Use these tips to prepare yourself for a C-suite job search (even when not actively looking for one):
Times are gone where individuals are life-long executives at one company. It is much more prevalent that everyone must search for a new job at some point in their career. Additionally, as someone who has years of experience, it is imperative that you proactively prepare yourself for an instance where you find yourself looking for a new job.
Often candidates who have not proactively searched for a new job appear rusty and unprepared, which casts a shadow on your years of experience, expertise, and value you will bring to a company.
Build Relationships with Recruiters
When you are in immediate need of a new position, it is often too late to take full advantage of the benefits of working with a recruiter. It is beneficial to foster relationships with recruiters long before you need the help of one. Therefore, if you receive calls or emails from recruiters, take the time to respond and provide valuable insight to foster those relationships with that recruiter and their staff. Even if you do not need the help of that recruiter right now, you will find that when you need their services, any bridges that have been burned will likely be irreparable. Your future requires that you invest time in building those relationships, so you will receive the best help when you are in need of it.
Prepare Your Strategy
Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile reflects your career goals, and continually update both so those details are current when you are ready to engage in your C-Suite job search. When you have put in the effort to ensure your resume and profiles are updated and reflect your current goals, it makes it easy for people to help you as you network to find new leads. You want to make it easy for you and those who may help you navigate your job search to understand how your experience and goals align. That way, it’s less confusing, and you can focus on getting the job you want and deserve.
Be Ready to Sell Yourself
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is giving the indication that you are not interested in the job you are seeking. Therefore, make sure you do ample research about the company. Use the knowledge you gain to sell yourself, your experience, and your expertise as a vital asset to the company. Clearly, you are interested in the position; it is essential to convey your interest in the early interviews. If you leave any questions regarding your authentic interest, it may hurt your chances of progressing through the selection process. Later interviews are more appropriate opportunities to ask questions that gauge your own feelings about company culture and whether a particular organization is a good fit for you. So, avoid asking questions that leave interviewers unsure of your interest in the preliminary rounds of interviews.
Be Humble and Listen
Remember that there are many candidates out there who can fill the position you are seeking. Often, candidates make the mistake of thinking they are superior and know everything they need to know, and, therefore, do not need to accept (or even seek) the advice of those who have vast market-based knowledge. It is in your best interest to listen to the input of recruiters and use the information they provide to inform your own strategy. Remember, their job is to work with companies and organizations seeking out the best candidates; therefore, they know what those companies and organizations want and how to sell yourself best to find the perfect C-Suite job for you.
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