The current Executive Job Search Market (defined as those making $200K+) is complex, has lots of moving pieces, is part art and part science, can be frustrating at times, and is taking longer than usual. But…. At the same time…. It is also thriving. New positions are being posted every day, interviews are being granted, and offers are being extended. The key to success is knowing how to successfully navigate todays Executive Job Search market.

If One Can Master the Following 15 Techniques, Success is Sure to Follow

Your Resume. This is the single MOST IMPORTANT component of your job search. Get it right, it will flow through the entire process. Get it wrong, you become part of the 90% that gets disregarded within 15 seconds. A major roadblock or force against having a successful resume is that everyone has an opinion and most are not qualified to provide such opinions. (we have reviewed over 500K resumes and bios, wrote over 1K resumes, applied to 100K plus job applications, and been on hundreds of interviews as an applicant, hiring manager and recruiter) What should the resume say, how long it should be, what the format and layout should be, and of course what the purpose of the resume should be. By the way, there is one… To Get Interviews
Resumes include information about the companies you worked for, roles and responsibilities, accomplishments and achievements, quantifiable and measurable metrics, education, training, certifications, technology, people and budgets overseen, projects you worked on, the value of the projects, the end users of those projects, and teams you worked with.
Writing a Professional Summary That Blows the Reader Away – The Career Professional Summary is the single most important section of the resume. When a company, hiring manager, or recruiter reads that professional summary, it needs to blow the reader away. If it doesn’t, the reader never gets to page 3. The phrase “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”, distinctly applies to a Career Professional Summary.
Customizing Resumes for Job Applications – There are a great many that say job seekers should customize resumes and covers letters for each job application. They are wrong. Do Not Listen to Them. Customizing is an extremely time-consuming process that yields very little benefit or results. The strategy and goal are to accurately and effectively capture your background and experience and find roles that match your background. NOT try to fit yourself into a position. In addition, you will probably be able to apply to 10X more relevant positions without the customization.
Five (5) Major Criteria for Applying to Job Openings – When researching and reviewing job descriptions, there are 5 criteria for deciding whether to apply or not. In the current economy, it is important that a role includes these 5 (because of the great competition for each role), or you SHOULD NOT APPLY. 1) Title, 2) Years of Experience 3) Industry, 4) Salary 5) Geography.
Job Board Optimization – Job Boards serve 2 main purposes. The first is to be found. Companies, Hiring Managers, and Recruiters are searching for you. Can they find you? It’s not just about having a profile (LinkedIn for example), it’s about having a profile that is effective optimized. Many people are invisible on LinkedIn to recruiters, because their profiles are not effectively optimized. The second purpose is to find new job openings. A job seeker needs to focus on roles that are 2-3 days old, NOT 2-3 weeks old.
Research and Apply to Job Openings EVERYDAY – Up until the end of 2024, we would apply to positions for our clients every other day. What we found is that it was not often enough. Just waiting that extra day could be the difference between being one of the first (early) applicants or being one of the additional 100’s. This is why the strategy should be to research and apply each and everyday.
Preparing For Job Interviews - is one the most overlooked areas of job search. So many applicants don’t progress through multiple rounds because they are not effectively preparing for each round. Preparing for an interview with an HR/Talent Acquisition is different than with the hiring manager and even more so than with the department head or President. At a minimum, run your resume and the job description through AI (ChatGPT, CoPilot, or Gemini) to generate potential interview questions – and practice your responses.
Leveraging your Network – There are several ways you can leverage your network. The first is export your LinkedIn connections into an Excel spreadsheet (yes, you can do that). Then sort the list by company and by title. You will be amazed at the number and diversity of the people you are connected with. Reach out to them. Tell them you are looking. Also, after applying to positions (specifically on LinkedIn) see if you are connected with anyone at that firm. If so, reach out to them to let them know that you applied to a specific role (include a link to the job description) and ask them if they can provide any insights or refer you to HR. A referral from an internal employee goes a long way and puts you higher in the consideration chain than from someone applying cold.
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Your Search – LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft, has injected AI into the job opening research and application process. You will need to purchase a LinkedIn Career Premium service (you usually get 30 days free). This reviews your LinkedIn profile (which should mirror your resume), and returns positions/job descriptions signaling where you would be a top applicant – even before you apply. It also lets you know where you would be an early applicant (which is key – as you want to apply to positions that are 2-3 days old versus 2-3 weeks old). When you combine the Top Applicant function with the early applicant function, company responses will be exponentially better.
Not Applying to Enough Positions – This is a consistent them among job seekers – they don’t apply to enough positions. An Executive Job Search, over several months could result in hundreds, if not over 1000 job applications. Applying to just a few positions each day is simply not enough.
Using Easy Apply Features - The Easy Apply feature on LinkedIn offers significant benefits for job seekers by streamlining the application process. It allows candidates to apply for positions with just a few clicks, eliminating the need to fill out lengthy forms or upload multiple documents. This convenience not only saves time but also increases the likelihood of applying to more opportunities, thereby enhancing job search efficiency. Additionally, Easy Apply ensures that applicants' LinkedIn profiles are directly linked to their applications, providing employers with a comprehensive view of their professional background and skills. This seamless integration can lead to quicker responses from recruiters and more personalized application experience.
Applying for Roles Represented by Recruiters – It is important to apply to positions represented by external recruiters and recruiting firms because even if you are not accepted for the specific role you applied for, being registered with as many recruiters as possible is a great benefit because they represent many other company’s job openings than just the positions you applied for.
Top Tier Recruiters – Since many Executive Job Searches involve candidates with 20+ years of experience along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in total compensation, many, if not most of these roles are not published in the public domain. It is the top tier recruiters that have exclusive relationships (retained search) with large companies. They include Korn Ferry, Heidrick and Struggles, Michael Page, Robert Half, Stanton and Chase, etc. A job seeker needs to research the practice group heads on LinkedIn for your area of specialty (Technology, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Sales and Marketing, etc. and directly reach out to them.
Following Up – Unfortunately much of the recruiting and talent acquisition processes are broken. Recruiters and Talent Acquisition staff are young, inexperienced, and overworked as they may work on dozens of open requisitions at a time. Because of this, they frequently drop the ball. If after an interview, the company does not respond or provide updates as they agreed to, follow-up. If the answer is no, it is better to know that now, then weeks from now.
Negotiating – EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE (within reason). This includes salary, bonus, vacation, benefits, work structure (onsite, hybrid, remote). Just because a job description has a posted salary range, doesn’t mean it can’t be increased. If they want you, they will find the money. Also, never negotiate over the phone or through email before you receive the actual Offer Letter of Employment. Review it in its entirety. Then determine which items you want to negotiate. Remember, salary is just one component of an offer

