Table of Contents

3 How Does Executive Job Search Work?

4 Keep
Managing
Your Career
5 When to
Make a
Career
6
Job Search
Preparation and
Strategy
While Transition
Employed

9 Job Search Routine

10 Where to Find
Executive Level
Jobs?

12 Job Search is Just One Part of Your Career Strategy

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 2

HOW DOES EXECUTIVE JOB SEARCH WORK?

A
s a top executive, you may have never been in clear is that doing the same things to find a job today as
a state of career transition. Maybe you have you did five or 10 years ago will no longer produce the
conducted a job search before, but it was long same results.
before the digital age. Or it’s possible that the You will need to build your network while you’re
contemporary aspects of job search are not the challenge, currently employed, prepare your personal branding,
but understanding the differences between job search at improve your resume/CV and career documents, and
middle-management and executive levels is your main develop your job search strategy, so making a career
concern. change won’t happen overnight. This guide can help you
No matter what your situation, numerous executives through the various stages of your job search if you’re
are facing the same issues and are unsure about how to actively seeking a new role or help you implement a plan
navigate these in the new world of job search. What is to prepare for a potentially inevitable career transition.

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 3

KEEP MANAGING YOUR CAREER WHILE EMPLOYED

M
ost executives are so focused on the strategy
needed to execute in their current role, they
forget to put a career management strategy in
place that will help them reach their next role.
The few executives who focus on their careers at the same
time as their executive roles (the present and future parts of
your career) are leaps and bounds ahead of the majority of
executives who are purely fixated on performing well in their
current role (the present part of your career).
Another benefit to having an ongoing career strategy set
up well before you need a new job, is that you’ll significantly
diminish the possibility of ever ending up unemployed in the
first place because the network connections you gain will alert
you of new opportunities well before you need them. Even if
you do end up in transition, the network you built (an integral
part of your career assets) will rapidly jump in to help.
So you’re convinced - Having an ongoing strategy in place
is integral to your career success. The problem is that you’re
already so busy; you can’t possibly imagine adding more
to your to do list. As a successful executive, you’re likely an
expert at managing numerous, changing priorities. Your career
must become one of those priorities. It certainly does not
need to take a large portion of time, but you should make
an effort to carve out three to five percent of your week to
focus on your career; your short, medium and long term job
prospects will benefit greatly.

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 4

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 5
JOB SEARCH PREPARATION AND STRATEGY (Section 1 of 3)

W
hen it comes to managing your After you take a self-assessment, proceed towards unique value proposition will allow you to have a
executive career, leaving things to figuring out what your stand-out traits are and how more effective job search and be able to express why a
the last minute doesn’t often lead to they relate to your career goals. You may find it company should hire you.
success. The same can be said for your helpful to speak with colleagues and friends to find Some questions you can ask yourself to get started
executive job search. Before starting your search, it’s out what they think your best qualities and skills are. include:
essential to do adequate preparation. This preparation In addition, review previous performance reviews
time will allow you to decide exactly what you’re and project feedback. All of this information will be • Is there anything you’re known for doing better
looking for in your next role and get the resources and useful as you continue to prepare for your job search, than everyone else?
materials ready to communicate this effectively to an especially when deciding the “right fit” company and • What makes you more valuable than other
executive search consultant or hiring manager. role, creating your brand message, and writing up your executives in your field and position?
resume and career documents. • What achievements have you had in your
previous roles that make you stand out?
SELF-REVIEW
Do you know what your long PERSONAL BRAND
and short-term professional AND UNIQUE VALUE RESEARCH THE “RIGHT FIT”
goals are? The purpose of PROPOSITION Executives have differing styles
conducting a self-review at the Your personal brand and bring varying expertise, so
start of your job search is to represents the unique kinds it is unlikely that you will be the
identify these goals and the of problems you solve. Your “right fit” for every company you
type of career move that will help you reach them. value proposition is about come across in your job search.
Assessments are helpful tools for this kind of pre- special skills and experiences you have that can solve Identify companies you’d enjoy
job search exploration. Whether you’re in an active these problems better than other executives. These working for and whose mission and company culture
job search or preparing for a transition, consider both need to be communicated to executive search reflects your values and personal brand through research.
taking a personality assessment. These can help you consultants, hiring managers, and your network. You You can usually conduct this kind of research by looking
understand your personality and interests and how communicate this through your resume and career through their website, Googling them, and speaking with
they fit in with your work style and career. If you are documents, LinkedIn and social media profiles, employees who have worked at the company.
interested in changing career functions or industries, interviews, and any other methods used to discuss You should not only consider how you fit in to the
this information can be invaluable. your career. Developing your personal brand and company culture, but also how this new role fits into

