Has it been more than 10 years since you launched an executive job search campaign? If you are among the few fortunate executives who have enjoyed a long, consistent career with the same company, an unexpected thrust in unemployment or c...
Has it been more than 10 years since you launched an executive job search campaign? If you are among the few fortunate executives who have enjoyed a long, consistent career with the same company, an unexpected thrust in unemployment or career transition can really turn your world upside down. Even if you are Internet savvy, you can easily become overwhelmed by the growing maze of job search boards, company databases, and online recruiting networks unless you have a solid job search strategy plan. It is essential to understand while it is critical to engage in online job search activities, it should only be a portion—not the entire component—of your job search strategy plan. There are several job search strategies you can engage in right now to re-brand yourself, revive your network and personal contacts, and re-position yourself for top-paying career opportunities. 1. Identify Your Target Position Before burying yourself in a frenzy of resume-writing and cover letter activities, determine what your ideal job target is. Do you want to stay in the same field, are you using this opportunity to pursue your dream job or are you only interested in lateral movement until retirement. Maximize resources like www.hoovers.com, www.wetfeet.com, and www.vault.com to find critical “insider” information on companies in your target industries. 2. Define And Promote Your Personal Brand Your job search is not worth the effort unless you have clearly identified your personal brand and unique value proposition for potential employers. You must be able to articulate why a company should hire you and highlight the consistent theme of achievements from your overall career. Are you the cost savings guru, have you been repeatedly called upon to lead high-profile initiatives or can you be classified as the turnaround agent? A manufacturing executive’s personal brand could be: SENIOR MANUFACTURING EXECUTIVE Engaging cutting-edge technologies to advance corporate-wide initiatives that expedite manufacturing processes and achieve aggressive revenue growth, cost-cutting objectives, and profitability margins. 3. Develop An Achievement-Focused Executive Resume Your executive should be a strategic career marketing document not a career obituary. Focus on relevant content supported by career-defining “WOW” achievements throughout the resume. Use the Situation-Task-Action-Results formula for development achievement statements for your resume with the goal of having at least five achievements for each position listed on the resume. For example: Situation: As Chief Financial Officer – synthesize finance and operations departments following the recent merger of two manufacturing companies. Tasks: Eliminate duplication of resources, increase operational efficiency, and boost work productivity and results. Action: Developed short-term strategy and execution plan by developing team with key representatives for technology, finance, and operations divisions. Results: Reduced company’s overhead costs by $5 million in 6 months and improved efficiency 25%. Achievement statement for resume: Shrunk annual overhead costs by $5 million in six months by assembling core operations team that further eliminated duplication of resources and increased operational efficiency by 25%. 4. Compile An ROI-Based, Brand-Focused Portfolio In order to generate success in today’s job market, you have to go beyond a standard executive resume. Invest in an entire portfolio of career marketing documents including a networking resume, career biography, accomplishment summary, and cover letters for both employers and recruiters. The networking resume works well for quick introductions to executive recruiters and personal contacts and the leadership profile is a powerful leave-behind document for interviews. 5. Have A Memorable 30-Second Commercial Once you get to the networking phase of your job search, you need to display confidence and value in your verbal presentation. Build upon your personal