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the executive job search market requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of its complexities. By mastering the 15 key techniques outlined in this article, job seekers can significantly enhance their chances of success. From crafting a compelling resume and professional summary to leveraging AI tools and optimizing job board profiles, each step plays a crucial role in standing out in a competitive landscape. Additionally, maintaining a proactive attitude, continuously applying to new positions, and effectively preparing for interviews are essential practices that can lead to fruitful outcomes.

Ultimately, the executive job search market, despite its challenges, offers abundant opportunities for those who are well-prepared and adaptable. By focusing on building strong relationships, utilizing data-driven strategies, and negotiating effectively, candidates can navigate this market with confidence and achieve their career goals. The key lies in persistence, continuous improvement, and a willingness to embrace new methods and technologies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving job search environment.

Job Search Coaching for Executives

Global Expansion, Inc. (d.b.a. Job Search Coaching) is a Premier Success Fee-Based Job Search and Global Job Search Company helping Executive Level Job Seekers All Around The World find their next job. We have over 7 years of experience helping executive level professionals secure high-paying roles across the globe. We are not recruiters, we are your personal job search strategists.

Unlike traditional recruiting firms, we don’t work for companies. Our clients are individual job seekers, executives like you who are ready to take the next step in their careers. We specialize in Success Fee-Based Job Search Coaching that accelerates your job search and maximizes your results. See Our Full List of Job Search Clients. Need help - Check Out Our Job Search FAQs