A job hunt presents both challenges and opportunities for those in the top tiers of leadership who are seeking a change via a new role, organization or career focus. The competition for senior-level roles is fierce, requiring executive candidates to possess a keen understanding of industry trends to customize their search strategy and stand out from the crowd.
Below, 20 Forbes Coaches Council members offer expert insights and job-hunting tips for senior executives looking to make a significant move this year. Read on to learn about strategies designed to give executive job seekers the edge they need in a crowded market.
1. Take Time For Self-Reflection
To ensure a smoother transition when seeking a job change, take time for self-reflection. Make sure you know your strengths, interests, passion and values. You can also take a leadership assessment or personality test to confirm or uncover things that will help you find a job that is the right fit for you. – Lisa Herbert, Just The Right Balance LLC
2. Get Aligned With Your Passion
When pursuing a career change in 2024, executives should focus on aligning their job-hunting efforts with their passion. Target industries and companies that not only value your talents, but also resonate with your genuine enthusiasm for achieving their vision. Prioritize peace of mind, recognizing that no financial gain is worth sacrificing your overall well-being. – Anthony Howard, HR Certified LLC
3. Know Where You Can Add Value
Understand and market your competency according to sector—corporate, private equity, venture capital or privately held. As with many other roles across an organization, employers are increasingly seeking senior executives with specialized experience and expertise. Knowing where you can add value in a company’s life cycle, and in what kind of company, will help you market yourself effectively. – Scott Singer, Insider Career Strategies
4. Use Your Network Strategically, Not Transactionally
Get feedback from trusted contacts on their experiences working with you, as that can open up new avenues and opportunities that perhaps you haven’t thought of. From there, ask questions that will help open your network’s network up to you. – Franklin Buchanan, Post Up Careers
5. Go Slow To Go Fast
Spend a large chunk of time taking stock of both what you want and what you have to offer before undertaking the actual activities involved in an engaged job search. Getting clear on your unique value proposition is incredibly important as you figure out what you are selling to potential employers and determine which employers to target. In short, spend time getting to “know thyself.” – Mark Gasche, North Shore Career Management LLC
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6. Outline Your Dream Job
In 2024, executives seeking a career change should craft a detailed “dream job” outline, including eight to 12 goals, essential skills and passions they bring to their next role. This personalized strategy enhances focus and personal branding, and it aligns with fulfilling opportunities, putting executive job seekers in control of their professional journey and steering them toward impactful achievements and satisfaction. – Dale Wilsher, Your Authentic Personality
7. Mine Your Network
Your best path to a new opportunity is through your contacts. Reach out with a clear, concise statement on the type of role you’re looking for and what (specific) help you’d like in your job search. Do you want them to forward your résumé to someone? Make an introduction? Serve as a reference? Your clear ask to the people who know you best will accelerate your search. – Kathleen Woodhouse, Nova Leadership
8. Be Authentic To Your Core Values
For an executive, there will always be opportunities. An executive with a rich network to leverage is seasoned, credentialed and educated. At this career stage, it’s about value fit between the executive searching and the companies being vetted. Compromising their values would detract from the robust offering an executive will add to a new career or company. – Alecia Wellen, Alecia Wellen Coaching
9. Seek Out Unadvertised Opportunities
One crucial tip is to leverage your network. Reaching out to former colleagues, mentors and industry connections can uncover unadvertised opportunities. Networking is more than just seeking job leads; it’s about building relationships that can offer insights and advice on navigating your career transition. – Peter Boolkah, The Transition Guy
10. Determine Your ‘Why’
If you’re an executive seeking a change in 2024, I recommend you answer the question, “Why?” Get absolute clarity on the reasons. Then, proceed to determine your ideal role for where you are now, given your “why.” Do not be dismayed if you actually aren’t yet certain about your ideal role. Get clear on your values and proceed from there. – David Deane-Spread, Metattude
11. Use A Compelling Value Proposition Letter
Network strategically by attending industry events and building targeted connections on LinkedIn. Build genuine relationships, showcasing your expertise and value to potential employers. The key is to reach out to companies you are interested in using a compelling value proposition letter (not a résumé) to let employers know what you can do for them and their organization. You will stand out. – Tammy Homegardner, Linked Into Jobs
12. Burnish Your Brand As A Thought Leader
It’s important to establish or reignite your brand as a thought leader through LinkedIn. This can be facilitated on the front end through insightful posts, a well-thought-out article or newsletter and engagement with colleagues on posts. It can also be executed on the back end by reaching out to and supporting one’s network and using LinkedIn features to connect with appropriate recruiters. – Laura DeCarlo, Career Directors International
13. Reach Out To Warm Acquaintances
Friends are wonderful, but warm acquaintances make the world go ‘round. Depending on your level of intensity of need, establish a ritual where, say, every day, you call a warm acquaintance. Find a good reason to call; don’t be obtuse. As the conversation matures, assess the appropriate time to inquire about their knowledge of opportunities. – Dr. John L. Evans, Jr., Evans&Evans Consulting
14. Uncover Your Key Differentiators
It’s important to focus on what sets you apart as a candidate. In classic brand-building terms, those are called your key differentiators. Picture yourself making a difference in the company based on the job description and the research you’ve done. Be sure to illustrate clearly what makes you an ideal candidate and why you are an integral part of the company’s future growth potential. – Joanna Dutra, MBA, The Creative Confidant
15. Make Yourself Easy To Find
As a firm with an executive outplacement practice, we have found that a key element of surfacing new employment opportunities is making yourself easy to find. This includes updating your LinkedIn profile with all of your roles and key outcomes, joining LinkedIn groups where recruiters can find you, engaging actively in targeted networks and contacting search firms focused on your function and industry. – Joe Frodsham, CMP
16. Focus On Your Leadership Strengths
Focus on your leadership strengths and not simply your current industry or sector experience. Industry expertise is important, but sometimes, organizations are more interested in leadership traits and experiences. If you lean in based on these strengths, not simply your industry knowledge, more doors will be open to you. – Carol Geffner, CB Vision LLC.
17. Showcase What Sets You Apart
Focus on your unique strengths, talents and what sets you apart from others in your field. This self-awareness allows you to articulate your unique value proposition more effectively during interviews and networking events. Highlighting your UVP sets you apart in a competitive job market and increases your chances of landing opportunities that align with your career goals. – Lorie Pointer, Lorie Pointer Coaching
18. Leverage Professional Networks Effectively
Reconnect with former colleagues, mentors and industry contacts. Attend networking events and join relevant online communities to showcase your brand and access hidden opportunities camouflaged as challenges. Research has shown that a strong and relevant network can open doors and provide invaluable insights that optimize your value. – Richard Chiumento, The Rialto Consultancy
19. Focus On Securing A Role That Brings You Joy
When aiming for a new executive position in 2024, focus on securing a role that ignites your passion, resonates with your purpose and brings you joy. In the modern landscape, fulfillment outweighs status and wealth. Your happiness as a leader significantly influences your team’s effectiveness. Evaluate your core values and self-worth. Avoid compromises that conflict with your principles. – Lynn Blades, Legacy Leadership
20. Know The Kind Of Culture You Thrive In
I believe having clarity on the kind of culture one thrives in is a critical insight that is not given its due weight. This includes elements such as (not an exhaustive list): the phase of the industry, the growth stage and functional maturity of the organization, the overall culture within the organization, the nature of the work and the type of skills and thinking needed to do a fantastic job. Evaluate these to find the best match. – Nikhil Chadha, Mindwize