Martin Buckland Speaks

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
866-773-7863 | 905-825-0490 | UK +44 02030049990

  • Home
  • About
  • Upcoming Engagements
    • Market Your Brilliance Workshop
  • For Meeting Planners
    • Newsroom
  • Blog
  • Contact

Top 4 Executive Job Search Mistakes

May 7, 2018 by Martin Buckland Leave a Comment

As an Executive Career Coach and Professional Resume Writer, I’ve seen these same four mistakes being made at every level, but it’s particularly damaging for those seeking C-Suite positions. In a highly competitive job market where you are competing with the very best, a careless error or misstep can cost you a career move or a dream job.

Top 4 Executive Job Search MistakesIf you address these four common errors, you will protect yourself from being eliminated at the start and stand out as a polished candidate hiring influencers will want to interview!

  1. Social media blindness. Over and over, I see brilliant and accomplished engineers, bankers, and business leaders who are dedicated to producing the perfect resume and ignore their other professional documentation. These days, hiring influencers are searching LinkedIn and other social media for candidates: Your social media should match your seductive new resume! Ensure that your job titles, dates, skills lists, and education match exactly. Provide a polished, professional presentation on paper and online. While you’re focused on matching paperwork? Proofread! Your emails, cover letters, and thank-you notes should all be just as polished and professional as that shiny new resume.
  2. Not Recognizing Recruiter Value. Far too many job seekers, even at the executive level, fail to see the value in a long-term reciprocal relationship with great recruiters. You should have at least two Executive Recruiters in your professional network! They can be your golden ticket to C-Suite or Board level positons that aren’t announced as empty until after they’re filled. And recruiters are terribly busy, so you need to make an effort to stay in touch. Add value to the relationship by letting them know if you hear of an open position or introduce them to another great job candidate. That helps you stay top-of-mind when those unexpected opportunities appear!
  3. Relying on the Apply Now button. Job ads, boards, and apps are very unlikely sources of C-Suite or Board level positions, but everyone learns to use them at the beginning of their careers and they fail to recognize the need for change. Fill out job applications if you like, but your primary focus should be on networking and recruiters for finding executive level positions. A job seeker who skips networking events and connecting with recruiters in order to spend more time searching online for great jobs is going to miss out.
  4. Delegation. This may be the one that concerns me the most. You are in charge of managing your own career, and no one is more motivated to advance your career than you are. Don’t delegate career management to an employer, recruiter, or the whims of fate! Ensure that you are always prepared to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity by treating career management as a second job. Keep your resume current, your social media content fresh and relevant, make the first two items match, and grow your network every chance you get. Practice the soft skills that make hiring influencers sit up and take notice, because improving your communication and leadership can set you apart from the crowd. Put career management on your schedule and make it a priority.
Share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin

Filed Under: Executive Coaching

« Say No to Negativity
Using LinkedIn for Your Job Search »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Booking Information

Look After Number One, You!

Tips and Tricks to Recession-Proof your Career!

Learn More

VIDEO
Click to see Martin in action

In preparation of a merge between two multibillion-dollar companies, Martin was brought in to lead a workshop with some of our leadership team in order to prepare our resumes and social profiles for the merger process. Martin brought a wealth of experience and provided valuable insight that was supported by current facts and figures from multiple job markets.

Contributing Author
"All Jobs are Now Temporary"

Latest Tweets

MartinBuckland MartinBuckland
@MartinBuckland: Do you wish your career got you THIS excited? Maybe I can help https://t.co/eRp80OwiSQ https://t.co/wLEG4u13Ao

- 4 hours ago

h J R
MartinBuckland MartinBuckland
@MartinBuckland: Showcase Your Expertise in a Meeting with an Executive Recruiter https://t.co/dtEIBnfkyF

- 15 hours ago

h J R

Recent Posts

  • Your Best JobReferences
  • Is a Career Change in the Cards for You? 6 Steps to Consider
  • The Benefits of a Personal Brand
  • How To UNCOVER the Unadvertised Job Market
  • Top 8 Telephone Interview Tips

Contact Martin

Martin Buckland
martin@martinbucklandspeaks.com
4 Fairway Court, RR#1
Oro-Medonte, Ontario L0L 2L0
Phone: 905-825-0490 | Toll Free: 866-773-7863 | UK +44 02030049990

Copyright © 2023 Martin Buckland Speaks. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy