When it comes to talented executives, they know that what role a retained executive search firm plays in their career strategy. Executives have a different set of requirements when it comes to a satisfying job that also helps them to grow in their career. It is suggested by experts that you build a good relationship with executive search firms when you are not actively searching for a job. But if you are actively looking for a job, you need to make sure that you do not leave any stone unturned to reach the right job. One fact you must keep in mind that retained executive search helps companies find the companies find a suitable candidate for the vacancy. Thus, there are few ways you can showcase your worth. Here are a few things that will help you get the success you deserve with theretained executive search.
A Good Executive Resume
It should not come as a surprise that resumes are important documents when it comes to bringing out your strength. But you need to beware getting stuck with old resume formats. Like all other things in the world, resumes have changed a lot in the past few years. You need to keep up with the current standards if you want to stand out. Here are some points to keep in mind:
- You must keep in precise. Two page resume is considered the ideal length and you must refrain from using unnecessary jargon to increase the length.
- You must focus on your qualifications, achievements, and strengths. You must gracefully bring out your strongest selling points and market yourself like a brand.
- The resume should be scannable and specific.
- You must include keywords in your resume. The retained executive search firms search their database and these searches are conducted using keywords. If your resume has keywords, your resume will show on the top of searches.
LinkedIn Profile
Although a LinkedIn profile is hardly a document, including a link to your LinkedIn profile in your resume will take you a long way. It is a professional social media where you can represent who you are on the professional level. A well-built LinkedIn profile helps executives to create a right kind of impression. One thing that you need to make sure is that you do not make any mistakes while putting your LinkedIn profile link on your resume. You must simply copy and paste it to avoid mistakes. If the recruiter checks the link and couldn’t reach your profile. It will prove to be negative for you.
Executive Profile
A biography or profile that is a brief narrative of your career as executive so far and leadership qualities showcases your storytelling techniques and your approach. This works in your favour when you are working with a retained executive search firm.
You need to make sure that your executive profile and resume is prepared in a diligent manner, any minute error or grammatical mistake will work against you. With the above-mentioned documents, you can achieve success with retained executive search.
Personal Marketing Brief. Think of this document as your “resume on steroids.” It is a powerful one-page snapshot of your career search targets, including your desired professions, companies, and industries. Additionally, this networking tool identifies your individual brand, specialized background, and major accomplishments. Your Personal Marketing Brief introduces you and your job search objectives to recruiters and hiring managers.
Business / Networking Card. Of course you have a professional business card. But is your current card ideal for connecting with new opportunities? You may wish to create a distinct version of your card just for networking. This card would include:
- Your name.
- Your target title and / or industry.
- Your branding statement or unique selling proposition (USP).
- Cell phone number (NOT your current work phone number!).
- Email address (again, not your work email).
- Social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Keep your card’s look (font, logo, etc.) consistent with the rest of your career documents (resume, executive bio, personal marketing brief). Use large enough fonts to make the card easy to read, but strive to keep it uncluttered and elegant. And invest in a quality, heavy card stock. It’s unlikely you will carry your resume with you everywhere you go, but when it comes to your business / networking card: “Don’t leave home without it!”
Executive job search requirements have certainly changed over the past five years, and continue to change as we move into the future. But for the present, create a portfolio of the five documents described above, and you will be more prepared to achieve executive job search success.
