Think about it.
The intro of social media and LinkedIn are top on the list.
But, changes to the executive job market don’t stop there.
Explosion of Executive Networks
There are many executive networks out there, too. For example, SeniorExecutiveNetwork.com (SEN) and ExecutivesNetwork.com.
A growing number of industry networks are online too. Consider Technology Executives Networking Group, LLC, (TENG) and Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG).
All these executive resources weren’t around before the early 21st century. (Editorial Note: LinkedIn launched in May 2003.)
Don’t overlook the executive networking opportunities on Meetup as well.
Welcome To The Employer’s Job Market
With these executive networking portals, employers have become pickier than ever when hiring.
This IS NOT breaking news for any of us. Hiring companies have more access to more candidates. We’re unlikely to see that change anytime soon.
Good for them.
Bad for you.
This is when “shining a spotlight on yourself” becomes a necessity.
How To Improve Your Career Marketability
How can you present yourself to be more hirable and beat out your competition?
To save time, let’s focus on 4 key job-search strategies to help 10X the interviews and job offers you field:
Tip 1: Rewrite The *Right* Areas of Your Resume
Executive suits have changed and improved through the years. Resumes have too.
Suits have evolved to adjust for fit, buttons, lapels, vents, and so on.
Resumes have evolved to focus on career achievements. Therefore, resume writers use graphs, breakout boxes, and/or color to reflect these successes.
So, before you do anything else with your resume, take a long look at the successes you’ve had with each employer. Know the condition the company was in when you started versus when you left.
Yes, make a list of what you accomplished, what you contributed to, and so on.
Need some questions to help? Live Career offers these 200+ questions by Katharine Hansen to help brainstorm accomplishments.
Here are a few example statements to help you add more achievements to your resume:
“Boosted company sales by…”
“Transformed employee performance by...”
“Introduced the X system or process, which did this: ___”
“Realigned costs by...”
“Expanded the company’s market share by...”
Don’t be afraid to reach out to a resume writer too. There are times in our personal lives and professional careers when getting a professionals help is the best approach to getting the best results. A resume writer can do that for you.
Tip 2: Be Unique When “Speaking” to Each Employer
To be unique, create a picture in your mind of the recruiter or hiring manager. You want this vision when writing cover letters and resumes for each job opening.
What’s the best approach for doing this?
Think about the company’s wants and needs.
What do you think the company wants/needs most from the person who fills the position?
Revenue increases?
Staff restructuring?
Effective mergers and acquisitions?
Doing this requires you to “crawl” into the corporate brain. No doubt. Giving this some initial thought will go a long way to improving your job search experience.
There are other ways you can improve your communications to certain employers.
Read business journals and news sources to learn the latest business happenings. News outlets talk about companies going through mergers and acquisitions, financial struggles, etc.
If you learn about an upcoming M&A, talk about that in your cover letter. Respond by highlighting any M&A experience you have in your resume.
If you learn the company is expanding to a certain demographic, talk about that in your cover letter. And, highlight that experience in the top section of your resume.
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Tip 3: Be Effective When Using Social Media
Do you need to be on all social media sites?
Nope. LinkedIn is the best place to start. In fact, you may not need to use any other site.
There are exceptions to this advice.
Graphic designers, for example, may be better networking on sites like Pinterest and Flickr.
You’re a professional executive, so you don’t need me to lecture you on using social media.
The “slippery slope” that gets some professionals in hot water is Facebook and Twitter. We all know that LinkedIn is a great online networking and social media tool.
We forget that employers can gain access to our Facebook and Twitter pages — without us knowing.
Don’t delay. Google yourself and look for any digital dirt showing about you online. Check several pages into the search results.
Do individual Google searches in search of digital dirt. Look for:
- Your first and last name
- Your email address
- Any nickname used friends and colleagues
- Name & company names you’re associated with
- Facebook + your name
- Full name +felony
- Nickname or full name +lawsuit
- Name +criminal
Tip 4: Prove Your “We” Executive Qualities
Relay your value and strength as someone who steers success. This is one of the most important factors to get across to potential employers.
For starters, companies want executives who make the gain of knowledge a habit. Then, take that knowledge, create program/project roadmapping, and follow that to success.
Your qualities don’t stop there.
Companies also look for executives who…
- Ask what tasks need completion
- Question if this is right for the company
- Develop action plans
- Take responsibility for decisions
- Communicate with purpose
- Focus on opportunities with solutions rather than problems
- Run productive meetings
- Think team-focused and say “we” rather than “I”
The idea is to be effective with your executive search and focus your energy in the right places.
You can do this by beefing up your resume to include more achievements and relaying the qualities that employers want to see. You also need to focus on the right places to promote yourself. Sure, LinkedIn is great for most.
Though, you might get better results with other sites too.