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 6

JOB SEARCH PREPARATION AND STRATEGY (Section 2 of 3)

your career goals. Sometimes the reason for taking In the today’s job market, you’ll have an extra be careful about what you post on public social
a new job is solely one of necessity, but if you have advantage if you go beyond the standard resume/ media sites as well.
options, you should seek positions that are strategic CV. A resume/CV writer can also help you create a full After deciding which members of your network
rather than convenient. A career transition can be portfolio of career marketing documents, including you’re comfortable discussing your job search with,
an opportunity to become more self-aware, allowing a resume/CV, career biography, accomplishment activating your network is as simple as letting them
you to find a job that could be an essential part of a summary, cover letters, social media profiles, and know you’re looking to make a career change and
fulfilling career. more depending on what’s appropriate for your what type of role and company you’re interested
industry and function. Remember: Since recruiters and in. If you’ve been keeping in touch, this won’t
hiring managers are inundated with candidates, you be considered burdensome. Establishing these
RESUME/CV, ONLINE/ will only have a few seconds to stand out before being alliances will support and accelerate your targeted
SOCIAL PRESENCE AND screened out. job search campaign.
CAREER DOCUMENTS Last, but not least, when leaving your role, try
Do your current resume/CV, to do so under good circumstances so that you
LinkedIn profile, and other ACTIVATE YOUR NETWORK can maintain active contact with those from your
career documents tell the Don’t wait until you already previous companies (now and in the future). Old
reader what your career goals need a job to activate your coworkers can become career-long connections
and unique selling points (USPs) are at a quick glance? network. You should continue who are willing to help you reach your career
If not, your job search will benefit greatly from to stay in touch with your goals.
refreshing these documents so that they’re relevant network while gainfully
and targeted to the role and industry you’re looking to employed and offer your
work in next. Other resume/CV considerations include help to them whenever they need it. If you do this, REFERENCES
formatting, spelling, and grammar – if something you’ll likely have a willing set of connections who A vital part of your job search is
looks off, executive search consultants and hiring will want to help you in your time of need. If you’re your qualified references. Don’t
managers will assume that you’re not an effective currently employed and don’t want certain people wait to think about these until
communicator or that you don’t pay attention to (such as those at your current company) to know you’re nearing the end of the
details. Since these documents are so important, it’s you’re looking, you may choose to only activate interview process. The optimal
worthwhile to invest in a resume/CV writer so that certain trusted members of your network who are time to update your references
you get these important documents right the first close to you rather than your extended network. If and inform them about your new job search is right
time. you decide to keep your search more confidential, before you start looking.

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JOB SEARCH PREPARATION AND STRATEGY (Section 3 of 3)

Update your reference list, adding in fresh SCREENING websites matches your personal brand. You might
connections and removing outdated ones, and confirm The majority of employment also want to delve into your private social media
that they’re still willing to speak on your behalf. Make offers and contracts are profiles and make sure there are no red flags that
sure they’re aware of your personal brand so they will contingent on a positive could be considered inappropriate (photos, rants,
be valuable ambassadors when a search professional background check (including etc.). Anything you post on social media is never truly
or hiring manager calls. This is also a great time to references). Therefore, making private; even with strict privacy settings a potential
secure written references on LinkedIn if any of your yourself aware of anything that employer could find a way to see your profile’s
references are former bosses or coworkers. Having might be flagged in your background check or that content.
up-to-date references on LinkedIn can be instrumental you need to disclose during the interview process is
to getting contacted by a researcher who might be absolutely necessary. Think about anything that an
sourcing candidates though the site. employer might consider pertinent. Some items that INTERVIEWS
must be disclosed include: One of the most important
things you can do before an
EDUCATION • Bad credit or large debt interview is to prepare ahead
Furthering your education • Major or minor legal misconduct of time. You can even start
by getting an MBA/EMBA, • Failed drug tests or drug addiction doing so before you begin job
certifications, digital and • Fake credentials or college degrees searching. During your job
social media training, search preparation, practice answers for behavioral
learning a new language, or Keep in mind: Honesty is the best policy. It’s in your and other common interview questions. This will allow
attending function or industry best interest and the company’s to disclose any you to focus on researching the company, its products,
webinars and events will help you stay current on indiscretions on your own terms rather than wait until and the executive team, and prepare answers to
critical events and trends in your industry. During the employer finds out. company-specific questions when the time comes for
an executive transition, you must demonstrate to In addition to traditional background and reference the actual interviews. You won’t always have much
prospective employers that you have an up-to-date checks, numerous employers now conduct online time to prepare for an interview or call from executive
grasp of essentials and can move ahead rapidly searches to check how you’ve presented yourself search consultants, so it’s beneficial to have something
once hired, particularly if the employers are facing a matches your online presence. Before you start your prepared. If interviewing is not one of your strong
crunch situation. Much like networking, it’s wise to job search, research yourself online (via Google and areas or if you would like assistance in identifying
continuously further your education throughout your other search engines) and make sure the information areas where you could improve your interviewing
career and not just when you’re in need of a new job. that shows up on social media, blogs, and any other skills, consider hiring a career coach to help.

