Everyone would want to be a top-level executive. Unfortunately, only a small proportion of the workforce will ever get to this level. That’s because executives are remunerated well, often far more than their colleagues a few steps lower on the corporate ladder. No organization can afford to have too many people at that level.
It goes without saying, therefore, that executive jobs are hard to come by. The competition and scrutiny during hiring are far more intense than your average vacancy. You cannot go about looking for an executive job using the usual tactics. Here are three resources that can help you find and secure an executive role.
1. Polish Your LinkedIn Profile
When it comes to executive positions, the golden rule is that employers will find you and not the other way round. Given the sensitivity and weight of responsibility these roles come with, recruiters will usually shy away from unknown applicants. Some won’t even advertise. You must make it easier for employers to find you. It all begins with LinkedIn, by far the largest professional networking platform on the planet.
With more than 670 million members, the scale of LinkedIn is why corporate recruiters and headhunters will turn to it first. Your LinkedIn profile should be a flawless announcement of your suitability. Upload a clear professional photo, fill out all sections, include relevant dates, leverage the summary section to provide an overview of your leadership capabilities, describe your headline accomplishments, show your quantitative impact on the bottom line and use the right keywords to help recruiters find you.
2. Use a Credible Resume-Making Tool
Quality resumes are fundamental irrespective of the type of job you are applying for but are especially important for executive positions. Here, the slightest of resume mistakes will be punished severely, especially if you are responding to an ad on a job board and are not already known to the recruiter. The competition is ferocious since you are someone who’ll be expected to provide leadership to a team or teams in your new role.
You can reduce your odds of making basic mistakes by harnessing reputable online resume makers such as ResumeBuild, VisualCV, CakeResume and Canva. The platforms offer everything from dozens of resume templates to thousands of resume examples. Create a professional, HR-ready, executive resume in the shortest time with minimal effort.
3. Google Search
Use resume makers and Google search to improve your chances (Source: Pixabay.com)
Why do large organizations opt to settle with governments, regulators, and accusers instead of being dragged through the courts? The answer is – reputation. Few things get business leaders on edge than a threat to their brand. You can expect even the tiniest scandal around your person to get you immediately ruled out of a senior management role. Businesses know the optics of hiring an executive whose character isn’t impeccable would be a risk to the entire enterprise.
Make the most of Google. Search for your name regularly and see if there’s any dirt out there. The recruiter will do it, so it’s best that you know and address it before they stumble on it. Engage a lawyer to explore your options. If it’s something false and defamatory, contact the site and demand it be taken down. Work with an SEO agency to create positive content that pushes down the negative links in search results.
Landing an executive job calls for you to be strategic, smart and patient. Use these resources to increase your odds of success.