10 Ways to Maximize Your Executive Job Search

An executive job search is very different from job searches until that point. Considering the constant evolution in the consumer market, the needs and requirements in terms of skill, ability, and experience in the employment market also keep evolving. This makes it extremely vital to maximize your executive job search in order to find the job that fits your abilities and goals.

Ways to maximize your executive job search

In order to truly begin an effective job search, you need to assess your skill, ability, and experience. Here is how you can prepare and ensure how to maximize your executive job search.

1. Create a strong resume

For every job you apply for, you must work on your resume. Every company might be looking for something slightly different, so you need to adjust and highlight your relevant skills and abilities accordingly. Rather than revising your resume, write a relevant cover letter that highlights the skills and experience you have that the company is looking for and how your skills can help the company. Regularly update your resume so that all of your information is accurate and updated.

Also make sure your resume is formatted well. This makes it easy to read through and also displays professionalism. Always check your resume for language and other issues that might reflect as unprofessional.

2. Keep resume scanning systems in mind

This is very important when you are putting your resume on job search sites. Tools such as ATS, which stands for ‘applicant tracking system’, are types of software that helps recruiters sort and scan through high volumes of resumes so that they don’t have to do it manually. The tool uses the same concept as SEO and scans through thousands of resumes looking for the right combination of words to fit a particular role. So, you need to keep this in mind while writing your resume. Only if you make your resume ATS-friendly, will it get noticed or even considered.

3. Do your research

Before applying for a particular job, make sure you conduct extensive research on the company, the department, and the role for which you are applying. Learning as much as you can about the organization and people you will be interviewing with will help you navigate the role and the interview questions when the time comes. It will also allow you to revise your resume to reflect what the company needs. 

4. Use your network

Engage the network you have got through your career so far. Reaching out to your network can bring some surprising results. You can also attend industry engagements (online or virtually) in which you can meet recruiters or industry insiders who can offer you the inside knowledge on job openings. Networking discussions have the potential to offer useful information or connect you directly to a specific and immediate opportunity, while others can lead to new networking connections.

Networking can also lead you to a dream job you didn’t know you could apply for. Networking will increase the possibility of you finding something suitable and in line with your goals and career path.

Read: The Value of a Professional Network in Your Executive Education Program

5. Improve your online search

When searching for a job on the internet, use the right methods;

• Google for jobs is one of the top online employment sites, that incorporates Google’s AI. Simply type in “job title + job,” for example, “senior manager job.” Google will return a list of job postings in your area that match your criteria. To locate more relevant opportunities, use the big blue bar to select locations and run a more advanced search.
• The CareerBuilder website provides a full analysis of how you compare to other candidates. It can also match jobs to keywords on your resume.
• Keep a close eye on LinkedIn for leads. You can use the platform to do more than just post your resume. You can also use it to find job openings that are relevant to your field and skills. As a result, make sure your LinkedIn page is current and includes specific projects.

6. Maximize your use of LinkedIn

LinkedIn is possibly one of the best professional platforms for a variety of uses. Here are some things you can do to maximize your LinkedIn profile to maximize your executive job search;

• The headline is an important aspect of your profile. This is used in LinkedIn’s search algorithm to search through thousands of other profiles. Use as many of the 120 characters available to showcase your role, and maybe a highlight from something you have worked on. Use keywords to let your headline stand out among thousands of others.
• Be sure to add a professional photo. Most people are visual and have more of a connection with people they see. It also allows recruiters to see that you are professional and can be a good fit for their company. So, while this might not seem like something important, don’t leave the profile image blank.
• Use LinkedIn as your professional social media page. Because that’s part of what it is. Be active and share relevant stories and articles, comment on other relevant posts and engage with peers and others from similar backgrounds. The more you engage, the more people will know you and understand your interests.
• Join relevant groups. Again, this might seem trivial, but by joining groups and engaging in discussions on relevant topics, you are exposing yourself to many more eyes. More people will view your profile, which means more people will know who you are and what your expertise is.

7. Use keywords

All job search engines have a field where you can highlight your role or designation and this is used by their search engine to help recruiters find fitting candidates. Use your role as the keyword rather than your designation, if your designation isn’t a popular keyword. Companies use designations they enjoy internally, but this might not work well with search engines on job search sites. So highlight your role and your strengths here rather than a designation that might sound interesting but wont do any good in a search engine, because that is not what recruiters are searching for.

8. Be consistent

When posting your resume and profile on different sites, groups, and platforms, be sure to use similar keywords. This not only helps maximize your executive job search and its effectiveness, it allows recruiters to recognize your profile.

9. Prepare for interviews

While you will not be able to prepare for every interview question, you can improve your interviewing abilities by preparing your responses to the most typical questions asked by recruiters and managers. Knowing what you will say or how you can react ahead of time will help you stay cool, calm, and collected throughout future interviews. Especially while doing virtual interviews, given the current global situation. Virtual interviews feel strange and since most of us are not accustomed to it, it will bode well to practice and prepare. Choose a spot where your background is plain and tidy, ensure the area and your person is well-lit, and as much as possible, reduce the number of distractions.

10. Always respond

When you do get contacted through the various platforms, always respond. Whether or not you are interested in that particular offer, company, or role, respond courteously. This makes for better future relationships and considerations.

An executive job search has always been a challenging process, but it does not have to be. You can enhance your efforts and get the most out of the time you set aside for job searching if you organize yourself and prepare beforehand.