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 8

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 9
WHERE TO FIND EXECUTIVE-LEVEL JOBS (Section 1 of 2)

N
ot all job search methods are equally from your “right fit” companies, you can seek out
productive, especially at the executive more information about the company and its current
level. Spend most of your job search time challenges to ascertain if there’s an opening that fits
growing your network rather than searching your skills and experience.
job boards. Activities that increase your chances of
referrals and connecting with the right executive search BECOME A SUCCESSOR
consultants will make you the most visible for executive Most organizations only have so many positions, many
jobs. Many executive positions are not even posted of which remain filled. Options can be limited if you’re
on job boards as they’re confidential or employers are interested in moving up, but want to stay at the same
simply weary of wading through a flood of resumes. organization. Yet, in some cases you may catch whiff
of a potential opening of interest coming up within
REFERRALS the next year or two. Maybe the CEO has announced
Employers regularly note that referrals have the highest his retirement or the CMO’s performance has been
hire rate, particularly when the source of the referred unsatisfactory. In this situation, you can network with
hire is a well-respected, happy employee. Referred key decision makers within the organization, on the
hires save companies time and money in the long run. board, or sometimes even the person leaving the role
If you’re an executive in need of a quick job transition, themselves to ensure you’re kept in mind as a possible
you’ll be glad that you prepared ahead of time by successor.
building up your network while you were happily
employed. Once you’re ready to look for a new role, FACE-TO-FACE NETWORKING
you can feel out your network to find out what’s going In-person networking at events or meetings is still one
on in the marketplace and where there is a need for of the most impactful ways to expand your network.
your particular set of skills and experience. During these conversations, it’s best to focus on the
other person and find out what you can do to help
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS them. Then, exchange contact details to continue
As another proactive job search strategy, informational the conversation further either online, via phone, or
interviews can often be attained through referrals during another event or meeting. After you’ve started a
or by meeting someone at a target organization mutually beneficial relationship, you can let them know
through networking. Once you identify employees that you’re looking for new career opportunities.

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 10

WHERE TO FIND EXECUTIVE-LEVEL JOBS (Section 2 of 2)

SOCIAL MEDIA usually provides better leads. Large generic career sites contact an executive search consultant or a key executive
Keeping active on social media is a long-term job have thousands of candidates in their databases and at one of your target companies, you may be tempted to
search strategy that should begin before you even start are often geared to entry-level and mid-management send them an unsolicited resume, but the better option
looking for your next role. Through social media, you positions. Instead of putting your focus on generic job would be to research them and find out what you have in
can publish thought leadership and showcase your boards and databases, look for those that are more common, whether it’s an interest in the same sports team,
experience, accomplishments, and skills. Having an exclusive and focused on executive-level opportunities, a common connection, or an association membership.
active presence on LinkedIn is an absolute must for particular occupations, industries, or job functions. In many cases, cold outreach may not be the best time
contemporary executives even if they’re not actively to send over your resume; instead you should attempt to
looking. That’s because executive search professionals, COLD OUTREACH make a genuine connection that could eventually lead to a
hiring managers, and even corporate boards will source Emailing your resume to a large list of search consultants valuable networking asset. Lastly on this, think about the
a candidate through online searches and social media in or contacts through a mass mailing is never an effective method of outreach; maybe you’ll stand out more to this
addition to checking up on the candidate’s background. strategy. To be successful, you must narrow down your list cold contact if you connect with them on Twitter first or
Beyond simply having a profile on social media and contact each person individually. If you’re looking to meet them at an association event.
networks, you can leverage these sites to expand
your professional network. Do this by joining groups,
discussions, and commenting and sharing other
people’s content. If you start to become a recognized
contributor in a specific area of a social media site,
you may even be asked to panel events, participate
in journalist interviews, or connect further with other
professionals in your industry.

JOB BOARDS AND DATABASES

Unlike the previously mentioned job search activities, job
boards and generic databases give the feeling of having
accomplished something quickly. That’s because you can
post your resume to numerous job postings and databases
within a couple of hours. Unfortunately, this kind of job
search activity rarely amounts to much – networking

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 11

JOB SEARCH IS JUST ONE PART OF YOUR CAREER STRATEGY
At one stage of your career or another, it is likely that you’ll need to conduct a job search. This guide can be a resource to
help you prepare for this likelihood ahead of time so that you stay ahead of the competition. The top advice you’ll receive
from a career advisor is that you should never wait to manage your career and reach out to your network until you need a
job. Career management needs to be a part of your daily routine.

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the
closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
Alexander Graham Bell

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WITH

PART THREE: “RESUMES/CVS,
LINKEDIN PROFILES, AND MORE”,
WHICH WILL DIVE INTO:
Resume/CV writing strategies
An example executive resume
Elements of a successful LinkedIn profile
How to write an executive biography
Producing an effective cover letter/e-note
And more!

Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 12

BlueSteps, the executive career management service of Association of
Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), can help you
achieve your career goals.

As a member of BlueSteps, you’ll have access to numerous tools and

services you can use to progress your career from one stage to the
next, including:

A confidential profile that’s only searchable by AESC’s 9,000 search

consultants

Hundreds of executive-level job opportunities

Personalized career consultation with complimentary resume/CV review

An international directory of AESC member search consultants

A full archive of executive webinar recordings delivered

The entire Executive Search Insights Vault

Live Q&As with search consultants and career experts

Visit bluesteps.com to become a member or learn more. Ultimate Executive Career Guide - Part Two - 13