reach out!

Preparing for hiring trends in 2022. Are you ready for a leadership change?

Many call 2021 ‘The Great Resignation,’ as record numbers of people left their jobs or retired early. Others refer to 2021 as ‘The Great Resuffle’, because many people sought out and secured roles better aligned with their goals and needs.

This past year businesses shifted online, tech skills became more in demand, and the workplace became increasingly remote, so many people took the chance to switch things up.

As a result of these changes, the hiring market is hot right now, but how long will it last, and what will the job market look like as we head into 2022?

Companies will fill the majority of positions at some point, and the balance of power will shift. As an executive job seeker, how can you be proactive and prepare for the ever-changing job market?

Predicting Hiring Trends in 2022 – Executive Job Seekers Need to be Proactive

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict precisely how long the job market will continue to flourish.

An article by Fortune suggests that “2022 will be defined by the new normal and skyrocketing employee power within a historically tight labor market”.

A post by the Globe and Mail goes on to state that “workers need to arm themselves with technical skills if they want economic stability and prosperity, and in particular, if they want to obtain what are called “opportunity jobs.”  Opportunity jobs are defined as “a chance to make a steady and high- income livelihood and insulate themselves against future shocks in the labour market.”

Executives are not exempt from either of the above. Top execs can take advantage of a tight labor market to find a role better aligned with values, and even top leaders should consider technical ability/understanding to best support organizational advancement and growth and to remain relevant.

If you are currently seeking a new position or considering a change, here are two strategies to help you capitalize on the hot hiring market:

1. Jump in!

If you have been thinking you need a career change, now could be the time to leap! Dip your toes in the water and see what’s out there – it is a time of transition as more companies move to a hybrid workplace and seek to fill open positions.

To figure out what it is you want, start by answering the following questions:

• What aspects of your job do you love?
• What are your must-haves and deal breakers?
• Are there companies you would love to join? How can you get on their radar?
• What are the most important things to you? (Personal and career goals?)
• Are you open to switching industries or learning new skills?
• As remote and hybrid situations become more common, what does this mean for you? If companies are hiring for remote positions in your industry, does that expand your job market?

No job or career is perfect, but finding a role and a company that closely aligns with your purpose and values will bring you the most significant amount of satisfaction.  If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity, maybe this hot job market is it – capitalize on it now, as we’re not sure how hiring trends in 2022 will shift.

2. Stand out!

In a hot hiring market, there is still generally quite a bit of competition. How can you stand out among the rest? You need a strategy to compete with the masses and rise above your fiercest competitors.

To stand out in a competitive job market:

Develop a career story and personal brand. How do you want people to see you? What is the overarching theme of your career? How do your skillsets, education and experience combine to make you so great at what you do? Think of your brand story as a value proposition, making it obvious you are the clear choice over the competition.

Grow Your Network. We all know personal connections go a long way, and a recommendation from an associate could be just the push you need to stand out from the crowd. Aim to network continuously, meet new people, and touch base regularly to stay top of mind if an opportunity arises.

Upgrade in-demand skills. It has never been easier to learn a new skill – this is an excellent opportunity to perk up in-demand skills. Companies are reporting a shortage of talent, so how can you position yourself to fill the gap? Peruse job descriptions for positions and look for areas and skillsets that you could strengthen.

A survey of 45,000 companies in 43 countries found that organizations worldwide are reporting the strongest hiring outlooks since before the pandemic. We hope these hiring trends continue into 2022 as we slowly recover from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Now may be the perfect time to branch out and find your next leadership opportunity!

If you are ready to take the leap and seek your next executive opportunity, I’m here to help with resources, templates, and tips to ensure success.

Job search burnout is real! Seeking a new career opportunity is one of the most stressful times in our lives; it is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining.

Remember that you are more than your work! This situation is temporary, and soon you will land your dream role and be on the other side. You are also not alone! Seek support during this difficult time. There are people and resources to help.

Avoid job search burnout and stay positive with these 10 tips:

Maximize Your Job Search

Mastering executive job search skills will boost confidence and give you a sense of control over your situation.  Craft a stand-out resume, network, ingrain yourself in your industry, make the most of social media, and get visible.

Think UP

Pay attention to your thoughts and self-talk. When you notice negative statements popping into your mind, replace them with something more positive. Reframe the situation, focusing on the wins a new opportunity brings.

Move Your Body

Regular exercise is a healthy coping strategy. Exercising 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times a week, reenergizes you, clears your mind, and releases endorphins that give you a boost. It can also increase confidence and encourage you to be more social.

Take Care of Yourself

Job search burnout can get you down – treating yourself well keeps you in the best spirits. Resist the urge to spend all your free time seeking out your next executive opportunity and focus on your well-being. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, meditate, and carve out time for the things you enjoy.

Spend Time with Positive People

Choose your company wisely. Spend time with optimistic people who bring you up and help you stay motivated and inspired. Reach out to your network, set up coffee dates, seek out other job seekers, or consider hiring a mentor or coach.

Keep Up to Date

If you are out of work or not employed in your preferred industry, be sure you dedicate time to keeping up to date. Stay in the loop with industry news, keep in contact with your connections, or consider taking a quick course to learn a new skill.

Make the Most of Your Time

If you are out of work, take advantage of the extra time – read books you haven’t had time for, tackle tasks you’ve been putting off, and spend time with loved ones. Just be sure to balance these activities in tandem with job search tasks.

Switch Things Up

Variety is the spice of life! Try something new in your job search, switch up your resume, try a new way of networking, attend a virtual conference, or volunteer to be an expert speaker.

Consider switching up your daily routine if yours has become stale. Create a morning routine that sets you up for success.

Embrace Small Wins

Sometimes a goal of ‘getting a job’ is overwhelming. This large goal only gets achieved at the very end. Instead, break down activities into smaller, more achievable tasks. Celebrate the day’s small wins like meeting targets, making a new connection, or penning a great outreach email.

Read About People You Admire

Every successful person has struggled at some point. Reading about how others pushed through will help you focus on your long-term goals and what is on the other side of this challenging time.

Job search burnout doesn’t have to take over – remember that this is not your permanent destination. Life is ever-changing, and if you stay positive and stick with it, you will find the executive role you covet.

If there is anything I can do to help make your job search faster and easier, please reach out.