It may come as a surprise to some that many executives have a hard time in competitive job markets. One of the reasons for this is that most executives have spent a long time with their former companies and returning to the job market was not something they were prepared for. Some older executives may also be intimidated by their younger competitors. However, there are several things that executives can do to increase their chances of landing the perfect jobs.
Probably the single most important thing executives who are reentering the job market must learn is how to market themselves. This is a tough pill to swallow for some veteran executives. They may feel that their resumes speak for themselves and they need not stoop to shameless self-promotion to land jobs. But in today’s ultra competitive job market, marketing yourself is essential, and those who fail to play the game are at a major disadvantage.
To market yourself successfully, you must first know exactly what kind of position you are looking for. At the executive level, positions require years of experience as well as specialized degrees, so it should not be difficult to narrow your search parameters and locate the position you want.
Next, you will want to locate a company that interests you and one that has a history of hiring executives with similar experience. This is not as difficult as it sounds. A simple Google search will provide you with free resources that can help you locate the right company.
But your online adventure is far from over. If you are an executive who has little experience with the Internet, you might want to get one of your children or a friend to help you out. If you are comfortable with technology, you will undoubtedly already know that the Internet is one of the most powerful networking tools in the history of the world. You can post your resume online or apply directly to the companies that you are interested in.
However, in a tough job market, your resume alone probably won’t be enough to land you that perfect job. You need to express to your prospective employer what skills you bring to the table and what sets you apart from the scores of other candidates. For many executives, this means that they must once again practice their job interview skills. Another important thing a candidate might do to stand out is to write a career biography. There is nothing more powerful and persuasive than the written word and a professionally written biography filled with both personal and professional information may go a long way in moving you to the front of that job queue.
You may also choose to communicate directly with prospective employers though email or instant message our even through one of the many social networking sites, like Facebook or MySpace.
