Over the last few months, many executives are finding that the interviews they are getting are not for the type of positions they want. In fact, over 70% of executives we surveyed said that many of their interviews are either for lower-level jobs or a complete mismatch. How can you make sure that you get top offers, instead of wasting your time on jobs that don’t fit? To avoid ‘default’ jobs, it is important to let employers know about your key benefits and articulate what makes you a ‘not your typical’ candidate.
As a starting point of a productive executive search, make certain that your resume goes beyond the usual formats and redundant jargon. It’s a proven fact that an unconventional and strategically crafted resume is a shortcut to better jobs. Working with Recruiting Firms can also give you insights into what top companies are looking for, helping you refine your presentation.
Highlight your potential contributions, not just past experience. While other candidates spend a lot of time describing what they DID for PAST employers, you will consistently get exceptional results by clearly communicating in your resume how your experience CAN be uniquely useful to NEW employers. Fast forward, don’t rewind.
Help employers understand your specific professional goals. By being direct (in your documents and face-to-face interactions with hiring managers) about your expectations and explaining what you consider to be a good career match, you will drastically improve the QUALITY of your search. You will also score points with employers by differentiating yourself from executives who appear less focused. Name it to claim it.
Most of all, create a MARKET-APPROPRIATE presentation that doesn’t make you look outdated or less qualified than you really are. Many talented executives lose good opportunities for these reasons: (i) They never had to actively look for a job before and now inadvertently undersell themselves; (ii) The last time they looked for a job was a while ago, thus they may not be aware of what works in this market. Remember this – when your executive proposal seems current and shows depth and sophistication, you rank ahead of the rest.